In issue 2 I visited Burton Springs Fishery in Somerset and promised that I would be back to try and catch a tiger trout. Keeping my word, I met up with Neil Keep to give it a go.
Just the slightest little touch of the brakes is enough for my car to start the ominous slide toward the car that is heading my way. I prepare myself for the sickening sound of metal on metal. When that doesn’t happen the other driver and I allow ourselves to exchange relieved smiles as we pass each other. It's cold, very cold, and the wind is making things colder still.
I have travelled the 60-odd miles to a Somerset that has clearly taken the brunt of the adverse weather the West Country has had of late. The M5 is clear, as is the A39 but it is the last leg of travelling down the last few miles of country lanes to my destination at Burton Springs Trout fishery that have proved the most troublesome.
I jump out of the car and see a small group of anglers who have braved the conditions gathered in one of the lodges by the lake.
I spot Neil and co-owner of the fishery, Adam. It is great to see the kettle is on and the biscuits have been opened. Neil and I had been exchanging emails for a bit now and having been to Burton springs a year ago I thought it might be fun to try and target one species of fish in particular: the tiger trout.
Tiger trout are a hybrid bred by brown trout eggs with the milt from brook trout. The result is a fish with tiger like stripes, hence the name.
I am no fish farmer but I would suspect they aren’t cheap to produce and so fisheries wisely don’t stock them heavily. This already puts the odds in the tigers’ favour. Add that to the fact that the cold night we’d just had has meant the lake is three quarters frozen. But I have been stuck indoors tying more flies than I will ever need and washed off of the river more days than I care to think of now. It is just good to be outside and the prospect of fishing feels good.
I opt for a camera instead of a rod as Neil rigs up his rod with a di3 sinking line and a dark lure. The wind is strong and he chooses a 7wt as his rod of choice.
Neil is a familiar face at Burton Springs, as both a fisherman and the fishery’s resident pro. He holds courses and tuition there on a regular basis and so I feel I am in good hands to go hunt a tiger.
The lake looks like two lakes that are joined with a channel that runs between them. An angler is already fishing the far end and is releasing a fish as we take up position where the channel runs. This allows Neil to cover a bit more water although it is restricted due to the conditions. Adam was out in a boat first thing in the morning breaking the ice and Neil opts to start off by casting down the edge of where the ice is and slowly retrieving his fly, preferring the slow retrieve in these cold conditions.
Behind us the other angler puts back another fish and the snow starts. It is just a sprinkling but the sky looks ominous and my thoughts briefly turn to the road and the ice.
I snap out of it as we both see a shape follow the fly as Neil speeds it up prior to recasting. Neil tells me he reckons it might be a sign they want the fly moved faster than he thought and sends the line out and this time uses a succession of sharp, rapid strips.
Next cast he sticks with the faster retrieve but this time tucks the rod under his arm and uses both hands to bring the line in at an even but good pace, roly poly style.
This doesn’t work but next cast he saw the line briefly dart forward and the guide in me sees it too. “Was it?” I ask, meaning was it a fish? Neil thinks it might have been but a couple of casts later there is no mistaking and Neil lifts into a fish. No tiger but a really nice rainbow.
It was a great example of him interpreting a situation and applying the tactics that converted a fish. There were a few photos before returning the fish (C & R is allowed). We decided a cup of something warm was needed and I needed an extra pair of socks.
Adam was in the lodge and we talked about the tigers and how often they are caught. He told us that it can go quiet with them and then you will suddenly get a bunch being caught. He said most are caught on lures and the most successful colour combinations are yellow and white.
While back at the lodge I couldn’t help but notice that hot food is available and there is a long list of what I call “proper fisherman’s” food: burgers, sandwiches, chicken wings and much more are available. Just the sort of thing to keep any fly angler going during a fishing session.
The other angler had also gone inside to seek shelter for a bit and the tennis was on, so we kept an eye on how Andy Murray was doing. My fingers felt as though they would need at least a tie-break to warm up again but we decided to continue our quest.
The bottom part of the lake was now clear to fish and that is where we headed. Neil stuck with the dark fly and rapid retrieve but decided to change pattern, partly on the basis of what Adam had said but also that there had been an angler there previously who we had seen fishing lures. Neil believed that if an area has been fished with lures the fish will soon cotton on to a pattern and if not biting will shy away. He decided to change patterns more quickly if the fish didn’t come.
They did though. Two rainbows of 1 1/2lb were quickly returned. Adam’s Dad popped by, more than anything else to check that we were still free of frost bite but also to see how the lake was fishing. I was still thinking of the food menu and asked if it were OK if we could order some food. It wasn’t a problem. Despite the fact that they will bring the food to you we thought it an idea to head back to the lodge and eat it to get a little warmer. We kept an eye out for lunch but it was half way to us while Neil was releasing a fish.
Lunch comes wrapped in foil and in a plastic container making sure it is warm when it gets to you. Neil went for a burger and I, a sausage and bacon sandwich with tomato ketchup. I consider myself a bit of a sausage sandwich aficionado and thought the butter to bread ratio was perfect and it was also nice to see that they weren’t catering sausages but what I would guess were Lincolnshire. Anyway, that is enough about the food but I really thought it was worth mentioning and if you are visiting it is worth sampling.
We sat inside talking, mostly fishing. I have known Neil for a number of years and find him really good company. His sense of humour and good nature no doubt make him a great instructor, whether to a novice or experienced angler.
We headed back down the lake and resumed where we left off. It was hard to tell but we convinced ourselves it was a little warmer. No matter how small a rise in temperature it can sometimes be enough to spark the fish to “come on”. It looked like we were right and we started to see a few fish patrol along the margins and another follow the fly almost all the way in. With the other angler leaving there was space for me to set up a rod and have a go. The lake was still mostly covered in ice that hadn’t melted like we had all hoped.
I fished an intermediate line on my 6wt with a Cat’s Whisker. I had a couple of plucks but that was it but when I looked round Neil was into what looked like a good fish that was doing its best to get right underneath the ice and break him off. I reeled in, picked up the camera and sprinted round and asked the question “Is it?”
He wasn’t sure but it was a good fish and knew exactly what it was doing. Luckily, so did Neil and the side strain he applied kept his leader intact. He got it out of its icy sanctuary but it sped back up the lake. We hadn’t seen what it was but I know what we were both hoping it was. Neil asked me to use his net to shove a large piece of ice out of the way as he started to win the battle. I duly obliged, making it easier for him to land his prize. For the first time we saw the fish. It wasn’t a Tiger but a beautiful brown. Neil netted it and we took some photos.
The fish swam off and we were all pleased. OK, it wasn’t our chosen quarry but it was a really good runner’s up prize and I like that we are going to have to persevere in our search for a tiger.
We fished on for a bit longer but the small uptick in the temperature didn’t last and after a couple more rainbows we decided it to call it a day.
I really like Burton Springs and the people behind it. Sure, they are running a business but they care about the big things like the quality of the fish, the facilities (they are 10 out of 10) and also the little things that are too often forgotten. There are also coarse lakes where you can try your luck for a variety of species with a fly or with traditional methods.
If you haven’t visited Burton Springs I’d certainly advise it if you are looking for varied and fun small stillwater fishing. A little gem like this needs to be shouted about.
The hunt will continue. Watch this space.
For more information on Burton Springs please visit their website
For fly fishing tuition at Burton Springs please visit Neil Keeps website