Bridge End Farm

For the second time in a week I find myself staying overnight on Friday night at the delightful riverside B&B called Bridge End Farm, near Grassington - but this time with fishing buddy Kempy.

The River Wharfe on Friday was sadly unfishable and was about 2 feet higher than average as much rainwater had entered the river the night before. These northern rivers are known as 'Freestone' or 'Spate' rivers because of this tendency to quickly flood and then abate. Essentially, the Wharfe looked the colour of Mulligatawny soup, and was powering-through like a runaway freight train. To add insult to injury the wind was also gusting up to about Force 8 or 9 making casting a fly very tricky.

We had planned to fish the day with Kempy's old school mate Oz up on the Burnsall stretch on a Day Ticket from the Red Lion Hotel. This was abandoned after a look at the river to go and fish on a 4-hour 'catch and release' ticket instead on the picturesque little Trout Farm up-river at Kilnsey crag. This we did, and the net results by mid afternoon were just one fish apiece for Kempy and I - but mine being an absolute trophy-winnng beauty weighing-in at about 3 lbs. Kindly (and par for the course given our 25-year fishing competition), Kempy (seen here 'resting' his bad back mid session) refused to accept this weigh-in without it's landing being witnessed by either him or Oz, or there being a photo from me. Sadly, Oz with his 'blank' was not on top form today, particularly as he had earlier crunched the backside of his car on a bit of unforgiving Dales stone walling.

Anyway, days end, this is a picture of our lovely B&B seen from the main road as we head-off for the evening to taste and drink the delights of Grassington's finest. Our hosts tonight, Robin and Beryl were out at a wedding all day, and only due back well after midnight they said. We had been left the key code for the door and told to let ourselves in.

For Saturday, looks like the river levels are finally dropping, so if the rain holds, it is looking like the river may be finally on, and "Tight Lines" as they say.