The Little River Avon is a small tributary to the River Severn and is situated in South Gloucestershire, we had arranged to meet at 10am but I couldn't resist getting there a little early a taking a quick stroll down to have a look.
This stretch of river is full of bends, riffles, tree roots and deep pockets of water, in places it gets narrow enough to almost jump across and today it was carrying a little extra rain water from the night before and a tinge of colour. It reminded me of the River Clun...a similar sized river I have fished many times in Shropshire.
When my host and guide for the day Peter arrived we chatted for a while then set off downstream where Peter highlighted the potential target areas which were noted for our return upstream.
I had decided to start with a short rod with a duo set up, whilst Peter opted for short line nymphing. We started at a lovely looking pool which I was informed held some grayling, so as I set my rig up Peter dropped his nymphs into the flow and within minutes was into his first fish, unfortunately this slipped the hook and a couple of casts later saw another on the hook and quickly into his hand.
This was the sort of start we had hoped for and when I got in and fished up through the pool with my duo rig I was also fortunate to connect quickly with a couple of nice grayling. Early signs were good and we progressed upstream through some nice looking water but finding more feeding fish proved very difficult, a switch to a short line nymph set up brought a few smaller grayling but it became evident that our good start was not going to continue through the day.
We finished around 3.30pm with a few more smaller grayling knowing that today the river had fished hard but nevertheless it was a lovely place to spend a winter's day where temperatures were close to double figures.
Lovely pictures of a lovely stream. Wish I could have joined you giving my rod a good stretch. Remembering it how it is to play a fish but it's laying there on the shelf waiting for the spring. It's freezing cold here in Sweden now and fly fishing is impossible and unthinkable for the moment.
ReplyDeleteHave fun fishing,
M.O.
PS Beautiful photos!!! DS
Hi M.O,
ReplyDeleteSounds as if you have it cold over in Sweden at the moment. We have the opposite over in the UK at the moment where temperatures are un-seasonably warm.
Total contrast to last year where we were subject to many of our rivers freezing over.
Spring is just around the corner!!!
Great report Mick, being only 15 minutes from the LRA i've spent a fair amount of time fishing it and "cut my teeth" learning about fly fishing/entomology years ago! Somewhere i hold very dear, plus it's perfect for a few hours after work being so close! Roll on the new season!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Graham
Hello from California, Los Angeles to be exact. This post excites, I'm a small stream man who fishes the American West. Believe it or not, one hour from downtown LA. Our steep coastal mountains have many streams, and we enjoy wild rainbow and brown trouting. Myself, on my own flies and on bamboo fly rods. This is a lovely stream, and perhaps when I return to Britain I can weasel my way in. Know how it works over your way, have fished (2010) in Jedburgh water and Peacock beat, Bakewell.
ReplyDeleteNice blog, good photos and reporting. Tight lines from your former colonies,
Darrell K.