Fishing Report Mid March 2008

A week of unsettled weather, from storm force winds to flat calms. However fishing has been fantastic! Some serious midge hatches occurred during last week and while fish are by and large reluctant to visit the surface just yet, they have no qualms about sipping in ascending midge pupa on their way to the surface.

Several tuition days split between Watermark in gloucestershire and Loynton in Staffordshire produced lots of action for clients, enjoying either their 1st day's fly fishing or furthering existing skills. Both venues produced numbers of rainbows for us between 2-6lbs. Speaking with fishery staff at both venues, lots of fish between 2-8lbs have been caught with several fish to mid double figures too.

Our top flies for the week were black midge pupa (buzzers, PTN, hopper, white and black beadhead lures).

Tight Lines

Steve

Fishing Report for early March 2008

Another grayling season is almost at an end and fishing the past few days has continued to be good. Staying mobile and ensuring flies trundle along the river bed has been key as it often is with this species. The usual suspects are catching, czech nymphs and shrimps in olive (pink might be the vogue colour, however on the Coln at least olive out fishes it six to one) and smaller bead head PTN and HE nymphs.

On the lakes, Watermark continues it's recent impressive form, both lures and small nymphs picking up fish at differing times of day depending on conditions. Average size around the 4lb mark currently. Loynton has also produced numbers of fish for us this week of a good average size (nothing under 3lbs). Here a small white lure has been tops in rough conditions, while in sheltered spots buzzers have produced.

If you fancy landing your first double, Lechlade is probably going to give you a high probability, average size is pushing 9lbs with a lot of fish between 10-12lbs being landed. Don't overlook buzzers here.

Tight Lines

Steve

Fishing report for 10-23 March

Yes I know in my last report I said weekly, but we have been so busy, today is the first chance I've had to blog. I promise to try harder!

Simply fishing is good! Prior to the cold snap of the past week, a lot of trout were consistently feeding in the top 4 feet of water on the lakes by late morning, nymphs, wets and dries being effective.

The colder weather has put them back to winter feeding, fish moving a little deeper generally 4-8 feet, moving up some days around mid day. Success has been consistent, with clients catching rainbow trout of 2-13lbs using scruffy damsel, olive nymph, black and red buzzers, MFF leech and MFF zonker flies.

Good numbers of doubles are being caught at Lechlade (4 came out yesterday, including a 12lb fish to our client Mr. E Duggar), Loynton (over 50 doubles caught here in March)and Cound (12 that I know of landed so far in March). Lechlade is holding a green colouration from a recent algal bloom currently, making a sight fishing a challenge. If you want to stalk a biggie pick a bright day!

This weekend sees both Carsington Water and Willington Lake Trout Fishery open for the 2007 season. Both are open from Saturday 24th March, with the prospect of some excellent fishing for browns and rainbows from the start.

Carsington is stocking weekly this year, introducing rainbows in addition to the brown trout for which this venue is well known. Expect to see some big browns from this water during 2007! If you are planning a trip see our Carsington Water page.

Willington has received a stocking of 2000 rainbow and brownt trout to supplement the excellent head of grown on fish, so expect the season here to start with a bang.

I am on both waters next week, between bookings so expect an update on the fishing. If you want to book a guided day or tuition, April and May are filling up fast. I have 7 days left for April and May is already half full! For enquiries call +44 (0)1782 394564 or email enquiries.

Tight Lines

Steve

Hello Spring

Spring fishinng conditions are rarely stable, but the current spell of excellent weather is getting the trout on the fin! I've been on the water at both Cound and Loynton trout fisheries this week. In both cases plenty of rainbows are moving within 6 feet of the surface. Buzzers, damsels, mini lures, hares ear, olive nymph, pheasant tail nymph fished on a floating line and 10-15 foot leader have worked well.

Both venues have produced several doubles, Loynton having the largest at 20lb 14oz. Once again anglers have been catching numbers of trout, with as many as 15 rainbows in a day to one successful fly fisher! Top flies for MFF clients this week have been the Scruffy Damsel and Olive Nymph.

Sure good fishing is about making the most of conditions you have. Spring being as fickle as can be, weather conditions are bound to be variable. Make the most of this current spell and hit the water while it lasts!

Tight Lines

Steve