Author: leconfieldflyfishingclub

“A productive and sporting week on the lakes, with fish coming to a great variety of flies, over 20 different flies were recorded on the returns sheets.

The river is still settling after recent flooding and will soon be back to normal levels for the time of year. Trout have been seen rising but none have been caught yet. The first invertebrate survey of the year took place on the Beat D riffle, showing a healthy representation of underwater life. Olive, damsel and mayfly nymphs, were all present, with stone clingers and shrimps in very large numbers.

200 alder saplings were planted to help stabilise the river banks and to provide shade.” – Andrew Thompson

“Members enjoyed good sport on all the lakes this week, including a 4lb rainbow trout at Lower Figgs and a lovely 5lb brown caught at Little Bognor. Successful flies included Copper black, Colonel creeper, various damsels, GRHE, buzzer, Montana, black, white, green nymphs and Greenwell’s Glory.

Unfortunately, the river valley remained flooded all week, though now it is returning to normal and should be fishable by mid-week. Please remember to drive extra slowly through Kilsham Farm.

Despite the earlier river flooding, spring is showing signs of returning, with cuckoo, nightingale and swallow seen on the estate this week.

One member left the Tillington road carpark near Lower Figgs with his rod resting unattached to the roof of his car. If anyone sees it there, or along the roadside towards Lurgashall, please report to me, thank you!“

Andrew Thompson

“There were some pleasant intervals between bouts of cold wind and heavy rain last week. Some members caught on the dry fly.

The river over-topped again, so Wednesday’s opening day may be tricky. However, it should be more fishable towards the end of the week. Do give me a call to check on conditions.” – Andrew Thompson

Welcome back everyone!

An excellent opening week of the season, with the weather being better than we had hoped. As usual, a great variety of flies were successful, though the colour black in most forms, worked consistently .

A reminder to members that our river season for trout begins April 3rd.

Andrew Thompson

The AGM at the Leconfield Hall was well attended and after club business had been conducted, we all enjoyed a talk by Andy Thomas, the Wild Trout Trust’s Conservation Officer for the South East.

The talk was followed by drinks and excellent nibbles provided by our Chairman, Poppet Hosp, thank you Poppet.

Nigel Rainton

 

 

 

The Club AGM will take place in the Leconfield Hall on Wednesday 13th March at 6:30pm. It is a relatively informal evening and an opportunity to chat to fellow members over a drink. We hope many of you and your guests, will be able to attend.

The River Day – join us for some drinks and nibbles, including cake, down by the river on the Sunday 5th May at 16:00. An experienced member of the club will provide valuable insights into some of the best fishing spots and talk fly selection. This is always a fun and relaxed evening and we hope to see as many members there as possible.

The Spring barbeque will take place on Sunday 19th May at Great Springs.

The Autumn barbeque is provisionally set for Sunday 29th September, dependent on weather.

 

 

 

“The final week of the season was well attended, thanks to some generally drier weather and plenty of fish were caught.
We have various infrastructure repairs to attend to between now and opening day next year, so we are hoping for plenty more dry weather!
Wishing all members a very happy Christmas and tight lines in 2024. We look forward to seeing you again next season.”

– Andrew Thompson

River Rother in flood – photo by Andrew Thompson

“The wet autumn continues, members are still testing themselves in the challenging conditions. Successful flies last week included; cats whisker, black gnat, Montana, blood worm, daddy, blue flash damsel, white damsel and beetle.” – Andrew Thompson

“Some cold dawns have meant that the fish haven’t started feeding properly until mid morning in the past week. After that time, any fly from the box was producing success!”

Andrew Thompson

Rainbows of 6lb and 4lb 8ozs were caught from Luffs and Upper Figs respectively. A brown trout of 5lbs was caught and returned at Little Bognor.

“When members could dodge the rain, good fishing was to be had at all the lakes, with some large fish amongst those caught. Successful flies included: black gnat, GHRE, DDL, Palmer nymph, Montana, black beetle, bloodworm, Diawl Bach and damsel nymph.” – Andrew Thompson

Little Bognor – Photo by Andrew Thompson

“Despite rather murky conditions in the rainbow trout lakes, members enjoyed some good sport. Among the returns were a 6lb, 5.5lb and a 4lb fish. Once again, a large variety of flies proved successful including fry imitations, daddy-long-legs, Klinkhamer, various nymphs (mainly black-based) and Montana. “

Andrew Thompson