As summer usually means hot, sunny days and low, clear rivers, it doesn’t always mean great fishing. However, all that changes as we ease into Autumn.

Conditions during the day become more temperate and some of the larger insects start to make an appearance, triggering the fish to start feeding hard in preparation for the winter months.
Even though we’re only half way through September, there is a noticeable difference and the catch rates are improving.

 

Hoylake member Paul had found that his Grayling catches on his favourite stretch of the Dee had ‘dried up’ and felt he was in need of a little ‘refresher’. We spent a testing afternoon in pouring rain and howling winds in search of the elusive ‘lady of the stream’ but I’m pleased to report, he found her and a few of her friends.

Returning trio, Chris, Jeremy and Mark had not yet managed to catch the Dee at its best as they have so far encountered a river in flood and a day of non stop torrential rain.

This time the weather was much kinder but it was to be the steady release of water from the upper reservoirs that would provide the challenge. Release water can affect the fishes desire to feed and if they don’t eat, we can’t catch ‘em!
Despite this latest hurdle, we did manage to find fish and whilst again the majority of the big fish were off sulking somewhere, Mark and his lucky pants had a great day!
More on this later…or perhaps not.

 

The following day I was invited to fish a new syndicate run stretch of the river Goyt. John, who was instrumental in the return of my treasured fly box, was planning an evening session and had invited me along for a couple of hours to explore it with him.
It is no secret that I love this river and it was a privilege to fish this hitherto unknown (to me, at least) stretch. Thanks John.

 

My old school friends Rob and Ronnie are relatively new to fly fishing but they already have that vacant stare that is associated with those afflicted by this obsession. A truly memorable trip to the river Wye has done nothing to dampen that passion.

Reports from the keeper were that other members had struggled recently but not us, we had a fantastic time and caught several really spectacular fish. It was a truly memorable experience and it was made all the better by being in the company of true friends.

 

Yesterday, I followed up a meeting in Derbyshire with a few hours on the Wye by myself.
Again the reports of low fish and fly activity seemed incongruous with what was actually happening on the river. I had several very large rainbows and brownies and was broken off by three very big fish. Of the 15 or so I managed to land, half of them were real brutes of 2lb and over.

The Wye, the Wye, the Wye is on fire!