Total Flyfisher Magazine

I took the unfeasibly young looking Welsh International David Hoppe, up to Guy Field’s Yeavely Estate fishery high in the Derbyshire’s Peak District. Perhaps, on reflection, it wasn’t the brightest of suggestions in the middle of winter. However, the weather did play ball, a small window of opportunity opened and we managed to get a day’s fishing in. The fishery hadn’t been stocked for six weeks and not fished for at least four weeks as the fishery is as good as closed, although a few hardy souls do attend shooting sessions throughout the winter.

I can’t say too much about what happened save to say I found the fish and caught first although I have to admit David did catch up in spectacular style. At the end of the day he had claimed the fishery catch record for the season, landed one of the biggest fish of the season and did it in the middle of December in a finger-numbing temperature of 2 degrees. Awesome fishing. You will be able to read all about how he did it next year in the magazine. We were invited to Rob Waddington’s (esteemed Rutland Water fishing guide) Christmas drinks and nibbles party last night. When he said ‘nibbles’ on the invite what he meant to say was a bloody banquet…the food was out of this world, beautifully prepared by his wife Anne.

We were also treated to a ‘Rutland Quiz’, featuring 75 questions on all things fishing. Not sure about the answer to the question: ‘What is the greatest predator on Rutland Water: 1. Pike 2. Cormorant 3. Osprey 4. Graham Pearson?’ and the answer…Graham Pearson!!! However, it was all good fun and who came out on top? That perennial winner of almost everything he competes in, including the Rutland Water Warden’s golf match, Peter de Kramer, with a score of 55 out of 75. 

On a slightly different note, on taking our rather lively boxer for a walk this morning we were warned by an attendant emptying one of the litterbins in our local recreation area, to beware of a slippery path we were just about to walk down. Does that make me feel doddery or what!!!

Cliff Waters
www.fishypics.co.uk