-Japanese version has been posted separately-
-日本語版は「嵐をこえて 2:ソールズベリー」のタイトルで別個に掲載中です-
On the morning of the third day I fished in the city centre. The swim was right behind a large supermarket and just five minutes' walk from the place I stayed, which I had booked through Airbnb.
According to the proprietor of the fishing tackle shop I had popped into earlier, the area on the Avon is called Town Water, which holds surprisingly large chub.
One of the signs posted along the river read: River Avon is home to Dracula fish Lamprey.
My old man used to love the fish cooked in a hotpot and had it regularly when I was a kid.
Although its taste is quite bloody and uniquely strong, you cannot have enough of it once you get used to it.
In recent years, their number has decreased and are now regarded as a luxurious delicacy.
The approach towards the river was muddy with occasional patches of floodplain. The current had completely turned to a gorge, when I had little hope in scoring a single fish.
Regardless, I kept casting, until my first mini Avon Roach emerged from the gorge.
As I was trotting upstream the river split. The new branch looked to be a promising swim.
I kept casting the rig upstream to be flown downstream when I eventually got a nice strike!
It turned out to be a seemingly female Brown trout with a belly like a balloon.
The next was a handsome slim one of the salmonid kind.
As it is trout closed season, I never expected to catch any Browns, let alone while aiming for Chub.
The environment is like every fisherman's dream.
Toast, to the Avon!
Those two accidental trout concluded the morning session on Town Water, and I went back to my accommodation to have my lunch and a rest.
Early in the afternoon I drove to the stretch of the river where I landed my Grayling the day before.
In contrast to the scene from the previous day, it was teeming with anglers.
For the next few hours as the weather was gradually getting worse I continued to fish only to catch some baby-sized ones.
On my way back to the city centre, I stopped by the ruins of Old Sarum, where I took a walk around the outer earthwork fortification.
These kinds of ancient mounds are very common also in Japan, of which I like the gauntness.
The rain and winds were picking up…another storm - this time it's named "Ellen" - was expected to hit the area at twilight and stay until the next day, and that was it for the day for me.
Day4: final day
Amongst the storm taking its toll, I checked out of the b&b and moved the car to the car park of nearby supermarket. The swim
was literally a couple of steps away from the parking space.
Men apparently from Environment Agency were busy in gauging the width of the swollen current, or doing some kind of research using remote-controlled boats etc.
This hairy Oriental fishing maniac who kept staring and casting at the water surface must have been quite peculiar in their eyes.
He had become an obsession itself - only to score one catch at this final session of the trip.
After an hour beautiful Brown trout only a centimetre or two short of 40 found itself in his landing net.
Yes, it was an accidental catch in pursuit of other species however, I was satisfied with the encounter with the gem of the stream to conclude my journey.
-日本語版は「嵐をこえて 2:ソールズベリー」のタイトルで別個に掲載中です-
On the morning of the third day I fished in the city centre. The swim was right behind a large supermarket and just five minutes' walk from the place I stayed, which I had booked through Airbnb.
According to the proprietor of the fishing tackle shop I had popped into earlier, the area on the Avon is called Town Water, which holds surprisingly large chub.
The stretch of day three and four.
An Avon Roach.
Brownie number one.
Number two. Handsome dude!
In the middle of the storm, the biggest surprise of the day flew out of the gorge!
You have reached your destination.
The outmost earthwork fortification of the ruins.
A view from the street the b&b is on. Salisbury Cathedral was neatly sat in the slot.