John Boon spends his summer guiding in Slovenia. This year though he joined us down in Devon. How has he got on?
I have been guiding down in Devon now for almost four weeks, and I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every bit of it. From the river, to the hotel, the clients and especially Pete and Emma, every single aspect has been spot on. The whole experience has been different to what I have been used to over the last couple of years whilst working in Slovenia, and I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on my time here so far.
The River:
The Taw is one of those rivers whose banks you never tire of being on. Whether it's guiding, fishing, or simply watching the vast array of wildlife, interrupted by the odd sip of a trout in the background, the Taw is a real gem. She has many characteristics from deep slow pools, to fast riffles and runs, all whilst meandering through an ever changing countryside, from open fields to enclosed woodlands. It is like no river I have ever fished before, it has so many moods, and to say she can be a cruel mistress would be an understatement. But that is what I love about it. No days are ever the same; what worked one day won’t necessarily work the next. You constantly have to work it out, and it has certainly made me a better angler and guide.
The Fish:
What’s not to like about pure wild golden trout, with their large black spots, broken up with a smattering of smaller red ones. There aren’t many wild fisheries out there anymore, with many clubs topping up the stocks each season. The Taw is a truly wild fishery, and it is blessed with runs of both sea trout and salmon, but it is the draw of the brown trout that makes it special for me. They are tough fish to catch, extremely fast, and if you miss your chance then you have had it, you won’t get another one. When you do hook one, the pay no attention to their size, and scrap harder than many trout I have ever caught. They play dirty and fight dirty, and each one is a true wonder to behold.
The Guests:
So far I have had a mixture of abilities from complete novices, to experienced anglers. Each and every one of my guests has been a real pleasure to teach and guide. Teaching those who had never cast before and to witness them catching their first fish on a fly is always a wonderful moment. I have also really enjoyed showing the more experienced anglers a few new techniques, whether it be casting, watercraft or a fishing technique, and then watching them put it into practice, knowing that they now have an extra string to their bow for the next time they go fishing. My aim for the day is that first and foremost they have a great time, and secondly come away having learnt something. If I manage this then I am doing my job properly, and hopefully this has held true so far.
The Hotel:
The waters we guide on at the school, predominately belong to the Fox and Hounds Hotel in Eggesford. Each morning we arrive nice and early, before heading in to the kitchen to pour a cup of rocket fuel (coffee). We sit in the snug and chew the fat, mainly about what the plan is for the day, as well as other fishing related subjects, whilst we wait for the guests to turn up. The hotel is our base, and it is great to have such a good relationship with the staff and the owners. Being part of the furniture, both me and the guests to relax, before heading out for the morning. At lunchtime we come back to enjoy a well-earned rest and of course there is the added bonus that the food is great and you can eat it whilst still wearing your waders.
Finally, being part of the team at the Devon School of Fly Fishing is a real honour. To work alongside Pete and Duncan is fantastic. It doesn’t feel like a job, more like play, which suits me perfectly. None of it would happen with the skills of Emma, who takes the bookings. Without her the school wouldn’t be as successful as it is. It’s great to know exactly who you are taking out, their experience level, and what equipment is needed, it takes an awful lot of potential stress out of the day.
The first month so far has been a whirlwind, and I have enjoyed every bit of it, here's to the rest of the season.
Get in touch if you'd like to spend time on the water with John