October Newsletter
Hello fishers,
As many of you are asking about Winterbourne Zelston, I thought I would show you its current position in the photo below. The levels are still very low and unfortunately we will have to wait a while as the aquifers fill after much needed rain. Local opinion is that this will not be until mid-December.
Rawlsbury
Over the course of the month there have been several trips to maintain the margins and cut reed mace. All the lakes apart from Sandys are in fine condition and fishing well. Some have found Chapmans to be challenging at times but that is probably due to the clarity of the water in sunny conditions. I have stocked Rawlsbury at the beginning of the month and also in the last few days so there should be real opportunities to catch some fine rainbows.
It is always a pleasure to hear about your fishing experiences and I am happy to include your catch reports in my monthly newsletter.
As follows-
I had a very pleasant couple of hours fishing yesterday at Chapmans. Wonderful not to have to worry about weed (yet!). Swans active but not a problem. Lots of fish rising, especially under the trees, but no interest in my Daddy Longlegs. So I fished wet fly and hooked 5, but lost 4. The one I landed (caught on a Blue Flash) was 2.75 lbs - smallest fish I've had from Chapmans. I noticed several 2 + lbers in the September Report: are you stocking smaller fish now?
Tough morning, quite sunny but very quiet and few rises.Managed after a few hours to land one around 2.5lb but it was to be the only take I had. I don’t get beaten much but tried everything, floating, sink tip, slow retrieve, quick retrieve and too many fly swaps to mention. Dry fly, nymphs the lot. In the end sat on the upturned boat ( far bank near the trees) and cast sideways and backwards running parallel to the bank along the tall rushes and got a snatch, fish must have been less than a metre out. Nobody else seemed to be catching and one or two asked what fly I used.( Black Gnat silver thread on tail ). Wasn’t the fly, more the position near the reed line. Well at least I didn’t get beaten to a blank and nice sunny morning to be out in the fresh air. Chapmans filling up from when we were there, stayed on Chapmans to fish. Will look good when full.
Super afternoon at Rawlsbury today for Alison and I. Pleased to see water levels in Chapmans back to normal so took the opportunity to throw a blue flash damsel over to the tree bank on the new dugout part and into a fish second cast. Likewise for Alison on the first jetty. Moved up to Cowleaze and we both caught next 2 fish in an hour with a stop for lunch and playing around with dry daddies and other nymphs. No interest on drys and a pull or two on a Montana but as soon as the hot head blueflash damsel was back on, we bagged up. On up to the C&R lake and pleased to see the hard work from the working party allowed a nice fishing spot on the left bank. With no apparent surface activity, to my surprise the lake was on fire. Having flattened the barb on the blue flash damsel, the first 5 casts toward the peninsular at the back end saw three fish on. I saw two of them which were both brownies 5lb+ but sadly after a few minutes they both shook the hook out. Across to the far pontoon and a 5lb Rainbow banked and returned. It did look very poorly with very poor skin but eventually swam away. Next cast was up towards the shallow end and a nice 3lb brownie (very skinny but very long). Picture in net attached. Then several more rainbows landed by the dam before heading back to the other side where I picked up several more rainbows from the middle. A little over an hour here and 12 fish on and 6 landed and returned. Best I’ve remembered this lake for years. Took 3 fish each, all bang on 3lb 2oz and filleted and in the cold smoker. Chapmans 2 fish, Cowleaze, 4 fish.
So sorry I completely forgot to message and say Leo went fishing on Sunday and caught 4 fish from Rawlsbury. He accidentally got 2 fish ticket for Zelston ! And 2 for Rawlsbury! But actually fished 4 from Rawlsbury. He obviously paid the £44 , which is the main thing! He had a great time and caught on his first cast a 3lb. Then a 4lb 14. 5 lb 2. And he was mega chuffed with a 7lb 14 beauty.
Well, it’s the golden rule – if its being difficult, go small go slow. My feeling s that some fishermen won’t look at conditions and adapt. They have their methods and the fish have to suit the method rather than the other way round. I was catching at Manningford the other day, and someone asked me what I was doing and actually gave him the fly. Fish very slowly very deep I says. (slow being very essential on a floating line, apart from imitating an insect which are not known for swimming rapidly). Next thing you see is a tiny little bug being trawled through at mega speed almost on the surface! One can lead a horse to water but……Everyone wants a magic fly – there is one, but it is in your head.
Two fish taken 2:8lb and 3:4lb. No interest in small nymphs but they were in a chasing mood and caught on long tailed damsels moved a bit quicker. Chapmans looks great and look forward to fishing there in spring when it all grows and blends in. The club did a fantastic job there. Well done!
I popped down to Chapmans this evening and fished all around with a viva Apache. I hooked three and landed two at 4 1/4 and 3 pounds. The 4 pounder took almost 5 minutes to land and was an impressive fighter. The one that got off deserved it as it threw the hook on the third leap! Honour is now satisfied after my blank last week.! I hope you will stock again next month after which I will introduce Dermot. The usual 3 Dabchicks around the monk and a pair of swans flew in at about 1600.
Don’t forget the season at Rawlsbury has been extended until mid – December.
Tight lines,
Paul