The Complete Fisher Forum

[arkle]

You might be able to get somewhere near it with a combination of flylines with maybe a polyleader + a careful selection of tippet material(s)
_________________
Hi there, I have around 40 yrs exp. of tying flies, incl. some semi-pro work. I've taught at adult evening classes, written for and supplied photos for most U.K. fly magazines. Given talks/slide shows/lectures/demonstrations etc. Am founder and life pres. of local Fly Dressers Guild (27years), our members have won more prizes for tying than any other similar club, we've also won several national flyfishing comps. I look forward to both learning from and contributing to this highly respected forum.

[Allrounder]

As the weather forecast wasn't too discouraging I decided to fish Chew yesterday morning and as I crossed over the dam I thought I'd check the water level. I can't say I was too surprised the find the lake is now at top level given all the rain we've had!


On the advice of the Lodge I decided to try Wick first where I found two guys who had been there since dawn. One reported that he had caught a 'couple' but unlike earlier in the week he felt the going was 'slow'. His mate reported a couple of pulls so I decided to give it a go. After tackling up two #7 rods with fast glass and a sink tip lines respectively I was pleased to see the first guy lift into a fish as I walked past him to my spot which is always a good sign! The weather was OK - raining (of course! ) but with a light to non existent wind from the South East.

Back casting can be a little restrictive further away from the car park at Wick so I found myself having to wade out in the gin clear water to give myself a little room. I started with the fast glass with Boobies fished slow and after 20 mins or so I had my first tentative plucks but it didn't lock on. One of the other guys then lost a fish before we had a purple patch of around 20 mins where he caught one, his mate also caught and lost one and I lost 2 before things went very quiet again. The local guys then called it a morning at 12.30 but I continued for another hour with no joy before deciding to try pastures new.

It was a toss up between Woodford and Walley but Woodford won and soon I was putting out a line on the spot next to the trees. I noticed that here the water was carrying some colour due to the recent Southerlies but it was nothing to worry about and as I had the bank to myself, I decided to fish my way along to the Lodge with the fast glass. Unfortunately nothing happened until half way along when I changed my point fly to a Black Snake Booby which resulted in some tugs that didn't lock up. Soon after the same thing happened again but when I lifted into it my tippet came back minus the fly. A pike.

After that I changed back to a Black Booby and moved along the bank where at last I got a solid pull but it threw the hook again. At that point I was starting to believe it wouldn't be my day but then a decent Rainbow grabbed the White Booby on the dropper in the margin on the hang and after a very spirited display I managed to net and release it. I carried on for another 40 minutes with no further excitement so as the light was starting to fade I decided to call it a day.

Saturday is our last chance to fish the Bristol reservoirs so has anyone got any plans to fish? I'm planning on one more trip which will be either Friday or Saturday.

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

If you see me on the bank, say hello!

[Doombar]

Hi Al. I had my last trip of the season yesterday. Fished Woodford. Several folk already there populating it from the trees end, and one had caught several early on but it had all gone a bit quiet by the time I got there (as usual) at 10.00.

I set up further along on the bit that sticks out furthest and where there was a nice right to left ripple. Started with lures on the slime but nothing and I was contemplating a move but decided to try a couple of casts with the nymphs just slowly drifting em around on the breeze. It had worked on the tanks last week so why not. First cast and as the flies came in close it all went heavy and what I thought was weed thumped the rod tip. Turned out to be a 2 pounder, badly pike marked.

Decided to stay there as voices carrying on the breeze were saying it was a bit quiet all round, and I was enjoying the conditions, even a bit warm in the sun. After a while a slow tightening resulted in another 2 pounder, this one in superb condition & he also went back. Apart from a couple of tentative taps that was it for the action & I packed in just after 2. A nice way to finish the year though with a brace, one on the red DB & one on black buzzer.

Looking forward to next year already, hoping its somewhere near as good as this one has been. Many thanks & a very well done to John & all the BW staff.

[Allrounder]

After consulting the weather forecast I decided to make today my last day of the season. As expected it turned out to be a glorious day with a light Easterly wind so like Colin I decided to start on the Woodford Bank. There were a couple of anglers already fishing including one in the spot next to the trees just down from the car park and another by the point Colin mentions so I decided to get in around 30 yards to his left.

As usual I started on the #7 with a fast glass and boobies and after 20 minutes or so I had my first couple of tugs but they were a half hearted affair and didn't lock up. Then a guy called Andy who was on his 3rd ever fly fishing trip got in to my left and as he was new to fly fishing, I decided to pass on a few words of advice. However he didn't need it because as I was talking his rod pulled over and he was into a fish! So what do I know?

By 1pm I had only two pulls to show for my effort and although a couple of guys had a few by the trees, the rest of us along the bank were struggling so I decided it was time to move. For reasons best known to myself I had a look at Nunnery but didn't feel it would happen there so I ended up on Walley for the final 2 hours.

Normally I have done well at the end of the season from this bank but it seemed dead today. But then as the sun began to sink behind the trees the odd fish or two started to move but they were well out in the lake. Then I noticed one move just within casting range about 30 yards down the bank so I decided to have a go for it. I was fishing my sink tip line with a black chain bead Snake at the time so after carefully wading out to the edge of the drop off I put out a long line and started a steady retrieve. To be honest I wasn't expecting a take first cast but that's what I got and after a comedy of errors - my landing net was 25yards down the bank - the fish was finally in my net.



Having averted a blank by the skin of my teeth , I decided it was the right time to call it a day on the Bristol Reservoirs for 2019 . Many thanks to John and his team for a very enjoyable season on the lakes.

I'm looking forward to 2020 already!

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

If you see me on the bank, say hello!

[wylye]

So, now that Bristol have closed their doors I expect you will be "infesting" Farmoor until March. My friend and I had 7 to the boat yesterday despite the conditions being unfavourable for backdrifting and all the fish were in immaculate condition. I'll be watching the weather forecasts closely to see if I can get another day in before Christmas.

[tenet]

It's about time Wylye - 2019 has been dire at Farmoor compared to previous years. Any news about boats on F1 ??

[codfather]

It's all over how. How was everybodys season? I fished only from the bank with many limits and a best catch of 37 and several 4lb plus fish with a best of 5.75lb. A very good and enjoyable season and can't wait for next march.

[tenet]

Should have fished BW more regularly but wasted a lot of time at a poor performing Farmoor . Laziness on my part as the journey is easier. Good catches on the occasions I fished Chew but gave some of the summer months a miss due to water temps.

[Allrounder]

I too had a very good season as far as trout go with more Rainbows over 3lb and 4lb than for a number of seasons. Best trout this time was a 5lb 2oz Rainbow although the big Brownies gave me the slip this time.

My fly fishing for predators was another story, with just a few Jacks to my name and I'd rather forget my Perch season. They switched on during the week before I went to Cornwall and by the time I got back on the water again I'd missed the boat. They are wild fish and that's just the way it goes sometimes!

Looking back through last seasons records I see that I had over a dozen solo boats but apart from a few occasions I didn't enjoy myself as much or do as well as when fishing with a boat partner or from the bank. Therefore next seasons resolution is to do more bank fishing and reduce the number of solo boat trips. I am also seriously looking at a season ticket too.

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

If you see me on the bank, say hello!

[swampydick]

Enjoyed this season very much. Didn’t fish chew but had plenty of fish from blagdon and the tanks nothing bigger than 4ib. I thought the fish were very poddy this year tank 3 you had to fish nr the pipe until June to get fish and blagdon green lawn fished really well all year I fished north shore once, I know they stick around where there stocked but felt they stayed more than other seasons. Just my thoughts.
Well done to bw team excellent job.
The last couple weeks I’ve been fishing the channel, lots of whitting few codling and some dabs nothing of any size but good fun.

Cheers mike

[BristolFlyer]

My best season by quite some way by all measures. Had some cracking sessions on the tanks and Chew and ‘rediscovered’ Blagdon’s north shore. I had some really fun sessions with newbies and the lump hunts with Alan were a highlight. I also discovered the joys of the bung indicator (sorry Doug )

If there was one minor negative it was the lack of dry fly sport. I might have just timed it wrong, but I just didn’t see many rises this year.

Bring on 2020.

Darkside Dave

[tenet]

No problem Dave - having been subjected to on line grooming i might have another dabble at back drifting later this year or early next - that being said I'm off to Darlow (Farmoor fly fishing club water they having lost F1 some years ago)on thursday where the bung reigns supreme.

Re top of the water sport, very little surface activity on my visits to Chew and also Farmoor.

Cheers - Doug

[tenet]

2020 Prices now up on BW Web site. Looks like a 5% increase but I'm sure others will confirm.

https://www.bristolwaterfisheries.com/boat-permits-1/

[Allrounder]

Nice one , Doug!

Having looked at the various ticketing options I will certainly be getting a 'reduced limit' season ticket next year!

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

If you see me on the bank, say hello!

[lakefisher]

I am wondering (as it hasn't appeared on the new price list) what I/we will be expected to pay for a concessionary/or not FLY PIKING day boat ticket

Just curious ........ Tony
_________________
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.