What is it about the first fish of the season?

It was wonderful to get out on the river again. But even better to be accompanied by Sam, my 10-year-old son. His enthusiasm for getting out on the river is increasing all the time. He loves being in the river (mind you, he loves climbing trees and falling down the bank, too, none of which are necessarily part of the stealth approach I've been trying to teach him).

We were on the Usk in Mid Wales at Penpont, a few miles upstream of Brecon. The river was a little high with a hint of colour after some rain but perfectly fishable - quite a relief after this winter. We saw a few large ark olives in the air but none on the water. So it was beadhead nymphs on a deep dead drift.

Two fish and one lost was a pretty good reward for a cold first day (including a hail shower). Especially as the first fish topped 16" - a typical lean spring wild fish. Hopefully, it will be a good bit heavier by June. Sam played our second fish and landed it expertly. I remember that excitement. Ok, fair enough, I still have it. First day of the season and I was just as excited as Sam - maybe more so.

He's really starting to get control of the rod now. Fishing a nymph upstream dead drift, with an indicator to help, worked really well. A water haul cast from downstream and some practice at guiding the accuracy of the cast. It's all starting to come together.

We dropped a final fish in the bridge pool at the top of the beat. Then hands were getting cold and the Snickers bars had run out. Even I spotted the signs that it might be time to quit. Some parental responsibility at last, maybe?