Blog — guided fly fishing

It is often said that two days are rarely the same on our bigger waters, and that is very normally the case.      After my last visit to Grafham, and the 23 Christmas crackers that we landed, I could not wait to get back for more. Gary Humphrey was soon on the phone wanting some of the action, so the 17th/12 was on !!     After some blustery winds the day before, I was pleased to see we had somewhat calmer conditions, albeit a bright blue sky. Some anglers may think these conditions may be far from perfect,...

Grafham Water is in scintillating form at the moment, and it has to be said, the quality of fish are nothing short of brilliant. Having not been able to get there much this season due to Covid-19, I jumped at the chance to go yesterday(12/12) with fishing partner, Andy Axon. We were faced with a NW wind of approx, 8mph, increasing throughout the day to around 15mph. You would normally associate December with sinking lines, however Grafham offers sport with a difference, as fish, often big ones, head into the shallows to feast on the shrimp. Andy started on a...

I hold many fond memories at Toft Newton Reservoir, as this was the first water I always used to fish at the start of the season, when I was a teenager.(Some time ago now!) Last weekend was the Fur & Feather match, and it was not about numbers, but about the heaviest brace of fish at the end of the day, allowing for anglers to seek the bigger fish. As I arrived at the lake at 7.15am, I was surprised to be greeted by 8 or so cars in front of me at the gate. Toft offers a good depth...

As the water temperatures rise, Rutland's Basin comes into its own, as the fish head here for the deeper cooler water. The latest stocking of 4,000 fish were all released around the shores of the basin, adding to the larger numbers already resident there. Easy fishing you could think? Think again, as  friend Trevor Gibson and I found out at the 'flick of a switch'. As we headed for the North shore, Sykes lane to be precise, the wind was coming straight off the shore - a Northerly wind. Our first 20 minutes we hadn't moved a fish, so I...

Rutland can be a test at the best of times, however it can also harbour some magnificent times, as well as magnificent fish! Friday saw me afloat with a local angler, Sam Smith who wanted to learn a few tips on boat fishing. Rutland is still at that pivotal point where it is still getting over the previous warm weather, and the raised water temperatures, though there are now signs, as the water temperatures are clearly dropping, that the fishing is coming to life. A daddy sits on the water.....a great pattern to be using now. . We headed to...