I visited Wistlandpound for a short evening session coinciding with the fading light. I arrived at 7.00pm and walked to the far end of the fishery intending to search the East Bank working my way slowly back to a promontory that has produced regularly for me in the past.
I was surprised how much lower the lake was since my last visit at the end of July. The benefit of low water levels is that there is far more bank space to fish with withy growth that restricts access when the reservoir is full left well behind on the foreshore.
I tied on a black spider and a Zulu and commenced my exploration. A few fish were rising with small rudd dimpling the surface close to the bank. There was plenty of weed growth in the margins but this caused no problem as it was easy to reach deeper water where I hoped the fish would be feeding.
The first hour brought two 8″ wild browns that gave a spirited account on the light tackle.
As the light faded I decided on a change of tactics upgrading the leader to 7.5lb b.s and tying on a black lure. I cast this and commenced a speedy retrieve hoping to connect with one of the venues larger predatory browns that undoubtedly have the potential to grow large on the abundance of rudd fry.
Three browns of around 8″ came over the next half an hour as the light drained from the day. Several fish were missed as they boiled at the fly chasing it in the ripples. This was exciting fishing with each cast bringing expectation. A savage pull and a flurry of spray resulted in the best fish of the session a fin perfect brown trout of around 1lb.
I fished on for another ten minutes but with no further takes and the light going I headed for home. The short session had resulted in half a dozen wild brown trout highlighting the healthy level of fish present. Wistlandpound is undoubtedly an overlooked gem that seldom receives the attention it deserves.
