Fraser on Fishing: Pushed into a corner, I was finally winning

John Pringle of Wooler with a 7lb 12oz rainbow taken on a Damsel at Glencorse Reservoir

It was fairly quiet by the Tarn’s standards and I could move about freely. Fish were bubbling and it would have been easy to go out with the floater as a couple of locals were knocking ten bells out of them on buzzers. However, I decided to go with a single fab.

Having worked my way down the high bank with only a couple of subtle offers I worked my way into the corner. There is a sizeable weed bank about 20 yards out and the fish were popping up all over it. By casting just to the edge of the weeds no sooner than the fab had hit landed, the water exploded. I was daydreaming because I missed striking into it.

However, it was encouraging and I put the fly back in the same area and waited as I watched it slowly sink down into the depths. It took several minutes but suddenly the line went tight as the fish hit the fly hard. It wasn’t big but it fought well and was returned safely. I moved right to the corner and cast in either direction.

My second fish was quality in the 4lb class. Fully finned and tailed it tried heading into the weed bed. It tired eventually and in the end came tamely to the net. I turned another four before calling it a day and headed for home a happy bunny.

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