As the trout season gets underway, we caught up with Si Fields, Head Keeper at Fishing Breaks, to hear what this time of year really means from a riverkeeper’s perspective. From the quiet graft that happens before opening day to the small details that shape a great day on the water, Si shares a glimpse into life behind the scenes on a chalk stream.
What does the start of the trout season mean to you?
The wet, cold and sometimes miserable winter is finally behind us, the days begin to stretch out and the sun shows itself a little more often. There is a real sense of anticipation again, with Mayfly just around the corner and the river coming back to life.
What kind of work goes on behind the scenes to prepare the river before the season starts?
There is plenty to be getting on with before opening day. Bench and platform repairs, hut painting, pre-season weed cutting, strimming, jet washing, stocking, and making sure the cabins are fully re-stocked and ready. It is a steady build up of small jobs that all come together to get everything prepared.
 |
 |
What’s one job people would be surprised takes up a lot of your time?
If the banks are too wet for the ride on mower at the start, which they often are, we end up strimming every bit of grass by hand. It is one of those jobs that sounds straightforward but takes a huge amount of time and effort early in the season.
Are there any small details anglers might never notice that make a big difference?
The pre-season weed cut is a big one, especially shaping the ranunculus and trying to strike the right balance between cutting too much out or not enough. When it is done well it looks natural and often goes completely unnoticed by June, let alone the work that went into it weeks earlier.
 |
 |
What would you tell someone approaching a chalk stream for the first time in April?
April is a brilliant time to be on a chalk stream. Anything that has made it through the winter will be keen to feed on that first olive hatch, and there is always a chance of some early surface activity. If things are quiet, it is absolutely fine to fish a nymph and cover the water with confidence.