Mark,
Even though the results of that day were not what we had hoped for I think that, given the pitifully low water level, we didn?t fare too badly.
Some of the nicest things on this part of the river are the birds and other wildlife that abound at Britford to which Mark refers.
In fact, while I waited for Mark to wander back to the car park I spent an enjoyable 20 minutes or so watching an egret feeding on the far bank of the old course of the river.
It was truly magnificent and especially so as it was almost in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral.
I could not agree more with Mark regarding the handling of the Grayling on the Avon. They do seem to be even more fragile than elsewhere and I try whenever possible to unhook them without removing them from the river. It is not easy but more than worth the extra effort.
Whatever else you do please, never, ever place them in a keepnet as they will in all probability not survive!
The bailiff on this stretch, Stuart, is one of the most helpful and nicest people I have ever met. In September when Ron Clay and I first fished this stretch (actually for about 5 days on the trot) he really went out of his way to put us both on decent swims and was more than free with tips and information.
Now, Mark is being a little modest about his fishing the Trent Trotter.
I can tell you that he gave a virtuoso display of how to fish this method. Such was the master class that both Stuart and I spent a long time just watching and learning.
I have used the method before and it is most effective when faced with really low water levels. In keeping with many of fishing?s ?discoveries,? Billy Lane tells in his book that he stumbled on the method following a tangle, and developed the further from there.
Although I have tried the Walker modification, I do prefer the original Billy Lane set-up providing that you can obtain some very (and I mean very) soft shot.
Otherwise the Walker modification is a far safer alternative.
The problem I now have is that I contrived to loose my last Trent Trotter float a few weeks after the day with Mark.
So, if anyone knows of a tackle shop where you can buy these remarkable little floats, please e-mail me with the details.
Mark, I really enjoyed that day and I hope that we can repeat it soon.
Even though the results of that day were not what we had hoped for I think that, given the pitifully low water level, we didn?t fare too badly.
Some of the nicest things on this part of the river are the birds and other wildlife that abound at Britford to which Mark refers.
In fact, while I waited for Mark to wander back to the car park I spent an enjoyable 20 minutes or so watching an egret feeding on the far bank of the old course of the river.
It was truly magnificent and especially so as it was almost in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral.
I could not agree more with Mark regarding the handling of the Grayling on the Avon. They do seem to be even more fragile than elsewhere and I try whenever possible to unhook them without removing them from the river. It is not easy but more than worth the extra effort.
Whatever else you do please, never, ever place them in a keepnet as they will in all probability not survive!
The bailiff on this stretch, Stuart, is one of the most helpful and nicest people I have ever met. In September when Ron Clay and I first fished this stretch (actually for about 5 days on the trot) he really went out of his way to put us both on decent swims and was more than free with tips and information.
Now, Mark is being a little modest about his fishing the Trent Trotter.
I can tell you that he gave a virtuoso display of how to fish this method. Such was the master class that both Stuart and I spent a long time just watching and learning.
I have used the method before and it is most effective when faced with really low water levels. In keeping with many of fishing?s ?discoveries,? Billy Lane tells in his book that he stumbled on the method following a tangle, and developed the further from there.
Although I have tried the Walker modification, I do prefer the original Billy Lane set-up providing that you can obtain some very (and I mean very) soft shot.
Otherwise the Walker modification is a far safer alternative.
The problem I now have is that I contrived to loose my last Trent Trotter float a few weeks after the day with Mark.
So, if anyone knows of a tackle shop where you can buy these remarkable little floats, please e-mail me with the details.
Mark, I really enjoyed that day and I hope that we can repeat it soon.