And ... they're off!

This season has got off to a racing start with loads of members taking advantage of the bank holiday weekend and decent weather (mostly). We've probably had more catch returns yesterday and today than for any other single day for many years (and there are still a few people yet to submit them ;-).

I'm sure most of you have found the river amd its banks in a particularly good state, with more new ladders and steps than you can shake a stick at. Hats off to Stuart for managing to stock all the usual beats (1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 3c and 7) this time around, and with extremely lively and hard-fighting fish.

I've visited TBeat 2a myself twice (once to guide and instruct a new member), and there's no shortage of excellent fish. If you work up from the footbridge at Share Farm, or down from Trottenden, sooner or later you''ll find a pool with plenty of fish.

Most people have been nymphing as usual, as there haven't been many rises spotted, but Dick managed this lovely trout on a #16 dry sedge. Possibly the first dry catch of the season? I did just miss one myself on a #14 cream Wulff, but that was a rare chance.

The most popular and successful nymphs reported so far have been Duracell, Jack Daniels, Black PTN, Hydropsyche, Red Tag, Pink Tag, Beaded Killer Bug #16, and various Jigs including an olive body with CDC hackle.

Most people seem to have been using either contact/euro-nymphing, or klink'n'dink/duo.

Please do tell us what flies have been successful (or unusually unsuccessful) for you, and do say if you have had success with dries or Spiders.

If you haven't fished yet, make the most of the good weather, even if the river is a bit low. If you decide to wade, keep close to the banks as far as possible, especially in gravelly areas, as Grayling and other coarse fish may be forming Redds, and our very special Brook Lamprey (see the article under 'From the Riverbank') have also been seen building Redds, so watch where you walk.

Enjoy the excellent fishing, share what you learn, and leave the river as you find it (maybe minus a few rainbows).

Tight Lines

PeterB