Adrian Freer is the author of books on reservoir fly fishing, fly dressing, trout fly patterns, religious topics, children's stories and poetry.

ARTICLE 2

Here is a selection from some of the articles that I have written.

FISHING SHOULD BE FUN!

 

© 2015 Adrian V W Freer

 

As fly anglers we need to be dedicated and put sufficient time, effort and thought into the sport if we are to be successful, nevertheless we should never lose sight of the fact that we primarily fish for the pleasure and enjoyment it brings!

 

Fly fishing demands that we master a wide variety of mental and physical disciplines: casting a fly line, some basic entomology, fly dressing skills, enthusiasm, the ability to persevere when the fish are not responding and the capacity to identify the problems and then think them through until the answer is discovered. Becoming proficient in all these spheres takes time and even after a lifetime of study we realize that we still have a great deal more to learn.

 

Fly fishing is a sport where we only take out as much as we put in and this is a constant spur to try that little bit harder and become that little bit more proficient. Managing to catch a few trout in favourable circumstances may be relatively easy. It is when the angler succeeds in landing his trout in unfavourable conditions when the fish are being uncooperative that separates the accomplished angler from the merely average performer.

 

Nevertheless we fish for pleasure. If we lose sight of this fundamental objective, angling loses its appeal. To come down to basics, the ethos of fly fishing is about trying to deceive a wary and wily natural creature, in its natural habitat, using a fly rod and fly line in conjunction with a piece of fur and feather. Employing an artificial fly may not necessarily be the most efficient method of catching a trout and the limitations imposed by the ‘fly only’ rule restrict anglers to using techniques which conform to the traditions and ethics of the sport. This makes the procedure of extracting trout from their environment more artistic, pleasurable and assists in the conservation of our quarry. The reality that we have deliberately chosen a technique which is not necessarily the most productive one should surely bring us to see the amusing side of things when the fish are being more than usually difficult.

 

THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF OUR SURROUNDINGS

 

Fly fishing affords the opportunity of fishing in some of the most beautiful and spectacular surroundings in the British Isles. Whether it be the craggy charm of a tiny upland brook where a half-pound brownie is a trophy fish, the calm serenity of a smoothly flowing chalk stream where the trout run much larger, the rugged beauty of a natural loch or lake, or the serene surroundings of a matured man-made reservoir; they all have a distinctive character and allure of their own.

 

On occasion, after we have had a satisfying day out, and as the evening finally draws to a close and the light fades, we can imagine that we are in a paradise all of our own where the stresses and chaos of our busy lives are a million miles away. The therapeutic tranquillity of being alone in such idyllic locations can bestow that rare commodity, peace, upon even the most troubled of minds. How privileged we are.

 

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE

 

Anglers are fortunate to be able to commune with nature in a way that the casual passer-by can never fully experience. With our close proximity to wildlife at the waterside over a long period of time, if we are quiet and careful it can sometimes approach our very feet. Even the most avid naturalist cannot observe nature in the way that anglers do; they view it from the outside looking in, whereas we form an integral part of it!

 

No one who has witnessed the metallic-blue sheen of the darting kingfisher as it swoops above the shallows, the adroitness of swallows, swifts and martins as they gracefully skim the surface of the reservoir picking off hatching buzzers, the mating display of great crested grebes as they confront each other in spring, the hunch-backed outline of a grey heron standing in the shallows, or the comical spectacle of a short-sighted water vole as if shuffles towards us and then suddenly disappears in the water with a ‘plop’ as it becomes aware of our presence; can feel anything other than amazement. When one is caught up in the dreariness of the daily rat race of modern ‘civilized' life these treasures can help keep us stable.

 

Anglers who take the time to study the insects and bugs of the aquatic environment, as they endeavour to match the food items the trout are targeting, come to realize the complexity and exquisiteness which God endowed on such seemingly insignificant creatures which are here one minute and gobbled up by the trout the next. To see an electric blue damsel fly as it alights on our fly rod, proud olive duns as they glide past like miniature yachts with sails aloft, or the bustling corixa as it struggles to carry its precious bubble of life-giving air with it beneath the surface; all these sights generate a cause for praise and wonder at the infinite variety, intricacy and splendour of creation. Surely the most hardened of cynics must marvel at the miracle of it all.

 

To consider that all these attractions are provided at no extra cost, just so long as we open our eyes, is a cause for never-ending thankfulness. The angler who does not appreciate such things is missing a great deal.

 

Finally, there is the trout. No one who has ever experienced the rod-bending thrill of that first streaking run of an energetic trout as it bolts towards the horizon, witnessed a magenta-flanked silver bar as it leaps from the water to throw our hook, or felt the relentless pounding of a powerful fish as it seeks to gain the safety of the depths, can cease to be amazed. Once these things cease to thrill it is perhaps time to question whether we should give up fly fishing.

 

TROUT CAN BE CAPRICIOUS CREATURES

 

Whilst there are times when trout can be almost suicidal if we fish the right flies and method, there are many occasions when they test the angler’s skill, reasoning powers and patience to the very limit. We try everything we know, tie on every fly in our box, use a multitude of fly lines, copy tactics identical to others nearby who are pulling out fish after fish – but the trout fail to respond. Often, to add insult to injury, when we get our only take late in the day and consequently play the fish as gently as possible and with as much skill as we possess, the trout drops off in the final few seconds at the rim of the net. This causes frustration, and the odd expletive may have been known to pass our lips, and we wonder, just momentarily, why are we doing this? Shouldn’t we be at home taking it easy in the warm, rather than braving the elements, with water trickling down our neck  and our fingers wet and cold, when the trout seemingly do not want to come out to play!

 

At those times when the trout respond to our best efforts by being fickle and irrational in their behaviour we imagine that they take great delight in being as infuriating as possible. One wonders if they are secretly laughing at these foolish humans who are trying to deceive them with a piece of feather on a hook!

 

THE CAMARADERIE OF FELLOW ANGLERS

 

There is something unique about the bond which anglers share that overcomes every other difference they may have, whether it be age, sex, race, colour, language or creed. The bottom line is that we are all ‘brothers of the angler’ however much our temperaments or backgrounds may differ. We all have that piece of advice to give, experience to share, new theory to propound, or amusing episode to relate (often at our own expense) which makes our piscatorial bond ever closer.

 

After our encounter at the waterside we may never meet that individual again but we are still part of that great community of fishermen down the centuries who possess a common heritage. Those anglers who, for whatever reason, do not wish to participate in the blessings of fellowship with likeminded anglers miss out on a great deal.

 

Of course we should never disturb those who are fishing intently, but in those lighter moments when we are resting on the bank or waiting for the evening rise, we have the opportunity to be sociable and share a lighter moment and exchange a fly or two.

 

THE DELIGHTS OF FLY DRESSING

 

The gentle art of fly dressing is far more than a repetitive chore which enables anglers to churn out a few artificials to throw at the fish. It is an integral branch of the sport with its own traditions and heritage that has been preserved and handed down by successive generations of fly dressers.

 

Producing our own flies enables us to create some of the most beautiful and delicate creations of fur and feather and these can approach an art form. Tying artificial flies gives the opportunity to work with some of the most striking materials and on occasion we have to pause to admire their intrinsic beauty. Some of the feathers we use are so pretty that it is almost a shame to get them wet!

 

Whilst the basic fly dressing skills can be rapidly achieved, there are always increasingly difficult procedures to master and most fly dressers sooner or later attempt to become proficient in them purely for the sake of mastering the techniques. The number of volumes dedicated to fly dressing must run into thousands and new works on the subject are being published all the time; the flow seems to be increasing rather than the reverse.

 

TROUT ARE DELICIOUS TO EAT

 

The trout we catch are the ultimate bonus to enjoy on top of a pleasurable day out. Although our ticket allows us to visit beautiful surroundings and participate in fishing with an artificial fly, it does not guarantee that we will end the day with a bag full of fish. Nevertheless, should we be successful we can count ourselves privileged to be able to take home a few fish to enjoy. There is nothing to beat the taste of a freshly-caught trout that we have deceived using our skill and perseverance. In some mysterious way they possess that special ingredient which is absent from anything that comes from the fishmonger's slab.

 

Trout are probably the most versatile fish to cook and they can be fried, grilled, barbequed, baked, smoked (hot or cold) and served in practically every way that has been devised. They are delicious eaten hot, and just as delicious eaten cold. They are packed with protein, are nutritious, and contain healthy fish oils which help maintain the circulation and break down hard fats in the arteries to help keep us fishing to a ripe old age.

 

More anglers should learn to clean and cook their trout properly because a worthy adversary deserves to be treated with genuine respect. What better way can there be to end a day when we have been out on the water than to enjoy a meal of a freshly cooked trout with a glass of sparking or still white wine?

 

The number of books devoted to trout cuisine placed end to end would stretch a very long way and all anglers should possess at least one. When you have no idea of what to give an angling spouse for a birthday present, why not purchase a book of trout recipes!

 

WE FISH FOR ENJOYMENT!

 

Nevertheless after all that has been said, let us not forget that the primary reason we fish is not to slaughter the fish, compete with those around us, or put others in the shade; it is for the sheer pleasure it brings. Once fishing becomes compulsive, combative or aggressive much of its charm and appeal gets rubbed off along the way. Izaac Walton described angling as the ‘contemplative man’s recreation’ and that should sum up how our pursuit should be if we are to get the maximum benefit from our times at the waterside.

 

We go fishing to have some peace and relaxation, to escape from the turmoil and strife of modern day living, and stand aside from the daily rat race and be a part of nature. Let us remember that we will not starve if we fail to get a pull, and, although we may be the butt of jokes from our more successful comrades if we fail, we should be there to enjoy ourselves nonetheless fishing should be fun!

What can be more exhilarating than to catch trout ‘two-at-a-time’? The fish may lead you in circles, and you are never fully in control, but it is fun!