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PeterBQH

Don't despair.

You may well feel a bit frustrated at the state of the river lately, and it seems as if each time it starts to get down to a fishable level, along comes another deluge. I have mentioned previously that anything over 40cm (measured at Stonebridge https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/station/1087 ) is not worth considering, and even at that level, it'll probably look like builders' tea. The river has been unusually high for most of this season (probably 30 ish on average), and we've not seen the days of low 20s as in previous years. Fortunately we haven't had the high temperatures normally linked to low levels either, and the water has been below 20 degrees all year I believe.

Today should have been a lovely day for fishing, but with the river at 77cm, that was a challenge ...... except ...... it was a perfect day for the Reservoir!

Mild weather and almost no wind are just what you need there, as it gets windier and colder there than anywhere around normally, but not today. Not only that, but there were loads of fish rising, boiling, swirling, splashing and even leaping clear out of the water. It was quite spectacular.


You can't actually see the action in this picture, but it was there.

There's still plenty of weed visible below the surface, but it's now dead or dying, and shouldn't impede your hook, or landing your catch. There have been some good catches already, on typical reservoir lures, GH bloodworms, GH damsels, GH Hare's ear, and my own favourite a GH daddy. You probably want a fairly light nymph retrieved quite quickly (to stay above the weed) but you'll also see follows right close to the bank, so be ready to slow down or speed up to induce the take. I had great fun attempting to cast as close as possible to the overhanging willows as there was plenty of splashy action there. Very perilous of course, and I pinged from a willow on one side to another on the other side 5 times in succession at one point.

Eventually a tall willow claimed my entire tippet, leader and braided loop connector, so I figured it was time to go. It was an unexpectedly fun day, not least because of the half-dozen Rudd that insisted on taking flies much too big for them; they are lovely looking fish though.

If you do go there, please park carefully alongside the paddock, and try not to churn up the grass. Whatever you do, don't try and drive down to the edge of the reservoir itself as you will certainly get stuck, and getting towed out is very embarrassing. Please fill in a catch return when you do go, and if possible, indicate what flies you used, and techniques, but above all, enjoy it.

Tight Lines

PeterB


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