The water has settled and I managed to sample four wonderful hours on the Upper Blackwater. The land was clearly coming to life, the air was clean and I was standing knee deep in cool, clean after the previous days rain fall.

Being a passionate trout man, and in no way interested in salmon, I was tested in every way especially on my presentation skills and stalking, which were slightly rusty after a long winter. Still, I managed to connect with several browns, averaging 1lb and several magnificent smaller specimens (all released immediately with limited to no playing time, barbless hooks and with sincere care). The Blackwaters gentle and clean waters held brown trout displaying colours and a fight that shocked me into silence.

The lovely marked and deep golden browns were rising to a wonderful sporadic hatch of Dark Olives and Iron Blues from about 2pm as the sun warmed the shallows.

A few fish were seen rising but all are weary and presentation was the key. Apart from 2 small brownies taken on sub-surface pheasant tail nymphs, Czech nymphing the deep pools rewarded my efforts of 5 brownies with the largest around 2.5lb.

Ripley Davenport
Emerald Streams Fly Fishing
www.emeraldstreams.com