Mike, I too had the great pleasure of fishing the river Test a few years ago. I also fished the Itchen. My host, Stan Conway, and I got a bit competitive as the day went on, creating a bit of international fishing competition between the USA and UK. It was great fun. Unfortunately he was able to take the competition with an almost impossible long cast dry presentation across tricky currents and the typical surface obstacles of spring creeks. He was able to present his fly for about 2 seconds to the top fish of the day, a nice brown of about 4 pounds. I had to concede victory after that feat, but I certainly didn't embarrass the USA.
Quite a neat experience if anyone gets a chance to fish one of these streams. They are almost exclusively managed for the purpose of fishing. The streams are divided into "beats", which are based on what two fishers can adequately cover in a day's fishing. The grass that typically grows thick from the bottom of a spring creek in the summer is actually trimmed with an amphibous hedge trimmer in order to keep the streams fishable. The banks are meticulously manicured to allow easy walking for the fishers, while a slight growth just beside the water's edge is allowed to provide some cover as you stealthily approach the fish from downstream to sight-fish for them. Then of course there are benches here and there for you to comfortably sit down and relax in between fish. The rivers are maintained by the famed "riverkeepers" which are employed by the private fishing clubs that own the land along the rivers. They also have the little fishing shack where you sign in and out, and of course log your catch in "the book" which makes for some very interesting reading going back many years. Once reserved for the exclusive use of the Royalty and their appointees and guests, flyfishing on these historic streams is a real treat. I actually recorded my trip on a small page I have posted on the web with a couple of pictures, including my trip to Ireland to fish with guide Padraig Munroe of County Mayo. It can be found at: http://128.121.183.135/nwfishing//stories/082798_england.html I sure miss the Guinness. It just seems to taste better over there. -Dave ---------------------------------------------- David Weitl Northwest Realty Advisors, Inc. 3380 NE Rova Road, Poulsbo, Washington 98370 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 360-779-3802 fax 360-779-1467 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Michael Santangelo Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 7:07 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: British Chalkstream Fishing Report I think it is because beneath the top soil the bed rock is a very white limestone. I went by where they were doing some ground work and the bedrock is pure white. I wanted to take some photos but the overcast sky wouldn't do the whiteness of the stone justice. These SE England spring creeks (chalkstreams) are very near the famed white cliffs of Dover. >From what I understand, as the ground water filters through the limestone it gives the water a bit of base making it very fertile for aquatic life. Also since the water filters up through the ground, it flows at a very constant temperature. The spring creeks of Pennsylvania, originate in limestone as well, I believe. Yellowtail Reservoir, which provides the tailwater the lower Bighorn River, also has limestone walls and bottom. As the water sits in the reservoir it gets a bit basic. Since the water is released from the base of the reservoir, the water temperature stays cool and temperature fluctuates are low. Rocky Ford is a spring creek as well, but not of limestone origin. Mike -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Uncle Brad and Elly Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 4:06 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: British Chalkstream Fishing Report michael, why are they called chalkstreams ?
