After seeking information from angling journalist Andrew Kennedy Fiontan OClumhain sent us this AnglersTale

Well, I took your advice and bought myself the Shimano Exage STC and Sedona 750FB reel, which have proven to be both high quality and supremely light. Last Friday, me and my 10-year old son, packed our rucksacks with ultralight camping and fishing gear. In addition to the telescopic rod and micro reel loaded with Exage 3 lb line, I had a small plastic box containing 3 basic floats, plastic disgorger, float adaptors, dozen mixed size shot and a few size 16 and 14 hooks to nylon. A small tub of worms and maggots completed the tackle which easily fitted into the mesh side-pockets of the moderate GoLite Breeze backpack.

We headed out to the eastern part of Lakeland in Cumbria or Cumberland as it was once called, on reaching the scenic village, we turned off towards the mountains which dominate the region, along a few more miles of winding narrow country road. After parking up, a steady uphill path gives you a choice of two mountain tarns, both take about an hour of sturdy hiking, but easily accomplished with an ultralight pack and appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear.
I had fished one of the tarns before with a reasonable catch of small trout, enough to make the venture worthwhile, so now it was time to try the smaller tarn, about 12-acre in size.

The conditions were cloudy and overcast, with occasional cooling rain showers, the wind was minimal and that is probably the most important factor up in the fells as it can make or break any outdoor activity in such an exposed location. Finding a spot to fish can also be a bit tricky, the steep and rocky nature of mountain tarns means physical limitations as to where you can find a good peg. We found a sheltered curve among the rocks from where we could fish comfortably, it did not take long before the trout responded to the maggots and worms. The tactic was to use the maggots for feeding the smaller fish and hopefully draw in the bigger fish with the worms, after an hour or so I hooked a serious fish which had the small reel screeching as line was rapidly coming off the spool, I was a little surprised as all the textbooks refer to "small mountain trout" and suddenly I was struggling to control a very lively wild trout over a pound in weight. As I played the fish for a good 10 minutes before managing to bring him near the bank, panic set in as I realised I had no landing net and worried about lifting the fish out of the water without some kind of aid. Eventually, I managed to grab him with my free hand and unhook him, boy did he struggle with his enormous mouth gasping the clear mountain air.

The barbless hook had caught him in the top lip, so I had him back in the water within' seconds, hopefully to fight another day. A few minutes later, my orange tipped waggler float went down into the deep dark tarn, I struck with the small telescopic rod and what in hell have I hooked now, the rod bent significantly the reel line peeled away from the spool with breathtaking speed and noise, I stood completely amazed as my line was taken for a joyride around the whole tarn. I feared it was a big pike, supposedly these tarns also contain such fish, but I have only known of trout being present. I got my first glimpse of this monster trout after about 20 minutes of his surging runs across one side of the tarn to the other, it was also at this time I realised I had him well hooked and that the quality of my new tackle would get the better of this huge fish, hats off to Shimano here.

Again, how on earth was I going to land this big trout without a landing net? I consulted with my son who proposed we should take the fish home and eat it. That meant a dramatic change in plans, it would mean no camping out, but a mad dash down the mountain back to the car and an hour's drive home to get the fish prepared and ready for cooking.

Finally, I got the trout out of the water by the tail and quickly killed him, I had no scales to weigh the fish, but my guess would be 4 or 5 lbs and around 2 feet long, easily the biggest fish I've ever caught. My wife cooked the trout which fed 3 of us that very evening.

The next day I went back to the same tarn, this time with a telescopic landing net and more comprehensive tackle, although I caught many more smaller trout and surprisingly a couple of dace (I think), but nothing like the huge trout caught the previous day.

This fishing trip was a great experience, not only for me but also my son who also enjoyed the adventure. It has renewed my interest in the sport of fishing and I'm already planning to visit many more tarns located in every mountainous region of the British Isles. In most cases the fishing is free as long as you have a valid rod licence, I suspect there are more big fish lurking in these remote waters.

Once again thanks for your gear tips Andrew, I fully endorse the products you recommended as suitable for the ultralight travelling fishing folk, can you pinpoint a superlight landing net? The one I have is not bad, but I'm always looking for lighter products that will get the job done,

Regards

Fiontan