The river was running at a good height and was clean and clear. I recalled there had been a fish ‘kill’ from pollution further up the river some 9 years ago that had had a bad effect on the little river. I decided to fish downstream. The river was heavily overgrown here so I didn’t have the opportunity nor the time to check under the stones to see the insect health of the river. But seeing large banks of ranunculus, waving in the current was, I thought, one sign of a river in good health.

The trout in these stretches are wholly wild.  I was pleasantly surprised at the size to which they had grown compared with the last time I had fished this section. I recalled other stretches, a few miles further down-stream, which had also always fished well - with few farm buildings or houses near the rivers edge - places where I could lose myself and, in my fertile imagination, fight in mortal combat  with these wild trout.  I found it difficult to appreciate fully that fishing a small river in splendid isolation only10 miles away from the capital city of Northern Ireland could still be possible in today’s madly rushing world.  But I and others know that this is still possible and we are thankful for it.

 But the number of fish caught and the size is not important – meaningful though this is for some. No; the sounds of the river, the tranquility, the peace and nature’s gifts in abundance that cannot be bought but are still able to be found close to home anywhere on this island for those wishing to seek them out.

For me, the little Crumlin River remains a special place.  If only for a short time to be able to step away from the pace of daily life is just ‘heaven’. At least that’s what I call it.  Others may just call it ‘fishing’. “  

Steve