January Newsletter
Hello fellow game fishers, Happy New Year!
This month the weather has played havoc with our fishing. Storm Chandra has brought heavy rain and a saturated ground that has led to widespread flooding throughout the area. This unsettled pattern is likely to continue with occasional rain and showers throughout the coming week.
The result is that Winterbourne Zelston is overflowing its banks. All access roads are underwater and are only passable with 4 wheel drive vehicles. Some of the houses in the village have been affected by the flooding. In addition, bow waves caused by vehicles travelling along the access roads have been making conditions worse for local residents. To help minimise further disruption and damage, we have taken the decision to temporarily close WZ. This measure is intended to reduce unnecessary traffic and support the community while water levels remain high.
I will of course keep you all up to date and contact you when conditions improve.
March 1st Rawlsbury
The season at Rawlsbury starts on the 1st March. At this time of year, the track down to the lakes is always very slippery so proceed with caution. Can I remind you to sign in at the farm as usual as this is part of our lease condition.
March 7th Rawlsbury
Please take note that on Saturday 7th March at Rawlsbury we are hosting an event for the Poole & Wimborne Fly fishing Club. There will be at least 16 fishermen, so the lakes will be very busy and parking difficult.
March 1st Rawlsbury. The season at Rawlsbury starts on the 1st March. At this time of year, the track down to the lakes is always very slippery so proceed with caution. Can I remind you to sign in at the farm as usual as this is part of our lease condition.
March 10th Annual Meeting - Royal British Legion Hall, Corfe Mullen at 19.30.
On Tuesday the 10th March we will be holding our Annual meeting for the Trout section where I will revue 2025 and how it has performed in relation to past years. This is an ideal forum for discussion about the clubs activities and if you wish to raise any issues related to your membership, then please send me your views prior to the meeting so that I can include them on the agenda.
The fishing at WZ this month not unexpectedly was difficult. These reports stood out.
• The conditions were unfavourable due to high winds making casting difficult. I started off by fishing a dropper rig with an olive and orange two tone buzzer as the dropper and a leggy blood worm on the point, resulting no fish. I changed to an orange blob fished with an extremely slow retrieve which proved successful yielding my only fish of the day on my 3rd cast after a change of fly. Later in the day the wind calmed down and some fish started to take flies off the surface in the middle of the lake, I tied on a dry fly however I was unsuccessful.
• Fished today and quite lively until a cormorant arrived, obviously aware that Chris and I were having lunch but he reacted favourably to the klaxon despite being at the far end of the lake. I only had to net one fish which was very feisty and good quality- 2 1/2lb ‘ish. Happy for you to continue to stock from this supplier. • Both Mike & I fished today. There were lots of fish showing at the surface’ I did better than him!
It's always great to hear from our diehards. More Please!
Tight Lines Paul.