Harvest

We are nearing the end of the trout season and I am looking forward to searching out some big grayling this year. Whilst I may be adding to the bugging box, my attention is currently on those fish feeding hard and preparing for the colder months. On the river, there has been some action with gnats, but stillwater fishing is at its best in September and October. The fish are starting to find their aggresive, hunting charateristics and are paying attention to the shoals of fry - their own harvest.

A couple of good fish on weed bed patrol

This can be electrifying sport - fish crashing though the shoals only to turn a mop of the injured fish left in the upper layers makes for  stunning fishing. It can often sort out the better fish too. The fish are usually patrolling the edges of weedbeds and happy to swim in shallow water.

A fry-feeding beauty

In October's Fly Fishing and Fly Tying, I offered a muddler pattern that bridges the gap between corixa feeders and fry bashers. Worth a try when pulled, twitched or left to hang just below the surface.

A pattern for Corixa or fry imitation

~Dave

Reprise from the heat

July and August have been tough with some high temperatures. A little rain at the back of end of August has helped freshen some of the rivers a little, but we are still flowing at Summer levels. Hatches have been pretty good, but it has been caddis that have done most of the damage in the evenings. Indeed, other than a few nights, the Blue Winged Olives have remained a little elusive in comparison to usual warm, muggy evenings.

There are plenty of sea trout in the rivers too. A drop in evening temoeratures have made fishing into the night a little tricky with a mist forming over the river - a sure fire way of ruining a good evening on the sewin! Still, there is one more night planned and fingers crossed it'll produce the goods. September and October offer some superb fishing and I am looking forward to the Autumn - a great time to be on the river.

One on the BWO at last!

My caddis pattern featured in July's FF&FT

A cast on the Wylye

Alex with a fantastic upper Wylye brown

Alovely wild fish for me from the Upper Wylye

 I am looking forward to reporting some great back end fishing. Watch this space!

~Dave