The last trip!

With a week off and the first main frost of the winter this week I didn't fancy much fishing but was determined to go and Phil and Steve were also looking for perhaps the last trip of the year.

I was hopeful that Elinor would continue to fish whatever the weather. There are loads of fish in there, Ed is still stocking and catch returns for the last few weeks had been at 3 per rod. Not bad for early December!!

It rained most of the morning but surprisingly the thing I found most difficult was the cold. Although there hadn't been a frost the night before, the wind increased as the day went on and that was biting. My fingers got so cold that every half hour I couldn't move one so had to put my gloves on and warm up before starting again. At the end of the day I felt chilled to the bone.

Having said that I still saw quite a few fish rising out in front of me so I had confidence that every now and again the fish came around and they were well up in the water. We started on the far side between the dam and the spinney, for me it was a bit shallow and didn't think it would fish until things warmed up around lunch. However Phil proved me wrong quite quickly and had a nice rainbow on a damsel. It kept us going for another 20 minutes but I fancied the other side and we headed off.

Phil and Steve carried on past the spinney into the next bay but I stopped just before the boats. I saw fish rising quickly and that did me for the day. I used a ghost tip and two damsels all day until the last half hour and managed 3 fish.

I was once again surprised how close in they were and on small waters they do tend to cruise the margins. With this on my mind I got out of the water and stood further up the bank. With the wind right to left and out a bit I could do a few short back casts and then punch it up into the wind and it flew out. It's surprising by going backwards 5 yards I got a 5 yard longer cast. I just had to remember to retrieve it right in close. My first two fish took this close in. My third took on the drop at range but all of them must have been in just a couple of feet under water.

Phil and Steve were struggling but we all tucked in close together. It was only after Steve had been nattering and heard that some one else has caught on buzzers that he came back to try one. He had two quick takes so I changed my point and had a take. Phil then changed his whole cast to buzzers and suddenly was full of action. He managed to land 2 fish as well as a few takes and Steve then came over and dropped in to also catch.

It went quiet again for a while and Phil and I decided to call it a day. However Steve had got the bug and carried on for a while without success. All in all in rough conditions we had seven between us which on the day was a great result, perhaps only being beaten by a guy on pensioners point who at least had his 6.

I think that will be my last trip of the year now!

Draycote closing for 2010

Just as i sent out the Barclays newsletter saying the National will be at Draycote again for next year I have received a letter from Keith Causer advising that Severn trent are closing the fishing in 2010 to facilitate alterations to the visitor centre and car parking.

I hope their plans add real value to the leisure facilities on site because the way they treated Phil Dixon last year after he made a great success seems to be repeated here. Keith has build a fantastic fishing water to rival Anglian Water. This will all be lost if they are not careful.

It is shocking!! I took the family for a walk round earlier this year and I had to get an icecream from a burger bar because the restuarant was closed as it did not pay to open. How do you get a state of the art facility and not use it correctly?

It is planned to open in 2011 but Keith's lease will have elapsed by then.

Bev's MNTFA Bench

How many chiefs and indians does it take to position a bench? The answer is below, comments welcome!!



It was Bev Perkins wish that half the donations at his funeral go to the MNTFA with the intention that there was a memorial bench located on the Gorse Bank at Pitsford and this weekend it became a reality.

There is a fantastic view here and it will be a welcome resting place for many fishermen, walkers, families and cyclists.

Hope they all enjoy it!!

BIFF!!!

Sounds like someone threw a punch, maybe the Haye victory against Valuev! no it was the British International Fly Fair at Stoke yesterday.

A couple of cars from the MNTFA made it and it was a really good day out. After you have been a few times it always seems a bit samey. However it is one of the biggest I have been too and plenty to keep you busy with demonstrations, talks, club stands, trade stands, fly tying etc.

The real difference I find to others is the way the fly tying is laid out occupying all down one side of a marquee, on a stage so that when you walk up to them the vice is at eye level, great idea. As you can see from this photo this is just half and then there was also the other side of the hall for more 121 tips.




There must have been at least 50 fly tyers tying a wide variety of flys. From personal preference I would have preferred more standard UK flies with different techniques but all in in all it was still excellent and I managed to pick up a few new tips.




Well worth a visit next time if you haven't before, you'll not be disappointed.

This weekend also saw the last beginners course of the year at Pitsford with Peter Hartley and my lunchtime slot. It has been surprising how many new beginners have been introduced to the sport again this year especially at Pitsford. The weather was kind and a few fish around so hopefully they managed to catch the odd one in the afternoon, they do quite often.

I have better start tying some fly's of my own now then!

Caption Competition

At the England Eliminators this year Richard Slater took this photograph of Ash Cooper and myself obviously having a discussion at the weigh in. As you can see there has to be a caption in there somewhere!!

As advised in the MNTFA newsletter please feel free to post any captions or e-mail me on kevrowley@live.co.uk and I will read them out at the AGM.

MNTFA Winter Programme

The MNTFA Winter Programme is almost on us now with the first one starting next Thursday the 12th November. The programme is looking good this year.

The events will be held at the the Old Northamptonians Rugby Club, Billing Road, Northampton 7.45pm for 8pm and everyone is welcome, please come and join us!

The programme is:

November 12th- Richard Slater
A good opportunity to listen to club angler Richards match fishing experiences and of fishing for the England team

December 10th – Charles Jardine
Charles is a leading UK ambassador for trout fishing and he is focusing his talk on tying and comparing new and old patterns for reservoir fishing and how they and materials have developed.

January 14th 2010 – Mark Haycock
Our own club angler Mark will speak on his England Team experience this year and his approach, flies and tactics.

February 11th 2010 – Iain Barr
Current World Champion & England Team Member that won the gold medal at the World Championships will talk on his approach to reservoir tactics and fishing methods for England this season.

March 11th- AGM with Nathan Clayton from Anglian water giving us an update on the forthcoming season

A rest for tired legs

Having been in the lakes for the last two days and yesterday having completed the "Hartsop Horseshoe" my legs and feet were feeling a little tired. As I looked up at the first hill it was 2000ft straight up the ridge from the valley and part way up I realised I hadn't done this for a while as I took a few breathers and viewed the stunning scenery. Once up though it was a great walk and very exhilarating. On the picture below I walked from the right peak to the highest on the left - Thornthwaite Crag at 2500ft, following the ridge around 4 high peaks.
Out to lunch would have been nice, but a boat on Ravensthorpe today was the ideal rest! Although I hadn't reckoned on Phil giving me "a hell of beating"!

We had the hot info from Mike Philpott on where to go and what to do, unknown at the time he had also given the same info to Mick Foster and yes you've guessed it when we arrived Mick and his boat partner Graham Hutchins were in P1 and catching.





The fish had been cruising 40yrds off shore from the lodge to willows bay so confidently we dropped the anchor next to them in P2 and had a quick chat and a bit of banter.

Phil set up with two black and green flies on a sinker. I say sinker because he had said earlier in the day it was a Di3 then changed his mind to a Di5 later - tactics at play i am sure!! He used it to great effect though as he jigged and twitched it back all day with similar flies and managed to land 9 fish all around the two pound mark. This is his best catch of the year and a great effort on the day. Here he is below concentrating on that elusive 10th. never mind - next time!


I however struggled. I switched around too much between flies and lines not being able to settle on anything in particular. I ended with 3 on a concert blob and a Montana all caught on a Di5. The fish seemed to be settled on the bottom between us and the lodge but a good number running along the shore. I definitely spent too long on the Di7 but casting into shallower water.

It was a nice day, overcast with a bit of sun and the wind variating between light ripple and a flat calm. Ravensthorpe as ever was timeless and as below the boathouse view wouldn't have changed much over the last century.



We had a great day and met up with Mick and Graham afterward who had caught 3 and 10 so we didn't do too bad from P2.

The cat got the turkey!

I fished the MNTFA fur and feather yesterday and took the first prize turkey and yes using a cats whisker.

The plan for the day was spot one from the dam, spot 2 from pensioners point or spot 3 fishing into the dam from the river side. It was the first time I had fished with a walk off and luck was with me as I drew number 4. There was a very light wind so spot one it was and i managed to be the first there fishing off the concrete slipway.

I set up with a ghost tip just to cut through the calm and about a 12ft leader of 6lb mono with just two flies. I had looked at flouro carbon in the water and it looked white so started on mono. The flies were a black daiwl back on the dropper and a gold head cats whisker on the point. The cat was nothing clever on a 10 short shank hook with a chenile body. There was a boat a bit close in but plenty of fish splashing infront of me, the scene was set.

The fish were at the end of my cast so I decided to slow it down to a figure of 8 and the first fish took the cat on the drop after 5 minutes, nice! They didn't come thick and fast but in the next half hour i was sitting on 4. It was at this time that my mind then started to think about the need for a decent fish and how I would get that, luck i suppose. Well i cast out and on the the first pull to straighten the line the water errupted in that type of noise that you know is more a thump and wallow rather than a splash, yes a decent fish! It kept heading for the weed but manged to side strain it back into open water a few times, negotiated a couple of testing runs, managed a test of strength as it twisted and turned in front of me and then it was in the net. It was my best of the year to a 6lbs 6oz rainbow. Yes it was a stockie but all the same it was a nice fish and one of the reasons you go to Elinor, and it didn't dissapoint.
It was then that I decided to catch and release and by 10.30 I had 8 fish while all around me there was very little being caught. A bit greedy!

Barry Jones had a couple in the corner and Richard Slater joined me but the fish seemed a little tightly shoaled and difficult to get too. it was then that the wind started to increase and the fish moved to the other corner of the dam. I dried up as tdid the boat infont but the float tubers and Roy McLester started.

I carried on flogging the water till almost 3 without success. It was one of those moments that made me think I wasn't going to keep my 6th. So I thought time for a move. I could see Phil off the pensioners point so thought i would pay him a visit.

I must have took some luck with me as he only had 2 but was into a fish when I arrived, a nice 3 and a half pounder that I netted. He had just moved on the point and was now casting across a windlane as the fish were running up, a perfect ambush! Over the next hour he manged to catch another 4 and it was his first limit in a competition, and 4th place, good angling!

I settled in just behind the point and manged a good number of takes but no fish. It was just before 4 and I still had one to catch but it was never in doubt as it locked up across the windlane and it may have been only one and have pounds but i was taking no chances and finished.

Powie had laid on soup at the lodge, a great touch! and as we weighed in it was obvious that it was going to be closer than I thought. Barry had bagged up and Roy had finished with returned a fish a total of 12 on a bead headed bloodworm. Powies mate from Ireland Mick o'flynn, came in with 5 fish including a 5 pounder and they were all a good size but as always Richard Slater had moved into the other corner of the dam and managed to bag up with his last fish coming at 4.28 along with a 5 pounder too, things were very close.

Fortunately I manage to pip Richard by half a pound and my first MNTFA win was in the bag.

Saving them for Sunday

Phil fancied a trip to Elinor this week in prep for the MNTFA fur and feather on Sunday and it was perfect timing for me with a few days off. I also invited another beginner Steve from the club. Steve has been catching a few from Pitsford but it has been difficult to find a spot. So I was hoping for a good bag of fish to keep everyone's confidence high.

Usually you are hoping for overcast conditions but the temperature had dropped and at this time of year a bit of sun can warm everything up. However it was a little nippy and cloudy all day but there were no shortage of fish around. It was a pleasant change to know there are fish infront of you but you just have to work at catching them. Normally we are always trying to find fish first. I always find Elinor either very easy or very difficult and there seems to be no in between. I am sure it is all around how your thought processes work! Today was going to be difficult.

I had a frustrating morning being just on the edge of range of rising fish and chucked all types of dries and nymphs at them without success. Phil was more productive and had one and a few takes on a green nymph but it was not a method. Phil's found another nice spot below.

When you looked around the boats there was a spot off the boat area that was very productive, in fact one boat manged to catch 40. We all changed spots to take advantage of this and initially it payed off. I had one on a daiwl bach and Phil had a lovely brownie that was returned on a lure which he passed to Steve who then had a lovely rainbow, that's better we all had fish. Unfortunately the day didn't get any better with no more fish and I spent the rest of the afternoon casting into the wind. It wasn't hard for everyone though as the guy next to me had his 6 including a 10 pounder and six pounder.

All in all it is a great fishery and we learned a lot so it wasn't all so bad.

We were just saving them for Sunday!!

A three course meal

I am enjoying some time off this week and mike philpott and I had a day at grafham on Tuesday. Mike was there last week and with some local info we were looking forward to some good sport.

It was an interesting day and a true fisherman's day with fish rising most of the time but challenging to catch. There were fish rising on a consistent basis and they were around all day.

We started on a floater and slow glass with a cats whisker, snail and buzzer patterns. The fish were not jumping on too frequently but we had sufficient takes and follows to keep our interest and I had manged to winkle a couple out on a small cats whisker. We were both convinced that when you had the right fly on they would be easy but it didn't seem to come true. We had had many theories in the boat around what they were feeding on and were not convinced around was it fry, snails or buzzers?

Well the first fish I had put pay to that and when I spooned it, it had snails for starters, a big fry for main and some big juicy buzzers for desert. A real three course meal!

We were keeping an eye on the boat next to us and one guy seemed to be on dry's, a klinkerhammer as it turned out, he had a few and must have been one of the best for the day. I managed to get a few rises to a ginger hopper but they were not really that keen. After another good think I put on the big black buzzers and off we went. Mike was more comfortable on the buzzers and with a cat on the point we were off and running. We fished most of the day to the left of the lodge and by the nature reserve and finished out the front of the fishing harbour.

With 7 fish between us we felt that we had done the best we could and with the fish feeding all day not only did they have a 3 course meal but they must of been at an eat as much as you like restaurant!

Teflon Minkie's

I'll have to check that last batch of black rabbitt to make sure it wasn't made of teflon!!

Yes it was one of those days when all around you were catching, not great, but i could still see the rods bending on a regular basis and yet for me it was just takes.

I had a single manned morning boat so geared up with a floating fry on a floater. Working my way down towards the dam nothing was doing so I set up my Di7 and a black and green minkie and headed for the other boats huddled off the tower. First drift through and I had a fish and thought I was going to be in for a good day.

However the next dozen takes all remained just that and i was left feeling quite frustrated. I changed flies and changed lines but kept coming back to the black minkie as the only thing I could get a take too. And they were only takes at that!

Everyone around me was pulling quick and with what I am convinced were not floaters. Half were drifting broadside and half point down but all consistently catching.

They keep saying black boobies on a floater in the lodge but it didn't work for me and I am sure a floater would have been too high in the water.

Graham Haywood was just heading out as I came in full of the same tactic. bet he bagged!

Never mind it was glorious day and a pleasure to be out as the sun shone and the wind had calmed from yesterday. There's always next time!

Barclays v Bank of Scotland

15 a side with a practice day including a few drinks and then a competition fishing with one of the opposition and a sit down meal/presentation and a few more drinks. What an excellent event this is!

I have just had two days fishing on Draycote and managed to catch 25 fish, C&R of course. Despite an algae bloom, bright sun and cold wind Draycote still fished magnificently.

We managed to lift the TW Trophy again this year - which is a rare event in England- we caught 114 fish for 275lbs with the Scots catching 87 fish for 190lbs. remarkably for us we also managed to catch most of the larger fish too and the best fish of the day went to Steve Blundell who caught a magnificent rainbow weighing 12lbs 15ozs below

As you would expect Steve cleaned up on the prizes with the heaviest bag and best boat along with James Turner and their 16 fish weighed 44-8. Agnes Thomas took the best Scots bag with 8 fish for 20-3.

The other notable bags for Barclays were Ross Jordan with 8 for 22-14, Ralf painter with 8 for 19-12 and Martin Williams with 8 for 19-8. Neil O'shea also had a 4-12 rainbow. No less than 12 of the team bagged up with 8 fish and we were only 6 fish short of a maximum. Very impressive!

From the BOS side Mike Connet had 8 for 19-3, Kenny Wilson 8 for 18-10 and John Tullett 8 for 17-12. Dick Ness had a rainbow of 3-14 and Agnes one of 3-11.

Practice for me was with Mike Philpott and we managed to find a good number of fish in Toft, from G to H buoy and off Dunns bay. The algae was awful, I have taken a photo looking into water below and it was a case of on the downward shore of rainbow corner and the dam were unfishable and after being warned off never ventured over. Fortunately there were a good number of fish elsewhere.

We managed to take our early fish on either a Di3 and daiwl backs or a Di5 and sparklers in the morning and then I went mad in the afternoon on a fast glass with a sparkler booby and claret and black hoppers. Modesty forbids me to remember the numbers in the boat! Team talk was held without us, thanks! But as most people had caught fish the tactics and locations were not in question. Others had caught on a mix of lovely coloured lures but black and green and an orange blob maybe were the best. Pretty much all the stockies were in Toft but bigger fish out in the middle. Tactics were great and because people caught on different things we shared info but retained everyones confidence to choose what they thought was their best approach. Martin Williams was catching on the same as me as the action below shows. Well more like I was catching on the same as him after he passed the info over.

I was drawn with Kenny Wilson for the competition day and knew I would have a good day as he had similar fish to me on practice day and I had seen him ticking along a slow sink.

We started out from Biggin bay but after half an hour it was devoid of fish let alone any of the bigger ones that were there the day before. The usual jitters started to kick in! However a new drift starting from Lin Croft point out in the middle found us drifting on the edge of farnbourough shoal. I changed my line from the fast glass to a Di7 and the action started immediately and I put 4 fish in the boat in about the next 10 casts. Kenny was hot on my heels with a Di5 and managed a fish before the drift ended. We located the edge of the shoal perfectly and finished the morning session with 13 fish between us. Not quite as good as Agnes and Shane Tibbetts but I was more than happy. Kenny was set up with an orange blob on the top dropper and a black and green nomad on the point and at lunch it was clearly the team tactic.

Kenny caught a great fish on the blob as both of us saw it chase and come back around for a look a number of times. We both had time to comment on how best to catch it and with a last movement the fish turned and took -YES! Good angling!

I had a lively fish in the morning and tried to convince Kenny I should count it twice. I netted it quick and before I could take the fly out of it's mouth it had jumped out of the net and play it again before landing and releasing - surely that's 2?

After lunch the tactic was go back to the previous spot for Kenny to catch his 6th and then off to G and H buoy for some bigger fish. Well before I could get my line out he had one hooked and netted, very impressive.

With both on 6 in the boat we were allowed to C&R and the banter started from Kenny, its gone tough now, you'll never have time for two more, you better keep that small one, it'll be embarrassing going in with just 7, etc. etc. As 4pm approached Kenny kept his 7th a decent fish, I kept and I was mightily relieved my next one too, although Kenny was convinced it should have gone back! Spot on 4 Kenny had a another decent fish and started to pack up, it was as though he had planned it all along. I then decided that i would also would take my next fish as I couldn't seem to catch any decent fish and true to form it was about the same size as all my other small ones. All in a all a very pleasant and enjoyable day and a sun tan to boot!

Can't wait for the return trip to Scotland next year, Lake of Menteith, Carron Valley, Butterstone, any will do!!

Paul Eliot passes away

In Neil o'shea's words
"It is with great regret that I have to let you know that Paul passed away last Friday after losing his battle against cancer.Paul was a great fisherman who, for many years, represented the South West region. He also fished for Barclays against the Bank of Scotland, even to the extent of missing a golf tournament in the Mediterranean for which he'd qualified so he didn't lose his place in the Barclays team. He was a wonderful character who will be well remembered by all those who knew him. After retiring from the bank Paul set up fishing lodges on his property at Wainsford House on the Rivers Fowey and Warleggan. He then worked tirelessly for his remaining years to improve the fishing on these rivers. I will certainly miss him and thought you, his friends, would like to know. Would you please circulate this to anyone who knew Paul but is not on this circulation list. Thank you. "

Paul was a fantastic character, a great fisherman and a good friend. John wilson dedicated his Barclays national win to Paul this year and with the Barclays v BOS fishing match this week he will be in all our thoughts.

The drought ends

No not water drought, my lack of fishing!!

I can't remember the last time I went. It's been a busy August at work and even if I had the time I was a bit shattered.

It sounded as though it would be good this weekend with decent temperatures but a bit of cloud around so after the last half day boat i had and enjoyed I thought i would do the same. I was surprised there weren't too many boats out but yesterday they were all out so perhaps people tacking it on spec like me.

The fish has gone quiet up by the dam so thought i would focus on Stone Barn Bay and Pig stream if it was no good. I'd heard the fish were a bit deeper down so I started on a di5 and first drift across the bay I had a nice 2 and a half pounder on my orange booby on the point.

Another couple of drifts and on went the Di3 and again quite quickly another fish and also more action now. But another couple of drift and no more fish again I decided to set up the Di7. Just after I had done this John Mains stopped for a chat and he had managed 5 mainly on a Soldier Palmer on a floater. The Di7 didn't last long and on went the Slow glass and as I hadn't had any fish on my droppers I set up a red daiwl bach and a Soldier Palmer.

The fish still weren't that fast but I did manage another 4 on either the booby or Soldier Palmer. It was a nice routine of pulling quick so the booby bobbled on the surface, then figure of 8, then pull, then figure of 8, etc.etc. They seemed to like to chase and then take the fly when it stopped.

By this time I was fishing closer into Stone Barn and the fish were a bit smaller in here but welcome all the same. As the early afternoon went on it seemed to be getting windier and the clouds darkening. I thought it might drizzle later so left before 2 in time to watch the 20/20 international on telly in the afternoon. Very pleasant!

The Ashes alternative

I had thought I would watch some of the 4th test yesterday and today but I just couldn't bring myself too watch the humiliation. never mind, a bit like fishing "you never know what's coming next" While the Aussies were finishing off I was on a single manned boat sitting in bright sun and flat calm at the Dam.

You may think that this was as bad as England's performance but no there were fish up and looking, well near the dam anyway and when your catching it keeps you busy.

My set up was a slow glass with orange booby on the point, daddy long legs and daiwl bach on the top. Pulling at a decent speed I had quite a few fish that chased me but did not sick. I did manage one on the booby and one on the daddy though and at the time was doing well.

Then there were a number of boats coming round looking to anchor so I thought I would get in first and stuck the pick down next to another boat that had done that a few minutes earlier and was already bending into fish. I then spent the next hour with nothing. It was only when I heard the say they were on buzzers that I thought I would change too. I left the booby and added to orange cheeked buzzers and the takes started. I had slowed down the retrieve and the takes were classic nymph takes as the line just moved away.

5 fish for a mornings fishing and I was really pleased, so rather than overdoing it I headed back just as the wind got up slightly to to some jobs at home.

lightening strike

Yes it's always one of those occasions in a thunderstorm when your fishing with a carbon rod that it makes you very nervous.

Brad Gifford last week had a narrow escape - although I don't suppose he saw it quite like that - when out walking his dog at Elinor with Ed Foster. He sheltered under a group of trees in a storm and a bolt of lightening struck a tree and arched across to hit him on the shoulder. After being airlifted to the best burns unit in Birmingham he woke up the next day with 35% burns. I guess another couple of inches another way and erghhhh!

With no rod in his hand I guess it's a lesson when your times up, it's up. However in Brad's case, hope you get well soon mate and plenty of fishing left in you yet!

Grant Gibson's fun day!

Powie rang me up and said he was one short for the MNTFA fun day and would i fish with Grant Gibson? Well I didn't think I had fished with Grant before - although he corrected me that we had once at Draycote a good time ago - how could i say no and was looking forward to it!
It had been miserably wet for the last few days but fishing well on dry's. Here we were sunny and without a cloud in the sky wishing it would cloud over - madness!

We headed off to the dam to find the fish the bankies can't reach and it felt as though it was going to be a tough day. The fish didn't seem to high in the water so we started a drift across the boils. Grant was on a Di7 and tubes - as per normal! and i on a new di5 with booby, blobs and daiwl bachs. The boils were off and the fish didn't seem to be out in the middle so we headed back to the Dam and closer in. The fish were in a few shoals and lines but no more than 100yds off the dam or the sailing club bank. Grant struck first on the tubes but they weren't thick and fast, i then had the first of a number of jammy one's on a daiwl back at speed. The next two were painful, I was just un-doing a tangle and a fish rose for my booby ( nice!), a few swift pulls and I was connected, as i netted it and pulled the fly out of its mouth I realised it was on a daiwl bach and then suddenly realised i had another one on the point as it took off and buried the fly up to the bend in my index figure. A swift removal and with blood pouring down the line I managed a nice hand netting manoeuvre.

This had made me realise that the fish were up in the water (and hooks are painful!) and I switched to a slow and the fishing got decidedly better taking another 4 fish to an orange booby and a daddy long legs.

As we were out catching Dave Marchant and Alan Harding the banter started. Every time we went round for another drift they would shout out how many they had caught, just a few more than us. Alan is catching one of their rare fish below!

Grant was a couple of fish behind but seemed to find what we both thought was the perfect cast of a sparkler booby and a lite brite damsel on a kelly green intermediate. It was almost like muddler fishing years ago with the bow wave behind the fly. Great fishing! He managed to catch up and his last two fish were much better including this 6lbs 6oz rainbow below.

Powie, Clarky and lady's had laid on a fantastic BBQ once more and we sat down to a late lunch with as much alcohol as you could drink and as much Micky take as you could handle.

For me it was probable second again although Ash had 7 too, but can you believe Grant also won the duck race and took the money as well as best bag and best fish, magic!

A great fun day!

Gravels and an early night

It was a bit windier that I really wanted but had set my mind on fishing so to the hell with it i'll just sit on the bank and relax if it's no good.

I turned up on the gravels and allegedly it was fishing best off the point into North Farm bay but I spotted Martin Nelson off the New Gorse and thought I would start there. You can't tell it's Martin but he is nicely silhouetted against the sun.
I started on dries but quickly changed as there were no fish rising and put on the midge tip with a gold head damsel and a daiwl bach. The rod felt like casting a broom handle compared to the 5 weight but I soon got used to it and was pushing a decent line out.

I had my mind elsewhere, half on the sunset and half on what i had outstanding when I finished work and seemed to be on fishing auto pilot pulling back my gold head. A couple of light thumps and I lifted into what I thought was weed but no my lift was halted and a nice 2 pounder headed out to sea. I had one more fish on but it was soon off and I was left holding a slack line.

It wasn't a rewarding evening and after a couple of hours thought I would head home for an early night.

A circular storm

I had put off evening fishing last week because the wind didn't drop in the evening and I thought that would reduce the fly life. However I had decided to go last night whatever.

Fortunately it was looking good with some cloud and a little wind but not too much. As I arrived over Pitsford Causeway Nathan and Stuart were repairing the fence where it appeared that a car had gone through. Fortunately there was nothing in water so it must have done it's job and held the car back. I have looked at the fences around Pitsford on the causeway and they are starting to fall into dis-repair. Nathan has been doing his best to repair them but they don't look the same. Hopefully they will see them as a hazard now and give him the money to replace them. With the volume of people around the water now it would be great to see some quality new fencing in keeping with a great facility.

I headed on to the gravels as I had been hearing good reports. Phil had moved along a bit nearer the Holly Bush on Serman's bank. I didn't stay as I felt i needed to be nearer a bigger concentration. When I arrived there was about 8/10 people stretched along but still still room for a few more so I slotted in just off the end of the New Gorse. It showed promise as there were one or two fish topping although further out with the ripple and as the sun started to go down I felt confident.

I put up my 8ft 4 weight rod and fancied a bit of sport on Dries. I started with a red hopper on the top dropper and a claret one on the point and then changed the point to amber, orange then ginger. I managed to get two drownings, I can't call them takes as I didn't feel a thing but I definitely saw the fish come up for the fly.

It was all looking promising and then I looked up at the storm coming over. It wasn't a tornado or a twister but it was certainly a menacing circular shape. I felt the first drops of rain and gave in. I had a bit of a laugh as the guy next to me also engaged in synchronised reeling in and packing up. I jumped in the car, headed off and it then chucked it down, perfect timing!

Eyebrookitis

Many years ago now when we were fishing Eyebrook you would catch a fish and you were descended on by boats. Most of these would anchor as close as they could and if you were drifting then quite often in your drift. There were a good number of boats, fish would be localised and you could easily see anyone catching in at least half the water.

We named the phenomenon EYEBROOKITIS and after Sunday I can confirm that it is still as virulent today as it has always been and just as infectious as swine flu!

It was the MNTFA Eric Goodman Trophy and as it is judged by your two heaviest fish it was definitely a success with three fish over 5lb. Ash Cooper was 3rd, Karen Slater was second but with Eyebrook's biggest fish of the year a 14lb 15oz rainbow, Pete Daniels took it by storm.

We managed to get the threat of a duck out of the way for Phil after 10 minutes with a nice rainbow on a Carrot Fly dry but it didn't follow through on the promise it showed. I missed out on the fist drift as we started our drift half way towards Robbo's cabin but unfortunately because of the higher winds the fish seemed to have run up wind into the calmer water. Once back out of the wind I put on the orange hoppers and started to catch fish.

Three down and I said to Phil, orange is working great mate, I've got orange on but not as much interest as you, here have one of these. Very nice he said BUT THERE RED! Well there you go - the colour blindness working in my favour again, sorry!

We managed to catch 6 and 2 by about 12.30 but after that I got enough takes to keep me on dries but none of them were sticking. I felt the afternoon was a bit frustrating as I was getting enough interest to keep me on dries but the fish went off a bit. Also there were more people that decided if you can't beat them, then join them and there were more anchored boats sitting over fish that made the drift and the return trip very difficult.

In hind sight Ash Cooper and Colin Faulkner were catching on intermediates and Boobies and if I had changed then maybe I could have kept them going.

I was a bit too grumpy maybe but I must ask myself the question "I never catch big fish, why am I fishing in a big fish comp? never mind I must support where I can as Powie does a magic job of the organising!

Just waiting for the sunset

I was sitting at home watching the tennis and there's only so much wobbling the eyes can take. I looked out the window and the wind was dropping away, the skies bright so I though what a great night for some dry fly fishing as the sun sets.

As I arrived round on Rigby's point there was Phil in his usual position.

I set up it and the wind was calming off but there was not a rising fish in sight, I tried on both sides of the fence and then jumped in the car to the gravels and Stone barn bay. There were a good number of anglers there but after sitting and watching, again there were no fish rising and no one catching. Everyone it seemed was waiting for the sun to go down and the fish to come up. So I headed back to Phil.

The sun was going down great and the colours changing.

I fished, nymphs, damsels and dries but essentially it was only when the sun went down that we started to see a few fish rising. Unfortunately there didn't seem to be enough and as the ripple was out a good way the fished with it.

There were loads of flies in the sky and on the water. It was great to see a sedge land on the water and be chased and mobbed, skimming on the surface-a mating ritual I expect! I did see a couple of fish come up and take fly from within this.

I also realise now why chironomids are called buzzers as apart from some large green buzzers over my arms and legs there was a small swarm of smaller ones buzzing around my head and there was definitely a constant buzzing noise getting loader as more flies joined in. They look like stars in the sky but are really green "buzzing buzzers" caught in my flash!

As pleasant as it was to be out not only did we not catch but as the cloud came over no great sunset either -what a shame!

Unsettled

No not the weather, me!

I thought it would be a nice evening, it had been a warm day but that wind was around. I agreed to meet Phil on Rigby's point and had been fishing for 15 mins when he arrived but it didn't seem right. The wind was coming in towards the point, there were no wind lanes and it felt uncomfortable. I thought I would make way for Phil and headed off to sailing club bay where I knew Chad, Grant and Roy had managed to catch a load last week on Daiwl Bachs. The wind would certainly be more comfortable there.

I started in Sailing club bay but with no fish moving it wasn't long before I had worked myself along the straight, into Brixworth Bay and back again. That was it i had had enough sat on the bank and waited for conditions to change.

By this time I was convinced that wind wasn't going to drop. There were a few sedges and buzzers about but not many on the water. It didn't seem the fish were feeding either. A guy turned up and fished next to me now so this got my motivation going again. I saw one fish rise and convinced myself that the fish were there but not feeding so as it started to get dark I put a green pea on the point and pulled a little faster and for my efforts a passing fish must have thought it looked tasty and I was into my only fish of the evening. It fought well and had saved a blank evening and just as I kept taking a photo in the net it livened up. Returned to the water he swam off to feed another day.

Just as I was leaving Phil gave me a call and he had had one on a dry but lost it and fish at the death had been rising around his feet. Sounds like he had a frustrating evening too but more lively at the end than me.

Boat 13. Unlucky this time

It was the odds and sods eliminators this weekend and I needed a real good day to go through.

Practice day was looking good, decent ripple and overcast. The fish were up and feeding in the top. My key learning's were Rectory Bay, Hedge end and G buoy were my key spots, Floater the top line and any flies with with a red head.

Mike Philpott was my practice partner and set me up as best he could finding the fish, the line and a good number of flies. After I started on the wrong gear I was playing catch up and with Mike bagging up by 2, I was only half hour behind him and catching up fast, after he had a few rests (It's the age you know). In fact I am sure one of these was actually mine as he had a double hook up without knowing it and after netting the first he was all tied up. So I gabbed the line from the net and played and landed the second. As you can see from the photo below he was highly delighted.

Hares ear, Charlie Chaplin, Daiwl Bach's and Crunchers were probably the best flies and it seemed strange that the fish must have been very deep and coming up for the flies as the intervening depths seemed devoid of fish. The fish were a decent standard and the 4lb 1oz rainbow below is my second best of the season

All in all a good day and I was ready.

Competition day and I was feeling confident. The wind had dropped and more sun than cloud but I was hoping that this would all be better for nymphing. My partner for the day was Paul Wild who is Treasurer for Rutland Fly Fishers and the FFMFA so was looking forward to something in common.

WE agreed on rectory Bay and as we stopped Paul flicked his flies out and had a fish, second cast the same and another. I wouldn't have minded but I was getting no interest. Another two fish for Paul in the next 40 minutes on Crunchers and I was left having no option but to change to the Slow intermediate with a booby and nymphs.

I had no luck what so ever, a couple of soft pulls but nothing of interest. At this point I was ruing my conversation with John Mees about boat 13 on two occasions and if I am honest my day was done at that time.

However the wind had picked up slightly and I decided to go with what I knew best and stick with it. The floater with a cormorant variant, Daiwl Bach, Cruncher and Charlie was put together and I stayed on it for most of the day and persevered. It was a good tactic and I started catching, not many but a fish, then another, then another and I was growing in confidence. It was a bit frustrating that they weren't coming quicker but it was amazing how the fish went off when the sun was out and then come on top with cloud. We were working around the clouds now and preparing, five, four, three two, one, yes there's a fish!! A cast across wind into its path, leave the line to settle and then a couple of long pulls and it all tightened and a fish was flapping about on the surface, hooked!

I do enjoy catching off the top and my only regret is that it wasn't faster.

While Paul had the fist 4, I had managed the next 6 so the luck was not with him either. We ended the day on 7 and 5 and thought we had done fairly well with no luck. However it is amazing what good company you are in when then were anglers all over sitting still - bagged up.

Edward and Brad had also struggled on the day but managed to go through to the National Final because of their Rutland placings. Richard Slater won the day with 8 fish for 23lb 6oz with time bonus and managed to finish 16th overall which should be enough to go through. Ash Cooper had a great day as well with 8 fish by 3pm. Stewart Thomson also had a good day finishing 3rd and 24th overall. Craig Barr came 4th and managed to take the overall top spot with just 7 points.

I managed another 27th place which was 24th overall without any luck. So next year i'll have to make my own luck and give it a go again.

Sedges, Sedges everywhere

I had just got in from work late and shattered, Julie was out and I was settling down with my tea and the lead up to South Africa vs New Zealand live on the telly ( Cricket was last week this was football!) and the phone goes. Phil's on Rigby's point and only been there 20 minutes and has two cracking fish on the bank - not your recent stockies this time. What a dilemma!!

Fortunately Julie came back earlier and could look after the kids, so decision made i headed off for the last couple of hours.

When i arrived Phil had just lost his sixth so I quickly pinched one of his hare's ear's ( blimey it was well tied - tail a bit long though!) and jumped in next to him in the bay next to Rigby's. With the wind blowing left to right there was a wind lane that started off the trees and headed into the narrows. There were fish rising all around but mostly the nymphers were in the wind lane. I managed to get a couple of pulls but they didn't stick and then one broke me at distance. Usual mistake as in a rush I was still using the leader from the dam at Ravensthorpe where it was bashed about.

Phil caught steadily on his cast of sedge pupa, hares ear and cruncher. He was nicely placed to be easily casting into the wind lane and with a new rod and borrowed line tray the distance was looking great.

I managed a few more takes and fish on a lite brite hares ear and as the sun went down it was feeling great.

As the nymph fishing got more difficult the sedges came alive and they were everywhere buzzing around. Once again there were a number of different species that was surprising but it must be just my observation getting better. The feeding fish I thought had switch to the dry so I put a couple of dry sedges on with the hares ear in the middle. After a few encouraging drownings I started short lining and got more interest fished as a bob fly and another fish chased and took my hares ear.

It was well passed 10 when we packed up and we reflected on Phil's success. He had caught and returned 8 which was his first limit of the bank and second highest catch. Excellent!

With the sedges still everywhere we headed off home.

Ravensthorpe stockies

Arrived at Ravensthorpe and it was a nice evening, the sun was out but a brisk wind blowing onto the dam. I fished all down the platforms with a nice left to right wind but no success and never even found a fish.

The sun was starting to set as the last boat came in with Pat Flynn and I thought I'd walk round and see what they had done and maybe head off. They had had fish but not too many but did make the comment that they had stocked today and should be fishing the Dam.

Worth a try I thought, why not!

The wind was blowing in so I changed the nymph set up to a single gold head damsel on the midge tip. After 10 mins of a slow figure of eight there was nothing but the minute I started to pull fast, bang I was into a fish.

Looking into a nice sunset in front it was a pleasure to be out. The fishing was not clever but it was great to be getting takes and fish. I manged to return 5 before the takes started to dry up and the owls started to hoot to each other from different areas of the lake.

As lovely as it is to be fishing Ravensthorpe on a pleasant evening with the sun going down, it's always better when there are 350 stockies in front of you!!!

Put it down to experience!

Sunday was the MNTFA Bruce Richardson Trophy and I was fishing with Phil Cross. Initial plan was to catch a few of the Pines while they are feeding, move onto the Dam and bag up, bear in mind that the narrows and small half might be fishing, make sure phil doesn't get a duck and keep dry. Well we failed all ends up!

It was raining when we arrived and continued solidly all morning with some heavy periods. Not great for Phil as he was still struggling with a cold, but when we didn't connect with any fish from Rigby's point it wasn't starting great.

As we pulled up at the dam there were people catching around us and we both had takes early on. However it turned out to be a real struggle and I managed just two on a Di3 and cats whisker. I had the same fly as Don Moore who managed to catch 15 on the day (Jammy Devil) but even though we persevered I never really seemed to be convinced about a method. Sometimes you need to change and then have a take to confirm your doing it right but I didn't seem to have any of that. I was in the right area, with the right flies at nearly the right depth and i was getting no interest all.

I'll just have to put it down to experience, some days it goes for you and others it doesn't. I kept working hard to find that consistant method and place but at the end of the day that's why we go fishing. If it is always easy, i'd get bored.

There were a few good bags on the day all from around the boils/creek with Richard Slater having 8 on the drift and pip jeffs and partner 8 each at anchor on the mouth of the creek as the fish ran round. Richard managed to catch the bigger fish with a great weight of 8 fish for 22lb 7oz and the trophy below. Don just in second with 8 for 21lb 9oz. With 114 fish caught on the day there were quite a few people that had a better day than me.

Oliver's first trout

I have heard of beginners luck but this worked perfectly.



Hot on my success on Wednesday I headed back to Rigby's Point with my Nephew, Oliver, aged 5 who was staying for the weekend. When we arrived there was a boat in really close but after a quick chat we slotted in and they stayed where they were, cosy. For the second time on the trot I flicked out my line and pulled off some more to cast and saw a flash again. "Hold this Oliver" I said, "Lift the rod" and yes as the picture shows below he was into a fish, Brilliant!


A small fight but unfortunately slack line and it was off. So I cast out, handed him the rod and said pull back slowly and wow! we were in again. This time it was well hooked in the scissors on a size 14 hares ear and was not getting off. We played it for a good while just to be on the safe side and as below we had a proud Oliver with his first trout a 2lb 20z rainbow. Hooked!! With interest waning a little I got my 8ft river rod out and he had a bit of casting practice. I managed to catch one more and we took it in turns to play. Oliver was in charge of the net this time and landed it perfectly. "The fish in the net is very heavy" said Oliver.

It's not always this easy!!

Credit Cruncher

I finished work earlier on Wednesday, the family were over Silverstone doing the race for life and as the wind was a little less and a few clouds in the sky I really fancied an evening boat and headed to Pitsford lodge. When I arrived I had forgot that because AWA expected less anglers this year due to the credit crunch they had reduced the boats in time to 8.30 on Monday and Wednesdays. The bailiff seemed to feel sorry for me and suggested I head to the Pines.

All my favourite spots were taken but determined to at least unwind I muscled in. I had only flicked my fly in as I pulled off more line and thought i saw something flash and lifted straight into what I am sure was my biggest fish from Pitsford this season. It fought like mad as though it was never hooked. When I returned it, with no camera or scales to hand it was at least 4-8. Majic!

I then landed another three all to cruncher, hares ear and daiwl bach. After an hour of almost a take a cast it went dead, I think it must have been just the fish moving off but it did coincide with Panc coning in next to me perhaps cutting off the fish.

Martin Nelson turned up next and we had a good chat about his massive fish at Ravensthorpe and how he is catching too many fish for his ticket so he has upgraded - how good is that!

8pm on the dot and someone flicked the switch back again and the takes started. After a few misses I had a very soft take lent into the fish and it felt like I had hit bottom. It then started moving so I knew it was a fish but it was still a deeper slow fight and thought it was a brownie. However without a great fight it came in and was a Pike around 8 lb that had taken my hares ear. Fortunately the small fly was in between the teeth and couldn't be cut. After a tricky operation I had my fly and returned the fish.

The wind calmed and the place was alive with flies. A buzzer hatch, Caenis and loads of sedges. Grouse wing cinnamon and even a few great red sedges. The two mallards I recon would have had neck ache the following day as all night they were snapping at the sedges. I couldn't see how many they were catching but they looked expert.

Panc was catching well and had a rainbow of 4-12 that gave a great fight.

I ended the evening with 7 and had really enjoyed it. My main fly was a variant cruncher I had just tied up, maybe I'll call it the Credit Cruncher!!

Best Ravensthorpe Rainbow of 2009

It seems like ages since I've been fishing but as most of the fish have been away from the bank in cooler water I don't think I have missed too much. However another batch coming up.

I just wanted to say congratulations to Martin Nelson who last week caught the largest Rainbow from Ravensthorpe for the last few years a massive 14lbs 8oz on a damsel from the dam.

He only began a few years ago and spent the winter before last tying flies at the Pioneer with us. I hope it was on your own tying Martin, well done!

Early pint in the pub

After all the boat fishing it was was back to reality this week with an evening blank on Pitsford. I started on the North shore but the wind was light but blowing into your face. I moved a few spots down the bank and into Stone barn bay. However no fish moving and no interest. Mike turned up and we flirted with the Gravels but when we got there it didn't seem fishy.

We got the bins out and spotted fish being caught of Stilton point so off we went.

Another hour off the gorse bank and now it was getting colder and didn't feel as though it was going to "come on" so an early pint in the George at Brixworth was the best option.

President's Team win Barclays Bank National

John Wilson the Barclays Bank Fly Fishing President dedicated

the win to Paul Elliot who has fished for the club for many years.

We were hoping to get Paul along to fish this year but as he undergoes another batch of chemotherapy the club wish him all the best. John Wilson, Neil O'shea, Karen O'shea and Martin Williams caught 22 fish for 59lbs 3oz to lift the team trophy.

Mike Philpott had the The biggest fish Trophy was shared Martin Williams had

best catch of the day between Gerald Farnell and John the most fish with 8

with 8 fish for 21lbs 8 ozs Wilson, 5lbs 10oz Rainbows for 20lbs 10oz

What another excellent two days! Although I had to organise it with Mike it went off smoothly and I enjoyed the fishing more than I was expecting.

Practice day went well and we managed to get all the way round. The Di5 and a tequila blob seemed to be working best. We had fish on a damsel but I just didn't feel I could catch on a natural even though there were fly's hatching and a few fish on top. The high winds seemed to have churned up the shoals and coloured the water but it was clearing fast. After the high winds this week it was a nice ripple and strengthened slightly during the day.

We started a dream catching big fish just outside the boat dock and as you can see here Mike is taking the fly from a 5 pounder.

With that spot in the bag we drifted all our way round finding bigger fish at Dunns bay and rainbow corner. With 3 main spots and a method we were ready for the competition.

Would you believe it, it was a complete change on the competition day and even the wind had gone around 180 degrees. The boat dock was devoid of fish and so was Dunns Bay. We managed to pick up one a piece near the tower, I had decided to reel in and bang a fish was on. Mike said they might need roly poly, and bang he was in to. It still went quite. We had heard that Karen O'shea had 3 on a single drift and Powie and Clarky one each in rainbow corner so although it was a difficult morning we still had to work hard.

The day completely changed for me when Mike had his next fish off the inlet on a size 14 Cruncher. It suddenly proved that they would take the naturals if they were in front of them. I then rigged up the midge tip with a Damsel, hares ear and cruncher and was feeling confident. This is when the Micky take started that i couldn't catch them properly. The next 4 fish were lucky - it does help!! I had one as I pulled in to a short line, started the motor out of gear, lifted my rod and thank you very much! The next I was convinced took correctly but turned out to be foul hooked! Then I cast out, got off my seat to get lunch and of it went, finally as we cut the motor and cast in it took the fly off the top. It proved to me that they would take the fly static and this helped later.

Karen and Neil, Powie and Clarky had added any more, Tony Hague and Dave Kilburn were anchored up as were Phil Kidd and Martyn Denton. Doug Scott and Vernon Beak (aka Charlie Drake) were also persevering but struggling. A move was needed!

We decided to see if other fish had woken up now that the wind had got up a bit so decided to start off the boat dock. As we pulled in, I couldn't believe that the only other boat on the water that had found these fish was Dave Currie and Bill Robinson, trust Dave! As we drifted behind Dave had a fish on but i kept seeing Simon Summers and Derek Thompson bending into fish off the dam, so over we went to drift alongside and bang we were in. We then proceeded to finish off our limits by 4 pm on a mixture of the same flies.

We were sitting pretty at this time but the fish gradually came on the feed and a good number of people took advantage especially Neil o'Shea and Paul Ravenscroft who took 6 and four fish in the last hour. Fortunately a good number of people caught in this last hour and made a great difference to the overall competition making sure that most people caught fish. A few others bucked this trend and caught steadily through the day at anchor including Shane Tibbetts and Neil Felton and Dave Sutton-Lloyd and Gerald Farnell. The rain managed to keep off thankfully and it only started raining as we we tucked into our meal. After the prize giving we managed to down a few pints to round off a great few days.

The other results were:
Second Place was Barclaycard with 58lbs 5oz and Ian Pow, Kev Rowley, John Clarke and Mike Philpott

Third Place went to Radbroke Hall with 22 Fish for 58lbs. Paul Ravenscroft, Dave Currie, Bill Robinson and Steve Blundell.