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Good fishing conditions
Conditions are quite good at the end of the season. The cooler temperatures and shorter days must have motivated the trout to build up their reserves for the breeding season and the coming winter. I certainly hope so.
I'd also like to build up some reserves: some good action, some catches and some future memories. To do this, I choose an area with plenty of fish, and hope it's not overcrowded with anglers.
Here I am at the water's edge with my old Mouches de Charette rod and its famous khaki blank. Closing time is also an opportunity to get out the rods, which haven't seen much daylight this season. The stretch of river I'm after is already occupied, so I'm on plan B. I quickly spot the first fish, but they are inactive. No insects yet. The fish seem to be out, which is already very good news.
Nymph fishing
I attack them with a nymph and it's a small pheasant tail that joins my point. The fish are very shy, they've seen it all during the season and won't forgive the slightest mistake. Discretion in the approach and a very long tip are essential.
I'm going to catch a few fish and scare off just as many, these trout deserve it. Sometimes you'd think they had eyes in the back of their heads. But one opportunity follows another, and I didn't expect so many.
The icing on the cake is that insects will start to appear. That should make fishing easier. It's always easier to catch feeding fish. For one thing, they're easier to spot as they move around to "gather" food. They're also often higher up in the water. What's more, with their attention now focused on the drifting food, they forget all about the angler trying to approach them.
The insects are small, dark plecopterans. They're rather frail, but they won't go unnoticed and will trigger the fishes' activity.
The fishing continues with more success and I catch the last 4 fish I try. There are some very nice fish in the lot, I'm really spoiled.
There were even a few rare gobbles at the end of the day and my last 2 trout were caught sight-dry, a real treat.
These insects are not easy to imitate. It's this fly made with pardo for wings that's going to prove captivating.
An exceptional day, then, with plenty of action, some magnificent fish in great shape and even a little surface activity - a dream come true. Tomorrow will just be a bonus, as we're fully fuelled.
