Steffan shares with us how he got into fishing and his first piscatorial memories of sea trout and brown trout, some of which are certainly a little suspect…
I had a rather unconventional start to my ‘fishing’ life, that would be a fair summary.
I was fortunate to be raised in a very rural area of west Wales, where I still reside to this day, in fact. For someone with an interest in fishing and shooting it is a treasure trove, as there are opportunities abound and cost little to nothing. Indeed, even my local fishing club still offers those under the age of 16 access to 30 miles of the River Teifi for just £2 per season!
Beyond that, however, there are numerous tributaries, which are less overwhelming laboratories on which to hone your understanding of the sport. Fortunately, there was just such a tributary below our house – perhaps a tributary is being generous, as it was more of a ditch at around two metres wide…
Now, I would love to wax lyrically about a staple on the end of a branch cut from the nearest hazzle tree, the shady pool, the worm plucked from the ground etc. but it was a touch more ‘Neanderthal’ than that…
My father was a trout tickler of note. He would never use a net, he would never gaff fish etc. but saw nothing wrong with producing a fish for the table with a loving caress. I hasten to add that stocks were abundant in this era and, whilst being illegal, of course, it did not have a detrimental affect on the stock levels. He also since seen the light – before anyone goes to ring the old bill.
I have some really fond memories of these days, which may sound contradictory given my modern-day efforts to protect such stocks. I remember one winter’s day watching a couple of cock sea trout fighting over a female, for example. The stream at that point was literally a metre wide. However, my earliest and most vivid memory was of a big sewin that slapped me several times across the face!
There was a small junction in front of the house, where the river doubled from a massive one metre wide to a monstrous two metres wide – imagine the meeting of the Rio Negro and Amazon River in Manaus, and you’re close. Sea trout would often sit here before choosing which branch to take. My father could spot the fish under the cut-banks before even entering the water. I remember him identifying a big sea trout to me. Moments later he tells me to get ready to catch it as he launches it from its underwater lair. The sea trout of 3 lbs or so lands in my arms and proceeds to kick its tail in my face with three firm slaps. I am certain that from that day forward I have vowed to exact my revenge on sea trout and I am certain that is where my obsession with them began.
Now, on a more legal front, my fishing with rod and line began when my grandparents (who lived next door) returned from Italy and bought me a telescopic rod, which I still have to this day. However, it has had several repairs – it’s now a bit like Trigger’s broom…
One thing I loathe in the fishing world more than anything is species snobbery. I have great pleasure in catching most species, but gain greater enjoyment from certain species because they capture me in a special way. However, we are a product of our environment, and, if the fishing bug entices us, we fish for what we have access to, or what our parents etc. choose to take us to pursue. Not everyone is fortunate to start their life on a beautiful salmon river, but we all share the same bond and should be more open as a result.
For me it was the small, wild brown trout that inhabited the small stream. They were plentiful with a good fish being ten inches or so. I have no doubt that fishing and catching these trout in that small stream taught me rivercraft that has served me well to this day. I would venture out with my telescopic rod, a tobacco tin full or worms along with a few hooks and split shot and be content for the day. The pluck from a trout on a worm is magical and something I am certain that got me hooked to this day.
For tickling advice or how to place a worm on a hook, do not hesitate to contact Steffan Jones or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.