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Ghyll Head near Windermere
Trout fishing at Ghyll Head…..
On a narrow, climbing and winding road somewhere between the tourist infested Bowness on Windermere and the relative quiet of Newby Bridge lies a place that was, for a number of years my favourite place on earth. This is one place I had vowed to return to some fourteen years since I last cast a fly for a rising trout on the flat calm of its glorious waters.
Way back whenever, I was a member of the local fishing association, this gave me permission to seek out and fish tarns, lakes and reservoirs untouched by the masses. Being a chef meant that my time off was always the exact opposite of everyone else, this meant I usually had this all to myself…
The fishing was always secondary to me, it was being there that captured my imagination. It was places like this which helped me reconnect with the land around me and all that it had to offer. Suddenly everything my parents had installed in me as a young boy with regard to respecting nature and enjoying the countryside made sense and I knew that there was no turning back.
Standing on the edge of an embankment watchng the waters calm break with the ripple of a hungry trout feeding from midges landing on its surface was indeed a thing of beauty. I would stay there from dawn until dusk and never be able to decide which part of the day was my favourite. Either way I would drive back to my place of work, refreshed and energised from a day in the fresh air so unique to this part of the world. Once back I would share a pint with my friend in a small country pub and talk of fishing, boat repairs, fly tying and monster pike before sleeping the sleep of the righteous, dreaming of long lost tarns and wild brown trout.
This was a place that I took my brother to fish, we had shared the pike rivers of our native county and now it was the turn of the waters where I once lived. They were halcyon days and for many years possibly the happiest days of my life.
Miles,
Once again, great early morning reading for me. I’m glad you linked to your “River Runs Through It” post. You’re such a good writer and we have much in common with our respect for nature. I have more to add (about fly fishing), but must be out the door in a few minutes. I’ll be back — but Miles, don’t get too far ahead of me — I want to savor this post.
:-)
Melissa (McLean)
March 8, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
Miles,
I could just do with a walk in those wonderful surroundings. Sheer tranquility. It is not surprising that you find solace here and in places like it after hectic hours spent in your busy kitchens.
Our connectivity with nature is basic and all important for our survival. Enjoy!
Elsie
March 8, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
That’s the spot to be - great times !
I see it every night in the painting that hangs over my fireplace !
Rod
March 8, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
Melissa,
Thanks a lot.
I was tempted to write another quick post whilst you were gone, just to keep you on your toes
Miles
March 8, 2009 @ 3:50 pm
Elsie,
Thank you, it is beautiful and brought back some wonderful memories for me, I’ll be back!
Miles
March 8, 2009 @ 3:51 pm
Rod,
Great times indeed, must visit Brothers Water when I get the chance.
Miles
March 8, 2009 @ 3:52 pm
Yet another great post, Miles, and most vividly portrayed. I must confess that I’ve never tried my hand at fly fishing, although I have managed, on occasion, to snag one of the denizens of the deep. I should add that this hasn’t happened very often though… there’s often far more enjoyment to be had in being close to nature than in harvesting her bounty (and what an enormous bounty, as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s A Cook On The Wild Side so beautifully explains).
March 8, 2009 @ 6:07 pm
Xenny,
Thank you, I appreciate that. Fly fishing is a wonderful thing indeed, I love to see a fly line being cast it is quite beautiful.
Glad you’ve got a copy of Hugh’s book, it was a very good tv series too.
Miles
March 8, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
Lovely post Miles!
Really captures the peace and quiet of the Lakes District.
Also reminds me of a time when I travelled through the American West with a friend - he catching and me cooking dinner each night - in a simpler time than now.
Laura
March 9, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
Laura,
I envy you that, sounds idyllic. I love looking at pictures of the American West, it really is stunning, quite unlike anything else.
I miss simple times, don’t you?
Miles
March 9, 2009 @ 3:58 pm