The Complete Fisher Forum

[Allrounder]

For various reasons I haven't been able to get down to the levels this year but a window of opportunity appeared today which saw me pulling into the car park at 9am. By all accounts the fly piking has been very good since Christmas due to the lack of rain so I was hoping to catch up on lost time. The weather was bright early on although there was more cloud later and the water clarity was about as good as it gets on this venue due to the peat in the surrounding countryside. The only downside was the wind which although not particularly strong by Levels standards was blowing directly across the drain into my face.

I had tied up a large black fly with copper flashabou which my mate Jack always does well with when we fish together but for the first mile or so along the bank I didn't get a pull. At around 8 inches or so it was difficult to get any distance in the brisk wind which didn't help my confidence but then I got a solid take about a third of the way across that resulted in my first pike of the session. It was a small fish at around 3lbs but i was just relieved to get the blank out of the way!

I was expecting to have to walk a long way to find my fish and that was certainly the case today but the next hour or so made it worthwhile as another 3 fish came to the net which I estimated at around 6lb each. However the 'in your face' wind had picked up and was now seriously messing with my casting but soon the drain took a right turn which put the wind in a more left to right direction which helped. The downside was the wind created waves which stirred up the silt which meant the clarity deteriorated markedly.

I never had another pull for the next hour or two in the murky water so I decided to turn back and head to the clearer water again and change my fly to a smaller white pattern with cock hackles to help combat the wind. This proved to be a good move and the white fly produced another 4 fish including my best fish of around 8lb which smashed into my fly on the hang just as i was about to lift off.

I eventually arrived back at the car at around 6pm just as dusk arrived feeling completely knackered due being on the move all day, but happy to get 8 fish to the net which is probably my best return from this venue for a number of years. All the fish were in great shape and none had been 'ottered' (part of its tail fin missing) although there was plenty of empty swan mussel shells along the bank which suggest otters are present. Let's hope they prefer a shellfish diet!

Until next time ...

Alan
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Member of ...
The Angling Trust
BRFFA
B.A.S.S.
Pike Fly Fishing Association

If you see me on the bank, say hello!

[Fryfishing]

Eight pike on the fly is a good/great result.
Plus you did your 10k steps for the day.
P
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Floating Lines, buzzers, nymphs, stick floats, maggots and throwing lures at bitey things.

https://youtube.com/channel/UCi3uvEhBwv-hz0eGtrNtQgw

[drsixty7]

Cracking report as usual Alan and a great 8 fish total 👏👏👏👏👏
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From.a silk purse to a pigs ear

[montanajoe]

Well done Alan. Stockie bashing for pike!!!

Iain
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Visit Everything stops for tea

[Allrounder]

[lakefisher]

Good report on a successful trip Alan.

Looking forward to our first Chew trip - we can then see if your flies work there ....... Tony
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Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.