Fishing Report August 2006

Already we find summer at an end and despite cooler temperatures during August the fishing has been anything but easy. The best line I heard summed the month up "August is a wonderfull time to be fly fishing, just not that great for catching trout".

So why have the trout proved so difficult? The key to me is food availability. During August everything is peaking and the water is packed with food for the trout. Hence they can be picky, often not interested in working for their food, they cruise along taking items infront of them and ignoring anything else. This has certainly been the pattern on many waters during the daytime.

Come the evening and things have been very different on waters like Bushyleaze, Marton Heath, Carsington and Willington. These are all good dry fly waters and the evening rise has been excellent and very consistent, with some very good catches made. These waters have fished well to emerging midge, sedge, hoppers and craneflies, while for most of the day mobile patterns such as damsel nymphs and lures or small olive nymphs and buzzer pupa at the other extreme have been the key.

At Loynton and Lechlade small flies often out fished lures and larger nymphs. Buzzers worked very well in black and olive, while a damsel often brought results if fished accross a fish's nose, so they don't have to work for it. Both waters saw good doubles caught and will come into their own from mid September onward as trout target the fry.

Looking forward, September will bring a close to our chalkstream season, so if you fancy a trip please call. We currently have vancancies for the second half of the month. Carsington will provide good Autumn fishing for the brown trout until it closes and Willington will continue to provide amazing evening sport with daytime action improving too. We are currently landing some fabulous brownies between 3-6lbs, long may it continue!

Tight Lines

Steve