You need to be logged into your account to sign up to our newsletter. Please login here.
The last time I wrote, we were talking about how the Fly-Fishing Section had got everyone back out on the water post-lockdown and started to fish again, so this time I am pleased to say that we have happily continued in that mode, packing in as much as possible to offer a range of fishing opportunities for all of our members throughout the autumn and early winter.
However, since I reported our successes at local competitions in late summer, we have focussed a little more on fishing ‘development days’, organising a number of trips to Midlands’ fisheries, including popular reservoirs such as Draycote Water in Warwickshire, Eyebrook reservoir in Rutland, Carsington Water in Derbyshire, Pitsford reservoir in Northamptonshire and Loynton Trout Fishery in Staffordshire. These are days for us all just to relax away from competitive pressure (or so we say!) and for new or less experienced members to enjoy a day’s fishing with some of the ‘old hands’ and learn a few things, or conversely show them what they can do! We are always learning and fly-fishing can sometimes turn conventional wisdom and expectations on its head with surprising results. When this happens, it’s good to see less experienced anglers coming along and catching a few fish, we want them to enjoy it and return to fish with us again so that the section can go on from strength to strength.
Whilst we did simply enjoy the pleasures of several section days out amongst friends, we did also have some competitive action this Autumn, as there was the ‘Pairs’ competition in September, again at Eyebrook, where 40 anglers from police forces across the country gathered for what has become a very popular event organised by WMP section secretary Steve Owen. Also, another feather in the WMP cap came in the form of Chris Howkins, our section treasurer, who travelled to the Lake of Menteith in Scotland to represent GB Police against the Combined Services fly-fishing team, in which he performed well and the police won!
All in all, it’s been a busy end to a busy year and as we continue to enjoy fly-fishing as a healthy outdoor activity that can be practised despite any COVID concerns, we are pleased to be able to do it at such a selection of beautiful locations and look forward to many more days out in 2022.
As you will have gathered from my articles, we are a friendly group in the fly-fishing section and people of all levels are welcomed. So, if you are interested in coming along to see what we get up to just contact our secretary Steve Owen on his mobile 07974 417855 to find out more.
Tight lines!
Kevin Pearson – Chair