Author: leconfieldflyfishingclub

“It was a perfect week for fishing, a mixture of spring sunshine and grey overcast, light winds and warm temperatures. I visited all the lakes and was pleased to meet several new members. The fish are in excellent condition and fight hard, all the way to the landing net. “

– Nigel Rainton

“Welcome to the start of another season at Leconfield Flyfishing Club!
We had an excellent first week, the mainly settled weather conditions continued and a good proportion of our members were able to come and enjoy some great early season fishing. A large number of fly patterns were tried and most were successful. Most fish caught were around the 3lb. mark.”

– Andrew Thompson

Great Springs

“The opening weekend of the Club saw the happy return of many members and their guests, along with the first visits for several new members.

The period of fine, settled weather provided good conditions and opportunities for all, with 47 members catching 168 fish over the first two days. Popular flies included GRHE, PTN, both black and white nymphs, blue flash damsel and daddy long legs.” – Andrew Thompson

“On Saturday I took my grandson to Great Springs for some casting practice and hopefully a trout. He caught two fish before the cold wind made casting too difficult for him. I visited Great Springs again late Sunday afternoon and was surprised to have the lakes to myself. I fished into the wind over deep water with a weighted Gold Ribbed Hares Ear and caught three trout in excellent condition.

Catch returns will resume each week throughout the season.” – Nigel Rainton

Annual General Meeting

Miles Costello

The meeting on Friday 14 March was very well attended by members and their guests.

After club business had been conducted,  Miles Costello gave a very interesting presentation about the history of Rotherbridge and Coultershaw which he illustrated with many photographs from the archive.

Later, members chatted over drinks and canapes, many thanks to the Poppet Hosp for organising the refreshments.

A nice trout from Little Bognor to finish the season

Photo courtesy of Andrew Thompson

“A good number of members braved the elements in the final week of the season. Conditions were tough, with very heavy rain making the rainbow trout lakes extremely turbid, yet the spring-fed brown trout ponds remained fishable throughout.

The large variety of successful flies included stalking bug, damsel, bloodworm, tadpole, black nymph, Klinkhammer, white bug, black woolly bugger, Montana and olive zonker.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas time and we look forward to seeing you again in March 2025, when the LFC season will open again (date to follow).”

Andrew Thompson

“The penultimate week of our fishing season.
Green or black Montana, damsel, daddy, Cat’s whisker, Creeper and Bloodworm were amongst the successful flies.
Enjoy the final week! “

Andrew Thompson

Photo courtesy of Andrew Thompson

“As cooler nights gradually bring the water temperature down, early morning fishing is becoming less productive. Members are finding most activity from mid-morning onwards.

Stalking bug, Tadpole, Shipman’s buzzer, Pale midge, Daddy, Dawson’s olive, Cat’s whisker, Damsel, Montana, Bloodworm and Klinkhammer were amongst the flies used in the past week to bring success.”

Andrew Thompson

Photo by Andrew Thompson

“A good week on the lakes, though one member noted that he initially only managed to catch autumn leaves! However, there was sporting action for most and several members also caught roach on the fly. The usual wide variety of successful flies included:
Leech, daddy, Montana, BFD, black buzzer, GRHE, Cat’s whisker, Red tag, Dawson’s olive, bloodworm and  shrimp.”

Andrew Thompson

The South Downs from near Little Bognor – by Andrew Thompson

“A challenging yet successful river season ended with a dry week, enabling members to enjoy the last few days. Two sea trout were amongst the 16 fish caught and returned. Two stocked fish were kept.
On the lakes, Great Springs and Lower Figgs attracted most interest, with successful flies including Montana, buzzer, black nymph, GRHE, daddy, Klinkhammer and BFD.”

Andrew Thompson

Photos courtesy of Andrew Thompson

“More rain in the week didn’t dampen the fun too much on the trout lakes but conditions became very tricky again on the river. However, the river has now settled once again and the remaining days of the season on this hidden gem, should provide good sport. The river season ends on October 31st, the lakes on November 30th.
Successful flies last week were –
Lakes: Klinkhammer, damsel, buzzer, GHRE, Bloodworm, Beetle and Montana,
River: Daddy, Stoat’s tail, Stonefly, Posh tosh and Zonker”

Andrew Thompson

Including fish of 7lb, 2 x 6lb and 5lb from the lakes

Stag Park

“Heavy rain brought the river level to bank-full on a couple of occasions but all the lakes remained fishable throughout the week.
Several large fish were caught (using BFD, Montana, PTN, White Booby). Other successful flies included Pale midge, Beaded shrimp, Black spider, Buzzer, CDC midge, Daddy, Klinkhammer, Perdigon and Greenwell’s Glory.”

Andrew Thompson

“Several sea trout were encountered on the river last week, along with a good number of browns. Green marabou, Ally’s shrimp, daddy and zonker were all successful.

On the lakes, Montana, GRHE, CDC buzzer, BFD, Perdigon, Butcher and PTN all produced good sport.”

Andrew Thompson

Over the weekend at Great Springs and Little Springs, the fish rose well in the morning feeding on buzzers. The activity petered out as the day progressed. Small black buzzers fished static worked well.

At Little Bognor, stealth and accurate casting produced several trout on small black flies.

Nigel Rainton