English Chalk Streams

[dna]

If you have ever heard tales of the hallowed Chalk Streams of England here is an article that will give you a glimpse into what some term one of the finest experiences to be had in this "noble sport."

While I am far from noble , I am simply condemned to mediocracy especially in my casts, I can tell you that fishing an English chalk stream is, indeed, a hallowed experience. The three chalk's that I had the opportunity to fish--two of which are featured in the article--really blew my mind away. I definitely felt as though I was in the presence of holiness. Not the kind of holy when you are deep in the backcountry and one with nature, but a kind of holy that comes as a result of a reverance of being at a place that is steeped in history--not to mention the opportunity to catch beautiful wild trout. I'd say a must do for any lifer in this sport.

http://www.forbes.com/forbes-life-magaz ... state.html

[beachbum]

Good article. Fishing the English chalk streams was a dream come true for me. There is still one river on my list to fish there, the Itchen. It's not that the fishing is that much better then here, because our spring creeks, and rivers like the Henry's Fork, match that easily. It's more the history of the sport, and lore from those rivers that intrigue me. I love to fish!

[Gary C.]

Thanks' for the link. How bout your reports from when you were over there? It would be nice to see them posted again in the archives section here.
Gary C.

[Trootfisher]

This:

The fishing rights are privately owned, and the cost of gaining access to a stretch of river, which is called a beat, for a day or more varies greatly, but is often expensive.

and this:

Cast only to rising trout. Upstream, and only with dry flies."

kill any desire I have for fishing there.

[anacrime]

This:

The fishing rights are privately owned, and the cost of gaining access to a stretch of river, which is called a beat, for a day or more varies greatly, but is often expensive.

and this:

Cast only to rising trout. Upstream, and only with dry flies."

kill any desire I have for fishing there.

pansy

[rayfound]

The history and the lore of it make it appealing to try sometime.

[Sheriff Joe]

Someday, when I win the freaking lottery...

Nice article, though.

[beachbum]

These days you do not have to just fish dries, or upstream. That doesn't mean my guide didn't cringe when I cast across and down, to a nice brown rising on the far bank of the River Avon. Using a pheasant tail nymph, which Frank Sawyer developed on the Avon, was appropriate I thought. The fish took the nymph first presentation without hesitation. It was a truly satifying fly fishing moment for me.





I will post a few more pics later. I am still trying to learn how to imbed videos, and will post some too.

[anacrime]

i would totally roll a sink tip with a big flippin rubber leg bugger through that thing

[rayfound]

i would totally roll a sink tip with a big flippin rubber leg bugger through that thing

Not much of a gentleman are you Shane.

[flybob]

Now that is just pretty water!

Oh yeah, nice fish too!