Mid Spring & a New Direction

Around this time in 2007 I started to publish fishery reports on a weekly basis. These both took over the blog and I can see now (thanks for the comments everyone) detracted partially from it's appeal (the advice spots and diary type posts all but disapeared).

So it's time for a new path, offering a mixture of both up to date fishing, advice, observations and good stories (probably me falling in again or something equally stupid).

This weeks action has again centered around stillwaters for us due to the number of beginners days booked in. Inspite of very variable conditions (often bloody cold) clients have enjoyed landing fish between 2-5lbs at both Loynton and Watermark. Really well conditioned fish that have fought all the way to the net. Several good overwintered browns have been among these at Watermark.

In terms of flies a distinct north/south divide currently exists. Cotswold trout seem to have a preference for olive green, while black reins in Staffordshire/Derbyshire. While larger mobile patterns worked some days, all our browns for example have fallen to a size 16 olive skinny buzzer!

I managed a little fun fishing on the river Churn, catching a couple of wild brownies on a shrimp. The odd rise occurred, though these fish were oncers, not worth changing to a dry for. Role on that warmer weather.

Best Fishes

Steve

Fishing @ Mid April 2008

Some very cool fishing this week and by that I refer to fishing rather than the weather!

Settled days produced some great nymphing on stillwaters, with buzzers, PTN, hares ear and small damsels bringing home the bacon. We had several fish of the top fishing a black F fly. During the rougher colder days, it has been back to winter conditions. Small black, orange or white lures, buzzers fished deep, have kept fish coming to the bank.

On the brown trout front it seems the fish have started to move out of the deeps, we have taken several 4lb+ fish over the last few days all to small nymphs. These have tails live shovels and really pull your string!

Rivers Wye, Coln and Churn are coming on nicely, with more fish rising to midge and olive hatches. As conditions become more consistent (hopefully) top water sport will only get better. We managed a few nice wild browns last week on both HE shrimp and griffiths gnat.

Screeming Reels

Steve

River Season Starts

While April has started with more unsettled weather, temperatures have at least been generally higher, if only a little!

The Derbyshire Wye is in fabulous condition for the time of year, the water surprisingly clear and while trout still have their heads firmly down on the bottom, hatches of midge and the odd large dark olive (LDO) are coming off the river.

The Coln and Churn are also in excellent condition, though still slightly milky, typical for the time of year. Again fish are firmly nymphing, ignoring the midge and LDO hatches in preference for shrimp and caddis grubs.

On the Coln, the grayling have started spawning, only yesterday I watched a group of fish chasing around gravels. Observing fish at this time is very rewarding, not only is it a great sight, you find out just how many whoopers you've not seen during last season!

Lakes at Loynton and Watermark are fishing really well, good buzzer hatches are occurring at both venues during settled conditions. At Watermark you can see nymphing fish from first light to last light on a nice day. Most anglers are still prefering lures, however buzzers and PTN are catching just as well. We've had plenty of fish to 5lbs.

Tight Lines

Steve