Blog

6 November

IMG_6563

Lakes – The autumn colours around the lakes are spectacular. The more settled weather encouraged members to make the most of the last month of the season. There were 29 visits to the lakes and 13 trout were caught including 4 fish over 2lbs. The fish were caught at Great Springs, Little Springs and the top lake at Little Bognor.

There were lots of trout rising at Little Bognor late this afternoon. A long leader, a fine tippet and small flies are recommended as the fish are very shy.

lowerfiggs01

Lower Figgs is empty and it is hoped to start work excavating the lake next week.

1 November

Lakes – The cold nights lowered the water temperature and the trout became much more active. Members visited the lakes on 20 occasions and caught 18 trout including 7 over 2lbs and 2 wild fish from the top lake at Little Bognor. The fish in Little Springs were very active this afternoon, four were caught in a brief period at lunch time.

memberfishing

River – The season on the river ended today. Over the last nine days members visited the river on 34 occasions and caught 19 trout including 2 over 2lbs and one fish of 3lbs.

 

23 October

Lakes – The tail end of a hurricane, red dust from the desert and torrential rain discouraged people from fishing. The lakes were visited on 17 occasions and 4 trout were caught. Low water temperature and good levels of dissolved oxygen are encouraging the fish to feed. This afternoon several trout were rising to hatching buzzers on both lakes at Little Bognor. Lower Figgs in now completely empty and drying out.

IMG_1852

River – During the weekend the water level was at it’s highest since March. Bad weather also kept members away from the river earlier in the week. Members visited the river on 10 occasions and caught 5 fish, one of which was over 2lb. No sea trout or wild trout were caught. The season on the river ends next Tuesday and there are plenty of fish to be caught if the weather is kind.

 

16 October

IMG_6383

Lower Figgs

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 25 occasions and caught 6 trout, 3 of which were over 2lbs. A trout of 4lb was caught from Little Bognor.

Lower Figgs has been drained so that the silt and weed can be removed. The lake will be left to dry out, excavated and refilled well before the start of next season.

IMG_6363

A wild trout

River – The weather was good and the river level allowed members to fish each day. Members visited the river on 31 occasions and caught 33 trout including 14 over 2lbs, a sea trout of 4lbs and 4 wild trout. Most of the fish were caught from Beat D, Rotherbridge.

Fishing on the river ends on 31 October.

9 October

stockinglbognor

Lakes – The weather was perfect for fishing and members responded by visiting the lakes on 49 occasions catching 12 trout including 3 fish over 2lb and a brown trout over 3lb from Little Bognor. The lakes at Little Bognor have been stocked and will remain open until the end of November.

IMG_6298

River – The water level changed throughout the week but members were able to fish the river on 17 occasions and caught 16 fish including 11 trout over 2lbs and 1 over 3 lbs. Most of the fish were caught from Beat D, Rotherbridge.

2 October

Lakes – Members visited the lakes on 33 occasions and caught 22 trout, mainly from Little Springs. The Committee met to discuss the maintenance of the lakes and decided to drain Great Springs and Lower Figgs to remove the weed and silt. The weed in Luffs will be treated. To ensure that the work is completed before the start of next season Lower Figgs will be drained immediately and Great Springs will be drained in November. Fishing on the other lakes and the river will continue as usual.

IMG_5823small

River – Members visited the river on 15 occasions and caught 13 trout. No wild trout or sea trout were caught. Fishing on the river finishes on Tuesday 31 October.

25 September

Lakes – The Autumn weather made a big difference to the water temperature and the fish became more active. Consequently the fishing improved. Members visited the lakes on 26 occasions and caught 23 trout, 11 of which were over 2lb. The majority of the fish were caught from Great Springs and Upper Bognor. The fish were caught on a wide variety of flies including Pheasant Tail, Grey Wulff and Black Gnat. The club’s Committee are meeting this week to discuss Aquascience’s report on the condition of the lakes and to approve this winter’s work.

IMG_6059

River – The river level changed throughout the week but it was fishable on most days. Members visited the river on 26 occasions and caught 26 trout, including 6 wild trout and 5 fish over 2lb. A trout over 3lb was caught from Beat D, Rotherbridge. Members caught trout on both dry flies and nymphs. Successful patterns included GRHE, Black Nymph, Red Tag, Adams and Grey Wulff.

18 September

Lakes – The Autumn weather reduced the water temperature and improved the level of dissolved oxygen in the lakes. The fish were feeding and behaving normally. Great Springs and Little Springs were stocked again last week and the number of fish in those lakes is now higher than at the start of the season. The fish in Luffs were feeding well. The Aqua Science report about the water quality in the lakes and their recommendations for improvement, has been received. Members visited the lakes on 19 occasions and caught 9 trout, 4 of which were over 2lb.

stockingGS

River – The rain last week caused the river to repeatedly rise and fall. Despite the conditions members visited the river on 21 occasions and caught 14 fish including 7 over 2lb and a wild trout. Several big sea trout were hooked and lost in the weir pool.

stockingriver

The river has also been stocked. The stock fish are slightly larger than normal and with this weeks settled weather conditions, the fishing should be good.

11 September

Lakes – The water temperature dropped a couple of degrees during the week which increased the level of dissolved oxygen. The chilly nights and Autumn weather benefitted the trout which have become more active. The weed continued to die back and only two fish were found dead. Trout were rising at Luffs and taking nymphs confidently. Members visited the lakes on 16 occasions and caught 1 trout. As the water cools and the fish start feeding again, the catch returns will improve.

IMG_5584

River – The weather conditions which benefitted the lakes, made the river fishing more demanding. The downstream wind made it difficult to present a fly accurately. Despite the difficult conditions it was another exceptional week. Members visited the river on 26 occasions and caught 23 trout including two small wild fish. Five of the trout were over two pounds. The river is currently in flood but the level is dropping and it should be fishable again by Thursday.

4 September

Lakes – The weather last week was very unsettled, hot sunshine, rain and wind. The water temperature in Great Springs dropped to 18 degrees and with shorter daylight hours, the weed started to die back. Dissolved oxygen levels in Great Springs and Little Springs were low and that made the fishing difficult. Members visited the lakes on 18 occasions and caught only 1 trout.

Aqua Science Ltd., specialists in fishery management, visited the lakes and made recommendations about the weed and water quality.

IMG_5535small

River – The river was not adversely effected by the changeable weather and continued to fish well. Members visited the lower beats on 24 occasions and caught 9 fish including a small sea trout and a wild brown trout.

The river level can be checked before you leave home by using the ‘River Level’ icon on this page which links to the Environment Agency Monitoring Station at Iping Mill.