Roll on Spring

The wild garlic is just starting to poke its head up along the river bank and there's a hint of spring in the air. Today was to be my last effort with the grayling this year - afterall, the River Usk opens it doors for Trout next weekend and other weekends will be given to teaching and a little bit of river management before the 1st of April.

I haven't seen that gravel dry for months

 The river was clear and looking very inviting. I was only on for a very short session; the wind was biting and flurries of snow were falling. It was great to walk the bank with a semi-firm foot fall. I actually cannot remember the last proper rainfall. Now it's been a while since we have been able to say that.

A Stone Clinger Nymph... waiting for some warmer weather

The lower, clear water meant that stealth was, as ever, really important and my feeling was that a French leader would give me a little extra lead over the fish with the added bonus of the super-sensitive take detection. Simply, it was a small jig on the point and a natural shrimp on the dropper. It wasn't long before a trout hoovered the point fly and kicked around in the current. A nice fish too... just a few weeks too soon. The grayling were not too far away though.

The French Leader

My last grayling of the season

I am currently offering a few lots to be auctioned for the Monnow Rivers Association. Please take a look at these and the other lots. The money is well used for habitat restoration and management:

A 2 hour single handed spey casting lesson

24 dry flies

All lots currently available

The diary is filling up now with demonstrations and teaching (along with some great fishing for myself!)  and I am really looking forward to the 2013 season.

Thanks to all of you for following along and your continued support.

~Dave.