FRENSHAM FISHERY

 

There has to be a considerable amount of organiser’s luck that the second outing of the year brought another beautiful day of glorious sunshine and light winds. Frensham is a very popular venue for our members and their guests, hidden away up a winding track which opens up to five trout lakes and one that is being given over to wildlife, not that there is ever any shortage of that.

Our last visit in September showed a number of improvements but this year it was quite spectacular with the lodge now finished. Also the open fronted barn is now sporting a terrace overlooking the main lake with tables and chairs for entertaining. Jillian and her team have really done a remarkable job and I understand there is more planned.

Originally there were going to be 11 of us but due to bad backs, bad diaries and gall bladder operations we were reduced to eight of us fishing. When I returned to the car after paying my dues there was a mayfly resting on the boot of the car, which is what every fly fisherman likes to see as this is staple diet of trout at the time of the Mayfly hatch. This one was early but in a couple of weeks time the water should be covered with them and the sight of trout slurping them down.

Our day proved to be a bit more difficult and it was some time before the first fish was landed, although several had been hooked only to be lost in the ever-present fight against the angler.

We were very pleased to be joined by PICT President, Paul Johnson-Knight, who was happy to watch the so-called experts at work. Fortunately, I was able to hook, play and land a two pounder so that he could see what our sport is all about.

Paul was also able to stay for lunch and join in the usual fishing, trade and other banter. This was enjoyed on the new terrace in lovely sunshine.

With many a mile to travel home for a lot of us, many had a quick afternoon session before calling it a day.

As is so often the case one of our guests out-fished us all by catching four, but with only one member going home with an empty bag, it had been another really good day.

 

RIVER TEST, ROMSEY, HANTS

 

Our visit to the River Test came in the wake of storm Brian which prompted one or two urgent messages asking if our visit was still on. In the event, the day started drizzly but with light winds and after a couple of hours the drizzle had stopped and we were able to enjoy a reasonable day, with the river running fast and clear as usual.

My wife and I had gone down the day before to spend a few nights in our caravan which gives me a head start as our site is only 10 minutes from our meeting point, so I was delighted and not a little surprised to find our President in front of me as I pulled up to the gate at 7.30. Joe Piggott had driven from Birmingham just to see us all set out on our endeavours to catch Brown Trout, then had to leave to an hour or so later to return for a meeting later in the afternoon. It really was a splendid gesture and I am just sorry that he was not able to see any of the action.

Talking of action, once again it was rather sporadic, or in my case non-existent! It was the same for my co-organiser David Gould who fishes the river regularly and neither of us caught a fish all day – I put it down to organisers curse!!

Elsewhere fish were being caught, but such is the length of the beat , news about catches was not heard until lunchtime when we met up in dribs and drabs to eat our sandwiches and talk about the morning.  It turned out that several Brown Trout had been caught and carefully returned.

A total of 17 anglers attended, made up of PICT members and guests supplemented as usual by 6 members of MTSFC, which meant that the event was a success and after paying the fishery there was a surplus for PICT funds. I would like to thank everyone who turned out for their support and generosity.

This year’s catch was a very good mix consisting of 2 Salmon, 10 Brown Trout, 1 Sea Trout, a metre long Pike, and a decent size Chub,, plus 6 anglers who blanked. Judging by emails I have received it seems that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day whether they caught or not, which is not only due to the status of the River Test as one of our foremost chalkstreams, but just because the setting is so delightful.

My thanks as always to David Gould for organising matters with the fishery and we look forward to the same opportunity next year.

 

MONK TROPHY

For the second year running the MONK TROPHY was won by Alan Badcock, from George Fowler and Dennis Cole. Congratulations to Alan who consistently catches fish at each event and even managed to catch a couple of small fish on the Test.