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•Anglers are reminded that there is strictly NO catch and release on the lakes •
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December 2011..
With regard to the weather, what a difference compared to this time last year. In December 2010 it was bitterly cold and we were covered in a thick blanket of snow. This December was extremely mild for the time of year, which encouraged anglers onto the bank and they enjoyed some great fishing. The lakes remained crystal clear but with poor light conditions and the fish sitting deeper in the water spotting fish was fairly restricted, it was a case of fishing blind. With the fish being deep down it was important to get the fly down to them either with slow sinking, intermediate or sink tips. If you don't have a sinking line allow your weighted fly to get down before retrieving.
Bright lures, nomad, cats whisker, damsel and fritz patterns appeared to take the bulk of fish. Some anglers were prepared to try some other tactics including catching a number of fish on dry flies, a method that a lot of people would not associate with winter fishing but can be great fun and really satisfying.
In early December we had Peter Cockwill and the film crew of Tight Lines filming and is due to go out on January 6th on Sky Sports. So for those anglers wanting to see how it's fishing it's a good watch.
There were a number of good fish well into double figures come out during December. The largest fish was 18lb 2oz and was caught by Mr P. Bethune, he took the fish on a fritz. Mr A. Woolhouse had a 15lb 8oz rainbow on a bloodworm from lake 3. Mr D. Gordan had a 14lb rainbow from lake 2. Mr D. Dean had a 13lb rainbow on a Cats whisker and Mr J Marcheselli had a 12lb rainbow on a damsel. Our old mate regular Coventry speedway supporter Grant Ashby caught a stunning rainbow of 12lb 8oz on a buzzer.
The carrier stream continued to fish well for grayling. Most fish were taken on small weighted nymphs fished upstream dead-drift. It was a pleasing sight to see a number of trout beginning to spawn. Could anglers fishing the carrier please try and not disturb these trout.
Looking into 2012 we still need a lot more water to top up the rivers and lakes. The fish stocks are looking in good order, with a healthy stock of double figure fish to be stocked through the year.
Tight lines for 2012, Bob, Sam, Dorjee and Cameron
November 2010..
The fishing just got better and better as we moved into the winter, with most anglers achieving their bag limit. Again as last month small bright lures appeared to do the damage. With steadily decreasing amounts of natural food in the water as winter approaches anglers will find that the trout will be in the mood to chase anything with a bit of colour and movement. The lakes are crystal clear but light levels make spotting fish fairly difficult at this time of year.
Tactics for the month were fairly limited, with stalking conditions not ideal and little natural food, so fishing blind using lures such as gold head damsel, cats whisker or Nomads proved to take the bulk of the fish during November. The use of an intermediate line or sink tip can be effective when it's really cold or windy.
There were a number of cracking doubles out in November with the best falling to the rod of David Butler. David, who is pictured above, bought a 3 fish ticket in the morning and quickly caught his limit so bought another ticket, which paid off when he landed a 14lb 12oz rainbow taken on a black and gold humungus.
Long time regular Mike Evans (pictured above) landed a 14lb 8oz rainbow on a white lure. The Nomads fishing club visited the fishery towards the end of the month and member 'Rev' Vic Vaughan landed the biggest fish weighing in at 14lb. The last of the brown trout were caught and special mention goes to Caroline Rees who caught a cracking 10lb 4oz brown, shown below.
The carrier continues to fish well with fish to 1lb 8oz being caught. The vast majority of fish have been taken on small weighted nymphs.
With Christmas fast approaching our tackle shop may be the place to buy a special gift for someone. Gift vouchers can be purchased over the phone, we also stock a wide range of rods, reels, lines and clothing. We also have a brand new Snowbee salmon fishing outfit, which includes a 15ft 10/11# double handed rod with Snowbee reel with a 10# spey line with a wallet full of various types of sink tips. All this for £350!
October 2011..
As we moved into October the fishing really started to pick up. We received a couple of frosts during the middle part of the month which dropped the water temperature and the fish were in a feisty mood chasing about anything you could cast at them. A good number of anglers found themselves bagged up in a couple of hours, a reflection of how well it's fishing. The lakes remained clear, but as always the light levels make spotting fish fairly difficult at this time of year. Those anglers that were patient and had a good eye were able to stalk and it paid off as they caught a number of good fish.
The slightly colder weather seemed to put the larger brown trout in the taking mood and 4 double figure browns were taken during October. The best brown was a stunningly marked and coloured 12lb 8oz fish for Andy Hector (above). Mr K. Argyrides had an 11lb 4oz brown. George Waters took a 10lb 12oz brown and Mr A. Campbell had a brown of 10lb 6oz.
There were 38 double figure fish taken during October. Largest fish of the month was taken by Mike Prior and weighed in at 18lb 8oz and was taken from lake 2 on a cats whisker. Rich Francis had a 16lb 8oz rainbow on a cats whisker. Malcolm Hunt had a nice 15lb 9oz rainbow from lake 1 he also had an 11lb 9oz rainbow on the same day. Mr S. Fisher had a 15lb 2oz rainbow from lake 1.
Special mention must go to Richard Cook (pictured below) who landed his personal best fish that weighed in at 13lb 14oz and was taken on a WAEF. I was lucky enough to be standing next to Richard when he hooked and landed the fish. Ken, his father, was particularly grumpy as Richard's fish was far bigger than anything Ken had caught before. Anyway, well done Rich.
The carrier stream is grayling only now. This year there appears to be a lot of grayling about from small fingerlings up to fish around the 1lb 8oz mark. Small weighted nymphs should be the best method to tempt a fish or two. Please remember that brown trout will soon start spawning so if your fishing the stream please try not to disturb them.
| Fully booked days are: Nov 25th |
September 2011..
Surprisingly we are still waiting for a decent amount of rain to replenish the rivers and lakes, it looks like we will have to wait until the winter months to receive it. Despite the lack of rain the lakes remained in tiptop condition with gin clear water and no sign of any significant weed problems. Stalking conditions were near perfect apart from the light levels, which make it slightly difficult to spot fish at certain times of the day.
The larger fish seemed to succumb to those anglers who were stalking and were patient in their approach, only casting at the fish when they were able to present the fly delicately to maximise their chance of a take. As we approach the colder months the fish will be very aggressive and small lures retrieved quickly will provoke some strong takes.
Bob Lewis with his largest Avington trout, weighing in
bang on 17lb
There were a total of 34 double figure trout caught in September. Fish of the month was a superb 17lb 4oz rainbow caught by Toby Hall on a cats whisker. Regular Bob Lewis (pictured above) caught his largest Avington trout, weighing in bang on 17lb. His fly of choice was an olive stalking bug. A special mention goes to George Waters who had an eventful day at Avington. First he caught his 500th double of his fishing career. The fish weighed in at 14lb 10oz and was taken on a stalking bug. George also managed to fall in the lake while stalking a large fish. Anyway well done on your 500th double. Other notable catches include a 15lb 4oz rainbow for Bill Marchant taken on his favourite black daddy longlegs. Mr J. Rawlinson also had a rainbow trout of the same weight on a down and dirty damsel.
The carrier stream continues to fish well, with everyone's attention now turning to the 'lady of the stream,' the grayling. The carrier holds a good head of grayling from small fingerlings up to fish of about 1lb 8oz. Small weighted nymphs will account for most fish but keep an eye out, as they will rise at some point of the day even on the coldest days. So remember the price of fishing the carrier is included in the price of your day ticket, so give it a go.
| Fully booked days are: Nov 25th |
August 2011..
We finally received some decent rainfall in August but unfortunately it had no real effect on the water levels. The lakes are in tiptop condition with gin clear water and very little surface weed apart from lake 3, which has the odd patch. The fishing was challenging during August despite the crystal clear water. Anglers had to work hard for their fish, those that were prepared to keep mobile and keep ringing the changes regarding flies were rewarded with some good fish. The most common mistake is to stay in the same spot all day using the same style of fly, keep mobile and travel light.
The best fish of the month was caught by Colin Belton, (pictured above). It was a rainbow trout of 18lb 9oz and was taken on a polish nymph from lake 2. Colin has caught a number of large fish this year including a large brown trout over 15lb. Other big fish included a 15lb 6oz rainbow for Mr C Beever, (pictured below), from lake 2 on a damsel. Mr M. Yau had a 14lb 3oz rainbow from lake 2 again on a damsel. Stalker Neil Maidment was back tormenting the big fish and managed a nice bag of fish including a 10lb 8oz rainbow and a mint 8lb 8oz brown trout. Both fish were taken on a stalking bug from lake 1.
Regular angler Chris Weightman, (pictured below), proved he's still got it and winkled out a superb 11lb brown trout from lake 3 on a blue flash damsel. Nomad fishing club member Dave Kirkland caught a nice rainbow weighing in at 12lb 4oz from lake 2, surprisingly his fly of choice was a black nomad.
As far as tactics are concerned, there was a pattern emerging as most of the anglers mentioned above adopt a mobile approach targeting the bigger fish. You will not see them repeatedly casting but wait patiently for the right moment to present the fly properly with minimal disturbance resulting in a fish on the bank.
Generally speaking, in the morning small lures worked back briskly would result in a fish or two, but then switching to something smaller when they stopped chasing the lures. Having a decent selection of buzzers and small nymphs for the afternoons would be perfect.
The carrier stream provided good sport when the lake fishing became difficult. Small nymphs fished upstream appeared to be the best tactic and accounted for some nice grayling to 1lb 4oz and brown trout to 2lb. Remember the cost of fishing the carrier is included in the price of your day ticket.
Fully booked days for the coming months are:
| Sept 9,16,22 and 23 |
| Oct 14 and 15 |
| Nov 25 |
July 2011..
Things are now getting desperate with July being yet another dry month, we badly need rain but I suspect we will have to wait until the last few months of the year to get enough rain to replenish the water levels in the river and lakes. Despite the conditions the lakes were crystal clear, however blanket weed was a nuisance despite our best efforts to keep it clear, it just kept coming!
The best fish of the month was a superb 14lb 12oz rainbow from lake 3 caught by B. Porter on a daddy, this was closely followed by a nice brown from lake 1 weighing 14lb 9oz for C. Belton. L. Hamer had a 13lb rainbow from lake 1 on a corporate day and J. Hall had a rainbow weighing 12lb 10oz from lake 2 on a stalking bug. Other significant fish caught were a 12lb 8oz rainbow from lake 2 on an orange head damsel by M. Aldous, another 12lb 8oz rainbow also from lake 2 by D. Roberts on one of his home tied flies. J. Dukes and S. Dukes both had "doubles" from lake 1 being a 12lb 8oz rainbow and a 10lb brown respectively.
Several fish weighing 11lb plus were caught including a rainbow of 11lb 12 oz for Pip Williams who has fished here many times and caught numerous "doubles" over the years. There were a number of fish within the 10lb-11lb bracket caught mainly from lakes 1 and 2. Fishing can be quite difficult at this time of the year due to water temperature, weed problems etc and it might be worth trying some new tactics.
Remember if you can see the fish they can also see you! A cautious approach and standing back a couple of yards from the water as you make your first cast, as the fish are sometimes right under your feet then gradually cast further so as not to spook the fish, they soon learn that lots of lines crashing on to the water means danger. It is also worthwhile to give the regularly used spots a miss and keep on the move casting over the reeds to find secluded spots where the fish may be hiding. The much used method of chucking out a heavy lure and figure of eighting in will not always deliver the goods.
It is worthwhile using a small buzzer either under an indicator or on its own and allowing it to drift in the breeze. It can also bring results if you cast out a muddler on the surface or just under and strip it back. A small dry fly much as a hopper or daddy fished in the surface film with a little twitch now and again will often work when other methods fail. A smaller size in flies is necessary during hot afternoons when the fish are lethargic and will not even follow.
Change flies frequently if you do not get a result in say 10 minutes. An un-weighted bloodworm pattern with legs allowed to fall freely through the water can sometimes work. If you want to try your hand at stalking it does need intense concentration and patience but it does catch the bigger fish. Try leaving a small weighted bug on the bottom and twitching it upwards as the fish approaches this is called an "induced take" and is a well known method used by stalkers and can work very well here.
Despite the hot weather the carrier stream is still fishing very well and several anglers have caught some nice brownies and grayling. Again a small dry fly or nymph (barbless) fished upstream over the fish and allowed to drift down should produce a take. Remember these fish are wild so can be spooky, stealth and caution must be observed. Size 16 and 18 hooks are advisable. Why not take advantage of this chance to do some chalk stream fishing, as it is included in the price of your ticket. Chalk stream fishing can be very expensive on the Test and Itchen so you can perfect your efforts here for a fraction of the cost.
Please remember to fill in the catch return form in the gutting room before you leave. This is vital as we rely on this information to maintain correct stock levels in the lakes.
Please note that the fishery is fully booked for corporate days on the following dates: Sept 9, 16, 22, 23 Oct 7 Nov 25 Other dates may be added later, please ring 01962 779312 to book. Can we please ask all anglers to dispose of all used nylon and fluorocarbon either by cutting it up into small pieces or by using one of the gadgets we sell in the shop or, as a last resort, taking it home with you. It will go a long way to preventing injury to wildlife around the lakes as several birds have been found with nylon wrapped around their legs and they die a lingering death. Many thanks. Tight lines.
June 2011..
June was yet another dry month, with no decent rainfall and temperatures were at times creeping up to around the 30 degrees Celsius mark. Despite this weather the lakes remained crystal clear during the first part of the month, but unfortunately the second half of the month left us with lake 2 and 3 very coloured. However there is some good news, as I write this report all three lakes are crystal clear. If July blesses us with some cooler weather the lakes should remain crystal clear. If you would like to know the lake conditions do not hesitate to call the fishery on 01962 779312.
The carrier stream continued to fish very well with some nice grayling being caught along with some browns. A quiet approach from downstream is very important when fishing in the carrier, individual fish can be targeted by a cautious approach using a small barbless nymph or, if there is a hatch on, a small dry black gnat or a grey wulff. Please remember all fish caught in the carrier must be returned. The cost of fishing the carrier stream is included in your day ticket so give it a go it can be very rewarding. Please remember that wading is not allowed in the carrier, rules are on the back of your ticket.
The best method for putting fish on the bank this month seemed to be a weighted long tailed lure, allowed to sink well down and retrieved fairly briskly with a jerky movement, in the morning, switching to a buzzer in the afternoon when the weather was warm, this could be free lined or fished under a bung or indicator and watching carefully for twitches in the line. Long casts were not needed as most fish seemed to hold in the shadows under the trees which made it rather difficult for stalking.
Frank Whitton with a superb brown trout of 15lb and a rainbow of 13lb 8oz
Frank Whitton from Durham and pictured above, had always wanted to fish at Avington and when his wish was finally granted he had a real red letter day, he had a superb brown trout of 15lb from lake 1 and a rainbow of 13lb 8oz from lake 3 both on a home tied damsel pattern. The best “double” this month was a 17lb 12oz rainbow caught by Mark Woodward from lake 2 on one of our corporate days, 2 other doubles were caught that day a 14lb rainbow from lake 2 by Darren Wills and an 11lb rainbow from lake 1 by Rob Greaves.
Other fish of note were a 15lb 8oz from lake 2 caught by Keith Williams on a black/green tadpole, a 14lb 12oz rainbow from lake 2 by someone called “Tim” (please fill in the catch return properly!) and a nice 14lb 4oz rainbow caught by regular Vernon Gale (Wurzel) - pictured below - on a Down and Dirty damsel from lake 2. Several more “doubles” were caught mainly in the 10-12lb range and a considerable number of fish in the 7-8lb range including some very nice browns who gave a good account of themselves.
Regular Vernon Gale (Wurzel) caught a nice 14lb 4oz
rainbow
It would be appreciated if anglers would dispose of any used nylon by cutting it up small or using one of the gadgets we sell in the shop it does help enormously and prevents the birds and other wildlife dying a painful and lingering death.
Don’t forget our Help for Heroes fishing day on 14th August 2011. Details and forms can be obtained from the shop. Come and do your bit!
May 2011..
May produced very little rain, with only the odd light sprinkling. The fishery desperately needs some rain to top up the river and lake levels. Due to the hot weather the water clarity in lakes 2 and 3 meant that stalking was mainly confined to lake 1, even so several large fish were spotted and subsequently caught.
The carrier stream remained clear and although the water levels were somewhat lower, still produced some excellent sport. It is well worth giving the carrier a go when you have bagged up in the lakes and practice your river craft. May fly continued to come off steadily throughout the day providing some great dry fly sport. The cost of fishing the carrier is included in your day ticket price.
In the lakes the best method of approach is to fish a lure, such as a blue flash damsel or a similar pattern in the morning which usually brings success, and then to switch to a small fly like a black or red buzzer in the afternoon, this can either be fished static under an indicator or allowed to drift on the wind with a slow figure of eight retrieve. Other flies that seemed to work well were nomads in various colours, Rutland humungus in black or white and the ever popular Montana in black and green. Buzzers or bloodworms also accounted for several good fish.
P.Morris with his 15lb 7oz Rainbow
On a recent corporate day the ladies showed the rest how to do it with Andrea Campbell and Jo Somers both catching 12lb rainbows. Maybe there is something in the pheromone business after all! The best fish of the month was a 15lb 7oz rainbow caught from lake 2 by P. Morris (pictured above) on an orange stalking bug. M. Carter had a cracking brown trout from lake 3 weighing in at 11lb, which is shown below.
Mr. Carter with his cracking brown trout from lake 3 weighing in at 11lb.
Congratulations to Bob Forsythe representing Avington who managed a splendid 2nd place in the recent Troutmasters Final, he has now finished 8th, 5th, 2nd and 1st in the competition. Well done Bob!
Please remember to give us a call to book your place as we have a few corporate days and we would not like to disappoint you if you just turn up on the off chance.
April 2011..
The dry weather of March continued through April, with temperatures in the mid-twenties and not a single drop of rain. The warm, bright days were not ideal for fishing but anglers defied the conditions and some fine fish were taken and most people achieved their bag limit. The lakes were in fine fettle with crystal clear water and that combined with still days made it a stalkers paradise.
Stalking was at the top of the tactics list with most of the larger fish succumbing to this method. Stalking bugs or small weighted nymphs were the most effective stalking patterns. The buzzer fishing was good, especially on hot afternoons when the fish were reluctant to chase bigger, brighter lures. Red and black buzzers appeared to offer the best chance of a fish or two.
The first Mayfly was spotted on the 17th April. As we creep into May we should see Mayfly emerging in greater numbers and Mayfly nymphs and dry Mayfly should provide some delightful sport. Successful patterns for the month were goldhead damsel, Montana (black and green), legged bloodworms and cat’s whisker.
The carrier stream opened for brown trout at the start of April and some nice browns were taken and returned, mainly on small nymphs. Looking into May the fish should start to look upwards for their food and the dry fly fishing should be good.
Dan Swales 12lb 14oz Brown
Once again we were visited by the Northern B----rds from across the border and they enjoyed some first class sport with James Stephenson and Dan Swales (pictured above) catching a “double double” a double figure brown and a double figure rainbow but the best brown was caught by James (pictured below) weighing in at 13lb 8oz. Even this was surpassed by 19-year-old Ben Race (Zombie) catching his personal best rainbow of 18lb 4oz, most of these fish were caught on damsel and buzzer patterns.
James Stephenson 13lb 8oz Brown
| James Stephenson | 13lb 8oz Brown, 14lb Rainbow, 10lb 5oz Rainbow |
| Dan Swales | 12lb 14oz Brown, 12lb Rainbow |
| Geoff Stephenson | 12lb 10oz Brown |
| Ben Race | 10lb Rainbow, 8lb 4oz Rainbow PB |
| C. Lynch | 10lb Brown |
Ben Race 18lb 4oz Rainbow PB
Other fish of note were a superb 15lb 4oz rainbow from lake 2 on a damsel caught by Alex Mason. Carl Mansbridge and Graham Tuck both had rainbows of 13lb 8oz from lake 2 and 1 respectively. A number of fish both browns and rainbows between 10 and 13lb were caught mainly on damsel patterns with all three lakes producing.
Please make a note of our corporate days and give us a call to book your place, if you turn up on the off chance you could be disappointed.
Other fully booked days are
| May 5,6,12,13,16.20,26 and 27. |
| June 3, 8, 17 and 24 |
| July 1, 22 |
| Sept 9,16,22 and 23 |
| Oct 7 |
| Nov 25 |
March 2011..
March gave us our first signs that spring had arrived, with bright and warm days. Daffodil’s surrounded the waters edge and the trees started to come into leaf.
Accompanying the lovely spring weather were the anglers, many of whom had decided that it was time to break out the fishing gear after a long and cold winter. The lakes were in good order with crystal clear water and with the excellent light conditions allowed anglers to try some stalking, which accounted for a number of good fish.
Upcoming tactics will be varied, with stalking being at the top the list, either using stalking bugs or small goldhead nymphs. The buzzer fishing can be good, usually provoking some savage takes when retrieved slowly or allowed to work round on the breeze, watching the end of the fly line for a take. Black and Red or olive buzzers appear to be the most effective.
Other techniques include working lures back quickly just under the surface, you often see the bow wave behind the fly just before the take. A much neglected method is using a dry fly, especially with a nice ripple on the surface, small emerger patterns should put a fish or two on the bank.
Successful fly patterns include stalking bugs, down and dirty damsel’s, blue flash damsel, cats whisker and buzzers.
The carrier stream fishing continues to be included in the price of your ticket and is a nice distraction for those wishing to catch a wild fish. Fishing upstream using a small rod (7 to 8ft) and light leader (2 to 3lb) with a small PTN or GRHE attached to the business end.
A cracking 18lb 3oz rainbow trout for visiting angler, Arthur Moore
There were a number of good fish between 5 to 8lb out during the month, but the biggest of the month was cracking 18lb 3oz rainbow trout for visiting angler Arthur Moore, pictured above. He tempted this fish using a black buzzer, it was his personal best fish. Another fish of note was a superb 12lb 8oz rainbow for Philip Duckett. It was his first trip to Avington and his fly of choice was a Montana.
The troutmaster fish-off was held on the 5th March and was won by Bob Forsythe. Bob has won the Troutmaster competition before and last year came 5th. He will be representing Avington at the final this year and we all wish him the very best of luck.
The fishery will continue to get very busy in the next couple of months so please ring to book your days fishing.
Fully booked days are:
| May 5,6,12,13,16.20,26 and 27. |
| June 3,17 and 24 |
| July 1 |
| Sept 9,16,22 and 23 |
| Oct 7 |
| Nov 25 |
February 2011..
There is an old saying “February fill-dyke” and it was certainly correct for the past month, the number of fine days you could count on one hand.
In any respect the fishing did not suffer, with most anglers bagging up, although the carrier stream did carry more water than usual and was more coloured. Due to incessant rain and poor visibility the stalking opportunities were few and far between so anglers had to mainly fish by instinct. This did, in fact, catch some decent fish, those of note being a beautiful 13lb rainbow from lake 2 caught by Tom Jones on a damsel pattern and pictured below.
Regular Lee Hooper had a nice 10lb 4oz fish from lake 2 also on a damsel. Caroline Rees kept the ladies in the hunt with a lovely 10lb 12oz rainbow from lake 1 on a viva. Again, this month a lot of fish in the 5-9lb range were caught but obviously do not go into the ‘doubles’ book.
CJ’s Down and Dirty damsel fly was working really well this month, either in olive and black, the movement of the legs really make this fly attractive to the fish. Sid Knight’s tungsten beaded flies also accounted for a large number of fish with the firebird being the most popular, again it is the movement and the depth the fly is fished that does the business.
The carrier stream is still fishing well and is well worth a go when you’ve bagged up on the lakes, remember it is included in your day ticket. Fish it upstream with a black gnat if there is a hatch on or a small pink shrimp or a little bug if you have to fish below the surface, the grayling love ‘em but remember they are wild fish and can be a little spooky.
We have a quantity of coarse fishing items for sale in the shop at bargain prices. We also have some ex-corporate outfits for sale and various items of tackle. Why not come in and have a look round and pick up a bargain.
Extra corporate days booked are shown in the table below:
| Mar 5 |
| May 5, 6, 12, 13, 16, 20, 26, 27 |
| June 3,17, 24 |
| July 1, 22 |
| Sept 9, 16, 22, 23 |
| Oct 7 |
| Nov 25 |
We will update this table every month so you can arrange your visit to suit.
There are several days when fairly large groups or parties are booked so it is well worth giving us a call on 01962 779 312 to enable us to fit you in.
January 2010..
It was the cold winds this month that kept many anglers from the banks. Those that did venture forth all caught their limits and the fish fought really well.
The lakes were generally ice free and all were fishable but due to poor light conditions stalking was very difficult but takes when they came were savage and the fish fought all the way to the net.
The carrier stream fished very well last month. Charles Jardine made a quick visit and managed to catch a number of grayling using a small nymph fished upstream on the drop.
The most popular flies this month seemed to be mostly green and black patterns, with CJ’s down and dirty damsels performing well (or as Dorjee calls them ‘Charlie’s Spider’). Flies with a fritz body and a weighted head worked well especially those with a long tail for that added movement! Cats whiskers and black nomads are also a good bet at this time of year, remember to give them plenty of time to sink followed by a brisk retrieve. The depth of the fly is very important - most anglers tend to fish over the top of the fish, so let the fly sink right down.
Most of the fish caught this month were between 4lb and 9lb with just the occasional “double”, this will no doubt increase when the light conditions improve for stalking. Richard Cook (pictured below)had a nice rainbow from lake 3 weighing 10lb 12oz on a damsel pattern which gave a good account of itself. Del Woodcock had a good looking 11lb 4oz rainbow from lake 2 on a green and black Montana.
Richard Cook with a nice rainbow
The tackle shop continues to go from strength to strength and is proving very popular. We still have some ex-corporate outfits for sale consisting of rod, reel and line for around £70. These are really good value for money! We are now stocking Riverge and Grand Max fluorocarbon tapered leaders and tippet materials. These are about the best you can get and are well worth considering to give you that extra edge.
Also worth a mention are Sid Knights flies. These are specially tied by an expert and they really work, they have accounted for several large double figure fish in recent months. We also have some coarse fishing gear which we are selling off at bargain prices. Come along and take advantage of these offers and stock up on tackle for the spring.
Please note the following dates when the fishery will be fully booked with corporate functions:
| Feb 11 |
| Mar 5 |
| May 5, 6, 12, 13, 16, 20, 27 |
| June 17, 24 |
| July 1 |
| Sept 9, 16, 22, 23 |
| Oct 7 |
| Nov 25 |
Other dates will be added to the list when bookings are confirmed. Watch this space! If you are thinking of holding a corporate event with us book now to avoid disappointment!
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