Useful links from fish-hants fly fishing in Hampshire

I will update this fishing diary every time I go fly-fishing. Hopefully it'll be of some use or interest to you all!

Check out these awesome youtube videos!
Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Saturday 6th August 2008

Holbury

Fished at Holbury lakes with Alex Mezger. Both caught on Daddy's, a 2.25lb rainbow for Alex and a 2.5lb blue for me (great eating!). I had a take on a suspender buzzer but the hook pulled. Morning again very productive compared to the afternoon. Most positive lake was the smallest by the car park. Very friendly owner and great location - An ecellent day out, especially bearing in mind the fish Alex caught was his first fly caught fish ever!

Sunday 17th August

Chiphall

Fished at Chiphall with Dad from 9.30Am to 2PM, on a mostly sunny and warm day. 2 fish ticket was £23. Dad caught 2 rainbows (2lb and 2.5lb), the first on a cats whisker and the second a rubber-legged-daddy. I caught a nice 3lb brown on a green suspender buzzer, another on a white conehead, and 2 more rainbows for keeps (1.75lb and 2lb 1oz) on the lethal rubber legged daddy - that days 'get out of jail free' fly. Morning was definitely the most productive time. Damsels supposed to have been pretty good recently (I had no luck first thing when we got there), and also bloodworms in the evening. Bailiff told us the bigger fish come out when its icy.

Saturday 22nd September 2007

John O' Gaunts

Fished John O'Gaunts with Alexis Mezger and Jo, who I instructed in return for my fishing (£21). Jo caught an awesome 4lb rainbow on a Daddy, her first fly caught fish - excellent result. Alexis turned out to be a bit of a natural at casting, but much to our frustration, he was unable to tempt a fish. The afternoon was painfully slow. I caught a 3lb brown and a 3lb rainbow on a weighted damsel. All of our fish came between 11.30 and 12 from the portion of the main lake paralle to hut and toilets. A very enjoyable day, complete with excellent picnic.

Monday 17th September 2007

The River Itchen - Martyr Worthy

Fished on the Itchen with Dad at Martyr Worthy courtesy of Nick Measham, from about 5.45PM to 8PM (dark). I caught a 1lb brownie on a size 16 dry, a little different from the size 22 olives Nick recommended on our previous visit when I managed a grayling on said flies. Fishing very technical and difficult for me but awesome nonetheless.

Saturday 22nd July 2006

Avington

Helped Andy on S&TA day at Avington. Didnt fish for myself. Goldhead daddys and an induced taken produced all the fish I helped the kids catch. One of the workers there told me and will to fish the junction between lakes 2 and 3 if we wanted the bigger fish.

Tuesday 13th June

Chiphall

FIshed Chiphall with Matt from about 4.30-6.30 in the evening. Warm, occasionally sunny evening. Water very clear, owners welcoming and fish stocks high. Matt caught 4 fish, 2 blue trout (to be returned) and 2 rainbows (1.5-2lb each) all on a yellow rubber legged Daddy. I caught 2 fish, one 1.5lb brown and a 2lb rainbow, the brown on a black fritz goldhead (not very traditional I know) and the rainbow on Matts beastly Daddy. Fish not hugely large but fought as well as some of the Avington beauties, and gave some great sport. A lovely evening with my bro, followed by a trip to TK mAXX in Waterlooville afterwards - perfect!

Saturday 10th June 2006

Royalty Beat

Courtesy of Andy, the S&TA and Hardy-Greys, I fished at a Hardy-Greys salmon fishing taster day on the Royalty beat of the River Avon. Us youngsters were not allowed to fish with fly (understandably) but a couple of salmon had a go at the experts orange fluff, so that might be a colour to remember. We were treated to a TRULY AWESOME display of casting from Hardy's head casting instructor, who flicked a fly around, be it double handed spey, roll, circle C, overhead, or single handed anything, with annoying ease! It really was something to behold. We then had full access to a massive range of Hardy-Greys single and double handed rods. Started off with a Greys Platinum XD single handed - I'm going to have to get myself one of those in this years sale!. Later on moved on to Salmon roads and roughly managed roll cast, spey cast and circle C cast. Had a fantastic day - need to get some salmon fishing in the diary! River and its beat were LOVELY! :)

Friday 2nd June 2006

Dever Springs

Fished at Dever Springs with the S&TA as a helper, on a very hot and sunny day, from about 10-4.30. Helped a couple of lads with their cast throughout the day, and towards the end of the day, fished to catch fish to give to the beginners to fight (as warm day had meant not to many fish caught). Flies working well were dog nobblers (which accounted for the 14lb cracker a man pulled out next to me) and a couple of other fish, fritz lures and damsels of one shape or another. I had a fish on on a black fritz lure near end of day but the hook pulled, as it did with another I also got on the same fly. Lakes were beautiful as was lodge, and stock ponds had some REAL BRUTES in them! Despite being sceptical at the start, I was well impressed with Dever SPrings in total. A worthy AVington contender!

Saturday 10th September

Avington

As treat for good results (Jack: 5xA* 4xA B, Matt: ABB) Dad took Matt and I to Avington. On a mostly overcast we caught 2 fish each on damsels, daddys and often something orange, like a fritz or woolybugger (bit unorthodox I know). All fish around 4lb 8oz with of dads just tipping 5lb. All fish lovely, as were lakes. Saw some brutes in Lakes 2 and 3 but all of our fish came from roughly half way down lake 1 - what a day!

Friday 29th July 2005

Avington

Fished at Avington with S&TA as a pupil. On a mostly overcast day with a good amount of rain recently, the lakes (especially 1 and 3) were perfectly clear and fulls of lots healthy and fit fish. Working well over the past few weeks were damsels, daddys and anything orange, with brighter patterns more productive in the harder afternoons. I caught my first fish, a 4lb 4oz rainbow on my unweighted but eyed daddy, about 3/4 way down lake 1, by the trees. My second came from the very far end of Lake 1- a lovely 4lb 13oz rainbow that took my leaded bloodworm buzzer on the drop. An excellent days fishing at an excellent location.

Saturday 23rd July 2005

John O'Gaunts

FIshed John O'Gaunts with Matt on a mostly overcast but warm day. Montanas and buzzers appeared to be the most prolific flies of late. I caught a 2lb 8oz rainbow on a lead-head black and green buzzer fished deep and slow, on my third cast, nearest to the car park. Neither of us caught any more fish, despite moving on to the clearer Simms Lake that was much better for stalking.

Saturday 14th May

Woodington

FIshed at WOodington - helped on the S&TA day. Only one fish caught all day on a GRHE type nymph. The fishery, however, despite the catch rate, was in good condition with plenty of fish moving around, looking to be taking very small nymphs or buzzers.

16th April 2005

Chiphall

FIshed at Chiphall Lakes with Dad, as a helper at the S&TA day organised by Andy. Picked up excellent lift, flick and tap tips from David Griffiths. Helped two young lads at start, and also CLarissa after lunch. Lake lovely and clear with good insect life. GH damsel pulled just above weeds produced my 1st fish (2lb 2oz) and 3 of the ones I helped others to catch. My leaded bloodworm produced my second 2lb fish. On this overcast day, buzzers were red hot to catch the numerous fit and fighting fish in the lake. Fish distributed well throughout lake.

2nd April 2005

John O'Gaunts

FIshed John O'Gaunts with Dad from about 10 till 1 in mostly sunny conditions. Started off slowly, but eventually my deeply fished double GH damsel produced a nice 2.5lb rainbow around 11 o'clock. This was quickly followed by a lovely 3lb rainbow that fell to another double GH, but this time a double GH GRHE, also fished rather deep. Damsels seemed to generally be the order of the day (Dads first fish, a 1.75lb brownie came to a damsel) but later on, 20ft leaders and a montana nymph also produced fish (including dads 2nd fish, a 2.75lb rainbow). Great days fishing, for just £20. My fish came from the large, deep pool to the left of the Island, looking out from the hut.

26th September 2004

Woodington

Another S&TA day, this time at Woodington. Had unproductive morning on (ironically named) muddy 'Shearwater Lake'. After lunch however, fished the gin clear Kingfisher Lake and caught two 1.5-2lb rainbows on damsels, one standard and one eyed long tail. Had takes all day on damsels, but finally grabbed my third on a gold head rubber legged daddy. Good BBQ (again) and generally excellent days fishing.

July 2004

Holbury Lakes

Went to Holbury lakes with dad on an S&TA father and son day. Caught two fish (one each) on second lake on from car park, all on GH damsels. Dad caught his 2nd on a GH daddy on the middle, higher lake and I caught mine right by the car park, stalking a nice 2lb rainbow with a very deep, double GH damsel (home-tied). Dad completed his hat-trick with a 3rd on the first lake we caught at (2nd from car park) also around 2lb. Excellent day again, also great BBQ from John too.

June 2004

John O'Gaunts

Went to John O'Gaunts with Matt and Dad. Very windy dat and overcast. Matt caught 2 fish and Dad and I one each. All on very deep and slowly fished GH damsels. All caught on corner of lake near car park. Also had takes on GRHE GH.

Saturday 15th May 2004

Meon Springs

Fishing at Meon Springs with S&TA. Fished with Andy and WIlly all day. Caught two fish from WHitewool Lake on a double goldhead damsel nymph (great fly!) at the dam end, underneath the big tree. Then we moved onto catch and release lake (top C&R lake was better and full of fish) where I caught two more rainbows (1.5-2lb) on shallow fished black-red/red-white buzzers. My other two (from Whitewool) were 2.5lb each. Goldheads fished well all day. Fishery in great condition, new hut being built, fish biting, lakes looking mature, C&R excellent and friendly bailiff Sam. Weather hot and sunny. Won award at end of day From Ellis Morgan, a Richard Wheatley fly box. Absolutely brilliant days fishing-I will be returning soon.

Saturday 24th April.

Hambrook

Went to Hambrok Lakes with S&TA. As Uncle Andy described it, it was a sh*thole. The railway line ran next to the lakes and there was a real algal bloom problem. Had takes on a black tadpole and a daddy. Caught nothing all day. Apparently deep fished cats whiskers were the thing. I never found out.

27th September 2003.

Woodington

This was a 'Salmon and Trout Association' follow up day at Woodington Trout Fishery, West Wellow.I greatly improved my casting throughout the day. I caught two rainbow trout both 2lb 10z on a black wollybugger around 11:00. Later on in the day, dry daddylonglegs were fishing well, as were Montanas all day.

Saturday 6th September, 2003.

John O'Gaunts

Fly fishing at John O'Gaunts lake with Dad. On main lake, using my first home-tied fly, an olive damsel, I caught 2 rainbows, 2lb 80z and 2lb 40z. Both were lovely, well fighting fish. Dad also caught his two fish, 4lb 4oz and 3lb 80z, on his home tied olive damsel. Also working well this month were green nymph, sedge, cats whisker, Montana GH and black spider. We fished from 9-11, in mostly overcast, ocassionally sunny conditions.

A Friday in August, 2003.

Meon Springs

Went fly fishing at Meon Springs, my first real time fly fishing. It cost me £22 (all day. 2 fish). Weather mostly overcast. On the lake nearest to hut, at end nearest hut, I caught 3 (had to buy another fish) rainbow trout (all 2-3lb). All three came on a black wollybugger.