December 09 Fishing Report

While December is traditionally a quieter month for being on the water with clients as everyone heads for the shops, we were out more than previous years. In between we enjoyed a few hot trips ourselves for grayling, trout and pike.



After the heavy rain's of November the river Coln has been carrying it's seasonal milky tinge, classic of the spring fed rivers. This prevented sight fishing, though a thorough search of the "hot spots" brought a steady stream of good grayling to the bank. I'm anticipating more of the same for the remainder of the season, so take advantage of our special offer grayling fishing!

Pre freeze we had been observing and tempting a number of pike in the 3-9lb range and also enjoying some hot sight fishing for the rainbow trout. I'm looking to the New Year, bringing warmer temperatures to thaw out the lakes and spike the appetites of these two voracious predators once more.


Above Andrew Month displays the quality of rainbow trout as they should be and every bit as worthy as any reservoir caught fish IMO. With all stillwaters now on form, including Loynton, Lechlade, Watermark, I expect to see many more fabulous fish gracing our nets during the coming weeks.

We also have special offers running on our pike and stalking days, plus our fly fishing lessons during January and February 2010. With hot action expected, now is the time to arrange your first trips of 2010!

Best Fishes

Steve

Christmas 2009 Fly Fishing

Well the big freeze has arrived just in time for Christmas again. Is it me or is this becoming a regular occurrence? With the majority of lakes frozen over, it narrows down fishing opportunities at this time of year. If the freeze continues and you need to get out, my advice is look no further than the seasonal grayling fishing. Need some inspiration to get you out the door? Check out this clip from Sky's Tight Lines.

Hopefully we get a thaw. If so hitting your local stillwater can provide some fantastic action with not only lures, buzzers are lethal, particularly when fishing right after ice out, which releases numbers of trapped midge pupa.

Another top target post thaw are pike, the lifting temperature often triggers a feeding spree. Make the most of it should opportunity knock.

Finally to all blog readers and clients, we wish you all a great Christmas.

Steve

Hot Winter Sight Casting

We are picking our days currently for sight fishing bookings, ensuring you have sufficient light levels to enjoy the great sport that's available right now!

Check out Tom into a fast, powerful fry feeding rainbow below!



After several runs, jumps and a heart stopping moment when it nearly wrapped the leader around a landing stage post, this was the result!



4lbs of lean mean muscle in prime condition.

I between the very visual fry feeding spells (these tend to be short as trout fill up quick on big pieces of meat) we stalk the lake margins for cruising trout. Here's one I bagged a little later.



Just as I cut my fly off the leader at the day's end, a trout twice the size cruised passed right in front of me! I swear they know. All I could see at first was quick blinks of white as it sucked in a nymph occasionally. Then a big shape came into view. I went to retie the fly, then noticed it was a big male brown. Decided to leave him until spring. How's that for self control?

We have availability for trips during the Christmas break on the 29th and 30th December. So if you have some Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket and want to sample some thrilling sight fishing in December or January, get in touch by phone or email. Contact details here.

Also seeing a number of pike most mornings, if you fancy a combo trip we can do a split pike/trout day for the same price.

Tight Lines

Steve

Christmas Gift Ideas

Whether you know someone who wants to start fly fishing or wish to enjoy a fabulous fly fishing experience yourself during the coming year, why not consider our range of gift vouchers this Christmas?

Let your nearest and dearest know what you want for Christmas! Use the "SHARE" button at the end of this post to email them or forward our details to them on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

December 09 Newsletter

Latest edition of our informative monthly magazine is out now!

See the December issue here.

Enjoy the read? Leave us your thoughts in the comments section of this page.