Mayfield (Slap in the Face)

The river was in lovely condition today and the grayling were very obliging somehow making the cold more bearable as a few beauties came out every time you started to think God its cold.

I met a nice chap today and we chatted for sometime about our beloved sport and local venues, which also helped tolerate the low temperatures, at least there were 2 of us suffering. The fish were in spectacular condition today, simply stunning like the one below.

Today I experimented with different techniques of handling the ladies which ended in the best fish of the day giving me a slap in the mush. I hopelessly tried to hang on to it for the camera shot, cradling it close to my face so I suppose I was asking for it. On the positive side the fish below was taken once I mastered my new handling procedure and I'm happy with the shot.

The stretch got overcrowded just after lunch so I packed up early and went to spot the big grayling below the bridge, a favorite pastime of mine.