An Estuary Sea trout.

My busy family life and role as a carer mean that life tends to be unpredictable and plans are difficult to make with any real probability of seeing them through. This year has been particularly difficult and my boat still lies in the garden as we approach mid August but I have at least tried to grab opportunities when and if they arise.

I found myself with this type of situation recently when I was driving past a river estuary that I knew well from fishing as a boy. I had an hour before I was due home and remembered that I had a trout fly rod and reel in the car from a trip to a Loch the night before and the tide looked right to fish the estuary channel.
It seemed to me that circumstances were coming together and I would have a go. I even found a sea trout cast and flies at the back of my cast tin.

Decision made I was soon heading over the sand with my 8ft Daiwa trout rod , Daiwa fly reel with a sink tip line with a small silver Stoat’s Tail double attached.

A few casts in I moved a fish but without contact. After a couple of pulls I knew I was among fish and with my focus increased the next cast provided a solid lively take and I was in. From past experience I knew sea trout in the estuary were usually small with the occasional fish in the 1 to 2lb category but this fish ran strongly up stream and down stream taking line with ease. Staying deep I could not see the fish but thought it to be in the 2lb region. When it eventually surfaced it’s broad back revealed a bigger sea trout around the 4lb plus mark!
I was reasonably confident that the Double hook was set firmly as the fish continued to surge around the estuary channel. Having only my smallish trout net with me I decided to wade in beyond my boot tops to close the distance for netting. After a couple of careful attempts I slipped the net under the fish and carefully backed up onto the bank. A very quick picture of the fish in the net and in the water on my phone , a clean removal of the wee double and I held this lovely slightly coloured sea trout up right in the water before it kicked away powerfully.

Having missed many fishing opportunities this season I was delighted to have grasped this one!

A.T.F.