Fall

About two weeks ago we made a trip out

for some rainbows. Mike and Nick sported

two nice tashes. Mike looked like an extra

for faulty towers and nick like a German tank

commander. We had a nice day, plenty of fish

some good laughs, not many picture as my camera

died but I think I did get the best shot of the day!!

On arriving everyone had an array of big hairy things

I had my little box of river flies. Rather than rely on

any skill, or knowledge of the water, or any stocked

trout lake for that matter. The die was cast small flies

retrieved slowly, luckily it worked and a string of fish

followed.
I love this time of the year and the

American term(I think) describing it as

fall is about spot on.
The river Dane is a river I old in high

regard, not that some of my local streams

don't hold the same if not more amounts

of fish. I will stay clear of my normal preaching

of the reasons why and concentrate on the positives

of being out on the river, Gods good air and all that.
I love watching a float, if anything the last few

months and a touch of night fishing have made my

limited time even more enjoyable. This area of my

angling will continue I guess, even the stocked fishing

has been a nice diversion at times.
Well the Dane, a small river, winding by nature,

fast shallows, deep bends and tree lined banks.

Every new spot you fish seems likely to hold a

good fish and on a new beat of river, the often

long search for that perfect glide keeps you

walking and climbing through the rich under-

growth. Nettle stings and a hundred scratches

later I normally find that spot that looks "fishy"

and begin my way of setting about things.

The first thing before the rods set up is to put a

bit of bait in, this continues and by the time the

float runs down the water for the first time

the swims been fed for twenty minutes or so.

I also like to start upstream and work down,

it may be a false thought to think at least a few

bits have made the way downstream. Hungry

mouths wait around the next corner.

Two fish on the Dane are ready for you

at this time of year Chub and Grayling.

It's always been two althugh the latter

as replaced the Roach of my youth.
This is a water I will return too , it appears little fished,

apart from the Otter tracks that I think I found? The walk

will put most off I guess but I imagine some cracking Grayling

lie in wait, the Chub go three to four pound, I don't think they

get the pellets so are more of a natural size for the river here.

I'm sure Phil and Mike would like it even with the walk it's

worth the trip.