I’ve been promising myself a trip to the River Test at
Timsbury for years. I fished it one busy Saturday back in 2006 – the weather
was awful, the venue was far too busy and I struggled. I did, however, manage a
couple of grayling on that visit, which to date have been the only two examples
of that species I’ve ever caught. Every year I say I’ll go back, and before I
know it we’re in mid-March and the chance is gone. This year was different.
A few days of annual leave left over, a carefully look ahead
on the weather forecast and the date was booked (SWMBO had been very accommodating
too). Now, could I have a day to remember? Well, judge for yourself.
One of the problems with December is the lack of daylight,
so getting up at 0530 was required so I could be away just after 6 o’clock to
miss the worst of the M25, then down the M3, onto the A303 and a good breakfast
at the Little Chef. This would not be my normal choice (although to be fair the
black pudding was quite good), but with a lack of alternatives in the area I
decided this would have to do. And then on to Timsbury for 0815.
It looked like I had the place to myself so after the usual
kerfuffle of bib and braces, boots and roving gear I girded my loins and headed
off to the bridge at the bottom of the beat. Rumour is there are some big roach
to be had, so this seemed like a great place to start. A 4BB stick float to
0.10mm hooklength and an 18 barbless hook seemed like a good compromise (something
I could adjust for a range of swims) and following a few loosefed maggots I
started.
It was a good few run-throughs before the first bite. Well
not so much of a bite as brush with the bottom. A faint resistance and on the
retrieve there appeared to be a small leaf on the hook. Closer inspection showed
it was no leaf, it was a minnow. This was hardly in the script, but it did mean
the blank was avoided – but given the round trip, the day ticket, bait and
breakfast, it was scant return. Anyhow, now that I was a little more relaxed I
could have a few more runs through. After 20 minutes or so I had clearly
perfected my minnow fishing (15 had graced the bank by then) I decided enough
was enough and headed upstream for a bit of variety.
I stopped to try and trot a few swims, but the sun was all
wrong - it was low and perfectly aligned with the river. Whatever I did I could
not see the float, so I decided it was time to find a different angle.
A quick chat with the bailiff and I tried a spot he
recommended trotting towards a small tree on the bend. It took a few runs
through and many catches on the bottom but eventually the float dipped and
sharp tugs on the rod tip showed a decent fish at last. Duly landed and a
gorgeous 8oz grayling was in the net. Superb.
A few minutes later a repeat with a slightly smaller fish. And
then a lull. But I was happy – target fish caught, technically a Personal Best,
but not that I had much to beat (4oz), but the whole purpose of the day was now
coming together.
I wondered up the carrier stream and on finding a deeper
run, set about seeing what else I could find. Second run through and another
grayling, then another, and another, then some trout and more trout, some of
the trout nudging a couple of pounds - in
all ten fish from a tiny stretch on trotted maggot.
Bites slowed so I headed further up the carrier, there was
another deeper section with an inviting looking slack. The slack failed to
produce, but just as I was about to move on a fish broke the water in the main
flow. I rejigged the rig and started working the flow. Grayling, grayling,
trout, trout, grayling almost non-stop for 45 minutes or so, it was fantastic
fishing (even if I did pull out of a few). Although the grayling were not
large, the trout were good - running to about 3lb. What was amazing was
watching the fish compete for the loosefeed as it hit the water, seeing trout
and grayling attacking maggots within second of them hitting the surface in
December was something else.
I could have stayed in that spot all afternoon, but the
grayling were small so I thought a few hours on the main river would be a good
bet. Next peg looked like a smooth and slow flowing canal. I didn’t fancy it
much it produced a grayling and a brownie. Then onto an area recommended by the
bailiff; fishing just a rod length out the fish were showing, again it started
with grayling, then more trout and then after about ten fish it went quiet.
I had a quick look at a few spots before having a final half
hour on the carrier again. It took a while to get going but two minnows and
five grayling were a good return before it was time to think about heading
home.
Having begun the session with the hope of a grayling or two
I managed a grand total of 25 grayling – well above and beyond what I could
have imagined. Ok they weren’t the biggest fish in the world, averaging 4-8oz,
but they were an amazing treat and a real session to remember. I’m not sure
when I’ll get back to the Test, but I’m looking forward to it already.
Catch List:
Minnows:17
Grayling: 25
Brown Trout:12
Rainbow Trout: 3
Total weight: 30lb
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