A short entry to relate a brief but nonetheless hugely enjoyable visit this afternoon to
Holbury Lane Lakes.
Recently, I've had the pleasure & benefit of being tutored and guided by
Jim Williams on the River Test. The
latest session was some three weeks past, and I'm venturing back on the river for my first "solo flight" in a couple of weeks. I wanted to get out today primarily to wet a line and make sure I didn't backslide into a couple of faults with my casting that Jim corrected last time out. Granted, this was still and not running water - but Holbury is a cracking venue and the weather today was glorious. Holbury includes a decent stretch of the River Dun, a Test tributary, is very well-kept and a delight on most days.
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| Island Lake - a picture in late winter sunshine |
In possession of a two-fish ticket, I had a quick look at The Pond, and Island Lake. Noticing some fish high in the water and some unseasonal rises, I tackled up my Sage Fli 9ft 5wt with a tapered mono leader. I added some fluorocarbon tippet and tied on a Klinkhammer. This was about 13.00 - the warmest part of the day - and I wanted to have a go with the dry fly in order to ensure my casting was up to scratch.
Two things happened. My casting was working well, but I realised quickly I was barking up the wrong tree. Off came the Klink, and on went an olive
Demoiselle. This I chose mainly for colour and being weighted but not overly so, as I didn't think the fish were tight to the bottom.
On the third or fourth cast, I had a spectacular take "on the drop" where I could clearly see the fish in the top quarter of the water column. A decent fight ensued, wherein my three turn water knot was tested, not to mention my clinch knot. On 3lb tippet this chunky, fit Rainbow gave a good account of itself.
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| Fish & Fly! |
I decided to move on, have a look at the Dun (which I wasn't fishing), and settle on a spot to try for another.
Long Lake does what it says "on the tin":
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| Gin clear water |
This is a favourite spot of mine as there is a good flow in from the river at this point, although the Dun's course takes it the other side of the trees. Keeping the same fly, and with encouragement from a friendly member of staff, I set about my task. The sun was low and moving round to be directly behind me, and even with stocked fish you need to watch your shadow.
Long story cut short, casting towards the left-hand bank shown above, within a few casts the end of the fly-line began to slide away and I lifted gently into my second fish. This Rainbow fought hard, taking line on three or four surging runs which had my Greys GTX screaming. Before too long, however, it was in the net and I ended with a fine brace of very fit Holbury Rainbows.
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| 5lbs of fin-perfection |
Just time to take a couple of shots of the Dun, before heading home.
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| Upstream |
The river is looking very well cared-for, and the only thing it lacks in my view is a decent head of Grayling. There are some wild fish as well as stocked Browns & Rainbows.
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| Clear water downstream |
So I made it home at a reasonable time. After cleaning the fish, it was time to walk Ellie and Hamish. So, in the same day I fished with fly AND walked with BTs! The weather was glorious and this made for an exceedingly pleasant afternoon. I am looking forward to my next outing, back on running water, confident that my cast will behave itself!
