I have lost count of the times I have shared with this magnificent bird, have you? Often the first indication is a flash of blue in my peripheral vision and I’ll do my best to track it hoping to catch the landing. I will watch the bird on it’s perch, often to the detriment of my angling.
As our rivers have generally improved in recent years I suspect kingfishers have benefited. I ‘feel’ my sightings are increasing but I can’t be sure. I’m no ornithologist and can’t claim much knowledge and yet the kingfisher mesmerises me and makes me feel privileged. Paradoxically, I’ve also come to take these encounters for granted.
This was reinforced the other day when my partner casually commented, whilst watching a clip of a kingfisher on TV, that she’d never seen one. I was genuinely surprised.
The conversation evolved and she was equally surprised that I’d watched so many whilst fly fishing. (There’s a side point here about the obvious poverty of communication between us and our respective interests, but best not go there).
Turns out, my partner has a significant ambition to see a kingfisher. The obvious solution is for her to accompany me on a days fishing to the Monnow or Usk. Well, perhaps not so obvious as now I have to wrestle with my desire to help her fulfil a heartfelt ambition and the potential intrusion into my private retreat that is fly fishing.
For the first time in perhaps twenty years, I sense that neither of us is now looking forward to the approaching season with the usual gusto! I think we’ll work it out… without too much drama.
Mr Notherone
Fishing For Trout 