12 anglers (brave and true) met on a frosty Sunday morning this weekend. Their purpose? To seek out, catch and record the grayling living between Hillfoot Bridge and Winn Gardens on the urban river Don...The stakes were (not) high (£5) the rewards great (£40 for most fish and a tenner for the biggest fish). Oh - and we hoped to meet new angling friends as well as provide accurate records of the presence of different age-classes of game fish (in a section of river that is not monitored in conventional ways).

They came from far and near - with 3 raiding nomads heading down from East Lancashire to challenge the locals (in the event, fairness was ensured by fishing the event as pairs - one local paired with each visitor).

The proof that local Trout in the Town Group "SPRITE" are justified in their passion for clearing up and protecting their local urban river can be seen in the results:

102 grayling between 14 and 35cm in length were caught - with by far the most numerous category being the 27cm/2yr+ fish

Pink flies were the main winning medicine on the day and the winning pair of Andy Cliffe and Martin Introna took a cracking 37 fish between them and Andy also scooped the biggest fish prize at 35cm

Both Andy and Martin generously donated their prize money to the SPRITE project and both volunteer their time contributing to the care of the river.

Andy with his winning fish


Closeup


L to R: Andy, Martin (Owls fan perhaps?) and Daniel before the off


Typical fish


Released with the rest


Northern Raider Bob Pearce scoops his first ever grayling!


...and gets it taped for the biological records


Grayling in front of the security fences


Bob scoring again


Raider Chris (left) and local Paul H (right) getting busy near the footy terraces (Chris also broke his grayling virginity to take half a dozen fish from this run)


Bob adjusts the cap to be more inkeeping with the bankside "facilities" (which way to Halford's Hut again??)


The 19th Hole and the results/prize-giving



Many thanks for all those who participated - particularly Graham, Chris and Bob who travelled to be with us. Many thanks also for the kind positive comments from participants who, at the end of the day, all had an excellent and great fun day out (which just happened to do some good for the river the next time someone wants to bury the river in concrete).

See you all at the next one.

Nice report and well done.

Very admirable, and looked like a fun day out too!

Keep up the good work!

SharkeyP

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Often thinks not travel widens,
Stay at home the Trout obliges.

Great report and photo's... I read these threads with envious interest, once I have the waders I will come along and join you fellas. Always looks like you all have fun and work hard to keep that little river in such good condition.

Hopefully see you soon... Woz

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Great stuff.

I remember the days when the River Don in that vicinity ran a sort of "puce" colour.

Fantastic, Paul - can't wait to get up there again myself!

Theo

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theopike.com
wandletrust.org
urbantrout.net

What?? and no mention of Danny taking a 'swim' Paul?? good on ya!!

Any river anglers who wish to join us on the next one are more than welcome.... Please make an effort to join Sprite too and aid the group in keeping it tidy..

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Before you cast the fly, make sure you can handle the fish! Vuoi imbrogliare? Poi Non competere! (If you want to cheat, then dont compete)

I thought I'd spare Danny's blushes but good to see that you've no such compunction! hee hee hee poor lad, he was bl00dy freezing!!

---------- Post added at 11:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 AM ----------

You know you have an open invite - also, just sent you an email on your wandletrust account with a possible line of enquiry that may be of interest to your latest project.

PG

A big thank you to all for making us feel so welcome, we 3 nomads from lancashire had a fantastic day on the urban Don, the fish caught were an added bonus. It's a cracking little river and Sprite you are doing a brilliant job.
I learned allot thanks to PG, which enabled me to catch my first ever grayling, (old dogs can learn new tricks) I hope to be able to fish with you all again...soon. Cheers Paul.

Bob

Thanks Paul... now replied. Surf's up!



Theo

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