well ,i went to press manor near chesterfield / matlock

the fish was a bit finicky and i suffered a few poor takes
(either that or they was just yanking my chain) , fish could be seen patrolling
in the margins but they just ignored my feeble attempts at catching them
(they just gave me a cursory look that simply sad “Loser”)

Heres me trying to write my name mid air with the fly line .

i was there with the Fm crew for the annual fish in
(memorial match:morning practise ,afternoon match ) ,
& things took a more leisurely pace after lunch
(slap up meal at local Carvery [dame fine food as well] )

but with the hot sun and low cloud cover most fish had
retreated to the centre of the res and deeper waters ,
so the fish spotters was out in force

( hey guys ,I can see the pub from here ! )

I did manage one perfect cast ,gently placing my black hawthorn fly on the surface,
moments later the water erupted with the head of a huge rainbow (ok about 2lbs)
burst forth its mouth engulfing my little biddy fly .
And i in my total amazement & shock (that id actually got it right for once)
I enthusiastically yanked that fly free ,
thereby grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory !

(Ps ….i was using the grays rod i won in one of Tf’s fantastc competitions…..)