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
Mixed Fishing & Mixed Emotions
The day got off to a great start on Friday when Lewis latched into a small jack Pike within our first few casts. We were awaiting the arrival of Piking Pirate as he has started to nickname himself …. aka Danny Parkins, although “Piking Pillock” is closer to the mark after his run in with a little green crocodile the day before. During the release of a small jack Danny had been pinned good a proper and spent most of the day bleeding.
So much so he ended up in casualty that night and they found that one of the teeth had in fact reached the bone …. Ouch! All joking aside Danny is an incredibly experienced angler with 20 years of Pike fishing behind him so if he can get it wrong so can anybody. Take extra care when unhooking Pike!
Lewis kicks the day off with the little Jack Pike on fly
After quite a bit of general piss taking it was into the truck and off to fetch Danny’s lure gear before a quick dash up the M5 in search of Perch. Danny had some wicked looking mini Cannibal Shads which he had just taken delivery of and we felt certain that a few stripeys would put in an appearance, with Lewis and I giving it a bash with the fly. Sadly the Perch venue which shall remain nameless is under attack …. we visited a short while ago and had our suspicions. Back then I found a couple of Carp skeletons and one of the lakes which normally hooch’s with juvenile Perch seemed devoid of life. Unfortunately I think our suspicions have now been confirmed …. Otters have moved in and destroyed the venue. We found 5 large Carp bodies, two of which were very fresh. These were fish approaching double figures so one would assume that the smaller Perch had been picked off and so the Carp are next on the menu.
It was very sad to see our second venue has been the victim of uncontrolled predators
Monday morning is no time for politics but why cant this country get things into balance? Personally I love to see Otters in the wild and get pretty cross at those who believe they should be wiped out to allow them to enjoy “their Salmon fishing”, like it was their god given right. However it is no use reintroducing and growing populations of predatory Otters and then not controlling them. Just a few months ago Danny was enjoying incredible sport with the Perch on this venue and now it looks as if they have been wiped out. Head over the Atlantic and this kind of thing would never be allowed to take place …. what ever happened to nature in harmony? Otters are not the only problem, just a few days ago Danny found two set lines on Tiverton canal baited with Lamprey and a phone call to the Environment Agency met with the usual apathetic response.
We were obviously disappointed but our adrenalin started flowing once more when we found some well conditioned Pike in a nearby canal that would have made low doubles. However they were obviously in a spawning frame of mind, laying in shallow water and spooking if we so much as breathed! So it was back in the truck and a drive South to the Tone. Plenty of fly anglers will know this as an excellent Pike venue, but for me it was my first visit as somehow I always seem to drive past on my way to the King Sedgemoor Drain. Situated close to the M5, several supermarkets and a Mac Donalds this was proper urban Pike fishing with an old submerged bicycle adding to experience! The flow was shoving through and the fluff chuckers were under gunned …. in fact both Lewis and I agree we need to experiment a lot more with lines and flies on these river venues. Meanwhile Danny did get a couple of follows on a mixture of Magic Swimmers and grubs …. we should have taken the spare lure set ups. Other than that our only excitement was a walk along the M5 hard shoulder and a few curious looks from commuters heading home from a day at work!
A pleasant walk along the M5 hard shoulder to our next swim!
Our carbon footprint was becoming a little excessive but we needed another Pike and wound up back on Tivvy canal. Our day had been full of laughs as usual, despite the disappointment of the Perch venue and Danny had come close to nailing a couple of fish. Arriving in time to see the sun set we all agreed that spring is in the air and that pretty soon the fish will switch on and sport will liven up. Just recently it has been so up and down although the Piking …. oh go on then …. Pirate did winkle out a half reasonable fish to save the day on you guessed it …. a soft Magic Swimmer.
Last knockings and the Piking Pirate works his Magic Swimmer spell on another Tivvy Pike
Greys GS Scoop Net
The new Greys GS Scoop net represents outstanding value for money, boasting a range of features that will appeal to river anglers targeting Trout, although the large versions may also appeal to those who enjoy night fishing for Sea Trout. As a full time guide & serious competition river fly fisher I demand a lot out of my fly fishing tackle and expect it to meet my requirements; this net ticks all the boxes.
Lightweight Frame & Integrated Magnetic Release
The nets lightweight frame allows it to feel almost weightless to the point you can forget you’re even wearing it, especially as the GS incorporates an integrated magnet within the handle, dispensing with the need for a separate retractor.
Comfortable Handle & Rubberised Mesh
The tapered handle provides a comfortable grip which is all important when netting fish and I also like the wide alloy frame …. there is certainly plenty of room in this net! And, if like me you are prone to getting wrapped up in the excitement of landing a fish the built in elasticised cord ensures the net does not make an unwanted journey downstream!
But the real genius behind this product is the rubberised mesh. I first saw Nick Hart using one of the rubberised Greys Coarse fishing nets for his stillwater fishing back in 2010 and now here is the same mesh used within the GS Scoop net.
Greys GS Scoop Net
Conservation
This mesh has numerous benefits and in particular will appeal to conservation minded anglers keen to shield their quarries protective slime from harm and reduce the spread of harmful aquatic organisms absorbed by standard mesh. Meanwhile the rubberised mesh remains rigid, even in a flow of water, which facilitates resting the fish prior to a quick pose for the camera and a quick release. No more digging around in the bottom of the net for your fish!
No Snags, No Smell!
The mesh is also less likely to snag up, even when fishing barbed hooks (although, please de-barb!) which should ease the frustration when there is a big hatch taking place and you are desperate to get the fly back in amongst the fish! Even better it shakes dry in a matter of seconds ridding the net of fishy odours, making for an all together more pleasant car journey home. In conclusion the GS Net is truly awesome, generously priced product from Greys and I am looking forward to putting mine to good use this season!
Sizes Available / Price
Small = 15 1/2 ” x 11″ £19.99 Medium = 18″ x 13″ £22.99 Large 19 1/2″ x 15″ = 24.99
Varivas Flat Butt Super Yamame Leaders
Flat Butt Leaders are an innovative new generation of tapered leader designed to provide fantastic presentation. The purpose of any tapered leader is to provide improved turn-over ensuring that the fly is positioned as far away from the fly line as possible. The new Flat Butt design offers improved performance over standard tapered leaders, providing both a supple link to the fly which moves naturally with the water and a low riding profile; perfect for dry flies.
The ground breaking Varivas design has created a Tapered Leader that is sensitive and responsive, providing maximum control when attempting a difficult cast under a snag or when casting to a selective fish. Available in 4X, 5X, 6X & 7X, the leaders are supplied in a standard 12’ length. Check out the diagram on the back of packet to show the breakdown of the tapering system.
Benefits of a Flat Butt Leader
Utilising a yellow coloured butt which acts as a highly effective bite indicator, the leader tapers into a super fine clear head to maintain stealth when casting to the most wily Trout. Produced from pure nylon they have no memory (unlike many commercial leaders) while the ability to stretch provides a reliable link and a degree of shock absorption when striking or playing a fish.
More than just a Tapered Leader
The Varivas Flat Butt’s two tone colour represents a leader with multiple benefits which can be used for a range of tactics. Of course these leaders are perfect for dry fly but the 2 tone design is also a joy to use when fishing a single nymph or team of Czech style bugs.
Buy Varivas Yamame Flat Butt Leaders Online Here
Introducing Lewis Hendrie
Many of you who read this blog will have met Lewis Hendrie during a guided fly fishing day or in the shop. He has seemingly boundless enthusiasm. In fact I would rate him as one of the most passionate anglers I have ever met and I have been lucky enough to meet a few!
Lewis is a seriously talented river angler who began making a splash as a World Youth Fly Fishing team member and more recently only just missed out on his first senior international cap. I have not doubt he will achieve this goal very soon. But competition is not his only talent, as Lewis has a natural ability to pass on his passion and the knowledge required for guests to further their fly fishing ambitions.
Lewis Hendrie guiding on the River Lyn in North Devon
So I am seriously pleased that Lew has agreed to get involved with the blog and author some content. I hope he will have a post or two ready for next week and in the meantime find out more about Lewis here.
From one passionate angler to a guy who we all know frequently describes himself as a “fishing junkie”. Henry Gilbey joined host Keith Arthur earlier today on the long running Sky Sports show Tightlines. If you missed it the show will be repeated and a full schedule appears here although there is also a very useful Podcast service available if you have a smart phone to hand. The weather has hardly been favourable recently and the fishing a little slow but I have no doubt that Henry will inspire you to dust down your rods. Check out his blog too.
