There has to be a considerable amount of organiser’s luck that the second outing of the year brought another beautiful day of glorious sunshine and light winds. Frensham is a very popular venue for our members and their guests, hidden away up a winding track which opens up to five trout lakes and one that is being given over to wildlife, not that there is ever any shortage of that.
Our last visit in September showed a number of improvements but this year it was quite spectacular with the lodge now finished. Also the open fronted barn is now sporting a terrace overlooking the main lake with tables and chairs for entertaining. Jillian and her team have really done a remarkable job and I understand there is more planned.
Originally there were going to be 11 of us but due to bad backs, bad diaries and gall bladder operations we were reduced to eight of us fishing. When I returned to the car after paying my dues there was a mayfly resting on the boot of the car, which is what every fly fisherman likes to see as this is staple diet of trout at the time of the Mayfly hatch. This one was early but in a couple of weeks time the water should be covered with them and the sight of trout slurping them down.
Our day proved to be a bit more difficult and it was some time before the first fish was landed, although several had been hooked only to be lost in the ever-present fight against the angler.
We were very pleased to be joined by PICT President, Paul Johnson-Knight, who was happy to watch the so-called experts at work. Fortunately, I was able to hook, play and land a two pounder so that he could see what our sport is all about.
Paul was also able to stay for lunch and join in the usual fishing, trade and other banter. This was enjoyed on the new terrace in lovely sunshine.
With many a mile to travel home for a lot of us, many had a quick afternoon session before calling it a day.
As is so often the case one of our guests out-fished us all by catching four, but with only one member going home with an empty bag, it had been another really good day.