Well 6 weeks plus without a decent day of rain was making fishing on the river a pretty daunting prospect. An early start to the day avoiding the no doubt hords of walkers through the dales on a bank holiday Monday.
Arriving and checking in to find a most dedicated member there since 5:30am, we quickly got on the river. Nothing rising so on with a small copper head olive nymph size 18. Carefully search around the trees roots and swathes of rununculous in the slow moving waters of the first beat. A few promising takes were rewarded with a couple of beautiful 6" wild brownies, taking the nymph almost as soon as it hit the water beside the rununculous slowly swaying in the current.
Moving downstream searching each low level stretch and weir pool, the hatch slow building. A few olives and small hawthorn fly, the mayfly only showing in ones and two's. Searching the usual secret haunts we were further rewarded with a couple of nice wild fish, falling to the Elk winged olives, fished close to the tree roots on the far bank.
Venturing further down stream, the May Fly really started to hatch. Not prolific, but enough 
start the trout feeding with confidence. I tried a few patterns from my box but no takers meant back to the Elk hair olive with instant success. Searching, moving and patience was the order of the day. Some very wise trout on this wonderful river,not easily fooled or out witted. A fine finish to the day, a 12" wild Brownie which I'd stalked for a while. Several nudges from its nose followed by a smaller fly (20) and a degreased leader paid dividends.
Tight Lines and remember
Keep moving, match the hatch and be patient !!
