downstream

Month: July 2025

  • Struck Gold

    Finally got into the first proper trout from the Ribble today, oh such buttery golden goodness! Saw more evidence of Salmon or maybe Sea Trout as well, big bastards jumping under the trees.

    The river level was pretty low (0.50m) but it was still falling from recent spate with a bit of colour in the water. I fished that long glide and found Trout and Grayling at head of the run in the more oxygenated water.

    Fished the usual New Zealand style with small pheasant tail UV bugs and fish were caught in surprisingly skinny water.

    Note to self: These are the kind of days for bunking off work. If the river is level on point then cash in that flexi and get on it.

  • Mutant pond fish

    There’s good crucians in this muddy pool so I must endure these weirder captures. The jury is still out for deliberations on this fish, some sort of freaky albino grass carp is the likely verdict.

  • The Prime Water?

    Nothing caught today, the river rose 0.50m while I was driving down so I was under gunned with the sea trout gear. I also didn’t fancy wading into that unknown chocolate water. Unsurprisingly, my punk ass sea trout fly attracted zero interest.

    Word on the street is this is fly water below 0.80m and spinning above that level when its clearing down after a spate. This has triggered me into buying a new rod (n+1) a bunch of Toby Spoons and a monumental net.

    Some noted lies have been noted on this beat and I’ll be back.