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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.

The weather during the week was settled and very good for fishing. The bright sunny days, cool mornings and evenings encouraged members to visit both the lakes and the river.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 63 occasions and caught 65 trout, 14 of which were over 2lb. At Little Bognor 42 fish were caught, 27 of which were returned to the lakes. Two wild trout were caught and returned.

River – The river level dropped but the colour of the water made it difficult for the trout to see members flies. Members visited the river on 27 occasions but no trout were caught. Hopefully the river level will continue to drop and the water will clear before the end of this week.

The barbeque on Sunday is an opportunity to bring a guest, chat with other members and catch a trout or two. The weather forecast for Sunday looks good.

The weather last week was great for fishing and even the Bank Holiday weather was lovely. The lakes looked magnificent and the river level had dropped.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 56 occasions and caught 57 fish, 26 of which were over 2lb. The best fish of the week was a blue trout of 3lb 4oz from Little Springs. The first Mayfly was seen at the lakes on 3 May and there were good hatches of Alder fly and Hawthorn fly all through the week. The fish were rising on all the lakes and quite a few fish were caught on dry flies. At Little Bognor 24 fish were caught and 13 were returned.

River – Members visited the river on two occasions and no fish were caught. The river level is dropping and the colour is disappearing. During bright sunny days the trout shelter under the banks and hide among the tree roots. Fishing the margins on both sides of the river with a Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, a Black Pennel or a Red Tag should produce a fish or two. Particularly under the alder and willow trees. Early morning and late evening are the most productive times during the summer.

The EA river level gauge at Iping Mill has been giving spurious readings. If you wish to know the state of the river before travelling to fish, please phone Andrew Thompson whose details are on the ‘Contacts’ page.

Please contact the Estate Office if you are going to the barbecue and tell Holly or Mark as it helps with the catering if the number of people attending is known.

Unfortunately the weather did not reflect the forecast and cold, wet, windy days kept members from fishing. The lakes are in good condition and are fully stocked with trout of a higher than usual size. If members brave the unseasonal weather, good sport can be had at all the lakes.

Lakes – Last week members visited the lakes on 34 occasions and caught 32 trout. Great Springs and Little Springs were the most productive lakes. The average size of the fish was good, 19 of the 32 fish were over 2lb and several were over 3lb. Of the 10 fish that were caught at Little Bognor, 8 were returned.

River – The initial stock of chalk stream reared trout were introduced to the river last week but the heavy rain at the start and end of the week kept the river level high and the water too coloured for fishing.

Members visited the river on 2 occasions mid-week but no fish were caught.

The weather throughout the week was glorious. Temperatures reached the mid-seventies but the water in the lakes retained its chill and the trout were very active.

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 83 occasions and caught a total of 64 trout. Little Springs received the most visits and of the 13 fish that were caught there, 10 were over 2lb. Little Bognor remained popular, a total of 27 fish were caught from the two lakes and of those, 25 were returned. The trout at Little Bognor are becoming quite fussy, they are feeding throughout the day but a stealthy approach and small flies are required. The most productive flies were buzzers and small dry flies such as Adams. Fish were rising well on Lower Figgs, taking buzzers and Alder flies.

River – The river level dropped mid-week and the water lost some of its colour. Members visited the river on 21 occasions and caught 2 trout, both over-wintered stock fish. Both fish were caught at Rotherbridge. The recent thunder storms caused a small increase in the water level but this week it will drop and give members a good chance of a fish or two. Fishing the margins with a weighted nymph is likely to be the best approach.