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Mayfly spinner at Little Springs

4lbs+ from Little Bognor

“The sporadic rain showers, though sometimes annoying, are having the useful effect of keeping the water relatively cool compared to the same period over the last two years. Even so, the water temperature reached 15 degrees centigrade last week which means that even more care is needed when releasing fish (thank you!). The lakes were a little more challenging last week, while the river, after a slow start, provided some notable sport for members.

Some successful flies recorded this week were:
Lakes: Black Klinkhammer, Olive emerger, Mayfly, Grey Wulff, Sedge, Mini daddy, Green Montana, BFD, Hawthorn, Bloodworm, Black beetle and PTN.
River: Mayfly nymph, Mayfly and Damsel”

Andrew Thompson

All photos courtesy of Andrew Thompson

“Fly life throughout the fishery really gathered momentum this week with many members catching on dry flies. Grey Wulff and buzzer were recorded as the most successful flies.
The spring barbecue was blessed with beautiful weather to complement the fine dining! Members had an opportunity to try out an interesting selection of Orvis rods.”

Andrew Thompson

Little Springs

Header image – male mayfly spinner at Little Springs

“A warm, sometimes hot week, encouraged some good hatches giving members some great sport. Successful flies included parachute Adams, GRHE, black gnat, daddy, Caenis, Klinkhammer, grey Wulff, olive emerger, Copper John, mayfly nymph, mayfly dry and stonefly nymph.
The Club’s Spring barbecue will be this Sunday, May 19th; please ensure you have notified Krysia if you intend to come.” – Andrew Thompson.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Thompson

A group of Mandarin duck bachelors at Great Springs

Last weeks rain kept the lakes’ water temperature down.
Members enjoyed the mayfly activity last week, both on the lakes and the river. The river, though coloured and slightly high, is fishable and will continue to improve this week.

A Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear (GRHE) is a good imitation of a buzzer at the lakes or a shrimp on the river, a useful fly to have in your box.

“An excellent week on the lakes but we are having to postpone Sundays river day as both river and bank conditions will be far from ideal. The river is flooded now and although this water will drop in the coming days, further heavy rain is forecast for Thursday. The river will, unfortunately, almost certainly be at bank-full or over again for this weekend.”

The new date for the river day is: Sunday July 7th

Andrew Thompson

Chilly spring afternoon at Springs ! Fish were rising all weekend along the downwind bank taking buzzers just under the surface. A black buzzer or small nymph caught a lot of fish.

This time next week the first mayflies should have appeared at Little Springs. The length of daylight hours determines when they first appear.

Natural fly life is gradually increasing in this cold period and some members have been catching on the dry fly. The river is almost back to its normal level and turbidity is decreasing rapidly.

“A productive and sporting week on the lakes, with fish coming to a great variety of flies, over 20 different flies were recorded on the returns sheets.

The river is still settling after recent flooding and will soon be back to normal levels for the time of year. Trout have been seen rising but none have been caught yet. The first invertebrate survey of the year took place on the Beat D riffle, showing a healthy representation of underwater life. Olive, damsel and mayfly nymphs, were all present, with stone clingers and shrimps in very large numbers.

200 alder saplings were planted to help stabilise the river banks and to provide shade.” – Andrew Thompson

“Members enjoyed good sport on all the lakes this week, including a 4lb rainbow trout at Lower Figgs and a lovely 5lb brown caught at Little Bognor. Successful flies included Copper black, Colonel creeper, various damsels, GRHE, buzzer, Montana, black, white, green nymphs and Greenwell’s Glory.

Unfortunately, the river valley remained flooded all week, though now it is returning to normal and should be fishable by mid-week. Please remember to drive extra slowly through Kilsham Farm.

Despite the earlier river flooding, spring is showing signs of returning, with cuckoo, nightingale and swallow seen on the estate this week.

One member left the Tillington road carpark near Lower Figgs with his rod resting unattached to the roof of his car. If anyone sees it there, or along the roadside towards Lurgashall, please report to me, thank you!“

Andrew Thompson

“There were some pleasant intervals between bouts of cold wind and heavy rain last week. Some members caught on the dry fly.

The river over-topped again, so Wednesday’s opening day may be tricky. However, it should be more fishable towards the end of the week. Do give me a call to check on conditions.” – Andrew Thompson

Welcome back everyone!

An excellent opening week of the season, with the weather being better than we had hoped. As usual, a great variety of flies were successful, though the colour black in most forms, worked consistently .

A reminder to members that our river season for trout begins April 3rd.

Andrew Thompson

The AGM at the Leconfield Hall was well attended and after club business had been conducted, we all enjoyed a talk by Andy Thomas, the Wild Trout Trust’s Conservation Officer for the South East.

The talk was followed by drinks and excellent nibbles provided by our Chairman, Poppet Hosp, thank you Poppet.

Nigel Rainton