hi , im thinking of going to chalk springs in a few weeks time, does anyone have any advice on flies and technique's there as i understand its a little different to fish as the water is so clear.

thanks

small and heavy bugs. if you get there and the fish are cruising near the bottom and doing nothing then a heavy bug sitting on the bottom and twitched as the fish nears can the induce a take. i found this out by accident after flogging the water to a froth and getting lazy,leaving my fly sitting on the floor. i went to pick up the fly to recast and a big brown nailed it. i couldnt get another take for love nor money and tried it again BANG fish number 2. not exactly in the true sense of fly fishing but its an option if you struggle.

this is the only method that i could get to work that day and other anglers were getting the odd fish but i think i was the only one with a limit bag.

i have fished it a few times but by no means a regular. but it is like gordons gin.

hope you have fun.
jon.

P.S i have recently heard that the fishery has changed hands so it might have changed since the last time i visited.

Completely irrelevant but would anyone care to explain whatever mother nature does that makes the water run so clear?

the water comes from a chalk spring and its like evian, the chalk filters the water as it rises through it. ive never seen anything like it. the trout are like submarines and you can see every move they make. dont know if that is a good thing or not i kept striking to early. dont fish a lot of stillwaters anymore i like my wild brownies but this place is one of the best but it can get busy.

Yep good place. The blue trout are something to behold. In that water they are almost glowing blue - incredible. Bugs are the way ahead BTW. If there's a ride try dries but bugs will guarantee - something with a bit of movement when it's twitched eg bloodworm etc.

Fished there last a couple of years ago, got all stealth like stalking fish but still struggled, very frustrating.

One chap there, bold as brass, every false cast splashing on the water, all fish in a 10 mile radius new he was there, did he catch, to ****ing right he did.
I am convinced this disturbance sounded like trout pellets and actually attracted the fish and got them into a frenzy.

Plumpy

I have fished chalk springs many many times, and think i know it pretty well, Yes its very very clear but think of this as a bonus as it lets you see the fish.!

If i were to offer any advice it would be as follows:

Keep Mobile! - Some fishers root themselves to the spot near a shoal of fish and haul out a couple of 2 pounders. great, but not what CS is about. Have a look everywhere and you'll see some very large browns well into double figures to have a cast at!

Don't ignore big flies. I've been extremely lucky there and have had 38 double figure browns from CS (like the one in my avatar) Theyre wonderful, good conditioned, and very hard fighting fish. Most of my big browns have come on weighted marabou tailed 'damsels' in black or green. Either let the fish cometo the fly and retrieve it off the bottom, or bring the fly from behind the fish and into his line of sight for a follow. DO NOT stop the retrieve, as the fish will always reject it. The best way to get a take here is to have the brown follow the fly, then as he closes in, give the fly a tug to pull it away! the fish will then usually take very aggressively

Don't give up! - As long as you don't spook them, the big browns will often react to your 5th, 10th change of fly you'll get no interest, no interest, no interest - WHAM! however if he appears scared of your fly - move on, there'll be another in there!

Hotspots..? Try the top and bottom ends of the East Lake, and under the trees on the right hand side. At the far end is an overhanging willow, and if the sun's up, there will always be a big brown under here. In the S Lake, try under the trees on the far bank, although casting is difficult, and all along the bottom bank near the willow. this is where the water's deepest and holds the big fish. the top end of the S lake also has a deep hole that's worth exploring.

The W Lake takes a bit of a thrashing, and while there are always fish in here, don't waste too much time. they;ll probably have seen a snagger or two trying to deliberately foul hook them Have a look at the Top inflow in the N pool too, as this often holds a surprise...

Tight lines

Alex