Midlands Fly Fishing — The Blog
Fishing Report May 2013
Clients enjoying their first day’s fly fishing.
Despite low temperatures until the last day in May, fly fishing proved to be good. On stillwaters, hatches of buzzers and olives, plus a good fall of hawthorn flies, meant action at and around the surface was superb. River fishing developed as May progressed, with the best fishing being lunchtime to 4PM. Once fly hatches got going, fishing proved very much worth waiting for, though the trout made us work for takes, with regular fly changes required to keep fish coming. The sort of interesting fishing we love to show people as you can learn so much.
Mayfly is the hot topic currently, with everyone asking what is happening. Hatch activity is around 10 days behind across waters both still and running. This means Cotswold waters are hitting peak hatch rather than tapering down, while around the Peak District hatches are only just starting. So you can still catch mayfly 2013 and we have a small number of June dates available. Pick your fly fishing trip here.
Fly hatches on the Coln and to a greater extent on the Wye are diverse and very productive, with a range of upwing flies, midges and caddis appearing. So moving forward things are looking good post Mayfly. Between hatches, huge numbers of caddis larvae and shrimps are available to imitate.
Stillwater fly fishing prospects are healthy too. Water temperatures remain good and recent sampling showed huge numbers of damsel fly nymphs and shrimp at both Bushyleaze and Loynton lakes. Two flies sure to figure well in coming weeks.
Tags: fishing reports, mayfly, midlands fly fishing
Posted in Fishing Reports
Evolution of a Fly – Guest Post by Chip Drozenski
We are all thinking of Mayfly as I write this. However fly fishing is the same as most things in life. Planning ahead ultimately rewards you. So it’s time to plan for the multitude of of caddis hatches to be encountered throughout the season, particularly during the second half.
In this guest post, Chip Drozenski, experienced fly tier/fisher and marketing director at Andes Drifters, destination fly fishing in Patagonia, reveals the evolution of a fly that has become a firm favorite as well as a prolific fish catcher.
PUTTING MY FINGER ON THE TRIGGER
I have been fortunate to be part of a small group of fly fishermen and fishing guides who readily share information for pattern design, application of material, creative techniques and some really crazy ideas in the quest to deceive trout. Over the last thirty years there have been many “me too” designs and failures but there has been some real GOLD in these pursuits plus some great friendships. My tying techniques were initially grounded in the “Catskill” style but has evolved over the years. For me, effective design keys on profile, silhouette, material movement and triggers.
Gary La Fontaine, Rene Harrop, Mike Lawson, Charlie Broe and Hans Weilenmann are a few of the tiers that have had a significant influence on my patterns which gravitate to impressionistic with a natural movement.
One of the great fly concepts is the CDC & ELK introduced by Hans. I was intrigued by the application of the CDC and the tying technique as I already had many patterns combining CDC and elk that were productive but not special. My fly series, THREAD FLIES, already had proven that CDC movement and profile were very key for highly effective May fly patterns especially for very selective fish.
Abandoning most of my old caddis patterns for the CDC and ELK was easy, it became my best producer. With a slight change to the body it also is “killer” as a TRICO cluster. I also noticed that swinging a wet sparse CDC & ELK during certain phases of the hatch would, at times, produce. A diving version was now my quest. My initial attempts failed as I drifted off course making the modifications too complex, altering its effectiveness. I needed a profile and trigger that could really get the fish going. I had added various color teardrops early on but had no noticeable success.
After much trial and error I went back to my early teardrop variations searching for a difference maker…a small olive/gray parachute with a black post and amber antron shuck is my “go to” baetis. The X-CADDIS with amber antron is a favorite. With a beadhead for weight and a teardrop profile, viola, the amber teardrop diving CDC & ELK started to immediately produce. Just a slight change, but now I am confident during the hatching phases top to bottom. I vary the size and color of the CDC & ELK but not the color of the teardrop. I have received lots of feedback from fishermen and guides worldwide that like the results. In many places they fish it as a dropper off a small bugger and in the Box Canyon on the Henry’s Fork they drop it off a large stone fly. Give it a try and any feedback is appreciated!!
Oh, well! Back to the vice…………. Chip.
Pattern and tying instructions:
| Hook: | TIEMCO 2487 (or equivalent light wire scud hook) #12-16 |
| Weight: | Copper bead |
| Thread: | Black 8/0 |
| Abdomen: | Natural (Type 1) CDC feather, wrapped CDC&Elk style |
| Shuck: | Amber Z-lon, teardrop style |
| Wing: | Fine tipped deer hair |
| Thorax: | Black ostrich |
Tags: caddis fly, fly tying
Posted in Fly Tying
April Fishing 2013
A perfect Spring corporate fly fishing day. Lots of fun and plenty of fish!
It’s great to see my prediction from our last report come to fruition. The past 2 weeks have provided stunning stillwater fly fishing, with amazing buzzer hatches. Olive hatches are starting to become more abundant and with warmer average temperatures recently, Spring is starting to catch up.
We’ve enjoyed introducing several groups of people to the benefits of fly fishing, along with the many 1-to-1 lessons throughout April. May and June are the months everyone wants to come fly fishing, so already we only have a few dates available until mid June. Ensure you join the fun, book your trip today!
River fishing is starting to really get going now. Expect the Derbyshire Wye in particular to provide some really special fly fishing opportunities, right through to the seasons end on October 8th.
Tags: fishing reports, spring fly fishing
Posted in Fishing Reports
Spring 2013
Early spring might have been cold, however fishing is good and you great fun!
Stillwater fly fishing has led the way during early spring. No surprise really as early spring 2013 has been rather like winter! Having said that, overall fishing has been good. You will find what worked in winter is still working now. By April’s end we will be enjoying great hatches of buzzers, with olives, hawthorn and mayfly, lining up to trigger a trout feeding frenzy. Some of the most exciting, visual, fly fishing of the year.
With a new river trout fishing season open, we have found sport very mixed, with the majority of feeding activity limited to the warmer midday/early afternoon time. Get the weather right and you can experience good fishing though. As things warm up, so will the river fishing. I always think of the river season as starting properly from late April, anything before that is a bonus.
On the pike fly fishing front, very low water temperatures through March halted the pre-spawn feasting and as yet the pike have shown no inclination to feed or breed. As soon as temperatures steadily rise with some degree of continuity, pike fishing is going to go off the scale.
Steve Y
Tags: fishing reports, spring fly fishing
Posted in Fishing Reports
Fishing Report Winter 2013
Winter fly fishing can be successful and great fun!
While January and February are as far removed from traditional fly fishing as it gets, it’s important to realise good fishing opportunities exist. Recent weeks have provided periods of hectic sport on stillwaters, with big trout, big pike and good overall catches numbers wise too.
With modern outdoor clothing and a mobile approach to fishing, feeling the cold is no issue in any conditions that are likely to be productive. As you can see from the above photo clients have been having a lot of fun even when it’s their first time fly fishing.
Our spare time has been split between preparing for a busy Spring, (a time when most people think of fly fishing) and filming/producing new episodes for Fly Fishing Lessons TV.
Now is the time to look ahead to your spring fishing. If you want a refresher session after a winter layoff, would like to further your existing fly fishing skills or plan a guided day or two, drop us a line, we are here to help.
Best Fishes
Steve Y
Posted in Fishing Reports
5 Most Popular Blog Posts of 2012
Just in case you missed them first time round, we thought we’d share your favorite blog posts in 2012.
- Reservoir Fly Fishing – How to Start
- Big Trout Fishing
- Winter Fly Fishing
- Polaroid Sunglasses Review
- Largest river brown trout of 2012
As a bonus we thought to include a topical post for this time of year: -
Wishing you all a happy New Year!
Posted in General
December 2012 Fishing Report
Winter 2012 is prime time fly fishing for large trout!
With rivers continually blown out in recent weeks, lakes have offered sanctuary to fly fishers in need of a fishing fix. At this time of year the smaller to medium size stillwater fisheries offer great fly fishing opportunities. It’s really a question of deciding what you want from your fishing, then choosing a venue to suit.
With low water temperatures and high oxygen levels, most lakes remaining open for fishing, provide action with rainbows fighting above their weight. Recent lessons at Loynton Fisheries have provided numbers of trout from 3-7lbs to successful students. Most of the time all we’ve needed is a lure in 2-4 colours, blood worm and buzzers in black and grey. The real secret to success is knowing when, where and how to fish them in varying conditions. Lets just say the people who took a lesson now do!
If you crave catching large trout, this winter is prime time to achieve your goal. With ample water supply and overall mild weather, trout have packed weight on and the big trout waters have plenty of really big fish. Premier big trout lakes are the waters to head for. Yes they are more expensive, however the number one rule to catching large fish is, fish where the big fish are. Some top, recommended waters are: -
- Dever Springs
- Avington
- Lechlade
- Loynton
These venues consistently produce numbers of double figure trout, often fish to over 20lbs at this time of year. Read our tips for targeting big trout on fly here.
It’s great to see fly fishing for pike becoming so popular. Mild weather following the pre-Christmas cold snap, triggered a predator feeding frenzy on many waters. Look for weather changes like this, then hit the water to reap the rewards.
Steve with a cracking pike well into double figures & grinning like an evil pixie!
Tags: fishing report, winter fly fishing, winter trout fishing
Posted in Fishing Reports
Late Autumn Fishing Report 2012
Successful Autumn Rainbow Trout Fishing. A prolific time of year to be fly fishing!
With lakes full and great water flows from the springs, fishing continues to get better and better. Midge, late olive and caddis hatches have provided quality nymph and dry fly fishing. The most exciting fishing however is for trout smashing into shoals of baitfish.
No matter how long or how much fly fishing you do, the sight of baitfish leaping on mass from the water, attempting to escape hungry trout, gets the pulse racing! You see the water lift, giving away a trout’s position,then make a cast, dropping your fly to intercept that fish. The rod is almost ripped from your grasp, as the fish slams your baitfish imitation and it’s game on.
This is not fantasy, clients are experiencing this reality week in week out at the moment. Top flies for fry feeders are Loynton Guineas, Minkies and Zonkers in various colours and sizes, both weighted and non weighted. For nymphing trout, it’s been hard to beat size 14 midge pupa in black, olive and grey, plus the good old hares ear nymph.
With Christmas on the horizon, remember our ever popular gift vouchers. They make a flexible gift you can use towards any lesson or trip.
Hope to see you soon!
Posted in Fishing Reports
Awesome Autumn
Well we are half way through autumn 2012 and fishing has been awesome. We’ve been busy hosting corporate days, stillwater fly fishing lessons and ended the river trout season on a high.
The river season on the Derbyshire Wye provided visiting anglers with superb dry fly and nymph fishing. Be sure to contact us regarding dates for 2013 as bookings are already coming in. See River Wye fishing details here.
Lakes are getting better all the time, although at Loynton it’s hard to top the prolific catches anglers have been experiencing. Really good buzzer fishing, lots of fry feeding trout and some dry fly, which total up to some very exciting sport. Top flies have been black buzzers, hares ear nymphs, floating fry, Loynton Guineas, F flies, shuttlecocks, crane flies.
Now is the time to fish the lakes! If you are not succeeding, let us show you how.
Tags: autumn fishing, fishing reports
Posted in Fishing Reports
Big River Brown Trout
Austin with his biggest trout ever, a fabulous river brown trout of 4lbs.
It was Austin’s first ever time fishing a spring fed river ,where fish can be spotted, cast to and their reactions observed. By the end of his day, he could not only fish such streams much better, he’d also caught a new personal best brown trout. The successful fly being a size 20 tan caddis pupa.
Book your late season river trip here!
Tags: big trout, brown trout, fly fishing
Posted in Fishing Reports