Stephen Tolchard has everything nailed down for his first visit of the season to the river. I hope he has enough gear!
It’s time to hit the river. I think I’m ready. I’ve got my, thermometer, nippers, desiccant, floatant, sinkant, lead putty, strike indicators, fluro, copolymer, mono, hemostat forceps, spare minicon loops, line cleaner, amadou, 8ft brook rod, 10ft nymphing rod and I’ve been tying a lot over the winter and the fly boxes are full.

I’ll start with a perdigon, and jig or might change to a jigged streamer, red tag, pink tag or orange tag but if these don’t work then I’ll go to three flies and tie a shrimp on the top dropper. If there’s a rise I’ll tie on a Klinkhammer, jingler, F-fly or Tups. If they fail I’m going to pull a big streamer through the pool.
So, my flies sit in the boxes primed for action, I’ve been reading all winter and have done my homework.
I wonder if the trout know?