When you trade stories with fly-fishermen and the River Test is mentioned, everyone becomes glassy-eyed at the thought of a days’ fishing on such hallowed water. Therefore imagine my joy when I was given such a day for my 60th Birthday. This was a present from the 60 fans/friends who attended my afternoon session/celebration at the Robin 2 on June 19th (see previous blog) and the look on my face said it all. Well, after a date change then a beat change, we finally cast lines, a bit late in the season though nonetheless enjoyable, on Monday 28th September at Kimbridge, a revered place in fly fishing history. English chalk streams are the envy of the fishing world and as we “walked the water”, something I would recommend to any angler, we were spellbound. This is a place where life is put on hold and the only thing that matters is you and the fish.

There are a few methods used in fly-fishing but dry fly is considered the sporting gentleman’s choice on the Test and so it was. A Royal Wulff actually. We rose several fish and took away a brace of brown trout each as our limit and sadly, the fishing over, made our way to the Mayfly pub to consider the day. As we chatted, stories were exaggerated and naturally, the fish that got away even more so.

I thank everyone of you once again for the most thoughtful and wonderful present and look forward to another days’ fishing soon. The Test, however, is special and I want to keep it that way.

With thanks from Andy and the Rock and Roll Fly-fishers.