Cherrybrook

It is true to say that there never seems to be enough time in life to do the stuff we really want to do. Life can be so manic and all consuming that things which we just assume we'll get around to are constantly pushed back to next week, next month, or next year. When I was a young angler it seemed perfectly obvious to me that as I grew up I would join the Upper Teign, fish for Salmon after a spate and Seatrout at night as well as the Brown Trout I was alredy catching. I also looked forward to exploring the many rivers of the West Country mentioned in Mike Weaver's book " The Pursuit of Wild Trout".Rivers like the Exe, Otter, Tamar and of course the vast Duchy fishery on Dartmoor. None of this ever happened. Today, finally, I managed one small tick against my childhood expectations as I fished the Cherrybrook for the first time. If I'm honest it left me with a strage feeling of euphoria at fishing such s stunning location and sadness at all the memories I should have .............but don't.

[@mikemaxfield5961]

I really enjoyed that thanks Chris - I've fished the Cherrybrook a few times - one of my favourite stretches of water up on Dartmoor and having watched that will definitely be back there this season...

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Thanks, Mike. I still can't quite believe that it took me so long to fish it! Blackabrook this season hopefully, but the best laid plans of mice....this season is looking like a late start for our Devon streams ☹️

[@joosepflies]

What a lovely stream, thanks for a great video, very enjoyable viewing.

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

It's a cracking spot Michael, apparently quite heavily fished, so never easy. Next year, I fancy a long evening in June. Maybe some of the bigger fish will put in an appearance.

[@trevorhorne8034]

Followed you up there today Chris. Parked at the Dartmooor training centre and walked down to the Cherrybrook. Fished up to the waterfall, then returned to fish back up the West Dart to the car. Nothing happening and couldn't induce a rise. 🤔 I am about 35 years behind you on the learning journey! Lovely day out though.

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

I think these conditions would have tested everyone, Trevor. I have a couple of days off and can't believe it's coincided with a September heat wave! Will probably try late evening or early morning, not what I had planned at all.

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Absolutely delghtful! :-)

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Definitely need to get back there this season, apparently the Duchy fishery extends to some 26km!

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Plenty of room then. :-)@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724

[@Rocky-hs9ei]

Couldn't agree more...

[@chris100pc]

Nicely done Chris, and what a wonderful location too!

[@Tjk186]

Beautiful river Chris!!, really glad you got around to fulfilling your dream...thanks for sharing your day with us

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Many thanks, I've already told my nearest and dearest that for Christmas I would like a Duchy season ticket. Next year I want to explore some of the other beats up there. 👍 The Blackabrook apparently is another stunning stream but very demanding fishing.

[@DavidCESmith]

Thanks for the vlog Chris...... Inspiring. Very little cover, slow moving water, nothing noticeably hatching, some bright sunshine and a downstream breeze. Always get the impression with your vlogs, that you are working with nature and thinking your way through it and to me this is a big part of why a day on a river can be so fulfilling.

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Thanks David, it's a well-worn phrase, but there really is a lot more to it than simply catching fish. People have lost any connection with nature in our modern world and will look at you a bit strangely when you mention fly fishing. They don't know what they're missing. The benefits of immersing yourself in nature shouldn't be underestimated.

[@darrenjgreig]

Stunning river to fish Chris!!, well done for biting the bullet and fulfilling your dream. Thanks for taking us along lol Tight lines 🎣

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Cheers Darren, lots more to explore next season hopefully 👍

[@donnaperry7894]

Cheers from Peter in Maine USA. I love your videos and your commentary and voice. Thank you

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Thanks for watching Peter 👍

[@michaelhocking9037]

45 years ago a friend and I had been fishing Dartmoor we stopped on the way home where you parked there was a pool just down from the bridge we always said we would go back there were 5-6 really nice trout in it needless to say we never returned I have now clocked up a fair number of birthdays I don’t think I could manage it now very nostalgic to watch you fish it I think with a decent hatch you could have a special day I will make do with the river Frome on my days now.regards

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Funny how our plans slip away from us, I'm told by people that have fished it over the last 30/40 years that the fishing has declined (like everywhere). One of my biggest regrets in life is that I didn't fish it when I was younger.

[@johnsmithson6390]

Really enjoyed that Chris, thank you. In all my visits to the Duchy waters over the years I can only remember a few occasions when there was a sustained rise to a recognizable hatch of fly. In those conditions you can certainly target individual fish and do well. But in reality, I spend most of my time 'fishing the water' with a short line in the pots, runs and streams. With regard to the comments below about tiny fish, although that is true much of the time, there are some real specimens lurking about. The biggest I have witnessed was a 21 inch late-April fish taken on a small Hare's Ear nymph from a pool on the West Dart a little higher up from where you were today. And as you showed, even an 8 incher will give a very good account of itself on light tackle. I spooked a big trout last month just upstream of that swinging fence where you lost a decent one in this video. Who knows, maybe the same fish! Keep the filming going, we will all need it to get us through the close season. All the best, Johnny

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Hi Johnny, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the info via the forum. it is much appreciated. I still can't believe I left it 33 years to go and fish it! Reading Mr Weavers' book, you naturally assume that there will be a large hatch of blue winged olives when you visit, but I expect this was very much the exception rather than the rule. Of course, fly life has also massively declined since he fished it in the 70s and 80s. Looking at how the token system works, it does seem that if you have six trips or more, you save money by getting a season ticket? That's what I've told the wife anyway1🤣

[@jimbutler6925]

Nice video Chris. I fished the Dart in that area a couple of weeks ago and nearly went up Cherrybrook where they meet. Me and my buddy had a tough day with only a few fish between us. It's certainly a lovely place to fish, but those wild moorland brownies are wily little buggers :)

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

It was a tough day Jim, lots of casts that I thought would definitely bring a response were ignored. Mustn't forget the time of year and the conditions, low and clear with a downstream wind. Did I leave out any excuses 🙂

[@wildfisher]

Great video Chris. That stream is delightful. 😊😊

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Big regret of mine Fred that I haven't fished there before. Next season, I'm tempted to get a season ticket and explore some more beats.

[@wildfisher]

​@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 It would be my first choice Chris!

[@Boney1963]

Hello Chris I lived in Princetown as a boy growing up, my Dad was a Prison Officer, and I used to walk to Hexworthy to catch Trout. I used to do rather well but then again I did use free line worms. I’ll finish watching this later. BW Paul

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Greetings Paul, ah the good old garden fly 😀 my brother, and I did the same above Mill End bridge on the Teign (after June 1st). We used to put the worms in moss as I recall to toughen them up. I once hooked a Salmon on 3lb line and mg 6' trout rod, needless to say it didn't end well, exciting though👍

[@user-it4du4zv9g]

Lovely Chris…what a stunning little stream …really enjoyed the video mate …👍

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

It's a stunning spot, I'm tempted to get a season ticket for next year.

[@user-it4du4zv9g]

@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I wouldn’t be able to help myself mate …😂

[@gb4482]

Thanks Chris ... your videos are, IMO, some of the best I've watched ... this one in particular struct a chord with me. So much so that i bought a secondhand copy of The Pursuit of Wild Trout and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I hope to be able to visit Dartmoor next season, it does look magical, if not just a tad formidable from a fishing perspective! Thanks for the inspiration and what I would imagine is hours of editing

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Thanks very much for the kind words, I'm sure Mike would be pleased to hear that people are still discovering his book and finding inspiration in it. I still use many of the patterns that I first learnt about in "The pursuit of wild trout." You will love Dartmoor, just be prepared for all weather's regardless of what the forecast might say!

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Luckily, I enjoy the editing process because, as you say, it can be a bit time-consuming.

[@fieldsman3307]

Well done Chris and what a lovely stream , I struggle to find any trout rising on my rivers but grayling are really looking up , was out 5hrs today and had one brown but 5 gray incl one at 2lb which is a PB for me.

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Another pb Mike, you're certainly having a season to remember 👍 a 2lb Grayling is a cracking fish mate.

[@DavidCESmith]

Just love the Grayling. They have been my saviours on many a difficult day.

[@robertalp3878]

Crikey, Chris, your video is everything mine should have been if the batteries hadn’t let me down. I loved the river and need to get back there again.

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Cheers, Robert, it is a beautiful stream, isn't it. I'm definitely going back next season.

[@kbsnapsyyc8899]

Hi Chris Beautiful video as per usual. Just curious though, you mention buying tokens I think near beginning. Is there an expense to fishing on some streams? We live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and we do have the Bow River flowing through the city centre but we usually drive about a hour and a half to the eastern slopes of the Rockies every Monday to fish mountain streams. Every year we book a guide for a couple of days of walk and wade on the Old Man, Castle, Livingstone and or Crowsnest rivers which are about 2 hours south of Calgary. Other than accommodation and food + drink in the Crowsnest Pass area the rivers are open access all but for a fishing license which becomes free at the age of 65, The only good thing about geting old that I can think of. If I can fish the Highwood on the Eastern Slopes at 68 you Sir have nothing to fear, One of our bucket list items is to fish in the UK. Thanks for the videos.

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Those sound like some pretty amazing places to fish, and I still find it strange that people in such distant places watch my stuff👍 The problem with the uk is that it's a small country with a large population. It's also a very old country where everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) is owned by someone. I only know of two places where you can fish a river with just your rod licence, everywhere else will need an extra ticket of some kind. The cherrybrook is part of the "duchy" fishery, which means it is "owned" by the Duke of Cornwall (now Prince William), and so you have to pay to fish it. The really sad thing is that there must be miles and miles of trout streams here in the South West that run through private land, which are never fished . This is why so many uk anglers pay vast amounts of money to fish in Canada or New Zealand, etc... to experience the wilderness because we just don't have that here.

[@DaviekFlyFishing]

Michty me Chris! What a stunning place, as you say that will be something else when the fish are switched on, beautiful.

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Yeah, Davie, next season, I must get back in May/June for another try. By all accounts, the section above the bridge can be excellent .

[@DaviekFlyFishing]

@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 Funny how hearing that someone else struggled puts your mind at rest. I had 8 brown Trout on the River Leven over 2 hours yesterday and then nothing today on the same stretch!!??

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Strangely Davie, once the other angler got further up that stretch he started catching? Could only have been a matter of a few hundred yards, on the same river, but a completely different response from the fish. It's why we go, isn't it.

[@DaviekFlyFishing]

@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 The good days are good and the bad days are still good 👍

[@richardjackson3939]

It is such a lovely location, nice video Chris

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Cheers, Richard, have you fished it much?

[@richardjackson3939]

Just the once, I have heard it has been tough this year so you did well! @@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724

[@carlhughes9584]

Rather deep what you wrote in the intro, but it certainly resonates with me. I'm the same.....another season passes by and I think I didn't do half what I planned ( well I finally got down to fish the Usk in spring but was bloody flooded out!) And that Mike Weavers fished all over the world.......can't get complacent and won't live forever.

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Thanks Carl, and there was me thinking nobody reads the notes👍 I was surprised how much it got to me, the amount of times my father, brother and I talked about fishing up there and now never will. You have to seize the moment if possible.

[@robertalp3878]

Chris, next time you are there, have a go on the West Dart, up stream from where they join-much bigger river with very different character. That’s the one thing I noticed about Cherry Brook and the Dart, there so much to keep the interest.

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

The fishpass app states that the fishery "extends to some 26km"!!! I think you'd need a few life times to really cover that. I want to give the section above the bridge another go, but I'd also like to fish up from Prince Hall and try the Blackbrook. As you say, so much choice.

[@paulhoughland8505]

I've fished Dartmoor including Cherry brook 4 times over the last 5yrs. I found tenkara works extremely well

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Something I've not tried yet, Paul, but I could see how effective it would be. The perfect drag free drifts. Some people will use a longer rod on the Moor and a long leader. A sort of semi tenkara, I suppose. Thanks for watching.

[@CameraCampTrek]

Hi Chris, funny that we missed each other that day ! Get back on it in may/june and fish the bit above where you parked up to cottage you will have a great trip . I should get another 3/4 trips on the there before season end. Rich

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Cheers Rich, yes I think I'm hooked. Next May/June already pencilled into my imaginary diary. Could I just ask, "Do you stay in the river to fish up past the house? When I got out, I couldn't see a way back in?

[@CameraCampTrek]

Yes fish it all the way up staying in the river , mind I find the best and my favourite bits are actually before the cottage. If you turned round where your video ended then you did not get to see them obviously. I dont usually go past cottage but did on this occasion as it was so quiet glad I did as thats where I caught most of mine in the end!@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724

[@peterlaidler3895]

Good afternoon Chris, I wanted to watch this edition in peace and quiet and digest all that that lovely stream has to offer. Never fished it: wish that I could. I was hoping to catch a view of that thatched cottage from page 116 of Mikes book but didn't spot it. All anglers take note: your first fish in typical trout like behaviour, headed straight for the undercut bank where I catch a lot of my best fish. The Castaway you mentioned was devised by my old friend Nick Fitton who was kind enough to pass one on to me. He is a great fisherman and wise old owl to boot. I did lose track of him when he left Lincolnshire, but I believe he is hiding somewhere in the West Country now. Great video. Absolutely loved it. many thanks for trudging all that way to make it

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Hi Peter, I believe the cottage stretch is now in the private stretch upstream of where I fished, so you couldn't recreate the photo, unfortunately. Are you registered on the Devon Rivers forum?

[@peterlaidler3895]

@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 Not as things stand Chris! Is it easy to join?

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Easy to register online Peter, and often has some interesting posts on it. More importantly, I could send you a private message about the gentleman you mentioned above.

[@peterlaidler3895]

@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I shall investigate Chris. Thank you

[@peterlaidler3895]

Hi Chris, just joined the forum

[@simonpeters3499]

Fantastic watch, thanks. I'm just over the border in Cornwall and would love to fish the moors. To fish the upper brooks on the moors are there any permits required? Are they club waters? Also rod wise what length were you using?

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Hi there, I used the fishpass app fishpassapp.co.uk/ The Duchy is beat number 10, and there is 27km to choose from apparently! I used a 7'6" 3 weight rod, but with the Moor being so open, I think a longer 8 1/2 to 9 footer would give more control.

[@duncantait9929]

cracking video as always. quick question what is your standard length of leader+tippet and what is the tippet 6x or 7x thanks

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Hi Duncan, I like to use a 5' thread furled leader with another 5 to 6 feet of tippet. Normally, this is a couple of feet of 5x followed by 3 or 4 feet of 6x. If I'm using a really tiny fly, then I might add some 7x (normally without much success). For bushy patterns or large Mayflies, I'll change to 5x/4x straight through to prevent leader twist. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r33bZXuha7yIsLssi=cyYk8C4_7lWWDN5Q

[@brianreed1451]

nice one Chris. Tired me out watching you.

[@stephclewer8219]

Hi Chris- wondering if you could help me out please. The little velcro pouch you use in this video- do you know the name of the brand/ company. My husband would like one and I am trying to source one for Christmas. Any helpful tips would be very much appreciated. Cheers

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Hi there, it's called a "castaway" and was developed by Nicholas Fitton (author of "In Search of Wild trout"). I was fortunate enough to meet Mr Fitton last season, and he kindly gifted me one. I'm afraid I don't know if they're still commercially available? The only thing I can find for disposing of waste nylon is the "monomaster." Sorry, I can't be of more help.

[@thomaspakes907]

Try a small cdc Caenis pattern if there’s no visible risers. Failing that a size 16 DHC tied extremely sparsely and thin in brown, They mostly go for small nymphs on that stretch though as it’s pretty abundant in them compared to other sections. Had a 14.5” fish out of a there this season though so don’t write it off the bigger ones often find themselves int hat stretch if they take the wrong ‘junction’ beautiful little bit of river though I like taking people up to learn the sport on the bits around PH true fly fishing heaven with a light rod and dry fly

[@thomaspakes907]

Thanks for mentioning the weed though didn’t realise how much was actually up there. Will need to go and rake the Red’s this year for sure

[@thomaspakes907]

It’s a ‘Very’ heavily fished beat these days though so that might explain why they could be a little fly shy especially late summer

[@thomaspakes907]

You generally don’t ever want your actual fly line touching the water up there either it reverberates across the pools pretty easily (even a light one) a longer rod and staying out of the water as much as possible would be my recommendation (I don’t even take waders up there)

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Thanks for the advice Thomas, I very nearly tied on a nymph but I managed to resist (it probably would have been the correct option though). I have to admit I don't have a lot of success with tiny flies. The size 22 and smaller that I could see quite easily when I was 20 now appear to be invisible😀 A 14.5" fish is a cracking fish for the Moor 👍

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

That makes me feel a bit better, Thomas, although I was happy with the 12 I caught for a first visit 👍

[@thetattooedangler]

The Cherrybrook. Does Gandalf know you're there?

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

He was about the place, but I must have missed him. Middle Earth was surprisingly windy🤔

[@PaulDavies-od4ou]

Must be boring just catching tiny fish all the time

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

It used to be Paul, when I was younger I would often visit a local stillwater to catch some 2, 3, 4lb rainbows. Now I find I'd rather fish for wild trout in rivers, which I think test the angler more. Would be nice if they were a little bigger though🙂 anything over 12" on a Devon stream is a good fish, and occasionally, I'll connect with one of them.

[@PaulDavies-od4ou]

@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I never mentioned stocked trout. I'm talking about wild trout. You seem to catch a lot, but they are all small as in under a pound. Do you not got bored and want to fish somewhere with 2 or 3 pound wild trout.

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

Alas, we don't have those fish in the rivers I fish. I am envious when you see people like Mr. Procter pulling out massive trout. Maybe one day, when I retire, I can take a road trip to where such fish live and try my luck.

[@PaulDavies-od4ou]

@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 No not when you retire ......do it now while you still can.

[@PaulDavies-od4ou]

@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I think you do have such fish.....but they are not as common. Doesn't that Pete Tyzack live in your area? I know he's had big trout from devon

[@jerrycann8006]

Its ridiculous you cant spin for trout on the Moor.

[@carlhughes9584]

Too easy spinning