A 15 minute ride across the Solent on
the Hovercraft followed by a 30 minute drive saw our arrival at Dever.
The sky was overcast and the wind, brisk! There were a good few anglers
already surrounding the lake as we drove down to the lodge to book in.
We purchased a 2 fish ticket each and made our way over to the nearest,
less crowded ‘Willow Lake’ and got started.
After 45 minutes of casting and stripping
I was suddenly met with some solid resistance, followed by some distant
splashing as I hooked my first fish of the day. This fish literally took
the fly soon after it hit the water meaning an extended and enjoyable fight
before it came anywhere near the bank. An average sized fish at 5lb 12oz
slipped into the net with a sense of relief to get the first one on the
bank. A bop on the head and a few photos to capture the moment before I
took a wander to find Dave who had ventured over to the more sheltered
and popular second lake adjacent to the entrance.
A quick chat with Dave revealed that
he had just had a couple of takes and there did seem to be a lot more activity
near the surface here. I snuck in to a swim on Dave’s left, put down my
gear and made my first cast. Low and behold, right at the end of the retrieve
I hooked up again……wasn’t expecting that! Dave got the Go Pro out and
filmed the last minute or so of the fight (check out the facebook page) before another similar sized
fish of 5lb 8oz came to the net.
It was then I realised I had a problem
– I’d reached my fish limit and it wasn’t even lunch time and Dave also
had two still to catch. After a bite to eat and some words of encouragement
I realised I couldn’t handle just being a spectator for the remainder
of the day and made my way back to lodge to add another fish to my
ticket!
On my return, as I approached Dave to
see how he was getting on I slid on the mud and totally wiped out (much
to his amusement!) It was so quick, I was on my arse in the mud before
I even knew what had happened……after finding my feet I had a quick scan
round (still in bouts of laughter) and luckily I think it was only Dave
that had witnessed my embarrassment!
With my now ‘added camouflage’ I resumed
fishing! Shortly after, Dave hooked into his first fish giving him the
confidence boost he needed. We filmed this one too as he tired the fish
out and brought it towards the waiting net. After a sigh of relief I took
a couple of photos before it was back to business.
With his new found confidence, it wasn’t
long before Dave was into his second fish of the day. This one took off
like a submarine and fought like a heavier fish too. The size of these
trout are deceiving in the water and it wasn’t until it lay in the net
that it was obviously a much better fish……. At 10lb on the dot, this
one qualified as a ‘Dever Double’ and a personal best for Dave.
After some time out for tea and coffee
Dave decided to add another fish his to his ticket. With just one more each to find, the afternoon
was a lot more relaxing, but with it came the rain.
Dave had a wander up to the other end
of the lake and it was there that he found his third and final fish…..
It took me a little longer (not too long
thankfully) and a move to a different area to finally get my last fish.
This one fought exceptionally well and gladly stayed attached for the duration
of the fight. A better fish than my previous two at 7lb 8oz.
Just gone 3pm and we were all done, just
in time as the weather was worsening! After gutting and bagging our fish at the weighing station we were soon in the car on route back to the Island.
A great day and remedy for the cabin
fever, must try to make a return trip next year!
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