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“Various mayfly and olive patterns were predominantly recorded as being successful over the past week, along with black nymph, PTN, daddy, buzzer and cdc emerger. It was an exceptional week on the river, with fish rising to the mayfly throughout. Adding to the spectacle were many chattering sand martins taking advantage of the bountiful food supply, hawking low over the water, skilfully avoiding members’ lines. The number of wild trout showing was particularly encouraging.“

Andrew Thompson

“The club barbeque at Springs was a great success, the sun shone, trout rose for mayfly, much food and drink was consumed. Many thanks to Poppett for organising the event and for her magnificent cakes. Thanks also to all those who helped with the preparation, the cooking and the clearing up.”

Nigel Rainton

“The ponds continued to fish well this week, despite the water temperature approaching 18 degrees centigrade. Yesterday night’s rain should provide a welcome check on this temperature rise. “

“A much more productive week on the river, with the unusually settled, warmer and drier conditions in the catchment helping to boost invertebrate abundance and diversity. Particularly encouraging in this month’s riverfly survey was the marked increase in blue-winged olive nymphs (none were recorded when surveys began 10 years ago, with only the odd one showing up in the last two years). Our trout have plenty to eat! “

Part of this month’s river invertebrate survey on the river, showing abundance of olive, mayfly and blue-winged olive nymphs, caseless caddis, stoneclingers and shrimps.

Male minnow in breeding condition – a large shoal was evident at one of the survey areas.

Andrew Thompson

Riffle on Beat C

“Members had to diversify their fly choice even further this week to tempt a take; hundreds of tadpoles were providing abundant natural food. Successful flies included sedge, grey Wulff, daddy, black klinkhammer, buzzer, gnat, dry mayfly, caddis and olive …  white nymph, green montana, Ally McCoist, PTN and damsel.

Not many fished the river, which proved very challenging. Riverfly monitoring revealed very high numbers of both shrimp and olive nymphs – rising fish were only really showing in the late evening.“

Andrew Thompson

One successful member’s observations this week: “ … as the fish become more wary, they are often taking gentle sips at the fly and not always committing ….  I’ve found that once I’ve worked out what the fish will follow colour-wise, I just keep going smaller and smaller until they commit. Black and green or green and black seem to work well at the moment … ” 

Andrew Thompson

Andrew Thompson is on holiday.

Bank stabilisation at the new riffle

As the fishing on the rainbow trout lakes becomes more challenging, the river season has opened, adding another dimension and further options to our members. Olives and the occasional mayfly have already been seen here, along with bountiful alder beetles. Successful flies this week were daddy, black nymph and green woolly bugger. Over-wintered stock fish and wild browns are currently the targets; fresh stocking will commence at the end of the month.“

Andrew Thompson

“Andrew is away until April 21st. During his absence, you may see different faces patrolling the lakes and river; if you have any problems, in the first instance please ask/ ring one of them.“

Ruth Childs: 07990 843065

Matt Pitts: 07525 248234

Krysia Bylett

LFC  Adminstration Assistant

Krysia.bylett@leconfieldestates.co.uk

www.leconfieldestates.co.uk

The Estate Office, Park Road, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0DU

Tel: 01798 342 502

“The dry, settled weather continues, providing excellent conditions on the club’s waters. As some fish become more cunning, one regular member has found increased success by fishing deeper, using smaller flies like shrimp, perdigon and mini Montana (size 12-14). 

The river opens this week, on the usual date of April 3rd.“

Andrew Thompson

Volunteers clearing litter on the River Rother.

Little Bognor

“It was a perfect week for fishing, a mixture of spring sunshine and grey overcast, light winds and warm temperatures. I visited all the lakes and was pleased to meet several new members. The fish are in excellent condition and fight hard, all the way to the landing net. “

– Nigel Rainton

“Welcome to the start of another season at Leconfield Flyfishing Club!
We had an excellent first week, the mainly settled weather conditions continued and a good proportion of our members were able to come and enjoy some great early season fishing. A large number of fly patterns were tried and most were successful. Most fish caught were around the 3lb. mark.”

– Andrew Thompson

Great Springs

“The opening weekend of the Club saw the happy return of many members and their guests, along with the first visits for several new members.

The period of fine, settled weather provided good conditions and opportunities for all, with 47 members catching 168 fish over the first two days. Popular flies included GRHE, PTN, both black and white nymphs, blue flash damsel and daddy long legs.” – Andrew Thompson

“On Saturday I took my grandson to Great Springs for some casting practice and hopefully a trout. He caught two fish before the cold wind made casting too difficult for him. I visited Great Springs again late Sunday afternoon and was surprised to have the lakes to myself. I fished into the wind over deep water with a weighted Gold Ribbed Hares Ear and caught three trout in excellent condition.

Catch returns will resume each week throughout the season.” – Nigel Rainton

Annual General Meeting

Miles Costello

The meeting on Friday 14 March was very well attended by members and their guests.

After club business had been conducted,  Miles Costello gave a very interesting presentation about the history of Rotherbridge and Coultershaw which he illustrated with many photographs from the archive.

Later, members chatted over drinks and canapes, many thanks to the Poppet Hosp for organising the refreshments.