Grayling Hunt on the Hodder

We arrived at the secret parking place for our trip down the River Hodder. It was an organised guiding trip with fellow Nomad Pete Scholes from Bowland Fly Fishing. After discussing various tactics and set ups we were advised by Pete to use the Czech Nymphing method. Not everyone was familiar with this method so discussions about nymphs were quite interesting and so the tone was set for the day. It was a very cold start to the day as predicted by the weather men and unfortunately their predictions continued to come true. Eight Nomads attended and following a quick briefing, took the incredibly long walk from the car park to the river (all of about 20 feet)

We all split up and systematically made our way downstream.

I was surprised at how low the river was due to the amount of rain we had had and that the River Ribble was close to overflowing on the previous day.

Pete was the first into a fish in the top pool and a lovely lady of the stream was returned to the clear water. The later the morning got the colder it became and with only one other fish from the Nomads we were looking forwards to the lunch which was kindly prepared by Pete’s other half. At 11.30 several Nomads past me heading back to the carpark. By this point the snow was coming down quite fast and we were struggling to feel our fingers. On arrival back at the car park lunch was just arriving and what a lunch it was. Hot pizza & sausage rolls, steaming flasks of coffee, stuffed rolls and some of the best flapjack I have tasted. This was all consumed around Bobby’s knob (sorry if I have got the name wrong) No it’s nothing rude, it a small stone monument  / erection (stop it and yes the innuendos were flying thick and fast by this stage) near to the village hall. I do think the locals thought we must have been a bit mad standing there eating lunch in the snow.

After a belly full and a second mug of coffee most of us decided to call it a day (a good job really as the road back over the tops was really bad and several vehicle had already collided with things or each other) Only Gary & Pete were brave / mad (delete as required) to continue fishing in the afternoon. Not sure how they got on as they haven’t been heard from since. Only joking.

A great day was had by all. Pictures are on facebook and all Nomads said they were looking forward to fishing here with Pete again (but in June next time)

Written by Nomad Member Paul Kuczera

Tightlines,

Nathan Jones

Nomad Online Coordinator 2015

www.northwestnomadsflyfishing.co.uk

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