Monthly Roundup

     Hello everyone , What a hot spell we have been having of late in the East Anglia Region where I live. The trout lakes have heated up so much that many of the trout have been boiled alive. The reservoirs have fared a little better because they do have an appreciable depth which keps some cooler water. We have no real trout rivers but talking with friends around the country the lack of rainfall has not been good for fly fishing so I will be glad when the autumn comes. 

        My apologies that it has been a few months since I last wrote anything on this page but with competitions and my wife deciding that the downstairs needed one last overhaul in decorating plus deciding we needed to modernise the brown furniture I have been pretty hectic rubbing down the skirting boards, arcitaves and all the cabinets and display units, getting in a chap to do the ceilings and walls, changing some of the electrics and getting a new carpet I have been busy. Fortunately, it's hopefully the last time for such a big project before we push up the daiseys.

     Once the hot weather finishes and things cool down the lakes can be re-stocked and fishing at my syndicate water at Great Leighs and at Chigborough will resume. I have been telling prospective clients recently that there are no trout to be caught in the lakes and if they wish to actually take fish then wait for cooler conditions. However I can teach the theory side of fly fishing in regards to entomology, climate, habitates, artificial flies, knots, ancilliary equipment, tackle and casting techniques.  There is so much to learn that a day spent just on the theory is no bad thing as a prelude to actually fishing.

      I have had two visits to Scotland this year, in June I was fishing an International in Ayrshire and unlike down south it was freezing I was only a reserve/official but on day 1 had as many fish as the England squads combined with 4 measureable trout and grayling. In May I was at the Lake of Menteith at a National and was representing my Region. It was blowing a "hooley" but found some shelter and caught a few but not enough to get a placing.

    Tight Lines everyone.          

Iain Fraser. AT Angling Lead Coach, License Number 1274.