Yes, it’s that time of year again, when we remind our readers that the Wild Trout Trust Spring Auction is open for bidding…
As usual, this is one of the Wild Trout Trust‘s most important fundraising events of the year – enabling them to help community groups, fishing clubs, landowners and even government agencies make a better world for wild trout (including through their unique Trout in the Town programme).
The mix of lots is slightly different each year, so be sure to check them all carefully. And now, as usual, here’s Urbantrout’s special curation of all the urban listings as your way in to the rest…
Lot 17: Two new hardback books from Medlar Press: Reclaiming the Calder: An Angler’s Tale, by Nigel Horan, tells the story of how West Yorkshire’s urban River Calder came back to life, a story to fascinate any post-industrial fly-fisher. There’s also a copy of TK Wilson: The Life & Fancy Flies of a North Country Angler by Keith Harwood.
Lot 94: A selection of dry flies and nymphs for use on rivers across the UK, tied by guide, fly-tyer and Fulling Mill ambassador Phillippa Hake (whose home water is a true Urbantrout favourite, the Calder in West Yorkshire). All these flies are proven fish-catchers for Phillippa, and ones she wouldn’t be without in her box.
Lots 133 and 134: 2 chances to win a week’s permit for 1 rod on the Town Waters of the River Ness in Inverness, presented by the Inverness Angling Association. This beat runs right through the Scottish Highland capital, and is best fished for salmon with a fly.
Lots 168 and 169: 3 days for 2 rods fishing the waters of the Merthyr Tydfil Angling Alliance, which offers not just the urban upper Taff and the restored Taf Fechan tributary, but also beats on the Tarrell and Usk.
Lots 173 and 174: 2 permits to fish on 4 weekends of your choice (Friday – Sunday) or 4 weekday blocks of any 3 days (Monday – Friday) across the waters of the Merthyr Tydfil Angling Alliance, as above.
Lot 231: 1 day for 2 rods fishing the River Mells, also known as the Mells Stream, in Somerset, thanks to the Frome & District Angling Association. The Mells is a post-industrial stream with a history of iron milling, on the edge of the old Somerset coalfield, and its wild trout have been a (mostly) well-kept local secret for years!
Lot 235: I day for 2 rods fishing the waters of the Dulverton Angling Association on the southern edge of Exmoor. The club’s water includes some nicely urban stretches of the Barle, as well as much more rural beats on the upper Exe and Haddeo. Accompanied by a club member who will also provide a box of local flies.
Lot 254: One day for 2 rods fly-fishing the Wandle for trout and chub, in and around the beautiful and historic Morden Hall Park. You’ll be accompanied by Wandle Piscators’ Hector Rodriguez, the lucky man who accidentally landed a salmon earlier this year, and South East Rivers Trust officer, Jack Hogan. Fishing in Morden Hall Park has recently been leased by the National Trust to the Wandle Piscators, and is restricted to club members, with no day tickets normally available. This lot offers the full Wandle experience with the opportunity to learn about the Park’s history and explore the river’s past, present and bright future.
Lot 296: 1 day’s fishing for 1 rod, hunting barbel on the Wandle with Hector Rodriguez. Hector has been targeting barbel on the fly for many years, starred in a short film for the Wild Trout Trust’s Virtual Get-Together in 2020, and has even landed a Wandle salmon on his nymphing rig! With the chance of a specimen barbel, roach, chub or trout on these rejuvenated London waters, this will be a day to remember.
Lot 422: 1 month’s fishing on approximately 5 miles of the Yorkshire Colne between Marsden and Linthwaite in the Huddersfield area: predominantly for wild trout and grayling, but the closer you get to the confluence with the River Calder, the more coarse fish you’ll also find. All fishing above Britannia Bridge in Slaithwaite is fly only.
All you need to know about the auction is here on the Wild Trout Trust’s special auction site: click over today and place your bids in aid of this most excellent cause!
