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 27th May - 2nd June 2007

Varied conditions this week, with some very cold mornings early on, giving way to much warmer afternoons and pleasant evenings. At least I managed to stay dry for a week!

Water temperatures are good everywhere, Carsington is still fishing exceedingly well. On calm days a floating line with buzzers, PTN and damsel are all you need. If the wind gets up use the same flies on an intermediate.

Loynton although not producing the bigger catches of winter and early spring is providing anglers with good sport, averaging 5-6 takes per day per angler and 3-4 fish on the bank. Still some good doubles coming out.

Willington has again provided great sport this week with plenty of surface action to hoppers and damsels, while subsurface a PTN is taking nymphing fish everytime. Catches of up to 8 fish per angler.

Watermark has been a little slow, mainly due to the explosion of daphnia and pin head fry. Trout have so much food infront of them your fly has a tiny chance of being the one they take! The water is crystal though, so by stalking fish you can make sure your fly is right on the fishes nose. This method is getting the takes when all else fails.

Still have a few dates available in June, email for latest availability.

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

November 2006 FlyFishing Report

Another month ends and November has certainly provided anglers with some fine stillwater fly fishing!

Loynton Trout Fishery in Staffordshire has fished spectacularly, with big rainbow trout to 24lb 15oz landed. Not only that but catches of up to 14 rainbows in one session have been recorded, including many double figure fish. Lures and small nymphs have caught the majority of fish. If you are struggling, stay on the move and keep altering tactics to intercept the fish.

Likewise, Lechlade, Bushyleaze, Danebridge and Marton Heath fisheries are all providing excellent sport. We are now into the winter fishing, seeing more movement around midday so make make sure you are on the water at this time. Lechlade in particular seems to be fishing better in the afternoon, producing some really cracking rainbows to around 20lbs. I have to say though there are some wounderfully marked brownies cruising the lake currently that make me long for spring!

Willington is coming off a slow period, with more fish moving higher in the water. Fishing is best in the morning currently with trout responding to mobile patterns such as small damsel nymphs, bloodworm and leech patterns. Around midday try switching to midge pupa as their are often small hatches coming off in sheltered bays.

Make sure you get out on the water, the fish are very much out there as you can see from this report, winter is the time to be fly fishing stillwaters!

See you on the water!

Steve