THAMES VALLEY

FLY DRESSERS

BRANCH OF FLY DRESSERS GUILD

Grayling Trip  29 December 2016

The forecast said freezing fog so it was with some trepidation that we poked our noses out of the front door. The weather had half read the forecast - it was definitely freezing; -4deg C on the car thermometer but thankfully no fog. Our numbers were somewhat depleted as John W was not able to attend as he had suddenly landed the role as an extra in ‘Call The Midwife’. It was under blue skies but freezing conditions we started to fish. The rod rings were soon iced up and with no glycerine to hand it was a case of dunking the rod before casting. A really slow start saw about a dozen fish caught by lunchtime. Despite the best efforts of John A and Richard E the upper stretch yielded no fish in the morning.

After a leisurely lunch we were back on the river and the fish were more cooperative with the grayling biting on the upper stretch and even a few trout getting in on the action. There was no rise to speak of so it was beaded nymphs all day. We finished the day with 42 fish to the bank. 

However the best catch of the day goes to John W who became a first time grandad to a 9lb 2 oz baby girl - many congratulations to John’s son and daughter in law and our best wishes to the baby and all the Watkins clan. A great start for 2017.

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