Three fly fishing disciplines, 12 hours, 115 miles and one angler. England youth international Ben Fox takes us on an epic challenge to raise money for Young Minds.
Okay I am from Yorkshire but I’m no Brownlee brother, so my triathlon had to be based around something slightly less strenuous but, of course, in no way easier. I decided to target three venues that I know so well in less than 12 hours and try and tempt as many fish from each as possible. Could I do it? Would the fish cooperate? This was to be a fly fishing challenge that would test even the top anglers in the country, so a careful plan was drawn up, with the venues chosen and a time allocation given to each one, with travel time also taken into account. With the plan in place I was off to my first venue.
Bank First…
Kilnsey Park, set in stunning surroundings under Kilnsey Crag in the Yorkshire Dales, was the venue for my first leg, and what a place to start. It has a special place in my heart, being the first venue I chucked some fluff into, which was obligingly taken by my first-ever trout. It is simply a stunning place offering some of the best small still water fishing there is. I had four hours to spend fishing here and with bright blustery conditions and a wind that couldn’t decide which way to blow, things didn’t look like they would be easy.
Kilnsey Park had very kindly sponsored me per pound of fish I caught – £2.50 per pound, with every fish counted as 3lb unless it was weighed – a lovely gesture that has gone a long way towards my total.
With the promise of extra money for Young Minds I decided it best to approach Kilnsey like I would a bank match. I set up three rods to cover every possible situation. One with a clear intermediate line, an olive worm on the point and a Cat’s Whisker on the dropper. The next on a midge tip with a pink FAB on the point and two size 12 nymphs on the droppers (black Diawl Bach and a UV Cruncher). My final rod was set up with a bung, red Squirmy Wormy on the point and a size 12 Black Buzzer on the dropper.
This story is from the August 2017 edition of Total FlyFisher.
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This story is from the August 2017 edition of Total FlyFisher.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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