The wild brown trout season on Aspatria Angling Club water opens on 15 March, and although fish can be taken straight from opening day, the river does not usually begin to fish well until the middle of April. The brownies here offer the fly, spinner and bait angler a real challenge, with light tackle, stealth, careful wading and accurate casting all necessities. Effective fly-fishing is particularly dependant on watercraft and careful casting. Rods should be between seven and nine feet in length, and rated AFTM 3, 4 or 5. Tip-action rods are ideal, allowing quick loading and tight loop control essential for casting in confined spaces and slotting flies underneath overhanging foliage. The ability to roll and side cast greatly enhances the fly-fisherman's chances on the River Ellen, as a conventional overhead back-cast is sometimes a luxury!
Although Ellen brownies will not take you down to the backing, reels should carry a decent amount, as you never know when a sea trout might strike! A floating line will usually suffice, although carrying a selection of poly-leaders, in densities from intermediate to super-fast sinking, is useful for occasions when flies need to be presented at greater depth. Leader material is dependant on the patterns in use. Sub-surface flies such as nymphs and spiders are best presented on a fluorocarbon leader, while dries and spiders fished in or near the surface film are better suited to limper copolymer. Tapered leaders, tailored to suit casting restrictions, offer easier turnover and accurate presentation of these delicate offerings, and are particularly useful in confined surroundings. Tippets of 2 and 3lbs are ideal, although it can be worth stepping up to 4 or even 5lbs if using heavy flies such as weighted nymphs, if the water is high or carrying colour, or if sea trout may be present.
Downstream wet fly, upstream wet fly, upstream nymph and dry fly are all useful methods on Aspatria A. C. water. Traditional North Country wet flies such as Black Spider, Greenwell's Spider, Hare's Lug and Plover, Orange Partridge, Snipe and Purple and Waterhen Bloa account for many River Ellen brown trout. Club vice-chairman Dr. Clark Colman has also had great success with a more modern spider pattern incorporating a black hen hackle, pearl tinsel body and fine silver wire rib. Winged wet flies such as Blae and Black, Greenwell's Glory and Mallard and Claret are also worth a try. Fly sizes should vary from 12 downwards depending on the height and colour of the river. However, achieving traditional down-and-across presentation is not always possible because much of the Ellen is narrow and tree-lined. In these situations the upstream wet fly approach, with a cast of two or three flies on a fluorocarbon or copolymer leader, really comes into its own.
The upstream nymph, a much-neglected short-lining technique, should not be overlooked on our water. With the freshwater shrimp (Gammarus) forming part of the Ellen trout's staple diet, the fly-fisherman should always carry a number of appropriate imitations. These must not be too big; the shrimps here can be tiny. Weighted nymphs for Aspatria A. C. water should not be too heavy, as much of the riverbed is stony and snaggy. Pitched upstream and allowed to dead-drift back towards the angler, upstream nymphing is an effective and satisfying method of taking wild browns. Its effectiveness can be enhanced by fixing a small strike indicator to the leader some three or four feet from the fly (or flies), and this can also be used in conjunction with the upstream wet fly approach. Skips 'Turn On' indicators in small and medium sizes are ideal, as are mini 'Fish Pimps.'
Above: Four useful sea trout and salmon patterns. Clockwise from top right: Butcher, Silver March Brown, Peter Ross, Ally's Shrimp
River Ellen brown trout are sporting fish that will rise readily to a well-presented dry fly even when no hatch is in progress. A copolymer leader of between nine and twelve feet, tapering to a 2 or 3lbs point, fits the bill very well, with fly patterns and sizes chosen to 'match the hatch.' In the absence of a hatch, then a black Klinkhamer, or one with a body of sparsely dubbed hare's ear, are ideal 'prospecting patterns' that usually bring up a fish or two. As a bonus, evening fly-fishing with large dries such as an Adams or Grey Duster has been known to produce sea trout.
A spinning rod can be an extremely useful addition to the Ellen angler's armoury. With a flick of the wrist, even the smallest spinners can be neatly presented in those tighter lies unreachable with the fly, while on days when the water is high and / or coloured spinning is often the only method that will produce. Gold Mepps spinners in sizes 0-2, presented upstream, can account for good sized brownies. Do not be tempted to use too light a line, as these also appeal to sea trout and salmon! Spinning is only permitted on the river (for all species) from 1 June. A popular technique once used on the Ellen, but rarely seen nowadays, involved using a spinning rod and bubble float to present a team of three or even four flies in areas that could not be covered with conventional fly fishing or spinning methods. Try it out this season and let us know how you get on!
Given a good and consistent level of water, migratory fish can run through Aspatria A. C. water in fair numbers as early as May. The 2002 season was remarkable in this respect, but subsequently prevailing low water throughout the summer months has seen the Ellen revert to its usual status as a 'late-run' river.
Fly fishing is a productive if little-used method for sea trout and salmon on our water. Club member Mike Sowerby has accounted for a good many sea trout on patterns such as Ally's Shrimp, Butcher, Silver March Brown, Teal, Blue and Silver, and Peter Ross. Presented on a floating line and one or two-fly cast, all of these can also attract grilse and salmon. In the evenings, upstream dry fly fishing with larger patterns such as the Adams or Grey Duster can also produce good surface sport with sea trout.
Spinning with lures such as the Flying C, Mepps and small Tobies is a more commonly-employed technique, although again, remember it is prohibited until 1 June. As with other rivers throughout the country, Ellen sea trout and salmon can sometimes be found taking cover under overhanging trees during the day, and hence cannot be effectively targeted with fly or spinner. In such situations a bunch of worms flicked under the trees and allowed to drift down with the current can be deadly. Club chair Arthur Dixon, and member Bill Blackett, have for many years used this technique to great effect.
The Tackle and Techniques Used by Aspatria Angling Club
