Opening day: some people avoid it, some embrace it. I have been in both camps. When I first started fly fishing some twenty-five years ago, I couldn’t wait for the rivers to be open to get out fishing again. Some ten years later, I assiduously avoided opening, waiting a few weeks, for other anglers’ leave passes to be used up in the frenzy of the first weekends. By which time the angler numbers diminished and I could fish in peace and solitude.
This year I was invited, by a good friend and accomplished guide Scott McPherson’s to spend opening day with a few fellow guides at his place (Indulgence Fly Fishing) in Eskdale. As a bonus we would meet up at the RISE fly fishing festival in Albury on the Friday evening. I met Scott and Rob at the pub, and it was pumping, the fly fishers were bursting with the joy at the expectation of hitting the rivers the next day. It was easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm.
The next morning we gathered in Scottie’s kitchen to discuss the day’s plans, whilst he cooked up a bacon and egg sandwich to get the day started. Delicious.
After breakfast, Dave and I headed to one of the local streams, where, in spite of it being opening day, we only had to venture a short way before we found a section to ourselves. On checking the conditions in the river, we found the sub-aquatic insect life a little sparse; just some tiny black nymphs under the upturned rocks. The day was cold, and the water even colder (-4.5C), so not surprising.
Despite this after some diligent work, Dave soon had his first of the season in the net. A typical nicely marked small-stream wild brown trout.
… and a rainbow trout.
If you ventured out, I hope you had as much fun as we did. If not I hope you get out their soon. Feel free to contact us if we can help.
Twig & Stream Fly Fishing
Twig & Stream Fly Fishing 