Arnfield Fishing Day

from Richard Parkhouse

Time out at the A1 Bridge Flue Systems 2008 Fly Fishing Day

A1 Bridge Flue Systems hosted its 2008 fly-fishing day at the recently reopened Arnfield Fly Fishery. This beautiful 40-acre stretch of water not only shares its position with the majestic Pennine Hills close to Hollingworth in Derbyshire but is well on the way to becoming one of the top fly-fishing venues in the North West.

Steve Cuthbert the water manager and owner has gone to great lengths to provide not only top class brown and rainbow trout for the discerning angler but excellent facilities with a new purpose built lodge and seating areas.
The dedicated body of anglers arrived at the water at 07.30 am and after a quick cup of tea,
toast and local hints and tips from Steve. It was off in the boats for those who preferred a leisurely row to their chosen spot and a gentle walk around the water’s edge for the others in search of their quarry. It was not long before some of the party discovered why this water is rapidly gaining a reputation for holding hard fighting fish. Several 2 to 3 lb rainbows were tempted by number 14 black buzzers together with two 6 lb examples taken on dries towards lunchtime. Catches of 10 to 16 fish were the general order of the day with all but two of the catch returned to fight another day.
Lunch was held at 12.30 in the lodge with a blazing log fire and typical tales of the ones that got away. Outside on the lawn, the art of casting a fly into a designated area was put to the test with much encouragement from those who thought this was an easy task – at least until it was their turn. Martin Draper of D & D Consulting, a relative novice to the gentle art of fly fishing, eventually taking the honours by casting his fly into the tyre no less than three times.

Final honours of the day however must go to Ian Craft of FlowMec Products. While all other anglers were catching trout of varying sizes Ian persevered and with dogged determination caught several (large) perch (Ian’s words not mine!) Not least of which was a fine specimen of at least 5 oz. This was no mean feat in water heavily stocked with only game fish and goes to show that dedicated specimen hunters will not be deterred when all around are catching what they are supposed to be catching. Well done Ian.