Fishing Report Early May 2008

Wow what a weather change! Perfect timing for the rivers to, with hatches really taking off, bring trout to the surface in numbers. Early Mayfly have started in the Cotswold's and I expect larger hatches to get going later this week.

On the lake front increased insect activity is bringing trout into the upper layers too, with browns and rainbows feasting on midge pupa, olive nymphs and damsels. I've already seen a number of adult damsel flies about so don't think it's too early.

We have our Improvers Course coming up this weekend, on which places are still available. Make a huge leap in your fly fishing knowledge and book today!

Tight Lines

Steve

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

Fly Fishing Report at 31st October 2007

Well our 2007 grayling weekend took place last week and I'm just getting my voice back. We had a cracking group of enthusiastic fly fishers, most of whom had little experience of river fly fishing.

I was fully expecting great things as the grayling are very active and we have been catching well recently, but the bigger fish would not play ball. Both Andy and Allan lost big fish, but the grayling landed were all smaller specimens many of which came to dry fly tactics, which is always nice.

Some very good wild browns were active, several charging in to take anglers flies weighed over the pound mark. From what I see, it seems these wild fish are spawning later, possibly something to do with milder weather? Anyone having similar experiences? If so post your views in the comments section.

On stillwater Loynton Trout Fishery is now in full winter fishing mode, with both good numbers of fish and doubles falling to lure and nymph tactics. In the Cotswold's waters are slow to cool down due to the very mild autmn weather. This is putting some big fish off the feed, some days have been tricky while other days fishing has been good.

When fish are feeding, both nymph and small lures work well at Watermark and Lechlade. On slower days stalking trout really makes the difference, putting your fly right on their nose! Plenty has been written in the press this year about this method of fly fishing, if you want a hands on day learning the skills of accurate casting, good presentation and associated stalking skills or would like to improve your success rate with the big fish, checkout our stalking trout trips and get in touch.

Tight Lines

Steve

Midlands Fly Fishing Report 12th-18th August 2007

Well we get a few days of good weather and those lake temperatures start to edge up at this time of year! Not that fish activity seemed to drop at all, they were just dammed hard work. But then again that's half the fun!!

Over at Loynton fish showed comtinuously, teasing anglers with both their displays of slashing into fry and their reluctance to grab offerings attached to a fly line. Smaller fry immitations like PTN, HE nymph and Dawl Backs ribbed with wide pearl tinsel received some attention, while the odd fish accepted a small black nymph or buzzer.

Watermark was also tricky, but the water is crystal clear so you can ensure you work your fly right accross a fish's nose to trigger that take we all live for. Some nice fish with browns and rainbows to 4lbs landed and still plenty of activity from larger fish holding deeper and playing hard to get.

Chalkstream fishing has been nothing short of fantastic, moving around we have found hatches coming of most days, the whole day through and wild browns or grayling in mint condition have been right their waiting. Some good fish landed to around the 1.5lb mark, great fishing after all the rain!

Carsington is also seeing some decent sport, fish are down in the water during brighter spells, moving up as the light fades or on more overcast days. Rig up with a floater and medium sinker, move around and find what the fish want on any given day.

Tight Lines

Steve

Midlands Fly Fishing Report 5th-11th August 2007

With settled and somedays hot weather this week, the summer rule of early and late providing the best sport has very much rung true.

The river Coln now looks fantastic, flowing fast and full, with water clarity and a lively feel I've not seen for several years! Trout can be seen everywhere, early morning dry fly with spent olives, ants or midges, daytime nymphing, then evening fun with sedges on top again.

Carsington looks a picture, so nice to see a full reservoir in August. Anglers still need to stay on the move here, seeking out feeding fish. Hot bright days mean switching to a sinker, mixing lures and nymphs to locate the fish. Don't just stick to the margins, some drifts accross open water are picking up decent catches.

Plenty of fish again moving at Watermark and Loynton trout fisheries throught the day. Morning sees the majority of activity, with fish switching back on late afternoon. Various flies scoring, with trout changing their taste throughout the day, just to make fishing a little more interesting! In the main a selection of buzzers, dawl bachs, olive nymph, Damsels, stalking bugs and HE shrimp will pull fish during the day. You do need to work your flies well though and keep covering the water.

That's all for now, but look out for a few posts this week detailing some useful tactics I've been playing with on day's that seem impossible.

Tight Lines

SY

Fly Fishing Report 29th July - 4th August

Fly fishing this week has been frustrating for lake anglers. The main focus of our days on the water have been short tuition and casting lessons at Loynton and sight casting trips at Watermark. Both venues have seen lots of trout activity, with morning being better than afternoon. Fish have then fed again late afternoon.

Both venues have trout crashing into fry, sipping nymphs, midges and spent damsels. I have seen so many anglers blanking, because although fish are moving all around, their fly is either not what that fish are feeding on or the fly is too far away for the fish to bother taking.

This is time for spending more time in observation and stop yourself flogging the water in desperation! Patience is the key during August, fish less observe more and catch trout, that is the formula working for me and our clients. Top tip fly wise for August, make sure you have some olive nymph patterns in your box. Next tip is don't leave them in the fly box, fish em!

River fishing has been zero again, the water has now finaly cleared but has remained high, it's proving impossible to antisipate the level post July's flooding. I'm now really hoping we can get on the river this week, the number of delayed trips is backing up! The good news, water levels will be good for the next 12-18 months, boading well for the fishing to come.

Willington has been patchy daytime, with good evening rise sport on good weather days. Sedge pupa and and dry caddis patterns are must have flies if you plan to stay on to dark (I suggest you do). Don't go too big with these flies, big sedges (10-12) work some days, more success is achieved fishing size 14-16 though.

Tight Lines

Steve

Fly Fishing Report 22nd-28th July 2007

Having spent more of last week phoning round, reorganising Cotswold trips than actualy time spent on the water, I'm glad conditions are settling down! We were thankfully spared the flooding in the north midlands, Gloucestershire was however another world!

As it happened most bookings last week were scheduled around the Cotswold waters and hence were disrupted. Rivers were and still are out of order, you have to see the volume of water to believe it. General access to the region had improved by the end of the week and we at least got some of you out lake fishing.

Fishing was restricted due to the above scenario, to Watermark in Gloucestershire and Staffordshire's Loynton Trout Fishery. Both venues are full of clean fresh spring water and trout are feeding well.

Geoff Lane enjoyed a day at Watermark with me, where he landed 4 fine trout to just over 5lbs. Geoff also narrowly missed out on a double. Having spotted the big trout, Geoff cast a stalking bug right in front of the big rainbow, which took instantly, Geoff struck, but the hook hold failed and another big one got away! Next time Geoff.

Loynton saw rainbows to low double figures landed, the fish switching between damsels, corixa, midge pupa and fry. Keep covering feeding fish and watching to check what you are fishing is what they are feeding on.

If weather conditions remain settled river fishing will be back on later this week. Those of you with bookings I will be in touch as the week progresses. If you are thinking of a trip, then August is looking a better bet than expected. With plenty of fresh water about the trout are feeding heavily. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

Tight Lines

Steve

Chalkstream fly fishing & report 8th - 14th July

Despite the continued unsettled weather clients have experienced some good fishing during the last week.

We have also been contacted by many of you concerned about chalkstream bookings and the state of the river. To put everyones mind at rest the Coln is in fine condition, holding slight colouration yes but with good summer flow and plenty of fish activity.

Being spring fed chalkstreams do not suffer the same dramatic spate and drought conditions of rainfed streams, providing a rich and stable environment for trout, grayling and aquatic life in general to prosper. So with plenty of water about the fishing is excellent. I even ended up having a few casts when the river did discolour a couple of weeks ago! I went to the river expecting the worst, finding it far better than expected and with browns rising to a sedge hatch. Obviously I could not resist and landed 3 browns in what to most anglers would seem unfishable conditions. Don't be put off by coloured water! Check out our trips on the Coln at chalkstream fly fishing.

Moving onto the lakes, Carsington has continued to fish well to anglers searching out the fish. Damsels, PTN, hares ear and buzzers have caught for clients, the best a 3lb 4oz grown on brownie in immaculate condition!

Willington and Watermark fished well with damsels (nymph and dry adult), PTN and hares ear, catching plenty of quality browns and rainbow trout. Loynton trout played hard to get, lots of fish moving, switching between nymph and fry throughout the day. The key to success, was in getting your fly in front of the fish. With so much food in the water, trout are not moving far to take anglers flies. Keep at it and the fish will come, they are certainly feeding agressively.

Tight Lines

Steve

Fly Fishing Report 1st - 7th July 2007

I woke this morning and thought yes, a day off! That translates as I have a day free to catch up on office stuff. Having cleared all that, I figure it's time for another report.

Last week saw the river settle down despite continued rain. A lot less fell and the Coln was at a nice level, carrying some colour and providing clients with good sport for the wild browns. Olives, midges and sedge make up the main hatch activity, while a shrimp works well during unsettled weather.

Carsington Water is fishing as my last report, sheltered areas offering better fishing on rough days, key food items are buzzer, damsel, fry and sedge pupa.

Top water for action on the lakes this week has been Loynton Trout Fishery, clients taking several fish per day with an average weight of 4.5lbs. Rainbows are really keyed on damsels and fry and with the weather resembling October, I'm not surprised.

Watermark is also fishing well to a variety of nymph and lure patterns with both rainbow and brown trout to 7lbs landed. During beginners tuition sessions I spotted a couple of doubles, watching in vain as clients were unable to make targeted casts. We did however have great fun fishing dry adult damsel flies.

If you want to take advantage of the good current fishing I have some late guide availability 18th -20th July. Contact us for further details.

Midlands Fly Fishing Report 24th - 30th June 2007

Another very mixed week weather wise and varied fishing. The deluge of rain wiped out the prospect of any river fishing! Interestingly several trout were very obliging on Tuesday evening, rising to a great sedge hatch on the Coln, despite the river being the colour of drinking chocolate. Fish are still taking, but understandably clients fishing a chalkstream expect clear water.

Carsington continued to produce, but it is all about finding small groups of feeding fish. On calmer days, floating lines and small nymphs are working while windy conditions see an intermediate or slow sinker with a mix of attractor and nymph patterns pick up the fish.

Watermark has fished brilliantly again this week, with plenty of brown and rainbow trout to 6lbs landed during tuition and sight fishing days. We also had another rainbow I estimated at 11lbs come adrift after jumping 3 times!

Willington also fishing well, PTN, damsel and sedge pupa working well, while at loynton the fishing improved as the week progressed. Good rainbows to 9lbs taken on buzzer, damsel, hares ear and loynton guinea.

Fly Fishing Report 17th-23rd June 2007

The trout have been as mixed up as the weather this week, with periods of high and low activity. Feeding patterns have been constantly changing, so finding what they want has been a real challenge somedays.

The key is to have a small range of flies which you know work and fish them well, trying to present them to feeding fish. Current favorites with the fish are olive nymph and buzzer, damsel nymphs, pin head fry, corixa and sedge pupa.

As you can see from the above selection, it is varied to say the least. You can edge your bets by fishing general representations, such as PTN, hares ear, bead head ptn and buzzer. This cuts down on the number of fly changes, so you can concentrate on fishing the flies.

Willington and Watermark have fished most consistently this week, with Loynton producing catches of up to 5 fish for anglers patiently working buzzers and small nymphs over lures. Carsington has produced fish, but tracking down feeding fish has been hard work. Fishing will settle down again as the weather does, whenever that is!

Tight Lines

Steve

Fly Fishing News Update & Report 10th - 16th June 2007

Firstly a few hours late night detective work solved the recent problems encountered with our shopping cart software. So if you have been frustrated trying to order from us on-line, we apologise for the inconvenience and are ready and waiting to receive your orders. Check out our own range of flies and polarised shades!

Last week's fishing was both fun and at times frustrating. Prior to the deluge of rain the river Coln was fishing well, with good hatches of various olives, midge and sedge. Currently the river is running high, carrying colour, but should be in good fishable condition again later this week, with fishing all the better for the fresh water!

Lake fishing has been largely focused on tuition days and casting lessons over at Loynton Trout Fishery. The water had really warmed up despite the cooling springs during the early part of the week, sending fish down a few feet in search of cooler water. Patient fishing with buzzers produced fish for several anglers, the best a catch of 9 rainbows, the biggest at 16lbs! Heavy rain Thursday and Saturday helped cool the surface layers down, bringing nymphing fish up a little and triggering some fry feeding. Pink, yellow and green guineas taking a number of fish between hatches of midge.

Carsington has continued to produce good fish, the key being to know exactly where to go. Small buzzer patterns, mini lures, PTNs and damsels all scoring well, with many first time visitors comparing it to the quality of fishing at Rutland! If you are planning a trip and need some advice checkout out reservoir fly fishing.

I have a mix of sight fishing, reservoir fishing and casting lessons booked for this week, be sure to check out how we get on in our next report!

Tight Lines

Steve

December 2006 Fly Fishing Report

Happy New Year everyone!

December was a very busy month both for us and fisheries. During the Christmas break many waters were packed with anglers, which was nice to see. After 2 days of over eating, it's nice to hit the water and it seems many people feel the same.

We have yet to experience any really cold weather and fish are very active for the time of year. Loynton, Cound trout fishery and Lechlade all produced good numbers of double figure rainbows during December to both lure and nymph tactics. The same tactics also caught good bags of fish at these venues.

Marton Heath and Danebridge fished well, responding to a mixture of lure and buzzer patterns to suit conditions. I saw only a few anglers fish Willington, which is a shame. Yes it can be a difficult water in winter as it is not stocked as heavily as smaller waters and the trout often hold deep.

However, carefull fishing with bloodworm, buzzers, damsels and shrimp flies can put you in contact with some well conditioned fish to around 8lbs. It's not a numbers game, but if you enjoy challenging fishing for grown on fish I suggest giving it a try. They fight like hell too, this is the only water I've ever been taken into my backing on and it's happened 3 times in 2006.

Looking to January sport will continue much the same unless we a hit a prolonged cold spell. Heres the the good fishing continuing!

Tight Lines

Steve