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This update covers the last two weeks, from 7 September to 21 September.

It has been a good two weeks with better rod averages. Several large fish were caught on the river.  Hopefully the rain forecast for Wednesday will bring the sea trout up the river. None have been caught so far this year but they are downstream, ready and waiting for rain.

The rainbow lakes are cooling down and will be worth fishing from this weekend onwards. A member caught a couple of fish on Lower Figgs yesterday so some of the trout have survived despite the lakes having been so warm this summer.

Week commencing 7 September –

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 14 occasions and caught 11 trout, 6 of which were returned. One fish from Little Bognor weighed 3lb 8ozs, Black Gnat was a productive pattern.

River – Members visited the river on 18 occasions and caught 13 trout, 10 of which were returned including 3 wild fish. One fish was estimated at 3lbs. Good fly patterns were Grey Wulff, Pale Watery and Copper John.

Week commencing 14 September –

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 8 occasions and caught 12 trout, 11 of which were returned including 1 wild fish.

River – Members visited the river on 12 occasions and caught 20 trout, 14 of which were returned including 2 wild fish. The river produced four good fish estimated at 3lb, 3lb 8ozs and two at 4lb. Successful flies were GRHE, Hopper and Sedge.

This update covers the period from 25 August to 7 September.

River – members visited the river on 20 occasions and caught a total of 14 trout 11 of which were returned. Fish were caught from all Beats.

The settled weather in the next 10 days should produce good opportunities to catch, particularly in the evening.

Lakes – members visited the lakes on 20 occasions and caught a total of 9 trout only 1 of which was returned.

Trout were rising well yesterday evening at Little Bognor, taking buzzers at dusk. The fish are very spooky and a quiet approach is essential.

The next update will be at the end of the month.

This update covers the last two weeks, 10 – 24 August.

The extreme weather made it very difficult to catch trout. Now the extreme heat and storm Francis have passed, things should improve. The autumn has always been the best time to fish the river.

Lakes – members visited the lakes on 24 occasions and caught a total of 11 trout including some in the 3-4lb class. All of the fish were caught at spring-fed Little Bognor and were all returned to the lakes.

Gold Ribbed Hares Ear

River – members visited the river on 20 occasions and caught a total of 10 trout including 3 wild fish. All of the fish were returned.

Popular flies were Gold Ribbed Hares Ear (GRHE), Adams and White Moth.

I visited the river on Monday evening and caught two nice fish, over 2lbs. The water conditions were perfect but the wind was a little tricky. The trout were not rising but fishing a nymph deep under the trees or alongside the weeds produced two takes. Once the water level drops back, after Tuesdays rain, the fishing should be good.

The next update will be on Tuesday 15 September.

This update covers the last two weeks.

Lakes – during the last two weeks members visited the lakes on 16 occasions and caught a total of 18 trout including 15 from Little Bognor. Thirteen of the fish were returned.

River – during the last two weeks members visited the river on 32 occasions and caught a total of 39 trout, 33 of which were returned. A grayling and a perch were also caught.

The extremely hot weather made the fishing difficult but fish up to 4lb were tempted from the river. Successful flies were Klinkhamer, damsel nymph, grey wulff, cdc and size 16 parachute Adams.

The forecast cooler, wet weather should lower the water temperature and improve the fishing over the next two weeks

 

 

This update covers the last two weeks.

The hot weather has made the fishing difficult but now that things have cooled down a little and we have had some rain, the fishing should improve.

 

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 28 occasions during the last two weeks and caught 23 fish mainly from Little Bognor. Fourteen fish were returned.

River – Members visited the river on 27 occasions during the last two weeks and caught 41 trout, 34 of which were returned. Five trout over 3lbs were caught and a four pounder. Two wild fish were also caught. The most popular fly was the Grey Wulff.

The lakes and river are a haven for wildlife and these photos, all taken by Andrew Thompson, illustrate the variety of fauna that can be seen on the Estate.

Main photo – Green Sandpipers at Great Springs

Top right – Reed Bunting at the New Riffle

Bottom right – Stonechat at the New Riffle

Main photo – Cuckoo at Taylors Bridge

Top right – Roe Buck, Beat E

Bottom right – male Silver-Washed Fritillary at Great Springs

The river is looking beautiful at the moment and there were a few mayfly hatching in the evenings. Olives, sedges and midges are hatching in good numbers.

The fishing hut at Great Springs was opened on 4 July but the returns boxes around the lakes and the river remain closed. Please continue to send your returns to Emma at the Estate Office.

This update covers the last two weeks.

Members visited the lakes on 46 occasions and caught 27 trout, 6 of which were returned at Little Bognor.

3.5lb from the river at Keepers Bridge

Members visited the river on 44 occasions and caught 34 trout, 22 of which were returned including 4 wild fish. Two of the wild fish were about 3/4lb.

Last week the rainbow lakes’ water temperatures hovered around 20 degrees so Little Bognor and the river coped best. On the river, most success was achieved by fishing close to or on the river bed.

Three fish over 3lb were caught at the river and a sea trout, estimated 4-5lb was lost at the net.

When the trout are rising close to the bank, use the rushes and ferns for cover.

This summary covers the last two weeks.

Members visited the lakes on 61 occasions and caught a total of 64 trout, one of which was 3lb 8ozs from Luffs. Fourteen fish were returned at Little Bognor.

Members visited the river on 20 occasions and caught 10 trout, 7 of which were returned. The river level has varied over the last week and the rain forecast for the next few days might cause further changes.

Successful flies were PTN, Grey Wulff, Montana and Black Gnat.

The river was in perfect condition last week and trout could be found rising in the evening under the trees. They were very spooky and good presentation of the fly was essential. The water level was up a little but the slight colouration didn’t deter the fish from rising.

Lakes – members visited the lakes on 32 occasions and caught 47 trout including 33 fish from Little Bognor, all of which were returned. Fish were rising well this evening at Little Bognor and were taking both buzzers and dry flies.

River – a trout rose to take a sedge while I was admiring the view towards Perryfields Barn. The fish were rising freely but usually under the cover of the trees.

Members visited the river on 28 occasions and caught 20 trout, 17 of which were returned including 4 wild fish.

Successful flies this week were Klinkhammer, Daddy, GRHE, PTN, black buzzer and black nymph.

The recent rain and the rain forecast this week, should encourage sea trout to make their way up the river. Now is a good time to visit the Fish Pass.

Brian Smart held a casting clinic last Tuesday, focusing on the roll cast and its variations. It was well attended and Brian gave lots of good advice.

The weather last week was better for fishing with a few overcast days and a chilly north wind to cool the lakes. Light overnight rain caused the river to rise slightly and hopefully encouraged a few sea trout to run.

Lakes – members visited the lakes on 15 occasions and caught 14 trout mainly from Great Springs and Little Bognor. Lower water temperature and the overnight aeration should encourage the fish at Great Springs and Little Springs to feed and this is a good time to visit those lakes.

River – members visited the river on 18 occasions and caught 16 trout, only two of which were killed. Three wild fish were caught. Popular flies were Mayfly, GRHE nymph, sedge and shrimp. Fish were rising from Keepers Bridge to Perryfields yesterday evening, taking midges and sedge under the trees.

The river is looking lovely and the water is perfect for dry fly. It is worth a visit just to experience the scenery around the water meadows.

 

The very hot, bright weather made it difficult to find feeding fish. The cool breeze towards the end of the week made it a little easier, particularly in the evening. Mayfly were hatching along the river.

Lakes – new aerators have been installed at Great Springs and Little Springs, they operate during the night.

Members visited the lakes on 39 occasions and caught 20 trout, 12 of which were returned. Fish were caught from every lake except Lower Figgs. Catch and release has been suspended at the rainbow lakes but continues at Little Bognor.

River – members visited the river on 21 occasions and caught 19 trout, 18 of which were returned including 4 wild fish.

The gate at Kilsham Farm, giving access to Keepers Bridge and Taylors bridge, is shut and locked at 10:00pm, please ensure that you have left the river before then.

Members are reminded that dogs are not permitted at the river.

Please display the club stickers in your car when fishing.