Fishing Report June 09

Mayfly provided further superb sport in June, see further details here. Post the event, fishing has continued well on the rivers. On recent hot days, fly hatches may have been lower during the main part of the day, however nymph activity remained high and we have enjoyed fabulous fishing to sighted trout. Grayling have also been landed to around 1.5lbs since they came back into season mid month, all have been in good condition having recovered from spawning.

Surface sport has been by no means slack, with plenty of fish caught and plenty of anglers overcoming their fear of fishing small flies (i.e. anything smaller than a size 14).

Lakes have again been unpredictable, though the fish are there and the opportunities have come with persistence, working out what they want and where. Buzzers, bloodworm and PTN often out fishing larger mobile patterns. A few fish were caught on dries, shuttle cocks, daddies and damsels, plus mayflies. Sight fishing has been good, with a few nice browns landed and some cracking rainbows. Some days we followed the fish out in the boat, continuing to target sighted fish as they cruised subsurface clearly nymphing.

Looking forward to July the best sport will undoubtedly be early and late in the day. During the day using your eyes more and casting less will catch more where visual location of trout is possible. If July is bright and hot, we will be following trout deeper as they search out cooler oxygen rich water during the day. Settled evenings will see some great evening rises, make the most of them and leave the pub until dark nights, they come round all too soon!

To give clients the best chance of success, we offer late starts during July and August. If clients desire, we fish lunchtime through evening providing fishing both subsurface and on the dry.

Tight Lines

Steve

Mayfly 09 Part 2

Following on from part 1 of our mayfly 09 season, this second and last part reviews the hatch for us this year.

So right now we are at the end of another main mayfly season, and what fishing it has brought with it! I believe Gordon Mackie summed mayfly season up perfectly in the June 09 issue of Fly Fishing & Fly Tying saying "The Mayfly interlude has been called the ultimate hunting experience".

I have often been rather disenchanted with mayfly, for several seasons catching more fish on tiny midge patterns than mayfly imitations. However I have to say that while many large fish caught and lost this year have been taking flies other than mayfly, it's the creamy slabs of butter that bring the big fish to the surface in the first place. Without a doubt I have seen more large river trout during the 09 mayfly period than any other year I have been fly fishing.

We landed several fish over 2lbs, 2 fish over 3lbs and several others have been lost, including 2 I estimated at well over 4lbs. If you are wondering which magical river this is, it's not any one single water. It is the result of me being on the water everyday, locating and observing the habits of these big fish, so clients can then have a shot at something very special. It's my job and I love it! I also managed a couple of rather nice fish too.

Lake wise bushyleaze had a pretty big hatch and Loynton while not having an explosive hatch, produced a steady hatch over several weeks, which at the moment of writing continues. The fish have at times actively sought out the nymphs and provided some thrilling takes to emmergers.

No doubt a few mayfly will continue to trickle off over the next 2-3 weeks, however in most cases fish have had their fill of them. The game changes again and now it's time for the small fly to rule once more!

Tight Lines

Steve

June 2009 Newsletter

Just incase you've not signed up to our free monthly magazine yet, check out our June issue here!

To subscribe visit our website and complete the form located in the left hand column.

Enjoy!

Steve

Hatches - June 2009

Months seem to fly by at present and this column seems to be one I'm always writing!

On the rivers June sees continued emergence of olives such as the large dark, small dark, medium and blue wing species plus iron blue and pale watery. Look out for some great spinner falls if we have weather similar to recent days, plus pale evening duns. Mayfly will figure to a greater or lesser extent depending upon water for the next couple of weeks, while sedges start to increase in presence too as will caenis.

On the lakes upwings continue their domination with pond/lake olives and in some cases mayfly remaining a dominant force. Midge pupa too remain high on the trouts menu, however expect pupa to become smaller from now on. Sample your own waters to develop a better idea of local variations. Damsels are a major food source from this month through summer and pin fry start to show, while sedges and caenis figure as the season of the evening rise progresses.

Tight Lines

Steve