As a rule of thumb, there’s usually 3 things that always remind me that spring is on it’s way. As soon as I hear the first mention of them I start thinking of balmy summer nights and all of the fun contained therein.
The first is the University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge. That takes place on Sunday 28th March this year.
The second is the Aintree Grand National. That’s on Saturday 3rd April this year.
And the final one is the London Marathon. That’s run on Sunday 18th April this year.
The strange thing is that I’m not particularly bothered about any of them. If a boat sinks in the varsity boat race then that makes it worth watching. We always have a sweepstake on the Grand National, but that’s usually as far as I go betting wise on the race. It’s too open and difficult to logically predict a winner. And the London Marathon’s a bit of a bore too. Nice to see some daft sod running 26 miles in an antique diving suit, but that’s about it for entertainment value. So these 3 sporting events to which I have no particular affiliation or liking to will remain ever synonymous to me with the onset of spring. Always have done, always will do.
But what’s that got to do with a story posted in the Fishing category? Well the reason is that I wanted to add a fourth Spring indicator to my list. The long awaited and most welcomed arrival on my doormat of the SPORTFISH Fly fishing tackle magazine. I love this mag, and what’s more it’s FREE! Full of gadgets and goodies of all shapes, sizes and prices, and an instant cue to thoughts of the up comming season of days and evenings spent by the riverbank or bobbing serenely along in the boat.
I’m currently engaged in a mini project of restoring an old and outdoor weathered table that I’m going to use as my fly tying bench, but more on that later. I’m certainly looking forward to this season with a renewed sense of optimism and vigour. (Itching to get out on the first outing already!) That’s nothing new though, it comes from spending the winter months away from something I love and enjoy so much, and not just me, I’m sure it’s inherent in every fly fisherman around this time of year. I’ve just got a feeling of good things to come this year. A double figure rainbow trout would fit the bill just nicely :0)
Of course it’s not just the fishing, it’s the camaraderie or ‘Good Crack’ as Willie calls it, that make fishing weekends away such great fun. This year will see the second competition for the Ladybower Cup. A competition where 6, 8 or 10 of us go to the picturesque Ladybower Reservoir in the Sheffield Peak District and boat fish for 2 days for the honour and title of cup holder. By some freak / fluke of nature Garry won the inaugural competiton, and as such has his name indelibly engraved in the first position on the cup for evermore. The weather was fantastic, but the fishing was slow and difficult. Gaz, as a relative newcomer to the sport, fished well though and his persiverence paid off. Credit to him. We hope to rectify that this year though!
Other venues that will see my fly collection this year are the remote and beautiful Bigland Hall up near my Dad in the Lake District, and I’d love to take a few friends to Loch Fitty in Fife, Scotland (Where the newts.net logo picture came from) for a weekend away. It’s a bit far, but it’s well worth the journey. The massive and slightly daunting Rutland Water is a venue I haven’t had the pleasure of fishing yet, but it’s another one on this years ‘to do’ list. And another venue that I’ve always liked the look of is the beautifully scenic Cumbrian water of Cogra Moss. We really ought to take a day out to wet a line there!
So in summary, tonight and tomorrow I shall be continuing with the fly tying table restoration in full readiness for a mass tying session for the onset of what I hope to be a most memorable, fruitful, but above all enjoyable season. There will be plenty of stories and info about this years fishing exploits appearing here on the newts.net, but until then…
Boat Race + Grand National + London Marathon + SPORTFISH Mag = Spring alarm call!
TIGHT LINES folks!
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