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

Olive Bugs & Black Rubber

Lake or stream fish seem to have gone crazy for anything olive during the last 10 days, so I thought I'd take a look at why this might be.

On the rivers large dark olives are hatching where waters are at a high elevation, on the lowland streams things are further forward with good hatches of medium olives. When hatches are not in full swing the olive nymphs are readily taken and as rivers such as the Churn, Coln and Derbyshire Wye are stuffed with shrimp and caddis, mostly of an olive or green hugh, it's no surprise that they are fixated by the colour.

On the lakes, I am seeing large hatches of sooty olive midges and the lake/pond olives are starting to hatch. Damsel nymph activity is steping up a gear and trout still seem to have an appetite for shrimp despite chomping them all winter! Again no surprises why olive is the colour of the moment, lake or river.

So where does the black rubber fit in? Well buzzy things that are olive do not have exclusive rights to the water and air ways. With numerous large black midges, a few hawthorns, alder flies and terestrial beetles around, a blck rubber legs daddy seems to be a great change fly currently when the fish don't respond to smaller nymphs.

Plenty of fish now moving on still and running waters, the bounty time is starting, make the most of it, it won't last forever!

Best Fishes

Steve

Mid Spring & a New Direction

Around this time in 2007 I started to publish fishery reports on a weekly basis. These both took over the blog and I can see now (thanks for the comments everyone) detracted partially from it's appeal (the advice spots and diary type posts all but disapeared).

So it's time for a new path, offering a mixture of both up to date fishing, advice, observations and good stories (probably me falling in again or something equally stupid).

This weeks action has again centered around stillwaters for us due to the number of beginners days booked in. Inspite of very variable conditions (often bloody cold) clients have enjoyed landing fish between 2-5lbs at both Loynton and Watermark. Really well conditioned fish that have fought all the way to the net. Several good overwintered browns have been among these at Watermark.

In terms of flies a distinct north/south divide currently exists. Cotswold trout seem to have a preference for olive green, while black reins in Staffordshire/Derbyshire. While larger mobile patterns worked some days, all our browns for example have fallen to a size 16 olive skinny buzzer!

I managed a little fun fishing on the river Churn, catching a couple of wild brownies on a shrimp. The odd rise occurred, though these fish were oncers, not worth changing to a dry for. Role on that warmer weather.

Best Fishes

Steve

Fishing @ Mid April 2008

Some very cool fishing this week and by that I refer to fishing rather than the weather!

Settled days produced some great nymphing on stillwaters, with buzzers, PTN, hares ear and small damsels bringing home the bacon. We had several fish of the top fishing a black F fly. During the rougher colder days, it has been back to winter conditions. Small black, orange or white lures, buzzers fished deep, have kept fish coming to the bank.

On the brown trout front it seems the fish have started to move out of the deeps, we have taken several 4lb+ fish over the last few days all to small nymphs. These have tails live shovels and really pull your string!

Rivers Wye, Coln and Churn are coming on nicely, with more fish rising to midge and olive hatches. As conditions become more consistent (hopefully) top water sport will only get better. We managed a few nice wild browns last week on both HE shrimp and griffiths gnat.

Screeming Reels

Steve

River Season Starts

While April has started with more unsettled weather, temperatures have at least been generally higher, if only a little!

The Derbyshire Wye is in fabulous condition for the time of year, the water surprisingly clear and while trout still have their heads firmly down on the bottom, hatches of midge and the odd large dark olive (LDO) are coming off the river.

The Coln and Churn are also in excellent condition, though still slightly milky, typical for the time of year. Again fish are firmly nymphing, ignoring the midge and LDO hatches in preference for shrimp and caddis grubs.

On the Coln, the grayling have started spawning, only yesterday I watched a group of fish chasing around gravels. Observing fish at this time is very rewarding, not only is it a great sight, you find out just how many whoopers you've not seen during last season!

Lakes at Loynton and Watermark are fishing really well, good buzzer hatches are occurring at both venues during settled conditions. At Watermark you can see nymphing fish from first light to last light on a nice day. Most anglers are still prefering lures, however buzzers and PTN are catching just as well. We've had plenty of fish to 5lbs.

Tight Lines

Steve

Fishing Report late March 2008

Once more the weather has thrown some typically hostile early spring conditions at us, however fishing has been worth it.

Watermark and Loynton are fishing their heads off, most visting anglers amazed at the fight they are getting and high average size. Top flies are mainly black or white based regardless of whether you fish nymphs or lures. A mixture of both has worked well over the week or so.

Carsington kicked of the new reservoir season for us and in what have been at times unpleasant conditions, we've still caught fish. Fish crammed full of daphnia at that! It seems current fly choice is anything as long as it's orange or contains a touch of it.

Looking forward to the new river season next week. We still have some weekdays available for April, so if you are looking for a reservoir or river trip, get in touch here.

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