In the hedgerows, fluorescent clumps of daffodils and primroses bring the earthen banks to life with the vibrancy of their colours. Springtime is a good time of the year for me!!

I had left home early because my route to Orvis-Innis Fishery  took me over the Tamar Bridge and down through the notorious Glynn Valley, which from eight in the morning is nothing more than a slow-moving traffic jam. But at just after first light I had the road to myself, the temptation of some fine spring sunshine and good fishing had proven irresistible.

Despite the promise of the day, the chill Nor-Easterly wind ensured that Intermediates, sinking lines and pulling tactics would be necessary to find the fish, and so it was, till near lunchtime when the wind eased back before swinging around to a Westerly direction bringing some light rain and slightly warmer conditions.

I chose to fish the older of the two large lakes because I had some time in on that lake, and I know where the deeper parts are.

A walk best part of the way around the lake showed no activity at all on the top. Two other early birds were fishing the water inlet on the western side of the lake and from their infrequent casting it wasn’t difficult to work out that they were booby'ing. A good fish catching tactic in these circumstances.

I walked around to the other side of the island where there is a small but deep pit. I had taken a superb 8lb fish from this pit the previous year and I fancied my chances of finding a similar fish in residence.

By mid-day I had taken a couple of fish on an orange mini zonker, but it had been hard work in the wind. As the wind dropped and the rain began to sprinkle, the temperature got up and lo and behold fish started to show "on the top" on the new lake. Ever ready with a floating line and black buzzer it was a case of letting the wind tow the floating line around into an arc and letting the fish chase the buzzers, early season it might be, but it was a portent of things to come.

This is a fishery which has regular competitions, the last Sunday of each month there is a keenly contested event at which many of the local anglers hone their competition fishing skills. The Orvis-Innis Fishery team has enjoyed considerable success in events such as the Airflo Smallwater Team Championships, Hardy, European Grand Slam and French Open.

Manager David Johns, and brother-in-law Martin Wynch, are regular members of the England International team, and their national and international experience has shaped the fishing and facilities at Orvis-Innis.

Locally the fishery has seen its reputation enhanced with each passing year. With the addition of the new lake and the opening of the Orvis shop this is a fishery which is setting the standard by which others will be judged..... and not just in the West Country.

Both of the main lakes are 15 to 18 feet deep with some small areas flattening off at 10 feet, and this level is usually maintained even in periods of water shortage.

One of the features of this fishery is that "top of the water" fishing can often be year round, but it can be bleak when the "mizzle" comes down off Bodmin moor. Then the slow sink line, Green or Black Tadpole, Cat’s Whisker and Fritz Damsel are pulled as much as on any other fishery in the land.

As spring greens up the hawthorn bushes, the ungainly black hawthorn flies drop onto the wind line to be met by a picket line of waiting fish. This can be some of the best dry fly fishing of the year because often these fish are sleek, chrome-plated overwintered fish.

Shortly after the hawthorn the first of the "daddies" will put in an appearance adding to the dry fly fun. Buzzers, damsels and tadpoles are good standby flies to fish on floating and sinking lines if the weather stays cool.

During summer, dry flies such as Bob’s Bit’s, Hoppers, Daddies, and Shuttlecock Buzzers are all good dry flies to fish, particularly early and late in the day.

Epoxy buzzers can be brilliant, particularly black, red and pale green.

As the colours of Autumn show around the fishery the trout can sometimes be seen driving the fry like mackerel after a shoal of sandeel's. Floating Fry, Cat’s Whisker and Appetiser fished fast, often on a floating line, can be the key to some exciting fishing.

This is also one of the best times for dry fly. Hoppers and Daddies fished in the morning quiet can give some memorable fishing.

Address: Innis Moor, Penwithick, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 8YH.
Contact: David Johns 01726 851162.

Season: All year.
Species  Stocked:  Rainbows, browns.
Fishery Records:  Rainbow 18lb 8oz, brown 5lb 13oz.
 Fully-licensed lodge, meals, snacks, tea, coffee. Orvis tackle shop.
On-site accommodation. Tuition, tackle hire, disabled casting platforms. Camping/caravanning.

Recommended Flies:
Hawthorn, daddies, B & P spider, various Hoppers, Sedge, emergers. Epoxy buzzers, anorexic nymphs, GRHE, PTN (black and normal), Montana, Viva.
Floating Fry (backend), Cat’s Whisker, Appetiser, various Tadpoles and Goldheads.

LOCATION From the M5 at Exeter, take the A30 to roundabout just west of Bodmin. Take first exit onto A.392 signposted Bugle. In Bugle, go left at traffic lights towards Penwithick. When in village, turn left just before Methodist Chapel. Follow this road for about a mile to the fishery.

Thought's.. This is not a "big fish" fishery, fish to 7 or 8 pounds are good fish. The facilities, accommodation and caravan park are excellent. As is the food and drink. A yardstick fishery.

Any questions to russ@reelfoto.com

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