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A quieter week on the fishery. Mayfly were abundant around the lakes and were starting to show on the river. One member had a great 45 minutes on the river, catching 5 wild trout in that time.

Successful flies included:

Rainbow trout lakes: Mayfly, Klinkhammer, Green dancer, Grey Wulff, Black gnat, Ally McCoist, Buzzer, Beetle, Daddy, Spider, Hopper

Brown trout lakes: As above, plus Oliver emerger, BFD

River: PTN, Brown Klinkhammer, GRHE, Shrimp, BFD, Olive nymph

Andrew Thompson

The mayfly have a civilised life cycle, the nymphs make their way to the surface around noon. The duns flutter into the air and head for the nearest vegetation. The date on which the mayfly season starts is largely determined by the length of daylight hours. Other factors play a minor role. My diary entries record mayfly hatching at Little Springs on 30 April or 1 May consistently for over 10 years. The hatches are later on the Rother and last until late June.

Nigel Rainton

The past week was one of frosty mornings and warm days. The lakes continued to fish well. Activity started on the river, with one member catching three wild fish on a shrimp imitation, indicating the trout are still looking down rather than up at the moment.

Successful flies:

Rainbow trout lakes: Klinkhammer, Daddy, GRHE, various buzzers, Elk hair sedge, Dry hawthorn and mayfly, PTN, Spider, Grey Wulff.

Brown trout lakess: Klinkhammer, various buzzers, Snipe and Purple, Sedge, Shrimp, Griffiths gnat, Daddy.

Andrew Thompson

Whilst the rainbow trout lakes continued to fish well, the brown trout ponds became more challenging. The river continued to be extra challenging, with only a few tugs so far. Even with the current frosty mornings, large numbers of sand martins are now working the river meadows, indicating increasing fly-life.

Productive flies on the stillwaters:

Rainbow trout lakes: Various dry flies, PTN, GRHE, Various buzzers, Black gnat, Ally McCoist, Montana, Palmer nymph, Grey Duster, Daddy, Alder fly, Griffith gnat, BFD, Mayfly nymph.

Brown trout lakes: CDC Shuttlecock, Montana, Daddy, PTN, Klinkhammer, Diahl Bach. CDC buzzer

Andrew Thompson

Another good week on the lakes, though a little more challenging. The opening week on the river was quiet, with fly life only just starting to become active.

Migrant birds started to arrive: nightingale was heard and house martins, swallows and whitethroats seen.

Productive flies on the stillwaters included:

Rainbow lakes: PTN, Emergers(Possum), Daddy (dry and wet), Olive nymph, BFD, Ally McCoist, Buzzer, CDC Black / March Brown, Grey Wulff, Montana, Klinkhammer, GRHE.

Brown trout lakess: Dry Hawthorn, Sedge, CDC shuttlecock emergers, Copper John, Hopper

Andrew Thompson

The cold yet fine, settled weather continued, giving good conditions for some fine sport. Upper Figgs is now ready to fish again, on a catch and keep basis.

Our section of the Rother opened at the weekend. Let’s hope for a superb spring like last season!

Successful flies used last week included:

Rainbow trout lakes: GRHE, Damsel, Montana, Adams, Ally McCoist, Buzzer, Black nymph, Daddy, Olive nymph, PTN, Klinkhammer, Alexandra, Butcher, Bloodworm

Brown trout lakes: Buzzer, Beaded GRHE, Coachman, Damsel, Viva

Andrew Thompson

The second week of the season brought some great sport throughout the fishery.

Successful flies included:

Rainbow lakes: Dry daddy, GRHE, BF Damsel, Mallard Express, Buzzer, Montana, Ally McCoist, PTN, Dry BWO, Deers hair Emerger

Brown trout lakes: Olive nymph, Ally McCoist, Beaded BFD, Perdigon, Cats Whisker, Copper John, GRHE.

Upper Figgs has refilled and will become available for fishing again this week. This will be a catch and take water only.

Fishing on the Rother will recommence on April 3rd.

Andrew Thompson

A great opening to the season! Blessed by generally good weather, more members than usual enjoyed the first week.

Most flies that members tried were productive, including:

Rainbow trout lakes: Black daddy, buzzer, PTN, Black & Burgundy, Yellow Fritz, BFD, Bloodworm, Montana, Black GRHE, Black beetle, Black spider, Orange shrimp .

Brown trout lakes: buzzer, Montana, BFD, Ally McCoist, Perdigon, Beaded Olive nymph, Red collar PTN, Duracell .

Upper Figgs should be back in action next week, whilst the river will start, as always, on April 3rd.

Andrew Thompson

The Annual General Meeting on Thursday 12 March was very well attended, everyone enjoyed Andrew Thompson’s talk about the River Rother and the finger food, a big thank you to Poppet and her helpers.

The weather on Saturday 14 March was kind and some members had lunch in the sun while others made the most of a gentle breeze and willing fish which were in excellent condition.

On Sunday the weather changed and the strong south westerly wind meant that the lakes were quiet. Little Bognor was sheltered and fished well on Sunday morning.

Weekly catch returns will start next week.

Nigel Rainton

including a fish of 5lb 4ozs from Great Springs

“A great final week of the season on the lakes, rounded off with an incredibly beautiful last afternoon, with most people having some fine sport.

We look forward to seeing you all again next March – details to follow in the new year!“

Andrew Thompson

Including a fish of 4lb 4ozs from Great Springs

“The penultimate week of our season saw members concentrating on the rainbow trout lakes.

Successful flies were:
Rainbow trout lakes: Daddy, PTN, BFD, Buzzer, Tadpole, various lures
Brown trout lakes: GRHE
Have a great time in this last week!”

Andrew Thompson

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