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The changes in the weather didn’t discourage members from visiting the lakes but the trout had moved out of the shallow water and were difficult to find. The water at Little Springs and Lower Bognor was slightly coloured but the strong winds blew the autumn leaves into the margins clearing the surface of the lakes.

Members visited the lakes on 29 occasions and caught 14 trout, 5 of which were over 2lbs, including a fish of 3lb 2ozs from Luffs.

The cold east winds have driven the fish into deep water and a sinking line with a bright fly will produce the best results.

Lakes – members visited the lakes on 33 occasions and caught 47 trout, 19 of which were over 2lbs. Thirty five of the fish were caught at Little Bognor including 6 wild fish.

Members visited Great Springs on 12 occasions in search of the exceptionally large trout. Several trout over 2lbs were caught but the larger fish evaded capture. Searching the deeper water with a fry imitation such as a Cats Whisker or Appetizer will increase the chances of a personal best trout to finish the season.

 

The last three fishing days of the river season were very productive and members took advantage of the good weather to catch their last fish. The lakes looked beautiful with the trees showing off their autumn colours in the bright sunshine.

Lakes – Fish were rising at Little Bognor this morning and the fish in Great Springs were very active, taking buzzers in the shallows at the top of the lake. Members visited the lakes on 39 occasions and caught 30 trout, 10 of which were over 2lbs. Most of the fish were caught from Great Springs and Little Bognor.

River – In the last three days of the season members visited the river on 19 occasions and caught 17 fish. Fifteen of the fish were returned to the river and will hopefully be caught again next season. Nine of the fish were over 2lbs and one trout weighed 3lbs. Two sea trout were caught at Rotherbridge weighing 3lb and 2lb 8ozs. The exceptional sport therefore continued until the very end of the season.

Lost property – A dark green fleece was left at Keeper’s Bridge on the last day of the season and is now in the fishing hut at Great Springs for the owner to collect.

5 April – Above Keeper’s Bridge

Spring – the river season opened on Tuesday 3 April but high and coloured water prevented most members from fishing. No fish were caught from the river until the third week of April when two overwintered fish were caught at Rotherbridge. During the high water members who usually fish the river visited Little Bognor to take advantage of the catch and release trial. The bad weather continued into May and although there were good hatches of mayfly at the lakes, consistent sport on the river did not start until the second week of May.

28 May – The New Riffle

There were good hatches of mayfly during the warm humid weather. In late May the first sea trout was caught and there was a regular evening rise to mayfly spinners. By early June the river had dropped to the normal summer level but occasional rain encouraged more sea trout to run up the river.

2 June – Mayfly Spinner

Summer – The rain and cold winds in early June ended the main hatch of mayfly but they continued to appear sporadically until the end of the month. During the middle of June sea trout were seen in the fish pass. Members were consistently catching both wild and stocked fish in the evenings around Keeper’s Bridge. By mid June the bright sunshine and high water temperatures were starting to impact the fish and most of the trout were caught late in the evening. The majority of the stock fish caught were returned to the river.

By the end of the month the long hot summer had started. The South of England had less than 10% of the normal June rainfall. In early July the temperatures were over 30 degrees, the extreme heat and intense sunlight made fishing during the day very difficult. Only the cool spring fed lakes at Little Bognor and the river were productive. Dawn and dusk were the best times to fish the river. At those times there were good hatches of olives and midges. The hot weather continued through mid July to the end of the month when the temperature exceeded 35 degrees. After a brief spate a good sea trout of about 4lbs was caught and a bigger fish lost.

6 August at Keeper’s Bridge

During the first two weeks of August showers of rain caused the river to rise and fall but it remained fishable and members continued to catch trout on both nymphs and dry flies. By late August the night time temperatures had dropped and the fishing improved. A trout of 4lb 4ozs was caught and the most productive Beats were around Keeper’s Bridge. The Rother is known to be a ‘late’ river and we were all anticipating good sport during the Autumn.

29 September – Above Keeper’s Bridge

Autumn – clear skies and chilly nights at the start of September and occasional showers, refreshed the river. The streamer weed started to die back. Fishing was no longer confined to dawn and dusk. In the first week of September 41 fish were caught including 5 over 2lbs and 3 sea trout, the biggest of which was 6lbs.

8 September – Above the Fish Pass

Sea trout continued to be caught throughout the Autumn and the average size was 3 to 4lbs. The Autumn equinox was accompanied by storm force winds and heavy rain, several days fishing were lost. During October the fishing continued to improve, fish were taking deep sunk nymphs during bright days and occasionally rising for olives and midges when the weather was overcast. The penultimate week of the season produced 66 fish during perfect fishing weather. The river had lived up to its reputation for excellent sport late in the season.

15 October – Caught below Keeper’s Bridge

Catch and Release – the vast majority of the stock fish that were caught were returned to the river. Towards the end of the season the released fish became sensitive to shadows, drag and familiar flies. All of the wild trout and sea trout were released.

The Numbers – provisional figures for the season are as follows; 590 trout were caught plus 43 wild trout and 18 sea trout. The biggest sea trout was estimated at 6lbs. The total catch is a record for the river. On average the stocked fish were bigger and of excellent quality.

A high pressure system saw the end of the warm overcast weather and the start of frosty nights and cold bright days. The river fishing was excellent and some of the larger fish were caught from the lakes.

Lakes – members visited the lakes on 43 occasions and caught a total of 28 trout. Two trout over 6lbs were caught from Luffs and Great Springs. Of the 15 fish caught at Little Bognor, 9 were returned to the lakes.

River – members visited the river on 36 occasions and caught a total of 66 trout including one fish over 4lbs, two over 3lbs and 2 wild fish. The Rother is living up to its reputation as a ‘late’ river and members should visit the river before the end of the season for some exceptional sport.

 

The weather ranged from overcast with strong winds to bright sunshine and a warm breeze. The river was high and coloured for the first part of the week but has now dropped back to the normal level.

Lakes – members visited the lakes on 54 occasions and caught 50 trout including 14 over 2lbs. Most of the fish were caught from Great Springs. The exceptionally large fish have not yet been caught. Five of the 13 fish caught at Little Bognor were returned.

River – members visited the river on only 10 occasions because of the high water. A total of 10 fish were caught, mainly from Beat C at Keepers Bridge. Five of the fish were over 2lbs, 6 fish were returned.

If you intend to fish the river on 23 or 27 October please contact Andrew beforehand for advice about the shooting locations.

The last fishing day on the river is Wednesday 31 October in accordance with the Environment Agency bylaws. The statutory Close Season for the River Rother is 1 November to 2 April inclusive.

Would members fishing the river on 20, 23 and 27 October please contact Andrew nearer the time for advice about shooting, where and when it will take place.

The last day of fishing on the lakes is Friday 30 November with the exception of Upper Figgs which will close on 31 October because of shooting in that area.

 

 

 

The water temperature in the lakes and river has dropped to about 14 degrees and the trout are active. The lakes and river have been stocked, some exceptionally large trout have been stocked in the rainbow lakes. Leader and tippet breaking strain should be at least 6lb to avoid losing these big fish.

 

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 38 occasions and caught 31 trout including 5 over 2lbs. The stock fish have had time to settle and are moving on the surface. The last six weeks of the lake season will produce good sport.

River – Members visited the river on 18 occasions and caught a total of 30 fish including 2 good sea trout and two wild trout. Twenty eight of the trout were returned to the river. Six of the fish were over 2lbs. The river is fishing exceptionally well and after the spate caused by the weekend rain, should produce more late running sea trout.

The weather at the start of the week was perfect for fishing and lots of members took the opportunity to fish. Later in the week it was cold and very wet causing the river to rise slightly.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 28 occasions and caught 28 trout, half of which were over 2lbs. Upper Figgs fished well producing 12 of the fish. Of the 10 trout caught at Little Bognor 4 were returned.

Lower Figgs has been drained and will be left fallow to kill the weed.

River – Members visited the river on 27 occasions and caught 40 fish including 3 sea trout and one wild trout. Thirteen of the fish were over 2lbs and several were over 3lbs. The biggest sea trout was 5lbs. The majority of the fish were caught around Keepers Bridge and Rotherbridge.

The recent rain has encouraged the sea trout to run upstream and the last three weeks of the season provide members with a good opportunity to catch one.

Sea trout stay in the deep pools during the day and travel upstream during the night. A weighted fly fished deep, late in the afternoon and evening is a good tactic.

 

 

The weather last week was excellent for fishing. The river was at a good level and the water temperature of the lakes had dropped again. It was good to see members out in the autumn sunshine catching fish at both the river and lakes.

Lakes – Members fished the lakes on 46 occasions and caught 31 trout including 9 over 2lbs. Fish were caught at all of the lakes. Lower Figgs is being drained this week and left fallow over the winter to kill the weed.

River – Members fished the river on 20 occasions and caught 24 fish including 2 good sea trout and 2 wild fish. Fifteen fish were returned to the river. Fish were rising in the afternoon and into late evening. Black Gnat and Pheasant Tail nymphs were successful patterns. There are plenty of fish in the river and this afternoon they were rising frequently for midges.