Hi Guys,

Went out for a couple of hours yesterday evening on the Leicester GUC near Kilby Bridge. Was my first attempt at fly fishing on a canal. Wasn't particularly set up for it as my gear is more suited to reservoir trout but it was a lovely day and its always worth a go. Once I got used to casting in the relatively tight spaces it was great fun, although I should point out fishless fun! There didn't seem to be much obvious activity and I don't think my fly box has the best selection for this sort of fishing, any suggestions for patterns would be greatfully received. I thought my best bet would be for the perch so I tried my trusty pearly PTN and red tag but no takes. Maybe next time. Am really looking forward to getting up there again in the coming weeks although I may have to invest in a 3-4wt set up if I start catching!

Best Wishes
Jamie

Funny you should say that.....I went on the Lee Navi yesterday, fished pretty much as for lake trout, and caught nothing. I think the big problem at the moment is the lack of interest from perch - where are they? Last summer it was teeming with them. Anyway I intend to persevere - I reckon as the spawning season dwindles away they'll come back on the boil. The canal is the only place I can fish at the moment unless I pay for reservoir or lake fishing, & I can't afford to do that too often. Last summer I witnessed a chap take not one but two 5lb+ perch out of the Lee (on livebaits) and I managed one of about 2lb on a small spinner. This year may be the year of perch on the fly.
Dave.

Just a thought. Are your flies getting down to the fish. I normally fish canals and use weighted nypmhs with a very slow fig 8 retrieve.

I did wonder if I was getting deep enough, so I used mainly weighted patterns, maybe I should have tried something a bit more bright/sparkly for the perch as the water did seem quite coloured. There was also quite a bit of flow so i wonder if that may have affected it, its all new to me as I have only fished reservoirs with the fly. I was using my floating line but maybe an intermediate would have been more sucessful? I suppose there is only one way to find out, its quite nice to experiment for a change.

Wow, thanks for that blast from the past, i grew up fishing on, playing around and swimming in the leicester GUC in the Aylestone area. happy days.

Mick

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Please look at and sign this e-petition. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/13978

Does the close season not apply to Canals?

I was under the impression it was. Have a been missing out.

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Jim

My only worry is that when I die,my wife sells my fishing gear, for what I said I paid for it

Well I'm only 9 years behind

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Jim

My only worry is that when I die,my wife sells my fishing gear, for what I said I paid for it

It doesn't apply to the canal sections of the leicester GUC, but it gets confusing because it joins the river Soar in some places so obviously these are off limits in the close season, not that it seems to stop certain people from fishing! Although there are usually signs saying which parts are closed, these are often vandalised!

I used to fish the Lea Navi..and I am pretty sure the close season applys to it...It is connected to the main river in several places and has a flow.

The Lee Navigation has no closed season from Aqueduct Lock down to its confluence with the Thames at Bow. (Aqueduct Lock is just upstream from Cheshunt).
D