Chalk Springs 22nd September - PB Brown!!

[Madaboutfish]

Hi Guys,

It’s been a while since my last Fly fishing post, when I visited Chiphal. I've been out almost every other weekend since, I’ve become totally hooked on fly fishing for trout, practically giving up sea and coarse!

On Friday I decided to give Chalk springs another go. I went there a couple of months ago but it was really hard and I only managed a small rainbow. Having gained more experience I felt I was ready to go back and try for one of its big browns. I called them up and booked a place for the next day.

On Saturday I arrived later than planned, around 10:45 and bought myself a 3fish ticket feeling fairly optimistic. I had a quick look through the log book and was surprised to see that most of the recent entries were just rainbows in the 2-3lb range. I told my girlfriend Jana, as we walked past the stock pools, that I'm going to spend all my time stalking the browns and don't care if I blank. We found a quiet area, away from other rods but casting was difficult with little room for the back cast.

I spotted a nice looking fish and going by its behaviour, it wasn't spooked or totally switched off, as most of them seem to be. It quietly cruised around in a small area of water which I proceeded to cover with a small goldhead black tadpole.



My third cast and the fly landed within 2 feet of the fish and I let it drop down to the browns level and then gently twitched it back past it. The fish, as most do, completely ignored the fly, but then as I began to pull it back more quickly for a re-cast, the fish turned its attention. By this time the fly was only 6-7 feet from the bank so I had to walk back to keep the fly moving. The fish then darted forward and snatched the fly, which was now on the surface, turned to swim back and I quickly set the hook. I cannot describe the feeling as the water then erupted and my rod bent double!! I let out a cheer and called Jana over who was sat behind me reading a book! She was already up out of the chair and stood behind me after hearing the splash.





I played the fish out for a good 5 mins before it finally slipped over the net. Jana couldn't believe how heavy it was as she lifted the net over the bank side vegetation.



My first 'proper' brown trout, a PB and a memory which will probably last a life time!



Hope to be back soon with another report!!

James

[flyman]

Well done targeting the browny and getting your pb,
good report and excellent photos by your girlfriend.
how heavy was the fish?

Flyman

[Norfolkboy]

Great to have you back posting James, a great set of pics and what a fish. Well done mate!

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Cracking pictures mate and what a PB

[Vagabond]

A very nice fish, I had a couple of decent browns there in July (see "The Other side of the Rainbow") and know how accurate and stealthy you have to be with casting.

Lots of people catch rainbows there, relatively few catch the big browns.

So congratulations on a well-earned PB

[Vagabond]

Originally Posted by Madaboutfish

found a quiet area, away from other rods but casting was difficult with little room for the back cast.

Interesting - both my browns were taken after a short roll-cast. Many anglers spend a lot of time false-casting, spooking the fish in the process.

[pingu]

well done great report and pics

dave

[Greenheart]

Beautiful Brownie James. Well done....

[Twiddler]

Great report and pics James.......a handsome brownie there, well done on your PB

I only tried fly fishing twice so far, one fresh water (I blanked) and one sea water, only caught a little bass but was fun nevertheless.

[fishypaul]

what a beautiful looking trout,very well done that man,superb pics mate