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The weather for much of the week was overcast and cooler than of late. The river temperature was 18 degrees centigrade and the fishing was good. An isolated downpour over the rainbow trout lakes on Friday restored the water levels and cooled the water by two degrees.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 12 occasions and caught 6 fish including two wild trout. All 6 fish were caught at Little Bognor, 4 were returned.

River – The river fished well during the early part of the week when the weather was a lot cooler and the overcast skies gave the fish respite from the intense summer sun. The trout rose well, even during the middle of the day, to occasional hatches of olives and for low flying damsels. Members visited the river on 22 occasions and caught a total of 28 fish, 24 of which were returned to the river including 3 wild fish. Six of the fish were over 2lbs.

The very hot weather has returned and fishing at dawn or dusk on the river will give the best chance of finding a rising fish.

The extreme heat and intense sunlight made fishing during the day very difficult. Fish were rising really well along the whole river from dawn until about 7:00am. There was the usual evening rise in the last half hour before dusk.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 19 occasions and caught 19 trout including 3 over 2lbs. Most of the fish were caught from the lakes at Little Bognor where the springs keep the water cooler than the other lakes. Of the 18 fish caught at Little Bognor, 11 were returned. Trout were rising at Little Bognor early this morning.

River – Members visited the river on 20 occasions and caught 25 trout, including 7 over 2lbs. Only 4 fish were retained. The fish were caught on a wide variety of flies and most fish were caught late in the evening. The river is well stocked and a visit in the evening should produce a fish or two.

The very hot weather, reaching over 30 degrees on Wednesday, made it difficult for the fish in most of the lakes. Little Bognor and the river were the most productive places to fish because of the cooler water.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 29 occasions and caught a total of 20 fish, all from Little Bognor where the water is cooler, 8 of which were returned. Two of the fish were over 2lb, a wild fish of 12ozs was also caught and returned.

River – Members visited the river on 22 occasions and caught 19 fish, 6 of which were over 2lbs. A fish of 3lb 8ozs was caught on Beat E, the Fish Pass.

In the continuing hot weather it will be best fishing in the early morning and late evening at either Little Bognor or the river.

The weather was hot throughout the week and so far this month the south east of England has had less than 10% of the normal June rainfall. The lakes and river have been stocked, some large fish have been released.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 43 occasions and caught a total of 12 fish, Little Springs was the most visited lake. Of the 6 fish caught at Little Bognor, 2 were returned to the lakes.

River – Members visited the river on 29 occasions and caught 29 fish, 15 were over 2lbs one of which weighed 3lb 8ozs. A wild trout and 24 stocked fish were returned to the river.

River Day – It was a successful afternoon with a mixture of new and old members attending. Members found the visit to the river useful, interesting and enjoyable. Poppett produced her customary fantastic refreshments, wine and a fine selection of cakes, along with a very useful map enabling the members to make notes as they moved along the river.

4lb 8oz from Little Bognor

The weather was hot and the wind was blustery, not the best conditions for fishing. Late afternoon and evening were the most productive times. The water temperature in the lakes rose but the fish continued to feed. The river had lost most of it’s colour. The lakes and river were restocked, some larger than usual trout were included in the stocking.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 38 occasions and caught a total of 16 trout. The best fish of the week, a 4lb 8ozs overwintered brownie, was caught at Little Bognor. A rainbow of 3lb 8ozs was caught at Lower Figgs. The high water temperature made the fish a little lethargic but trout could be found feeding in the margins on emerging damsel nymphs and buzzers.

River – Members fished the river on 26 occasions and caught a total of 25 fish including 3 fish over 2lb, a wild trout and a sea trout each weighing 1lb 8ozs. The trout were caught on a variety of nymphs and dry flies. Most fish were caught during the evening.

Chub 3lb 8ozs

River Day – If you wish to have a guided tour of the river and refreshments on Sunday afternoon, please inform Holly at the Estate Office so that suitable 4×4 transport can be arranged.

The weather was bright and warm all week encouraging members to visit the lakes and the river. The river level dropped and the water cleared. Mayflies continued to hatch along the river.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 45 occasions and caught a total of 31 trout, 7 of which were over 2lb. Of the 17 fish that were caught at Little Bognor, 11 were returned to the lakes. The trout were feeding well, taking adult flies and buzzers. The fish at Little Springs were patrolling the margins looking for roach fry. A stealthy approach, a light tippet and small flies were necessary for the surface feeding fish.

River – Members visited the river on 39 occasions and caught a total of 38 fish, 10 of which were over 2lbs and 2 were over 3lbs. Sea trout were seen at the fish pass and 4 wild trout were caught. Most of the fish were caught late in the evening from the beats at Keeper’s Bridge.

Orvis Day – The weekend weather was kind, there were rods to try out and a barbecue. About 30 people went along during the course of the day and everyone had an enjoyable time.

River Afternoon – If you would like to join the guided tour of the River Rother, starting at 2:30pm on Sunday 24 June, please tell Holly at the Estate Office so that adequate transport and refreshments can be arranged.

Lost – A silver and black priest, sun glasses on a lanyard and a box of flies have been found. They are on the top of the stuffed trout in the club house.

The heavy rain midweek cooled the lakes a little but made the river unfishable. Early in the week mayfly were hatching on the river in good numbers but the rain and the recent cold winds have put an end to the main hatch.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 40 occasions and caught a total of 33 trout including 2 over 2lbs. Little Bognor fished particularly well and the majority of the fish were caught there. Of the 24 trout caught at Little Bognor 18 were returned to the lakes. The trout at Little Springs and Little Bognor were free rising and a lot of the fish were caught on dry fly.

River – Members visited the river on 22 occasions despite the heavy rain midweek and caught a total of 33 trout including 6 over 2lbs and 5 wild fish. Beats C and D were very popular and 29 of the trout were caught from there. All the fish caught from the river were returned. The river is returning to its normal summer level and the water is clearing. The recent heavy rain should have encouraged sea trout to run up the river and next week may produce some big fish.

Orvis Day – On Saturday 9 June, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, Orvis are holding a demonstration day at Great Springs. It is an opportunity to try out some of their rods, particularly the Helios 3.

River Afternoon  – there will be a guided tour of the river on Sunday 24 June at 2:30pm starting from Andrew’s cottage at Rotherbridge. If you wish to go, please inform Holly at the Estate Office so that sufficient transport and refreshments can be arranged.

Orvis Chichester are holding a demonstration day at Great Springs on Saturday 9 June from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Hamish from Orvis Chichester, John from Orvis Farnham and Orvis Guide Brian Smart will be there to offer advice about some of the latest rods in the Orvis range including the new Helios 3 rods. The Recon and Superfine Carbon series of rods will also be available to try out.

Light refreshments will be provided in the clubhouse and guests are welcome to enjoy the scenery.

No booking is required, this is a free event open to all club members and Orvis customers.

The mayfly and olives continued to hatch in the warm humid weather and the midweek rain freshened up the lakes and river. Some good size fish were caught on both the lakes and the river.

Lakes – members visited the lakes on 45 occasions and caught a total of 42 fish including 7 over 2lbs. Great Springs and Little Springs were the most popular lakes. Of the 26 fish caught at Little Bognor, 22 were returned to the lakes.

River – Every beat on the river has now been stocked. The level and colour of the river were perfect and the fish finally switched on, probably because of the prolific mayfly hatches.  Members visited the river on 35 occasions and caught a total of 47 fish including 12 over 2lb and a 3lb sea trout. Several coarse fish were caught, the biggest being a 3lb 8oz chub. The river has been most productive in the late afternoon and evening. The fish are rising well to mayfly imitations.

Summer finally arrived and the Mayfly hatched in good numbers both at the lakes and the river.

Mike Rudd – A Service tree (Sorbus torminalis) had been planted near the hut at Great Springs in memory of Mike Rudd. Members gathered around the tree, where Lord Egremont welcomed Mike’s wife, Sally and the Rudd family, fondly remembering Mike’s long career on the estate.

Barbeque – The weather on Sunday was glorious, the members and their guests enjoyed the food, wine and fishing. The food was all eaten, several fish were caught and everyone went home happy.

Lakes – The lakes had been stocked with some good sized fish.  Members visited the lakes on 37 occasions and caught a total of 38 trout including fish of 4lb 6ozs and 3lb 7ozs. Members used a wide variety of flies, both dry and nymphs. Upper and Lower Figgs fished well. At Little Bognor, 8 of the 12 trout caught were returned to the lakes.

River – Members visited the river on 24 occasions and caught a total of 8 trout and a chub of 3lb 8ozs. There were good hatches of mayfly, olive and alder fly all week. The fish were all caught from Beat D, Rotherbridge. All the Beats have been stocked and the trout are rising well for mayfly imitations.

Please record the Beat you intend to fish when signing in as this enables members who arrive later to avoid stretches of river that have already been covered and helps when collating the catch returns.