Author: leconfieldflyfishingclub

The weather in July was extreme, the hottest month ever recorded including 38.7 degrees on 25 July. Nearly two inches of rain fell, spread over 10 days but the hot nights kept the water temperature in the rainbow lakes high. The fishing was difficult and the trout were only active in the early morning and late afternoon/evening.

During the first week of July members caught 42 trout from the lakes including a fish of 4lbs 4ozs from Little Springs. A few mayfly could be seen along the river but the trout had ample food on the river bed and had no need to chase flies on the surface. A kick sample was taken from the new riffle above Rotherbridge which showed plenty of shrimps, olive and stonefly nymphs.

In the second week of July the water temperature in the rainbow lakes reached 22 degrees and the trout were difficult to tempt, 9 fish were caught. The water temperature at Little Bognor, where the lakes are spring fed, was 17 degrees and the fish rose well for buzzers. Nine fish were caught from the river including a grayling. Nymphs fished deep in the late evening accounted for several trout.

Heavy weekend rain in the third week of July saw the river rise and then drop back to its normal summer level. The majority of the lake caught trout came from Little Bognor. The water temperature in the rainbow lakes increased to 25 degrees. The trout in the river were quite spooky, a careful approach and a well presented fly was essential. Ten fish were caught during the week on a variety of dry flies and nymphs.

Towards the end of the month 17 trout were caught from the lakes, all except one from Little Bognor. The successful flies were Pheasant Tail Nymph, buzzers and Adams. There were 10 trout caught from the river and the fish were rising for dry flies at dusk. In the last week of July and a few days into August, members visited the lakes on 47 occasions and caught 29 trout, all from Little Bognor. The river was fished on 23 occasions and a total of 11 trout were caught mainly from Beat E, the Fish Pass.

If the hot, humid and thundery weather continues through August the best fishing will be found at Little Bognor and the river. Flying ants were swarming on Thursday and it would be good to have a couple of imitations in your fly box. Crane flies will hatch from the water meadows along the river and there will be hatches of sedge in the evenings.

The high water temperature made fishing at the rainbow lakes difficult but the lakes at Little Bognor are still producing fish. Last Thursday the temperature broke the all time UK record and the water temperature in the rainbow lakes rose to 25 degrees.

Lakes – last week members visited the lakes on 40 occasions and caught 17 trout, all except one from Little Bognor. Two wild fish were caught from the top lake, successful flies were Pheasant Tail Nymph, buzzers and Adams.

River – last week members visited the river on 20 occasions and caught 10 trout, two chub and a good dace. The most productive beats were Keepers Bridge and Rotherbridge. Fish were rising this afternoon and if you can find a rising fish they will generally take a well presented dry fly. The most successful flies were Adams, GRHE  nymph and dry Pheasant Tail.

A nice condition chub from Keepers Bridge taken on a dry fly.

The river was in fine condition until the heavy weekend rain, the water level has now dropped and the river is looking beautiful. There is plenty of bankside cover to hide behind when approaching trout. There are also sections where the grass has been mown short to enable easy casting and good access to the water for landing and releasing trout.

Lakes – last week members visited the lakes on 41 occasions and caught 13 trout including a wild fish from Little Bognor. All of the fish, except one, were caught at Little Bognor. The water temperature in the rainbow lakes will increase in the heat wave this week. It is probably unrealistic to expect to catch trout when the water temperature is so high but the fish at Little Bognor are rising throughout the day in the much cooler, spring fed water.

River – last week members visited the river on 18 occasions and caught 10 trout. Yesterday afternoon, from Rotherbridge to Taylors Bridge, fish were rising for midges and damsel flies and it was possible to catch trout on both dry fly and nymphs.

The fish are quite spooky, it is essential to approach carefully and present the fly without alerting them. In the bright sunshine the trout seek shelter under marginal bushes, trees and streamer weed. Fishing in open water, in the heat of the day, will probably not be successful. In the early morning and the evening, a well presented dry fly under an Alder tree or a weighted GRHE nymph run along the side of a bed of streamer weed should produce a couple of trout.

Lakes – last week members visited the lakes on 36 occasions and caught 9 trout. The rainbow lakes are not performing well because the water temperature has risen to 22 degrees. The weed cutting on these lakes will continue throughout the season.

The water temperature of the spring fed lakes at Little Bognor was 17 degrees this afternoon and the fish were rising well for buzzers.

River – last week members visited the river on 21 occasions and caught 9 fish including a grayling and a wild trout.

This evening the fish were rising and several fish were caught after 7:00pm. The bright sunshine is making the trout hide under the bushes and in the streamer weed during the day. If trout are not rising, a heavy nymph fished close to cover should produce a few fish.

A nice fish from Great Springs

Lakes  – during the last two weeks members visited the lakes on 118 occasions and caught a total of 42 trout including a fish of 4lbs 4ozs from Little Springs.

River – members visited the river on 46 occasions and caught 14 fish including a 9oz wild trout and a small perch.

A few mayfly hatched throughout the day and midges clustered under the alder trees along the banks. The most productive fly was the Grey Wulff. The best times to fish the river are dawn and dusk. During the day a weighted nymph fished alongside the streamer weed and under the bushes might produce a fish.

During the first week of June the river and lakes looked at their very best. A few mayfly continued to hatch together with damsel flies and buzzers. Several good fish were caught and the occasional rain kept the water temperature in the lakes low. The heavy rain at the end of the week was welcome and should have encouraged the sea trout to start running.

Heavy rain during the second week freshened up the lakes and flushed out the river. Two big fish were caught at Little Springs and Little Bognor continued to fish well, all of the trout caught there during that week were returned to the lakes. The river level rose and dropped back but remained coloured. The weather didn’t spoil the Orvis Day which was well attended and everyone had a good time trying out the rods and lines.

In the third week of June the mayfly hatch dwindled away and the fish switched to feeding on buzzers at all of the lakes. Fish were rising all day on the lower lake at Little Bognor which provided consistent sport throughout the week. Nearly half of the members visits to the lakes were to Little Bognor where catch and release continues. The river level dropped at the end of the week but the water remained coloured.

During the last week of the month the weather was hot and humid, ideal conditions for buzzers to hatch. Fish were rising at Great Springs and Little Bognor and could be caught on black buzzers or small nymphs fished just under the surface.

River Day – the scorching hot weather moderated on Sunday in time for the guided tour of the river. Andrew kick-sampled the new riffle and revealed the richness of the aquatic life. Brian Smart gave tips on tackle, casting and tactics for the river. Poppett provided refreshments and excellent sponge cakes, everyone enjoyed themselves. It was a very successful afternoon. A few mayfly were hatching and the river looked in excellent condition, it should fish well in early July.

A few mayfly were hatching at Little Springs over the weekend but the fish have switched to feeding on buzzers. The trout were rising at Little Bognor this afternoon and a black buzzer fished just under the surface should produce a few fish throughout the week.

Lakes – members visited the lakes on 60 occasions and caught a total of 34 fish. Nearly half of the visits were to Little Bognor where catch and release is still permitted. The water temperature at Great Springs this morning was 20 degrees.

River – the water level dropped slightly during the week, members visited the river on 12 occasions but no fish were caught.

River Day – a guided tour of the river is available to members and their friends on Sunday 30 June. The tour will start at Andrew’s cottage at 2:30pm and end at approximately 4:30pm. Refreshments, a map of the river and 4×4 transport along the river bank will be provided free of charge. Bring your rod and fish in the evening, the river level will have dropped by Sunday.

The wet and windy weather throughout the middle of the week was good for the water temperature in the lakes and flushed out the river. Environment Agency data on the river level can be seen by clicking on the icon at the top of this page, it is refreshed twice a day.

Lakes – The rain has settled the dust and freshened all of the foliage, all the lakes look splendid. Members visited the lakes on 48 occasions and caught a total of 43 trout including fish of 5lbs and 4lbs 2ozs from Little Springs. More than half of the fish were caught at little Bognor, all of which were returned.

River – the river level rose during the middle of the week and hopefully encouraged the sea trout to migrate upstream. Members visited the river on 4 occasions but no fish were caught, probably because the water was too coloured. The river is well stocked and when the water clears the fishing should be excellent as the hungry fish search for food.

Orvis Day – the day was well attended by both club members and Orvis customers. The brief shower of rain after lunch soon passed and the sun came out. The rod racks emptied as the rods and lines were tested. Much of Jan’s yummy cake was consumed. It was a very successful day, a big thank you to all who participated.

Lost property – a folding landing net, found at Little Springs, has been left in the club house and a brass priest, found at the top lake, has been left in the hut at Little Bognor.

The river and lakes look their very best at the moment and it is nice to just sit and watch the birds and enjoy the unspoilt countryside.

Lakes – a few mayfly were hatching at Little Springs and the marginal plants were covered with damsel flies and terrestrial insects.

Members visited the lakes on 58 occasions and caught a total of 32 trout, two of the fish were 3lbs. Of the 17 fish caught at Little Bognor, 15 were returned. The recent rain should reduce the water temperature in the lakes and keep the fish healthy.

River – members visited the river on 26 occasions and caught a total of 9 trout, including a wild fish. All of the fish were returned. The recent heavy rain has come at just the right time for the sea trout and one or two should be caught during June.

Orvis Day – Saturday 15 June

Join Hamish, Jerome (Orvis Chichester) and Brian Smart (Orvis Guide) at the Leconfield Fly Fishing Club, Petworth for an exclusive day trying some of the finest rods available.

Orvis will have a range of Helios 3 rods – the most accurate rod ever made, Recons, Superfine carbon and the new Clearwater. Light refreshments will be provided in the clubhouse and guests are welcome to enjoy the scenery.

Starting at 10:00am and finishing at 3:00pm. No booking required.

GU28 9LY and then follow the signs, phone 07816 879333 if you are lost !

This is a free event, open to members and non-members.

Throughout the month the lakes fished exceptionally well. Towards the end of the month the river switched on and fish could be caught on dry flies.

The first mayfly was seen at Great Springs on 30 April. At the beginning of May the river looked beautiful in the Spring sunshine but the water temperature was low and the mayfly hatch was delayed. The lakes fished well in early May despite the record cold weather over the Bank Holiday.

The mayfly hatches at the rainbow lakes were prolific during the second week and good sport was had around lunchtime. The trout were taking nymphs, duns and spinners throughout the day. The fishing at Great Springs and Little Springs was particularly good. Some bigger than average trout had been stocked and several were caught at Little Springs and Luffs, the biggest weighed 8lbs 4ozs.

The catch and release trial at the rainbow lakes was extended until the end of May because the cold nights kept the water temperature lower than expected. During the third week the river received its second stocking, the water temperature remained low at 12 degrees and the fish were not very active. The mayfly continued to dominate the fishing at Great Springs and Little Springs, those lakes accounted for two thirds of the fish caught during the third week of May.

At the end of the month the water temperature in the river rose and the trout became active throughout the day. There were good hatches of duns, most of which made it to the shelter of the trees. In the evening there were good falls of spinners and the trout fed well until dusk.

Last week members made 92 visits to the lakes and caught a total of 74 trout including one of 5lbs 8ozs from Great Springs and fish weighing 3lbs from both Luffs and Little Bognor. Fish were caught at every lake, 45 were returned. Members visited the river on 41 occasions and caught a total of 34 trout, 31 of which were returned.

BBQ – the weather was good and the BBQ was well attended. A lot of food and drink was consumed and some good fish were caught.

The mayfly hatch at the lakes is dwindling but is still prolific at the river. Sea trout might start to migrate upstream during June, particularly if there is heavy rain.