I had a near perfect mornings fishing today at Avon springs in Andover. Got there for opening at 8:30 and started on the smaller lake with a damsel nymph, conditions were right and I was totally focused at having the chance of catching that elusive 'double' (something I've never done). First 30 mins I missed 2 takes which I was kinda expecting after last weekends adventure at Tavistock which I missed around 60% of takes!!! After those 2 takes I hooked and landed my first fish of the day- a lovely 3ib rainbow. Great I thought, I'm not going to blank! Now after having interest on almost every cast for 10 mins I was very confident and fully expecting takes. I saw movement near the end of my cast and a couple of pulls later BANG I was in, fish took off to the other side of the lake nearly taking me to backing and pulling very hard, incidentally on my airflo rod, the only fly rod I own and that's broken but I havnt had a long enough break from fishing to send it back and get a replacement. So I'm into this fish and I know it's a beast, it's fighting deep and putting tremendous strain on my gear, probably my first double. I managed to gain some line on it after it's first run and then it takes off again this is when I realise it's massive. It pulled very hard and before I know it my line snaps at the join of the tapered leeda to tippet that my dad had previously tied! I was a bit upset at losing what I think would've been my biggest trout but hey ho I caught my bag and had a great mornings fishing at what I would carefully say is probably my favourite venue. I've only been there twice but the fish are absolutely awesome there and it's not too pricey for the size/quality of fish. Caught my bag and so did my dad. He ended up with the fish of the day (again!!!) at around 5ib's. No hard feelings either about his knot skills lol!! He very kindly netted all my catches!
So if anyone catches a monster from Avon that has a damsel nymph in it's mouth (hopefully it will spit it before then?) please let me know how much it weighs : ) you can keep the fly.

Tight lines people!!!

Hard luck CC it has happened to us all at one time or another. You'll find you never forget the big one that got away.

BK

It's your dad I feel most sorry for. He must be crawling with embarrassment

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

Not at all it will always be my fault for these reasons:

1. Not checking the knot frequently

2. Not being capable of tying the knot myself

3. I wasn't on the reel so when the fish took off my reactions were too slow on letting line out and the fish obviously put enough pressure on for the knot to give.

Apologies if any other anglers heard the 4 letter words that followed after the line went slack!! Next time eh guys!!

Do you mean that the drag on your reel was set too tight?
I follow 3lb grayling's advice and set the drag just tight enough to stop the reel overrunning when pulling off line, and use my fingers on the rim as a drag.

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

Couldn't agree more, don't forget how much weight the water itself adds
to the line especially after a long run. Gentle finger pressure on the rim of the reel or finger and thumb on the line give, I feel, better control.
Having said that I still lose to many fish.

No, I meant that I was feeding line out in my hand as apposed to playing the fish from the reel. I always control the reels drag from my fingers just like you guys mentioned.

Never mind CC s**t happens as they say and despite the best attempts from you and every forum member some fish still get lost, thats fishing....

I am not patronising here but a few wee pointer is practise and practise your chosen knot, if you dont know how to tie the knot then ask someone or google and you will get your answers, for me a 3 or 4 turn water works well, you could if you have inclination try the double grinner but the water knot stands me well. Always try a few practise knots with the line you actually intend to use for fishing as some lines take knotting better than others.

I pretty much use 7lb and 5lb Fulling Mill Floro for the majority of my fishing and from my personal opinion only I would say this is a very reliable line when tied with a water knot.

When you tie the knots, always make sure you pull the knot down gently and slowly with plenty of spit on the knot, check the knot is bedded down and check and check again that the knot has not weakened the line.

I set my rod up put a 7-5lb leader on it and then fix the leader to a chair(outside) or tree and then bend into the chair tree until you have your rod at it full fighting curve, this will confirm for you how much pressure you can put on a fish if needed and give you feeling and confidence of how much pressure you can exert on a fish and your knots. I use a 9' 6" 7# and cannot break my leader by bending into it.

How you wish to play your monster is up to you and something you will get a feel for....

Hope this help.....

Did you get a clear look at the fish ?

If not, then if it's any consolation size does not always correlate to the fight the fish puts up. I always think the middleweights, from 2 to about 4lb, fight hardest, and sometimes you encounter fish of average size for the fishery that are absolute hooligans, taking you down to the backing several times.

Most of the 7 pound plus trout I've caught have put up a long and dogged fight, as opposed to a spectacular one.

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton