Fly Fishing in January
I don't know about you but I am no fan of January. Granted this year has been mild (very mild) so far, but generally it has been wet, grey and yuk. There is light at the end of the tunnel. January has flown by and in the next few days we begin the count down to March, the new river season and reservoirs opening their gates. But I cant wait for March, there is all of February to get through yet! So is there anything viable to chuck a fly at? Here are a few ideas.
On the reservoir scene Farmoor has enjoyed quite a renaissance and the good news is that it remains open throughout the year. Its a concrete bowl (comprising 2 separate lakes), so perhaps not every ones cup of tea, but if you want the chance of a full tailed, over wintered Rainbow this is definitely the place. Boats are available on Farmoor 2 and it sounds like it is going off. I have just spoken with one of the rangers and the boat rod average is over 18! Currently typing with one eye on the diary! There is also a catch and release lake, Farmoor 1, that is home to some monsters which just love a Buzzer swung on the wind, a Cruncher twiddled back slowly or an ultra slow fished Blob. Sunburst Yellow is a favourite. By the way if you like fishing Booby style tactics then F2 is just brilliant. Check out their fly fishing section on the Farmoor website
Farmoor Reservoir - open all year for fly fishing
But what about the rivers? I get several calls a week about the Exe and its population of Grayling. It is of course possible to catch these fish at this time of year but the major hassle is water height. The Grayling also seem to hide themselves away very well and the only way to extract one is by going super deep with heavy bugs, fished with an indicator of sorts and possibly a Czech/French style leader. This latter approach certainly provides a great deal of sensitivity and the ability to offer the most natural of presentations. A friend of mine did just that a couple of weeks ago in fairly heavy water conditions and managed one Grayling although I think it was the mended Salmon Kelt that snaffled a rubber leg nymph which surprised him most of all! If you are tempted then my advice is to keep checking the network of Farson Digital watercams for water conditions. You can see the Exe camera here
Or you could head to a chalkstream. Many have closed their doors for Grayling fishing by this time of year but John Aplins beautiful stretch of the Frome is still taking bookings and judging by his twitter post this morning it sounds like conditions could be just right. They also have a camera here.
The River Frome - Early Season
I have a few more hardcore days in the office to finish and then I have got to have a crack at one of these although there is something else. Fly Fishing for Pike. As we move towards spawning I guess our chances might diminish somewhat but there is always the chance. And even if now is not quite the right time, I have had some brilliant sessions by early March. Intermediate fly lines and highly mobile streamers proved irresistible to fish like the one below during a hectic session in early 2011. This is also budget priced sport which has to be a consideration after the expense of Christmas and now yet another hike in fuel prices on the horizon!
And I do believe the sun is shining through my office window … the season is on the way!
Specimen River Frome Grayling
Day tickets for the Frome are available from John Aplin at Casterbridge Fisheries
What red blooded angler would?! Gin clear water, stunning scenery … specimen Grayling caught to over 4lbs! I had been counting down the days. Arriving early on Thursday morning I was greeted by a hot cup of coffee and when Henry turned up this was followed by a cooked breakfast, which was good because I had awoken so early that I had not bothered to eat. This is the kind of service you can expect from John and his wife Andrea who manage the fishery. Arriving on the water, we were not disappointed and yet John explained that we were seeing the Frome at its worst. The dry spring had taken its toll and we were fishing over very low water, which had rendered some very tasty runs unfishable. First stop was a deep pool although the low morning sun made it hard to spot fish.
We moved upstream and found a pool teeming with life. I had expected to see big Grayling but suddenly was faced with a 2lb Trout. This may not sound big by Trout standards but this is no stocked chalk stream. This was a Wild Trout, which was also very skittish, especially after my less than graceful leap over a barbed wire fence. 10’ #3 Greys Streamflex + at the ready I aimed a catapult cast in amongst a swathe of branches and hoped that the fish would return. It didn’t but a few decent Browns up to 1 ½ lbs did. In plopped a Quill Bead head and a Grayling of no more than half a pound appeared from nowhere and nailed it! Not the intended fish and certainly not the specimen Grayling we were after, but great fun all the same.
Next stop was a mouth watering pool. More Trout were spotted to over 2 ½ lb (John has seen them to over 3 ½!) and remember these are wild fish. I worked those fish over but they were just not on the feed. But what about the Grayling? Well they were there too and I reckon the best went 2 ½ lbs, big enough but not by Frome standards. In the hope of seeing the kind of fish this venue can produce John walked us to the top of the beat but in the low conditions the fish all spooked and shot off upstream. Even so my eyes were on stalks, the bow waves were enormous. I had to see one of these fish up close … pleeease!
At last I whinkled one out for the camera (photo - John Aplin)
We went back to our previous pool and I began working one of the Grayling hard, it didn’t really seem to be feeding but every now and again it cast various offerings a sideways glance. This is one of the things I love about the species, they will let you throw all sorts at them and basically ignore it and then all of a sudden … you are hooked up! At last something for Henrys camera and nearing 2lbs a superb fish, it was hard to believe that somewhere not far from us was a fish twice the size. As usual Henry could be heard cooing from behind the camera, the conditions were superb for pictures and Grayling are just so elegant.
Our morning was complete and lunch beckoned. Once again the full Aplin hospitality service was bestowed upon us as a lovely ploughman’s lunch was served up complete with particularly fine homemade chutney. These guys also have some very reasonably priced self catering accommodation and nearby there is a great deal of excellent sea fishing, including Bass. I had begun conjuring up trips!
John was desperate for us to have a crack at one of the Frome’s monster Grayling and so after lunch we were taken to a deep pool, covered by a canopy of branches. Do not expect manicured, that is not what this place is all about although Johns enormous experience spanning some 25 years managing rivers can be seen throughout. The venue is extremely fishable, but testing; just the way I like it. The deep pool did show up one fish that I would have put at around 3lbs, although in the shade it was difficult to say. It was also in the company of a few other fish and so in true Hart style I managed to extract the smallest, using the tip section of my rod! More pictures followed but time was running out.
We headed back to the original pool; the light conditions were better. But concentrated fishing takes its toll, especially after several back to back days of guiding and a very late night spent at the cinema … oh and not being able to sleep through being too excited! Why did the big fish appear now?! Sat under a low branch, right up against the opposite bank I could see a decent looking specimen which I bombarded with everything. That was when I actually landed a fly in the water because on several occasions I hit the branch, or snagged the opposite bank. Controlling 2 bugs at range on a long leader is not easy, especially when knackered!
Eventually even Henry decided it was time to throw in the towel and packed up his cameras. Yes we all know he is not famous for his patience but actually when out taking pictures I marvel at how long he will wait for the shots he needs. Sure I am a guide and watch people fishing every day, but I am very involved. Sitting behind a lens all day, waiting for a fish, that takes dedication. I could hear him still in conversation with John so in one last ditch attempt to fool this fish I waded out carefully to try and get a better look and enable control of my heavy weighted bugs.
I cannot publish the expletives that followed. Clearly unsettled by my presence the big Grayling … no let me rephrase that … massive Grayling took a little wander around the pool. “HENRY” I bellowed “you have to look at this”. Both John and Henry joined me to see what all the fuss was about. More expletives! I think Henry said “Herman” and “Holy Cow” a few times. Meanwhile I continued to fish like an idiot much to my companion’s amusement although if I am brutally honest and without trying to make excuses I was shaking like a leaf! I attempted to compose myself, shortened the leader a little and tied on a plain and simple Billy.
A few casts went in, I played tennis with either bank for a moment and at one point turned away to get out of the water and go home … beaten. No, just one last cast! The Billy sank; I lifted the rod and noticed the Grayling slightly alter its position. It seemed as if we were suspended in time for a moment as I struck and then the fish slowly turned on its side. It was hooked!!! Then there was chaos as Henry charged out of the river to unpack his cameras while John urged me to take care and not lose this fish now careering all around the pool. The hook held and suddenly our aim had been achieved, the biggest Grayling I have ever seen in my life was in the net. Measurements put this fish at around 3lb 12oz, it could have been smaller or possibly even bigger but the exact weight of a fish has never really bothered me.
One very big Grayling - One very happy angler! (photo - Henry Gilbey)
What more can I say … true elation, a massive angling high and even better you guys can do this for yourself without breaking the bank. Please go and take a look at Johns website, Casterbridge Fisheries here … you won’t be disappointed.
The Lovely Lambourn
Every now and again it is cool to travel away from home and look after clients. Our local spate rivers teem with Wild Brown Trout and make for an energetic days fishing in stunning surroundings, but the Southern Chalkstreams are a little different. Slow moving, crystal clear, frequently stocked and convenient. City workers may find it difficult to head into the South West for a day’s fishing at the drop of a hat but many chalk streams are little more than an hour’s journey from central London.
The door to the fishing hut - ideal for a post fishing cup of tea
Rather than the over manicured razor shaven grass more fitting of a top flight golf course than a Trout fishing beat, the Lambourn is an entirely different proposition. In fact it is about as undomesticated as any chalk stream available, with a reasonable head of wild Trout to its name. And Grayling; BIG Grayling! There are 3lb + specimens that can easily be seen against the sand coloured river bed, but tempting them is another matter. These are clever fish!
Tackle ready for our Lambourn guests
All in all perhaps not the perfect place for a couple of novice anglers! But we like a challenge and so just recently Lewis and I set off for a mid morning meeting with Jim Pool and a couple of his guests. Jim is well known to us through his fishing adventures which he has enjoyed here in the West Country, but Jim was not our priority today. Instead he was hopeful that his guests may enjoy a guided day on a chalk stream (instead of a mundane corporate Golf outing!), with a fish or two to show for their efforts. It was only a few days before the event that Jim let on that one of the guests in question had never fished in his life! The dry weather has made for low flows and the Lambourn can be a tricky river at the best of times so this added a new twist to the day.
An enticing Lambourn hatch pool - home to BIG Grayling
Upon meeting Tom it was obvious that he was very enthusiastic to give fishing a go. We spent the morning getting to grips with the gear and learning how to cast, please note for those that think we are fishing downstream on a chalk stream (god forbid the thought!!!), Tom does not have a fly on. This was merely practice, meanwhile behind us the fish began to wake up and sip the occasional meal from the gin clear surface of one of the Lambourns mouth watering hatch pools. All was going well until we decided to tie on a fly and then Tom’s business associate Richard arrived, who had enjoyed a very successful morning. 4 fish with Lewis!
Teaching Tom to cast on the Lambourn
The heckling began and for 30 minutes Tom fell to pieces, until eventually Richard got bored and left him alone! The flow reappeared, a nice tight loop sailed upstream and in an instant Tom was playing his first ever fish. Phew … pressure off, grip & grin (Tom seemed quite happy!) and then it was time for lunch. The Cowdray Farm Shop provided a fantastic picnic, plus there was wine and champagne. For our guests anyway … while they talked a hefty amount of business Lewis and I watched several huge Grayling and a shoal of well conditioned Trout going about their day. We were both itching to get guiding again!
Tom practices his cast ready for action!
Eventually we got back down to the real business of catching fish. Tom added another fish to his scorecard as did Richard and after a mesmerising hour working on the elusive Grayling Jim popped the perfect cast. A decent specimen succumbed and engulfed an Oliver Edwards Freshwater Shrimp; a proven killer when gold head patterns are refused. And then it was time for the guys to head back into the smoke, although a celebratory pint in the local Pheasant Inn helped them on their way. Don’t let looks deceive, this pub may not seem like a typical English hostelry from the outside but their beer is very well kept and the food is superb. I see they also have accommodation. Maybe I will give it a go the next time I head up to the lovely Lambourn? Here are some memories from the day.
- Fishing and a Feast – certainly beats a day in the office!
Tom seems pretty pleased with his first ever fish!
... and just as happy with his second.
- Richard had fished just a handful of times but ended up with 5 lovely Trout under the guidance of Lewis Hendrie
The Lambourn Trout are stunning
... and this is a small Grayling on the Lambourn! Caught on an Olive Shrimp fished "upstream & induced" by Jim Pool
Learning about the Upstream Nymph
On Friday I was thinking about the Internet and how it is helping to forward all kinds of fishing. People are meeting, going fishing, talking about tackle, tactics and all manner of other stuff via social media, blogs, forums etc. David Burton brought up a very interesting point in his comment about that post which you can see here. He said that we use the Internet to “virtually” fish when time does not allow us to head to the waters edge. Too true! In a nutshell I guess we would all love to go fishing everyday but the simple fact is we have to work. Is that a groan I hear!? “You go fishing everyday Nick!” I would be the first to put my hands up and say I have a great job but the fact is that guiding is very different to actually “going fishing”. That’s another post, right now I am thinking about Grayling, Nymphs and Fishing upstream.
I had been relishing the thought of heading to the Anton since we set the trip up almost a year ago. I have guided a lot of chalkstreams and fished them of course. But the Anton is different. I have guided there and watched clients catch a bunch of fish, but in fact had never caught a fish on the Westover Farm beat myself, because I have never fished the venue! That all changed on Saturday.
Fishing with a Pink Shrimp (technically not a Nymph!) from the new Tactical Range by Fulling Mill we all enjoyed some superb Grayling action, fishing mainly short line, upstream. Check out some photos here and here. Now on our spate rivers I often fish (and guide) upstream with a nymph (such as a Copper John), set below a dry fly acting as an indicator. This is deadly in the fast running streams but the slow moving chalkstream allows for some proper “traditional” upstream nymphing.
Other than picking up a few fish off the top on a CDC BWO, I opted to fish a long fluorocarbon leader and see how many ways I could tempt a fish to pick up my fly. Flicking well ahead of a target fish it was all about line control. Get the depth right, watch the speed and observe the fish. Sometimes the takes were obvious as a greedy Grayling charged over and chowed the weighted Shrimp. In the shade I watched for the flicker of a white mouth. If that didn’t work I applied a little sweep of the rod, watching the fish and the line for signs of a take which may have been a savage stab or a very subtle stop. Sometimes the line just felt a little “heavy”.
Whatever happened my reaction to any or all of the above was a smooth lift. By the end of the day I was having such a great time that I was left wishing for more fishing and more light, the days are just so short at this time of year! Thankfully I am back off to the Anton on Thursday and although I won’t be guiding not fishing I will get just as much pleasure out of showing my guest for the day how to fish this challenging but highly addictive tactic.
Pretty Fly Weekend
There is a huge amount going for fishing in general these days and blogs, social networks and forums are all doing their bit to help. I rarely if ever post on forums but now and again I stumble across a thread that is running close to all out war as yet another piscatorial warrior has their say.
I guess that the web allows for this and fair enough, freedom of speech is important. However, I can’t help but think that plenty of these unseen wannabe journalists seem to be forgetting that the subject they are discussing is supposed to be …. FUN. Take this weekend for example, to celebrate my 35th birthday I headed off with my better half in the Rado. That was fun, until we hit the M5 and one of the worst rain storms for years hit the South West. But undeterred we continued towards our destination, The Bull Hotel in Fairford, Gloucester.
Upon arrival we met up with a great bunch of people who had also descended on the hotel in pursuit of fun. This was soon forthcoming in the form of many pints of bitter, which was not only fun but helped me to forget the previous few hours dodging articulated lorries, excess surface water and a number of collisions! Sat in the toasty warm lounge laughter ensued as we prepared ourselves for a couple of days on the River Coln. The forecasts were not looking good but it is amazing what a few pints does for the confidence!
We awoke to blue skies and sun, the 3B bitter had worked! Full English down and it was off to the river. This is where the fun really began as we realised that our general attire would probably not go down well with the type of traditional angler who seems to think fishing is about “the proper way to do things” rather than “fun”. Take a look.
Above: Fly fishing newbie Loz, fast becoming fly fishing junkie. Baseball cap, shades, a pair of fake breasts and rod over the shoulder … on a chalkstream … in England? My god, what next, a nymph on the end of the leader?
Above: Loz again, striking a pose. Could we see NDubz out on the bank soon?
Above: Dave demonstrates how to hold the rod when the fish needs two hands.
Above: Paul and the hip flask, possibly the most traditional part of the day …. and a lot of fun. Note the current rod over the shoulder look.
Above: I am a fan of indicator fishing, in fact I love it. If its good enough for the guides in Montana than its good enough for me. Here I am covertly carrying Strike Out yarn. Possibly the look of 2010?
Above: And if that doesn’t work, hide it under a Buff.
Above: In between the childish giggling and gangsta fly fishing imagery we did find some time to wet a line. And it was damn tough! The water was coloured due to heavy rainfall and at times we were lashed by gales, but we stuck in a full day session and some Grayling did succumb. Here is the best fish of the trip to Daves rod. A very special specimen as it is his first ever Grayling.
It had been a wet, fairly unproductive weekend of fly fishing. In fact I reckon I have caught more Grayling in 5 minutes on a Southern Chalkstream than I did during the entire weekend. But the challenging conditions made it all the more rewarding and the thought of a warm fire and a decent pint waiting for us back at the hotel provided yet more inspiration. Overall though it cemented in my mind that fishing is what we make of it and above all, it must be fun. Thanks guys for a great weekend!
