Southern river Grayling Fish-in(s)

[S-Kippy]

Do I need waders ?

 

[geoffmaynard]

Not really. They come in handy when it's in flood but they shouldn't be needed, wellies will cope with most situations/swims

 

[Jeff Woodhouse]

Looks like it's going to be very cold on Thursday with a sharp north-westerly blowing. Best get the thermals on - lag your legs chaps!

Wellies aren't the best footwear for the cold, I do have some old Snowboots, but they're poor for walking in.

Do you need wellies at all?

 

[Neil Maidment]

Wading not permitted and the banks are not drastically manicured (as at other more illustrious - but less fish populated, except rainbows, chalk streams)!

Long grass and vegetation, even frosted, = wet legs. Wellies, waterproof overtrousers or similar definately required.

I may be fishing there tomorrow, I'll report!

 

[Ray Daywalker Clarke]

The forecast is for some heavy snow, and i am not joking, it's going to be cold. I am off to Britford this weekend, well thats if the snow isn't to bad.

Have a good day all

 

[geoffmaynard]

Metcheck says it's going to be a nice dry day, hovering around zero but with a 12mph wind. Humph. Could do without the wind on a pin fishing day but it should be okay.

Cliff has had to pull out as some idiot has given him a job interview, so we have one spare space. Any takers?

 

[Jeff Woodhouse]

You might have two more.

BBC -
Colder still with widespread overnight frosts. Sunny or clear spells but also showers of rain, sleet or snow with a risk of more general wintry precipitation for a time.

Frank's not keen at all and I'm not feeling so good now, coming down with a cold maybe. Had the sniffles all today.

He's also heard that this stretch got polluted about five years ago, any truth in that?

 

[geoffmaynard]

Wuss!

Neil was supposed to fish there today - let's see how he got on. Never heard of any pollution. It's fished well for me every winter for the last 15 odd years.

 

[Neil Maidment]

.........He's also heard that this stretch got polluted about five years ago, any truth in that?

Yes, lost quite a few fish but you will not find a finer stretch of Southern Chalkstream (day ticket or not!). It has recovered brilliantly and quickly. It used to be "easier" to get the bigger grayling but now the population is huge and ranges from ounces to a couple of pounds or more. Any sort of reasonable condition and you will catch many fine examples. Even better, that fish population is fairly evenly spread throughout the whole fishery.

Add in chub, roach and all the spotted varieties and you really do have a superb fishery. If its too easy, then get the fly rod out!

I should have been there today, but everything conspired against me.

 

[chav professor]

I am Gagging for a grayling - thanks for posting pics of the Itchen - it looks tremendous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jeff Woodhouse]

Thanks for that candid response Neil. I'll pass that on.

 

[Ray Roberts]

Well I'm going, even if I have to put a shovel in the boot!!!!!!!!

 

[Jeff Woodhouse]

Right, Old Man River is going to give it a bash so we'll be turning up around 11. Just after the frosts have cleared.

 

[S-Kippy]

Well I'm going, even if I have to put a shovel in the boot!!!!!!!!

You planning on burying someone Ray ?

 

[Ray Roberts]

You planning on burying someone Ray ?

No mate, but it wouldn't be the first time I've had to dig my way out. Many years ago I used to fish with a club and when we returned to the coach at the end of the match, it was buried in a snow drift.

 

[geoffmaynard]

See you all in the morning chaps - Neil and I will be at Winchester Services about 7:15 ish for a fry-up.

Directions to the fishery are here: Lower Itchen Fishery for fly fishing - One of the finest chalk stream rivers

Beware, when using postcodes in a GPS device. Do NOT use the postcode from the correspondance address or you'll end up a very long way from the fishery!

I just checked with Google (input Gaters Mill) which told me to use SO18 3HW. That should be right, but check it yourself in case I boo-booed

 

[S-Kippy]

Hang on...which Winchester services ? I was assuming M3 southbound but there's one on t'other side and they're not linked.

And I dont have anybodies mobile number to call

 

[Neil Maidment]

Southbound is the one you want. If you're northbound then you'll have to turn round at the next junction and come back! If you're coming down the A34 Oxford/Newbury road, don't bother with the services or you'll add a lot of miles to your journey.

It's just above freezing now and there's some cloud cover. There will be a frost in the morning but they've had it for the last few days. River should be running bright and clear so... fill your boots tomorrow.

Good luck.

 

[geoffmaynard]

Yep, southbound services. PM for you with mobile

 

[S-Kippy]

Thanks Neil...I had assumed southbound M3 but knowing the two sites ae not linked I thought I'd better check.

Thanks Geoff....I know that service station very well as my daughters at Southampton Uni. See you in the morning.