On the way down I decided that from now on I'd go out my way to target the ponds brown trout and bigger rainbows by fishing lower and slower than normal instead of just targeting stockies which, while it puts a healthy bend in the rod just gets repetitive and doesn't really yield any impressive results.
The first hour was painfully slow, there was no signs of fish across the ponds, nobody was catching. Then the place came alight, fish where all of a sudden topping and the lads at the bottom end started catching the small stockies. I caught a trout of two pound and as quick as they came they went.
I plodded on switching between flies but I was committed to fishing the bottom foot of water, then bang fish on, netted and released, next cast fish on, netted and released, next cast fish on, flash of brown, did I just see that or was I dreaming? No it was definitely brown and while it was small I proceeded to playthe fish with great caution. Instead of running in random directions like a rainbow this fish had a sense of direction, weed beds, no doubt one of the best fights I've ever had off a 1lb fish. When I slipped the net under its body I was so relieved and so happy, it was only small but perfect in every way.
I fished on hoping for better, I was catching regular enough to maintain interest but my hands where frozen and the rain was really pouring down and the idea of leaving early was certainly being entertained in my mind. I fished on and the rod locked solid, I could feel powerful head shakes down the line and it was clearly a big fish. My immediate thought was oops I'm going to need a bigger net. Then I realised I was fishing a 6lb leader and all of a sudden the net was the least of my worries. The fish took the free line and was soon being played on the reel. It was a struggle to fight the fish with cold hands, lifting the rod tip up was difficult as my wrist was so cold it didn't want to lock up with the rod but a few hairy minutes later she was swimming around under the rod tip and then the net the fish game began. It didn't take to kindly to the net and it took a few failed head and shoulders attempts to get her in but there she was all 10lb 8 oz of her. Yesssss
That was fish number 8 and it really couldn't have got any better but I thought It would really top the session off if I could get into double figure numbers of fish. Number 9 came and then number 10 graced the net. Job done. Llandeglas first brownie and double of the year, the owner said only a few brownies come out each year and that very few anglers have managed a brown and a double in one session there so I'm over the moon.
A question remains though, will it ruin future trips to Llandegla? It's unlikely I will ever better that session so am I best finding pastures new?
One thing is for sure though.... It's a session I won't ever forget.
