Wet, Windy and barely above freezing was how the weather looked today. But it was the last day my season ticket was valid so I had to get at least a couple of hours in.
Went to G Bank about 1.30, was the only one there at the time but I was soon joined by another at G , a couple of guys went onto the stone jetty and I saw someone on the Dam as well. Hardy fellows or just fools? Who knows.
Set up a floating line, 15ft leader and 2 flies. Apetiser on the point and a Wooly Bugger on the dropper.
A few casts and I got a fish on that had taken the Apetiser. A 2lb Rainbow put up a reasonable fight and was soon in the net.
Kept the same set up and after about 30mins or so got another good pull and a similar sized rainbow was on having taken the Wooly Bugger. I soon netted this one too and decided to release it. I figured there were more to catch but yet again I was wrong.
Nothing more followed despite sticking it out in freezing rain and wind, tried several different flies, boobies, minkies and a Pitsford Pea but no pulls so went home at 4.00.
All in all not a bad season really. 63 fish taken so got reasonably close to the 75 fish limit, 10th in the club competition and 5th in the winter plate.
Time now to tie up loads of flies during the winter ready for next season.
Sunday 30 November 2008
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Snowbee challenge update
Back in September I caught a Brown trout on a red Diawl Bach at the South corner of the Dam. I entered this fish for The Snowbee Challenge in Total Flyfisher Magazine.
Well finally they have updated their site and my entry is acknowledged on the site in the Large Water Brown Category.
Snowbee Challenge details are here http://www.totalflyfisher.com/Snowbee-Challenge/
The same fish also qualified me for next years Troutmaster fish off.
It tasted great too.
:-)))
Well finally they have updated their site and my entry is acknowledged on the site in the Large Water Brown Category.
Snowbee Challenge details are here http://www.totalflyfisher.com/Snowbee-Challenge/
The same fish also qualified me for next years Troutmaster fish off.
It tasted great too.
:-)))
Monday 17 November 2008
Winter Plate
On Sunday I fished the GWFFA Winter Plate competition.
After doing some recon on Saturday afternoon the best looking spot seemed to be on Long Bank on the North Shore. The wind was going to be Westerly in the morning moving to a Northerly by lunchtime so logic seemed to suggest the North Shore was a good bet. On Saturday I walked the bank and saw fish moving and there was a boat drifting along Long Bank. I had a chat with the boat and they had got 12 fish between the 2 of them on minkies. So with the wind report from www.xcweather.co.uk confirming the wind direction a good plan was forming.
I got to Long Bank at 7.45. the match didn't start till 8.30 so I had plenty of time to walk the length of the bank looking for fish. Didn't see a single thing move.
Set up the floating line with a minkie on the point, PNT on first dropper and a black buzzer on the top dropper. 8.30 arrived and I waded in. 2nd cast and i was into a fish on the minkie. A good fish too which put up a good fight. Just before the net the hook pulled loose and it was away. Damn! but a good positive start.
10 mins later and I had a 2lb rainbow in the bag. It had taken the PNT. By 9.30 I had another fish in the bag. This one was a bit bigger, 2.5lb maybe?
Went quiet after that till about lunchtime when I hooked in to another fish but lost it after a few seconds.
Peter rang me, he was on The Seat and had 4 and rumour was that Steve Ellerbeck had a fish over 6lb from Gaynes Cove. I stuck it out at Long Bank but probably should have moved.
At the weigh in it seemed I had the tactics wrong again! Gaynes Cove and The Seat where the spots to be in despite the wind directions. Peter had 7 fish in total although one was from G Bank. Steve Ellerbeck did indeed have a cracking fish over 6lb and 4 more good fish but it wasn't enough to beat Peter's 7.
I finished 5th with my 2 fish weighing in just over 4lb.
Full results and Peters winning report should be avaiable here www.gwffa.co.uk
After doing some recon on Saturday afternoon the best looking spot seemed to be on Long Bank on the North Shore. The wind was going to be Westerly in the morning moving to a Northerly by lunchtime so logic seemed to suggest the North Shore was a good bet. On Saturday I walked the bank and saw fish moving and there was a boat drifting along Long Bank. I had a chat with the boat and they had got 12 fish between the 2 of them on minkies. So with the wind report from www.xcweather.co.uk confirming the wind direction a good plan was forming.
I got to Long Bank at 7.45. the match didn't start till 8.30 so I had plenty of time to walk the length of the bank looking for fish. Didn't see a single thing move.
Set up the floating line with a minkie on the point, PNT on first dropper and a black buzzer on the top dropper. 8.30 arrived and I waded in. 2nd cast and i was into a fish on the minkie. A good fish too which put up a good fight. Just before the net the hook pulled loose and it was away. Damn! but a good positive start.
10 mins later and I had a 2lb rainbow in the bag. It had taken the PNT. By 9.30 I had another fish in the bag. This one was a bit bigger, 2.5lb maybe?
Went quiet after that till about lunchtime when I hooked in to another fish but lost it after a few seconds.
Peter rang me, he was on The Seat and had 4 and rumour was that Steve Ellerbeck had a fish over 6lb from Gaynes Cove. I stuck it out at Long Bank but probably should have moved.
At the weigh in it seemed I had the tactics wrong again! Gaynes Cove and The Seat where the spots to be in despite the wind directions. Peter had 7 fish in total although one was from G Bank. Steve Ellerbeck did indeed have a cracking fish over 6lb and 4 more good fish but it wasn't enough to beat Peter's 7.
I finished 5th with my 2 fish weighing in just over 4lb.
Full results and Peters winning report should be avaiable here www.gwffa.co.uk
Sunday 9 November 2008
There must be easier hobbies
Had a few hours out this afternoon in the disillusioned hope of finding the fish and method ready for Next Sunday.
Quite a strong SW wind so only the South Shore available to fish so went to Plummers again. Started Gaynes Cove end, no signs of fish so moved right down to the Dam. Had a few minutes on the Dam wall but I hate fishing there so moved into the water behind the trees in the South Corner.
Still nothing, decided to move back to Gaynes Cove but as I was reeling the line in a fish chased the Booby on the point. Got a good pull from it but it never hooked. Bugger! Spent the last 30 mins trying to tempt that fish again but nothing more happened.
Back to the drawing board then.
Quite a strong SW wind so only the South Shore available to fish so went to Plummers again. Started Gaynes Cove end, no signs of fish so moved right down to the Dam. Had a few minutes on the Dam wall but I hate fishing there so moved into the water behind the trees in the South Corner.
Still nothing, decided to move back to Gaynes Cove but as I was reeling the line in a fish chased the Booby on the point. Got a good pull from it but it never hooked. Bugger! Spent the last 30 mins trying to tempt that fish again but nothing more happened.
Back to the drawing board then.
Friday 7 November 2008
Another Blank
Grafham seems to fishing really hard at the moment. 2 hours in Plummers this afternoon produced another blank.
There are fish in Plummers for sure, I saw one or two move and even had one rise 2 rod lengths away from me. I covered it and it did chase the fly but it missed and turned away. That was the only excitement.
I'll have another bash on Sunday and may even try Perry Point or The Seat. Got to find some fish before next Sunday's Winter Plate Competition.
There are fish in Plummers for sure, I saw one or two move and even had one rise 2 rod lengths away from me. I covered it and it did chase the fly but it missed and turned away. That was the only excitement.
I'll have another bash on Sunday and may even try Perry Point or The Seat. Got to find some fish before next Sunday's Winter Plate Competition.
Monday 3 November 2008
North Shore
Took the day of work today and had planned to have the morning fishing.
Started the day really early, in fact it was still dark at 6.00 when i got to Church Road. Eventually dawn broke and i walked around from Deep Water past Pylon Point and into Church Bay where Peter had caught 6 the day before. The breeze was from the north so i walked around Church Bay to Long Bank. Saw a couple of fish move so set up with an Orange Blob on the dropper and an appetizer on the point.
Just after 7.00 I had a fish follow the appetizer but it turned away. A few minutes later I had one on but it shook the hook, damn and blast!
No more fish showing so moved along the bank to Hedge End where again I saw a fish move. No offers though.
Damon was meeting me around 9.00 so I walked back to Deep Water Point, had a few casts saw one fish move but again to takes. Eventually decided it was worth moving to G so met Damon there.
Well, 3 hours later and not a fish to be seen. Despite the near perfect conditions, overcast skies, good breeze and a decent ripple the fish just didn't play the game.
3 Other anglers at G and no one catching and 2 guys on the stone jetty all morning had nothing to show for their efforts.
Always next time.
Started the day really early, in fact it was still dark at 6.00 when i got to Church Road. Eventually dawn broke and i walked around from Deep Water past Pylon Point and into Church Bay where Peter had caught 6 the day before. The breeze was from the north so i walked around Church Bay to Long Bank. Saw a couple of fish move so set up with an Orange Blob on the dropper and an appetizer on the point.
Just after 7.00 I had a fish follow the appetizer but it turned away. A few minutes later I had one on but it shook the hook, damn and blast!
No more fish showing so moved along the bank to Hedge End where again I saw a fish move. No offers though.
Damon was meeting me around 9.00 so I walked back to Deep Water Point, had a few casts saw one fish move but again to takes. Eventually decided it was worth moving to G so met Damon there.
Well, 3 hours later and not a fish to be seen. Despite the near perfect conditions, overcast skies, good breeze and a decent ripple the fish just didn't play the game.
3 Other anglers at G and no one catching and 2 guys on the stone jetty all morning had nothing to show for their efforts.
Always next time.
Sunday 2 November 2008
G Bank
Popped over to G bank again for a couple of hours. Had heard there were fish been caught so was hopeful.
Not a sniff! didn't see anyone catch anything along G bank and there were a few there as well. Ken Dainty arrived the same time as me, Lianne and Chris Bobby were also there. Chris had caught a small brownie before i arrived.
After 2 hours I gave up and went home. Peter had walked past with the dogs and rang me after I got home to say he was in Church Bay and had 3 on the bank and lost another 2 on Orange Blob with an appetiser on point.
Fishing early tomorrow morning so just might head for Deep Water Point, Pylon Point and Church Bay.
Not a sniff! didn't see anyone catch anything along G bank and there were a few there as well. Ken Dainty arrived the same time as me, Lianne and Chris Bobby were also there. Chris had caught a small brownie before i arrived.
After 2 hours I gave up and went home. Peter had walked past with the dogs and rang me after I got home to say he was in Church Bay and had 3 on the bank and lost another 2 on Orange Blob with an appetiser on point.
Fishing early tomorrow morning so just might head for Deep Water Point, Pylon Point and Church Bay.
Friday 31 October 2008
Frozen at "G"
The northerly breeze and a nice but cold day tempted me to G Bank this afternoon. A complete waste of time really.
Moved one fish with a Bugler on dropper and Brown Minkie on point but other than that nothing at all.
After a couple of hours and near frozen i gave up.
Moved one fish with a Bugler on dropper and Brown Minkie on point but other than that nothing at all.
After a couple of hours and near frozen i gave up.
Wednesday 29 October 2008
Frosty morning at the Harbour
I decided to brave the cold and frost and went to the east harbour arm for a couple of hours this morning.
6.30am and the sun was just rising, a really nice crisp start to the day.
After pulling a white minkie for 20 mins or so and not seeing any interest i switched to a Bugler on the dropper and a brown minkie on the point. Several casts later and a fish swirled at the Bugler but missed, turned and took the minkie that was following.
A 2lb Rainbow was on the bank a few minutes later.
A couple more short pulls but no fish followed so at 8.30 I headed back home for breakfast.
6.30am and the sun was just rising, a really nice crisp start to the day.
After pulling a white minkie for 20 mins or so and not seeing any interest i switched to a Bugler on the dropper and a brown minkie on the point. Several casts later and a fish swirled at the Bugler but missed, turned and took the minkie that was following.
A 2lb Rainbow was on the bank a few minutes later.
A couple more short pulls but no fish followed so at 8.30 I headed back home for breakfast.
Wednesday 22 October 2008
Brownie in Plummers
Went to Plummers this evening and met Peter for a couple of hours fishing. The weather was ideal, a reasonable SW breeze and we saw a few fish moving so it looked good.
I tried a few casts with a minkie but didn't attract any fish so switched to a Bugler. Moved a fish that had a grab at the fly but missed.
The breeze stopped and everything went flat so I changed set up to a 3 fly leader. Claret Hopper and Corixa on droppers with a daddy on the point. Kept hitting weed so put a Bugler on the point to keep everything up in the water washing line style.
A couple of casts and a great take, a big fish took me all the way to the backing. I managed to turn it and it swam all the way in towards the bank. Close to the net it turned and ran again taking me down to the backing again. I saw it was a nice sized brownie. After a few minutes it was in the net. Peter came down the bank to check it out. We weighed it at 4lb 12oz.
I decided it was too nice a fish to kill so released it to fight another day. Browns are out of season soon so hopefully this one will grow on to be even bigger next year.
A couple of casts later and I had a rainbow take the Bugler. A small stockie about 1lb 8 oz but at least this one was going to make the freezer.
Started to get dark so packed up and headed home.
I tried a few casts with a minkie but didn't attract any fish so switched to a Bugler. Moved a fish that had a grab at the fly but missed.
The breeze stopped and everything went flat so I changed set up to a 3 fly leader. Claret Hopper and Corixa on droppers with a daddy on the point. Kept hitting weed so put a Bugler on the point to keep everything up in the water washing line style.
A couple of casts and a great take, a big fish took me all the way to the backing. I managed to turn it and it swam all the way in towards the bank. Close to the net it turned and ran again taking me down to the backing again. I saw it was a nice sized brownie. After a few minutes it was in the net. Peter came down the bank to check it out. We weighed it at 4lb 12oz.
I decided it was too nice a fish to kill so released it to fight another day. Browns are out of season soon so hopefully this one will grow on to be even bigger next year.
A couple of casts later and I had a rainbow take the Bugler. A small stockie about 1lb 8 oz but at least this one was going to make the freezer.
Started to get dark so packed up and headed home.
Tuesday 21 October 2008
GWFFA Club Championship results
The Club Championship results have just been published for 2008.
This was my first full season where i competed in all of the matches bar 1.
Overall I did well, Finished in 8th place for the Bank Competition, 16th place in the Boat Competition and 10th overall.
Not a bad first season so every chance of improving next year.
You can view all the results here http://www.gwffa.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/results_08.pdf
This was my first full season where i competed in all of the matches bar 1.
Overall I did well, Finished in 8th place for the Bank Competition, 16th place in the Boat Competition and 10th overall.
Not a bad first season so every chance of improving next year.
You can view all the results here http://www.gwffa.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/results_08.pdf
Sunday 19 October 2008
Hinckley Shield - Rutland Water
Not a great day is about the best way to summarise todays Hinckley Shield at Rutland Water.
I was part of a six man team that also included Peter Waterhouse (Captain), Steve Ellerbeck, Chris Lane, Nick Preston and Neil ?
Peter and I headed for New Zealand Point while the others headed for Normanton and The Pipes near the dam.
The competition started at 9.30 so tackled up and ready to go we hit the water bang on time. 45 mins later and i had a nice fish on that had taken a Claret Hopper on the dropper. On the point was Bugler. A few minutes later and it was in the bag.
Peter changed flies with a Bugler on point and soon had a fish follow but it turned away. Things were looking good.
Sadly, nothing else happened. After hearing from Nick and Steve that they were not catching and eventually Nick and Neil joined us. We decided to stick it out till 2.30 when we finally moved to Barnwell Creek on the Peninsula. People there were catching fish but we didn't get a thing.
At 4.45 we packed up and took the 30 min drive back to the lodge in time to weigh in.
My single fish weighed 2lb 9oz. Chris Lane had a brace or about 3lb 6oz or so. Everyone else on out team had blanked.
We finished 6th out of 6 teams so not a good result for the GWFFA Hill Farmers as we were known. GWFFA G Bouys did better and finished 2nd overall. EMFFA won the day so well done them and next years competition will be at Draycote.
All in all a good days fishing just a shame we didn't bag up.
I was part of a six man team that also included Peter Waterhouse (Captain), Steve Ellerbeck, Chris Lane, Nick Preston and Neil ?
Peter and I headed for New Zealand Point while the others headed for Normanton and The Pipes near the dam.
The competition started at 9.30 so tackled up and ready to go we hit the water bang on time. 45 mins later and i had a nice fish on that had taken a Claret Hopper on the dropper. On the point was Bugler. A few minutes later and it was in the bag.
Peter changed flies with a Bugler on point and soon had a fish follow but it turned away. Things were looking good.
Sadly, nothing else happened. After hearing from Nick and Steve that they were not catching and eventually Nick and Neil joined us. We decided to stick it out till 2.30 when we finally moved to Barnwell Creek on the Peninsula. People there were catching fish but we didn't get a thing.
At 4.45 we packed up and took the 30 min drive back to the lodge in time to weigh in.
My single fish weighed 2lb 9oz. Chris Lane had a brace or about 3lb 6oz or so. Everyone else on out team had blanked.
We finished 6th out of 6 teams so not a good result for the GWFFA Hill Farmers as we were known. GWFFA G Bouys did better and finished 2nd overall. EMFFA won the day so well done them and next years competition will be at Draycote.
All in all a good days fishing just a shame we didn't bag up.
Thursday 16 October 2008
Rutland practice
Met Peter Waterhouse this afternoon for a bit of a practice at Rutland Water. On Sunday we are fishing together in the Hinckley Shield as part of a six man team for GWFFA. GWFFA won this last year.
Weather was terrible really, NW wind making the hotspots unfishable so we met in Stockie Bay on the North Shore.
No action whatsoever. Tried Intermediate line with a minkie, black and green lures and damsels but no interest. Changed to a floating line with nymphs and still nothing. Did see one fish jump but it was a long way out.
Hope Sunday is better, the weather forecast looks good so here's hoping
Weather was terrible really, NW wind making the hotspots unfishable so we met in Stockie Bay on the North Shore.
No action whatsoever. Tried Intermediate line with a minkie, black and green lures and damsels but no interest. Changed to a floating line with nymphs and still nothing. Did see one fish jump but it was a long way out.
Hope Sunday is better, the weather forecast looks good so here's hoping
Wednesday 15 October 2008
Plummers
Went to Plummers this evening, quite a few fish moving so it looked promising. Weather was overcast and a westerly breeze made fishing easy in this part of Grafham Water.
I set up 3 flies on about 12ft leader, a Claret Hopper on the point and 2 Corixa on droppers.
After casting at several rising fish I final hooked into a fish. It had taken the first dropper, a size 10 Corixa. After a few minutes a nice 2lb 6oz rainbow was in the net.
I then changed to a booby on a dropper with an Olive Damsel on the point. There were still fish moving and fry were now scattering on the surface. Maybe there were some fry feeding trout around.
I had a great follow but the fish turned away as i lifted the flies off the water.
No more action after that so I headed home.
I set up 3 flies on about 12ft leader, a Claret Hopper on the point and 2 Corixa on droppers.
After casting at several rising fish I final hooked into a fish. It had taken the first dropper, a size 10 Corixa. After a few minutes a nice 2lb 6oz rainbow was in the net.
I then changed to a booby on a dropper with an Olive Damsel on the point. There were still fish moving and fry were now scattering on the surface. Maybe there were some fry feeding trout around.
I had a great follow but the fish turned away as i lifted the flies off the water.
No more action after that so I headed home.
Troutmaster
This is the 3lb 15oz Brown trout that qualified me for 2009 Troutmaster "fish off" that will be held at Grafham Water sometime in early 2009.
I caught this close to the South Dam on a Red Diawl Bach fished on a floating line. It is also entered for the Snowbee Challenge in Total Fly Fisher Magazine.
Tuesday 14 October 2008
Couple of hours on the Harbour
Had a couple of hours on the East arm of the harbour this evening. Had one small pull but didn't catch anything.
Saw a Rainbow near the rocks and what looked like a good sized trout cruised by off the end of the rocks.
Started with a floating line and a brown minkie which attracted the pull but didn't move any other fish. Changed to an intermediate line and a white minkie. No luck here either.
Weather was cloudy with a gentle SW breeze.
Saw a Rainbow near the rocks and what looked like a good sized trout cruised by off the end of the rocks.
Started with a floating line and a brown minkie which attracted the pull but didn't move any other fish. Changed to an intermediate line and a white minkie. No luck here either.
Weather was cloudy with a gentle SW breeze.
Sunday 12 October 2008
The Season so far
2008 season is nearly over with only a couple of months left in which to fish.
It's been a pretty good season really, I have managed to fish all but one of the club matches and hopefully will finish in the top 10 of this years championship.
Other highlights of the season have been
It's been a pretty good season really, I have managed to fish all but one of the club matches and hopefully will finish in the top 10 of this years championship.
Other highlights of the season have been
- Qualifying for 2009 Troutmasters with a superb 3lb 15oz Brownie caught in September
- My kids have been out fishing regularly and Lauren has done really well this year
One more club match left which is in November, The Winter Plate is the last chance to win something this year.
Sunday 19th October see's me competing in the GWFFA Team for the Hinckley Shield. An update will appear on here after that one.
GWFFA Bank Day at Pitsford
Well!! yet another tough days fishing.
Hooked and lost a good brownie at 8.45 this morning, then got 1 rainbow about 2ish and that was it for the rest of the day.
Weighed in with one fish for 1lb 12oz!!!!!!!!
Most others didn't fare any better, Lianne won with three fish 7 others caught 1 each and the rest blanked.
Hope it's a bit better next Sunday at Rutland?????
Hooked and lost a good brownie at 8.45 this morning, then got 1 rainbow about 2ish and that was it for the rest of the day.
Weighed in with one fish for 1lb 12oz!!!!!!!!
Most others didn't fare any better, Lianne won with three fish 7 others caught 1 each and the rest blanked.
Hope it's a bit better next Sunday at Rutland?????
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