@ Wednesday, September 1, 2010
We have had some very good rain, albeit a bit early to do good for the farm. We really need rain like that in late September but it all helped. Bushyleaze levels have returned to normal and both lakes are right back to workable temperatures. It was like November this morning. Long range forecast is for an ‘Indian Summer’ but there are hurricanes in the Caribbean, which usually track back over here and give us some rain so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I cant remember the last time we kept Lechlade open throughout August but there were no problems this year and it fished very well. Over the last fortnight 96 people came in and had fun, most bagging up. We bought the weed cutter and it is doing a good job. You will just have to forgive the time we need to let it gather by the bank and pull it out, once we have cut it.
The brown trout season in enclosed stillwaters is now definitely a thing of the past. I have the Press Release. We will be stocking our large browns as soon as conditions dictate, I would suspect November onwards…all depends on the weather.
Reports for the last two weeks:
Lechlade: 96 anglers had 262 fish. Largest rainbow at 10lbs 12oz went to Gerald Stratford from Oxford. I went to his very enjoyable wedding a couple of weeks ago. Many of you will remember he worked here in the 90’s and probably did more for the future of “indicator” fishing than anyone in the UK. One brownie came out to Mr Appleby. It weighed eight and a quarter pounds. There were lots of fish just under the 10lb mark…a bit more rain and we will be back up there again. Best flies were buzzers, damsels, montanas and fritz.
Bushyleaze: 329 anglers caught 942 fish. There were lots of fish in the four to six pound bracket. George Wilding had the largest recorded fish at just under seven pounds but I have heard word of an eleven pound fish and some very large browns. There has been good surface activity with huge olive hatches and fish quite happily taking dry Daddies. Almost any fly has been working, gold head PTN’s being particularly successful. There are heaps of very small fry in the margins with fish feeding very close to the bank.
Prospects. We are now in autumn mode so it is dry daddy time and small lures, as the fish turn to feeding on fry. Buzzers are always going to work but you can go bigger with a lot of success now. Keep the big lures for Christmas and try and imitate as much as possible. Dwindling natural food will get the fish feeding more, along with lower temperatures and clearer water. Smallish, green goldhead montanas are a good bet and use dawl bachs too. We will always tell you what is working the best and we have a huge selection of flies in the shop.
Other News. Rob, the farm manager, is just off on the “Drive to Split (Croatia) in a car purchased for less than £100” Challenge. Many of you will have seen the white van parked in the car park (price….2 bags of fish feed!) I will take some pictures before it leaves tonight and circulate. It is now bedecked with spoilers, Billy the Singing Bass and an array of other “bolt ons”. The bonnet is covered in an assortment of flies and other bits of fishing tackle. If you see it broken down on the side of the motorway give him a hoot! You certainly wont miss it! We all wish him and his brother the best of luck…he’s going to need it!
We look forward to seeing you soon. Lechlade is shut this Friday.
