Start time

The correct time to start fishing for sea trout is one filled with mystery and is very much a personal thing. I have often sat at the waters edge asking myself the same question again and again - "When shall I start?" Now this is probably one of the hardest questions to answer. Every fisherman has their own ideas. I have heard such ones as "You don't start until you can't see the face of your watch", "When the Bats start flying then it's time to start fishing", and so on. Now no doubt each word of advice probably is quite sound. However, starting times for sea trout are quite important. Starting too early can spell disaster for your evenings fishing, too late and you may have to wait until late on before the fish become interested. Indeed Hugh Falkus wrote that "to steal a march when fishing in clear water for sea trout is fatal to success" and this piece of advice is very true.

The problem is that the river is running past your feet, your rod is set up and ready but you still can't fish. Basically impatience sets in, a fish splashes out in the middle of the pool and you want to start fishing. Sitting waiting for the dusk to come and the right moment to start is often one of the hardest parts of sea trout fishing. In this time the mind begins to wander. What fly shall I use? A sparkly one as the sun sets? Or the more traditional patterns and wait for full darkness? I often sit at the riverside waiting for just the right moment to start fishing and all of these questions run through my mind in one form or another. More often than not I have already decided what fly to use, where to start and what part of the pool to fish first before I have even arrived at the river. This allows me the small luxury of being able to observe my surroundings and take in a summer's sunset and watch for the fish to start moving. I may see a good fish rise and my heart races. Where shall I cast first? And it is at this moment that I realise I must turn and walk quietly away for even now it is too early to start fishing.

So, when should you start fishing? I would suggest when you feel that it is right. If, like me, you have sat and watched the sun set and you feel at one with your surroundings then and only then is the time right for you to start. It may sound foolish but I often feel a sense of calm come over the countryside when the silence of the night is disturbed only by the movement of the water and a large fish jumping in the dark. Then when you feel confident and sure, start fishing, and hopefully you won't have started too early.