Chew Valley Lake

At this point in the year, it’s a bit of an in between time for me, the grayling and pike fishing has come to an end but the river season is still a couple of weeks away. With the need to scratch an itch, I planned a spur of the moment trip to Chew Valley Lake.

Chew valley lake

Social media, love it or hate it, provides invaluable up to date fishing reports from various venues across the country. Having seen the recent reports from Chew, numerous reports of big catch numbers and quality fish, these only fuelled my eagerness to get out there and throw a line.

It’s all too easy to get to the day and decide for whatever reason not to visit the water, so with that in mind I played my personal trump card and booked and paid for my permit the day before so there was nothing going to get in my way come the day.

Chew valley Lake

One thing I hadn’t banked on was the big rise in temperature overnight and into the day itself. This seemed to switch the fish off and had slowed down sport considerably from previous days.

I turned up and started off at Woodford bank. The weather was overcast with heavy drizzle which again was not in the forecast I was looking at. A steady South-westerly breeze blew from right to left, perfect conditions! The warmth on the day had encouraged a steady buzzer hatch, surely the fish had to be in the mood to feed?

I started out with an intermediate line, an 18 foot leader with a damsel on the point, black buzzer on the middle dropper and a diawl bach on the top.

After 45 minutes of moving along the bank between casts and not even a sniff I decided a change was in order. I cut off the leader and switched the spool on the reel to a Di5 and repeated the process. Again, all in vain. Time for a fly change, I set up a new leader with a sunburst booby on the point and a pink blob on the dropper. The next half our produced zero interest despite counting down through all of the depths and trying every retrieve in the book.

Only one thing for it, time for a move, so headed over to Nunnery, another area of deep water. I stuck with the lures and it wasn’t long before a nice fish hit the booby on a fast roly-poly retrieve. Moving around Nunnery I added another 3 fish, all safely returned. I also had plenty of knocks and lots of follows, hanging the flies at the end of the retrieve saw plenty of interest but no solid hook ups. The fish were definitely not committing on the day. This was probably down to the big increase in temperature, as we know, fish don’t like big changes and today seemed to be proving the point.

It was enjoyable session with quality fish all in the 3lb to 5lb bracket, but wind really got up in the early afternoon and the fishing slowed, so I decided to end the day and head home as I’d had a few fish and new things were only going to get rougher weather-wise. As ever, on the larger waters you do really need to go in search of the fish, if you’re not getting any interest move to another spot, if you persevere you will usually be rewarded.

Deer park Fishery Open Day

Deer Park Fishery Open Day

Deer Park Hotel, Weston, Honiton EX14 3PG

Sunday 29th April 2018 10.00am – 4.00pm

To celebrate the new season on the water, the Deer Park fishery on the river Otter is holding a FREE bankside open day which is open to all, whether you are a fly fisher or someone who is looking to get into the sport.

Join us on the hotels 3 miles of the river Otter to see what the fishery has to offer, walk the bank or bring your kit and have a complimentary fish.Deer Park Open Day

Our fishing school instructor Neil Keep will be on hand to talk all things fly fishing and show you around. Get a free casting tune up with Neil who will be happy to pass on any tips and techniques for fishing the river. There will also be some on the water demonstrations in modern nymph fishing techniques and river fly casting.

Along with all this there will be the latest range of Marryat river rods for you to try out and maybe even some bankside fly tying if the elements permit.

A short walk from the river bank will see you at the splendid Deer Park Hotel which will be open for lunch and refreshments throughout the day and if the weather permits there will be an afternoon barbeque on the bank.

On arrival please park in the hotel car park and walk down to the river where you will find us set up on the river bank, if you are unsure please pop into the hotel reception and they will point you in the right direction.

If you would like any more information about the day please get in touch with Neil Keep –

Telephone: 01225 313729

Mobile: 07821 647055

Email: enquiries@neilkeepflyfishing.co.uk

Web: www.neilkeepflyfishing.co.uk

Really Wild River Days.

Really Wild River Days

Guided fly fishing days on over 3 miles of a truly wild small stream near Bath with brown trout running to over 2lb and chub to 4lb.

A lovely mix of shallow runs and deep pools, this small stream holds loads of surprises but is very overgrown so don’t expect to be using the overhead cast much, it will all be about roll casts, side casts and the bow and arrow cast. Short rods and short casts are the order of the day.

You will need to be reasonably fit as the banks are steep in places and access into the water can be a little tricky but well worth the effort.

This fishing is all about stealth and stalking the quarry so if you fancy river fishing with a challenge then this day is for you.

Given the right conditions there is also a reasonable Mayfly hatch through May and June.

All tackle for the day will be supplied or bring your own if you prefer. All you will need is a valid environment agency rod license and chest waders if you have them, although I can arrange for the supply of waders if required.

A guided day on this river with instruction will cost £130.00 for one person or £180.00 for 2 people or ½ day for one person at £80 and £110 for 2 people.

Burton Springs Casting Clinic

Today saw me hosting a casting clinic at Burton Springs Fishery near Bridgwater in Somerset.

Arriving at the fishery I was met by blazing sunshine and angler lined banks with bending rods, what more could you wish for?

 

After setting up some kit, Adam the fishery manager greeted me with a most welcome cup of coffee. If you have never fished  at Burton Springs before I strongly urge you to, it’s a cracking fishery with trout and carp on offer to the fly angler with the most welcoming family you could ever wish to be running a fishery, who will do everything they can to make your day a truly enjoyable one. They will even deliver hot food to you on the bank while you are trying to fool some of the hard fighting fish stocked into the lake……. now that’s service!

It was a truly great day in the sun meeting friends old and new, casting some lines and having a chuckle and generally talking about all things fishy.

Time was spent tweaking overhead casts along with some single and double hauling and a spattering of speys, basking in the warm spring sunshine.

Thanks to all you guys who attended and hope to bump into on the bank in the future.

On returning home and firing up the computer it was great to be met with a such nice thank you email as well  ………

” Hi Neil, a cracking day, thanks mate. When Jon and I arrived this morning we couldn’t cast for toffees! It seemed that all you had taught me had disappeared.
After half an hour with you this morning it all seemed to come together. We spent the rest of the day casting various flies and lures all around the lake. We didn’t catch; but we had a great day. Thanks again, and see you in April. Regards, Ken”