Working on A trout Fishery

For my work experience many moons ago I worked at Hollies Trout fishery in Sheldon Devon.

I fly fished the waters a lot with my older brother (he had the wheels). We had some good catches of trout on nymph and dry fly. The water could be challenging at times and provided hours of learning, enjoyment, lost trout flies and tempers.

I became well known with owner and when I reached 15 I opted to work there for 2 weeks placement from school.

I remember the time well. My job was simple, clean out a holding pool that contained 4 years worth of Rainbow Trout dung! The pool was emptied. That was easy, just divert the supply and remove the dam boards. Then my fishy fun began.

The trout pool need a small repair but had to be mucked out first. I was given a bucket, shovel and rope. Lowering my self into the dung I sunk up to my thighs in trout sludge, filled the bucket and then crawled out, pulled the bucket up the bank and walked it over to a trailer to empty it.

The process took two whole weeks. Hundreds of buckets of Rainbow Trout poo were carried by me during this period and I smelt real bad.

I did have a break and sorted the Rainbow trout for re stocking the main lake one afternoon. That I remember was good fun, selecting the trout to go into the fishery pond.

The best thing of all was I was given a free day fly fishing for payment and I caught a 5lb Rainbow Trout in great condition, YEA HA!!