wind and stretching the leader over the colliding waves. Three
strips later, a slight tug propagates through the line. I lift the
rod resolutely but am not met with any weight. Hmmm, did
the fly just bump one of the big boulders out there? Was it
temporarily snagged on drifting seaweed or was it a cautious
take? I quickly retrieve the fly and check it. Nothing. I cast
again and immediately start stripping in the fly. This time
there’s no doubt. Another vague tug on the fly line, and as I
lift the rod I’m met with the weight of a big fish that starts
thrashing around on the surface. The fly, however, quickly loses
its hold, the connection is lost and I’m left there in the waves,
lightly trembling and with a nagging uncertainty. Was it one of
the many post-spawners so frequently encountered during early
spring? Or was it one of Bornholm’s sought-after chromers –
one of those prime creatures with shimmering loose scales, a
muscular body and bright silvery flanks? The fish was way too
far out and everything happened too quickly for me to ascertain
for sure. Damn.TCFF| AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 | 41