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'Mouth of the River' featuring a Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

In the days of the British Empire it was the Brown Trout that started the world flyfishing. Originally native to Europe, North Asia and North Africa, colonialists soon transfered the fish to rivers all over the world, where it has become a favourite ever since. The fish's power and cunning make it a worthy adversary for any angler and outwitting a genuine wild Brown Trout is still a true testament to the angler's skill and determination. The colours and markings of the fish vary greatly and a fish from one river will often bear little resemblance to a fish from another and many distinct regional variations have become estabished over the years. In Europe alone over 50 forms are known each with it's own unique appearance.

The size that the fish can reach is governed by it's food and habitat. A fish from a food rich environment like a chalk stream might be five or six times the weight of a fish of the same age from a barren mountain stream. Some Brown Trout turn to a diet of fish and become fearsome predators like the mighty Ferox that makes it's home in the glacial lochs of Scotland, Ireland and the Alpine lakes of Europe. Although a rare catch, when they do turn up these spectacular fish are unforgettable, at the time of writing the Angling press were reporting the capture of a huge ferox of 28lb to a holidaying angler in Ireland.

Brown trout are wary fish and any bait that does not look natural, or behave in a natural way is likely to be ignored. To be succesful the angler must take note of the surroundings, if he/she can work out what the fish is feeding on and imitate it accurately then they're in with a real chance. In nature Nymphs are a favourite food of 'Brownies' and artificial Nymphs will often score providing the pattern that you're using, matches what the fish are feeding on. Dry flies are also more likely to succeed if they match the insects that are hatching at the time, so by studying the insects that are in the air on the day, the angler can work out the best approach. As the trout rises towards the surface the fish becomes even more wary, so care should be taken not to put the fish off as it closes on the fly. Lure fishing will also take trout on the right day, a selection of different colours, sizes and styles is the best way forward, the angler should vary not only the lure but also it's presentation until they find out what's working at the time.

The fish in our painting is not a Ferox, neither is he a monster by national standards, he is however 'boss' of his part of the river. The remainder of a small shoal of minnows to his left have realised their error in blundering far too close to this spotted assassin and are frantically changing direction as quickly and discretely as possible. In the area around the submerged tree roots that our trout calls home, several lost flies (wet and dry) and fishing line broken and twisted into the tangle of Elodea, mark many failed attempts to capture this cunning and wary ghost of the river.

This artist signed full colour fine art print has an A4 image size (297mm X 210mm) and is 14" X 11" (355mm X 280mm) including the border. It is part of an edition of 500 only. No more prints will be issued from this image once this edition is complete.

This print is offered for sale at £17.50 (price incudes postage, UK mainland only).

All prints bare the Fine Art Trade Guild logo (below) in the margin with the following text - 'Mouth of the River' featuring a Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) - Limited edition of 500 copyright David Overland - Printed in the UK by Studio One Frames Ltd - Published to Fine Art Trade Guild Standards.

All Artwork Copyright Angler's Studio