Only on Dartmoor

What can I possibly add?

The chap in the picture doesn't describe himself as a 'horseman', the pony is just very special to him - It had been fairly destructive and a really bad boy as a youngster. Then chap has a very close relationship with the pony, used to walk it on the lead and just spent lots and lots of time with it, and still does. Quite remarkable.



They hurt again

The last couple of evenings have produced some nice fish, well by West Dart standards of wild brown trout anyway. I was generally unahppy with my line last night, there was a stiff wind blowing up the river andf I have always felt the Snowbee XS to be a shade on the light side for my Streamflex. I took the Cortland tonight which reaffirmed itself against the blank and threw effortless loops into challenging gusts - I think I shall stick with the 444.

Tonight was different though; as I drove across the moor to Hexworthy for my cup of coffee at the Forest Inn there was a new but familar feeing to the air - autumn is with us. The moorland landscapes have started to turn their defining colours of this time of year. No argument from me, I love all seasons on the moor from rain to sunshine. Black Pennell produced a few fish last night, so was put to the test again, alas it was hit hard a few times by fast moving fish but nothing was landed. Oh well...

I was leaving just as the angler in this photograph arrived, he was happy to fish where I had been, he was still there long after I had finished my coffee at the Forest Inn too. I have to say though... the weather has turned so much colder... I could feel it in my bones... and my fingers...Well - they hurt again.

Rerospective...kicking off a new blog

Thinking back a bit to warmer weather on a lovely day....

I spent 4 hours in glorious Dartmoor weather, fishing the higher runs of the West Dart River where she is but a trickle. Two things were on my mind:

1) Try this reel that I had just bought.

2) Give some newly tied Devon Half Stone's a go.. They looked a tad bright.

I entered at Crockern Cottage which is upstream of Two Bridges; Crocken Tor was once the meeting place of the stannary parliament for Dartmoor, all trace of which now long since gone with nothing but wild windswept moorland and ponies for company. The river here struggles to reach more than 5 or 6 ft wide in parts but retains it's Dartmoor dignity with boulders of granite and peat stained water. I have walked, paddled, and traversed every inch of the River Dart from it's trickling source through to Dartmouth, I guess there aren't too many locals who can say that 'round these here parts. Every section of this river tells a different story, all unique and all with variation depending on the observer and the season, this section is unique in every way. Soon you approach Wistman's wood, which although small, is very special as it is made up of twisted and gnarly stunted oak which is one of only three remaining of it's kind on the moor (they are the last true remains of the forested landscape that once covered the moor).

I guess from a fishing perspective the day was relatively uneventful. My dogs played in the river, and believe me it's tough to catch a fish when your Rottweiler thinks that the river is her's and her's alone to swim in... The sun was warm and pleasant, and I didnt meet another soul in the 4 hours that I was out. I returned via the top end of Wistmans Wood 'fishless' but happy. Why happy?

Well.....

1) The reel was a delight to operate, smooth with a nice drag that seemed to work where I wanted it too and not where IT wanted to.)

2) The Snowbee XS 4wt line had absolutely no memory and was a pleasure to cast.

3) My tapered leader seemed to work as a dream today.

4) The Half STone?  Well it worked.... I was anxious that the yellow floss I had used on my 'Devon Half Stone' was a tad too bright. To be honest, it looks almost dayglow. Within a hundred feet of river I had 5 offers from little brownies, all went at it hard, all of which I failed to strike. I couldnt see them coming (they are very small and spooked so easily high on the moor). I managed to hook one small fish which I promptly lost. I felt that the size 14 was just way too big for these guys, I shall try an 18 or 20 next time.


A well earned cup of tea.