Nature Trail

Date fished 1/9/18

The alarm shouted at me when it reached 4am! "You must be either mad or going fishing!!"

The clock was right. I was going fishing on the Tees. Ellis and I had planned a trip to a completely new area. One that I have wanted to fish for a while but the directions (rules) in the book made it sound so complicated and unfriendly, so I never bothered.  We were meeting down the track at 6am, well 6.10 Ellis time!

We met, put on our waders, it was due to be 20 degrees but we were expecting over grown banks, and might be doing some wading. A short walk and we came to a spectacular section of river. We found a gravel beach and started fishing.

Armed with worms, lures, pellets, maggots, bread, meat and I think Ellis had the kitchen sink in his bag, we were pretty much after everything!! (Error 1)

Whilst setting up, I saw fish going mad in a small area on the far bank. I think I will start there! Casting small lures, I had nothing. It was frustrating, but I gave up trying.
Setting up again with worm, I was getting bites, so sat and waited.
Ellis then saw the madness, so he thought, he would try there!
Armed with a float, but no float rod, as in our planning we decided definitely that we would not need float rods! (Error 2) he tried to see what was making the commotion. The master of float, soon had a dace, perch and minnows recorded against his name.

We wanted to fish new places, but also see what the river was like and find new swims for other times. So, we upped rods and set off. We found other swims, deep holes, shallow glides and fast water. We had casts in everything we saw. Ellis clocking another minnow.

Soon my lure got grabbed, and I mean grabbed. A sizeable fish was on. 20 seconds later it had gone. I was not able to see what it was, and will never know. (Error 3, maybe!)?

Not sure why I am counting errors, it is a nature trail, I should be counting nature.
In addition to Ellis's fish, we had also seen an otter and a kingfisher - Nature's  real master anglers!

Continuing on, we found the top limit of the stretch and a track to another section, however the game keeper had other ideas, and sent us back on our way, around the area we have already covered to get to another section. It added miles on to our legs, but we obeyed!

Reaching the cars, I told Ellis off and made him remove the sink, pellets and 1400 floats out his rucksac. We carried on, a little lighter!

Finding new swims is just as exciting as catching a fish. It's the whole day of being out, with a mate, and just "doing". On we went. A few casts, but mostly steps. Eventually we found another gravel beach, we sat down for lunch. A picnic lunch, this really was a nature trail!

Deciding we had walked enough, we u turned and headed for a third area. This beat really was one that keeps on giving!
By now, I was trying to avoid the blank, and Ellis was lying down on the gravel and still managed to catch another species! The nature trail now ticked off Grayling too!

Deeper into the woods we went, no bears but that would have been good! Another kingfisher shooting past. I settled in a swim, seeing a couple of otters playing on the other bank, I shouted to Ellis, but he must have been sleeping or something!
Eventually my rod, twitched and shook. I was in again. This time, no errors and a little chub was another species on the nature trail!

We walked on, fished some more and enjoyed the sun. Finding a double swim where we could sit and chat about our next fishing trips! Perfect.
Soon, it was time for home. What lay before us was cruel, a steep bank of wooden steps! As we made it to the top, cursing that extra chocolate bar we were happy and panting!

Back at the car, with 6 miles walked and with 5 species caught it really was a great nature trail, I mean fishing trip! Oops, you really do forget when you are having fun!