Batson Rod Build Christened!

March 2012 This was my first trip with my new self built 9' 4 weight Batson RX904-4, and Talybont Reservoir in the Brecon Beacons was to be the destination. The rod had a fine day and so did I, and some fish were caught, not many but enough to have some fun. At over 300 acres and nearly two miles long the water could have seemed a daunting prospect. Some judicious web research encouraged me to make the walk around the top end where a feeder stream enters the reservoir. Here I found myself confronted with a long bank running northwards with the promised trees right down to the bank. The water level was high so casting proved difficult yet the promise of some fairly unbothered trout meant I was prepared to deal with the difficulties and in any case wild trout in these kinds of wild waters tend to hug the edges. I had read some info on the Merthyr Tydfil Angling Association web site which suggested that Talybont trout tend to be downward looking caddis feeders which together with the chilly wind meant my optimism levels were not running high. I need not have worried as this did not stop a 12″ beauty aggressively snaffling my freshly tied Joey size 12 fished on the bob.(The tying for the Joey featured in FF&FT April 2009 and is a Welsh variation on the classic black brown trout bob fly with the trigger of a red butt, my only addition was to add a strand of UV Straggle String to the twisted peacock herl body).

The new rod had already cast well and gave this typically sized wild brown trout a chance to show its power. The medium fast action of the blank had already allowed me a nice relaxed cast and judging by the first played fish it would also let me fish nice light tippets which will no doubt be required for spooky fish in summer drought conditions. The fish coming in the first quarter of an hour of fishing with a new rod made me smile and allowed me to relax away from the worries that cold early season conditions together with the non arrival of my just ordered slow intermediate would lead to some slow and difficult fishing. This first fish took the bob fly right of the top soon after I had cast; in fact I wasn't really concentrating and the fish hooked itself with an aggressive take. Perhaps my new rod will be lucky as well as a pleasure to fish with. I tend to return nearly all of my wild brown trout these days and always my first fish from a new water so I was glad that this one shot away quickly. As I worked my way northwards down the tree lined bank the south west wind quickly became strong as the shelter lessened. This forced me to shorten my leader considerably which I'm never that happy with on still water. I needn't have worried too much as another fish, this time a plump 13 incher, again attacked the Joey bob fly on top of the water. The fish made three good jumps as I brought it on to the reel. I like to bring fish on to the reel reasonably quickly; I tell myself that this is to avoid tangles but really it's to up the chances of hearing that reel scream ;-).

By now, having forgotten my thermals I was feeling the need for some shelter and some easier fishing so I made my way round to the western road side of the water. Despite lengthening my leader it wasn't until I came to a bay and cast in to this wind that I connected with another fish. Again this was on top, this time after seeing it moving, and it brought particular satisfaction as it came on as his fly of the month in FF&FT Feb 2010. I had used some plastic jungle cock imitiation eyes which I had been wary of using but will have more confidence in now. Working my way down the shore I soon came across an area of fish working on the top just on the edge of the wave and wind line. Judging by the amount of water they were moving they looked to be of reasonable size. I couldn't see what they were feeding on but was happy to cover them with the patterns I had already had success with. By now I had crushed the barbs down on my hooks and I suppose I will never know whether this lead me to loose contact with he two fish I briefly had on. Consensus in the fishing press seems to be that it doesn't make any difference. Who knows? I shall keep using barbless or debarbed hooks anyway. One final note as much to myself as anything: it looks like there might be a useful (cycle) track running above the other side of the water which would open up some good looking areas of the more inaccessible eastern bank.