REFLECTIONS OVER DINNER

As the fly swung around over a favourite lie the line pulled taught and life was transmitted through the line; for a fleeting moment I hoped I had saved the season but it was only a brown trout its crimson spotted flanks brightening the day as I admired it briefly before slipping it back into the Torridge.

Later Pauline and I joined anglers at the Half Moon Inn at Sheepwash for the annual association dinner. There is plenty of talk of salmon caught over recent days following a spate that came just in time to save a season blighted by drought conditions. Salmon to 15lb caught and released bringing optimism for seasons to come on this end of season supper.
Over dinner we discuss the merits of salmon flies, their dressings and the importance of colours and profiles. There is talk of seasons past and speculation on the future of the river. We talk of fishing Inns and their importance of the warmth of comradeship that emanates through such establishments. We talk of the sad loss of many such Inns and of the traditions that often seem to be fading from the modern world.
After breakfast I gather a list of fish caught for the next Journal edition and persuade Charles Inniss to show me the rod room. Many anglers have started their fishing day from this point as Charles sent them on their way to the river buoyed with his cheerful optimism. At the end of the day many a salmon was laid to rest upon the slab to be eaten later with a warming glass of malt. In the bar as the drinks flowed I am sure the tales of salmon caught and lost were many with dimensions undoubtedly embellished with the passing of the day.