Peter Anderson lets us know details of the Wild Trout Trust Auction, those he likes the look of and those he has won in the past.
The Wild Trout Trust is important, it matters. They do good work and make the world a better place. I’m not going to list all the things they do, that would be tedious. Without them, though, our fisheries would suffer and we anglers would feel the effects.
What they do costs money and the main fund raising event is the annual auction which this year takes place 3-12 March 2015. There are over 230 lots and I just want to give you a flavour of what is on offer and encourage you to bid. I have decided to write as far as possible from personal experience, so I’ll highlight a few of the lots which I have been fortunate to win in the past, I’ll cover some lots that I haven’t won but I have fished and finally I’ll mention some of the new lots which have caught my eye.
LOTS I HAVE WON IN THE PAST
The Upper Yorkshire Derwent with Dave Southall
This is fishing near the source of this lovely river. I am biased, as a Scarborough boy I learned to fish on the Derwent but the hallowed waters of the Derwent Anglers Club were strictly off limits. Dave will take you to this water. Expect a bit of a hike and marvel at Dave’s ability to cast accurately a 20 foot leader using a 7 foot rod! Small wild brownies are there in abundance and the dry fly is the preferred method.
The Rye with John Aston
Another Yorkshire river and very exclusive. I have fished many rivers in England but this is my favourite. A lovely small river in idyllic countryside…with some big fish. Dries will catch but the duo is more effective. Your host will be John Ashton, a thoroughly nice chap and author of “A Dream of Jewelled Fishes” and “A Glorious Uncertainty”.
The Meon with Denise Ashton
In between organising the behemoth that is the WTT auction, Denise actually finds time to fish. The Meon is a Hampshire chalk stream but it doesn’t look or act like one. It is, frankly, unkempt. Lots of tree cover (no mown banks here), twisting and turning, deep pools. Expect to lose flies but expect to catch plenty of feisty trout and perhaps the odd decent grayling. Denise will provide a picnic lunch. Be careful, it is sumptuous and you are here to fish!
Merthyr Tydfil waters
A 2 day ticket for 2 anglers on the MTAA waters. We fished the Usk but we might have been better to fish the Usk one day and the Upper Taff the next, very different rivers. There is plenty of choice and it is very good value, usually selling for under £100.
I can heartily recommend any of these lots. An added bonus is that you often will end up with a new fishing buddy. I regard Dave and John as friends and I have joined Denise in the Meon syndicate!
Now, a selection of those lots that I haven’t won, but I have fished the waters
The Derbyshire Dove presented by Leek & District FFA.
This is just wonderful water flowing through stunning Dovedale, but go mid-week outside of school holidays otherwise you might find it a bit crowded. Plenty of fish and some huge grayling.
The Yorkshire Dove presented by Keldholme Fly Fishing Club
Guided by my old mate Andy Tucker, a dab hand with the dry fly. This is a private fishery with no day tickets so opportunities to fish it are rare. It is lovely water and my memory of it is in no way marred by the fact that I managed to fall in! Plenty of wild trout and grayling.
The Ewenny presented by Adrian Nash
A cracking little river in south Wales, wonderfully peaceful. Guided by Ade who knows every inch of the water and is a splendid host. Plenty of wild fish including some very good grayling. There are other lots not too far away so worth thinking about bidding for a couple of these and making a break of it.
And finally, a look at some fishing offered for the first time this year. Again, it is impossible to do justice to the variety so this is just a taster
Tenkara with Paul Gaskell
Paul works for the WTT and is one of the leading exponents of the Tenkara style in the country. Not just a day fishing, you will make the hook, make the line from horse hair and tie a fly from discarded feathers. The fishing is on a Derbyshire moorland stream. Wow!
The Kennet presented by Eastridge Estate
The Test and Itchen may be regarded as the cream of English chalk stream fishing, but it’s a sight easier to get day ticket on those rivers than it is on the Kennet. Basically, there is no day ticket fly fishing on this fabulous river. This beat in Wiltshire was the winner of the WTT 2014 Conservation Award. Upstream dry fly only for the connoisseur.
I could go on and on... There are a huge number of lots to choose from. The auction runs on eBay and by post from 3rd to 12th March. Download a catalogue from the WTT website and dream about idyllic days in paradise. Then get bidding!
Deatils of the auction HERE