Back to Chalk Springs earlier today.

Had 3 fish between 08:30 & 18:00, first up a rainbow that inhaled a GRHE which I had to remove with forceps from half way down his throat. He was 2lb 8oz.

Next up a lovely 2lb 10oz brownie who, after a minute's thought decided to munch my hacklepoint coachman dry fly!


2 fish in the first hour. Not so bad for my first day back out.

Lastly another rainbow, just a shade under 3lb, which also took the hacklepoint coachman I plonked just in front of his head, again, after a minute's pause.


Biggest fish I saw caught was a brown of about 7 or 8 lbs.

Nice one Steve, so when is your second day out going to be?
Cheers
Gerry

www.artifly.com

Lovely to get back isn't it?

Chalk Springs is one of those places where the water is so crystal clear (usually) that you will see, weather and water temperature permitting, that every sinlge cast and retrieve you will have a follow.

I have even seen two trout knocking the fly between them while chasing it.

Great pictures Steve and as the previous post says don't wait so long until next time.

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GAIA: APGAI & GAIC, Single Handed. Qualified Mentor & Trainee Assessor
FFF MCI - Master Casting instructor
ADB Level 1 & Level 2 Coach (Game) http://www.flyfishlondon.co.uk/

Chalk Springs is great. However...
Considering it was a pretty random Friday, there were about 20 anglers on the lakes at any one time. At one point I noticed 5 people (!) huddled together fishing the tiny North pool, which I couldn't help but laugh out loud at.
I think the fishery can only really support about 16 anglers max.
They do stock plenty of fish though, & maybe 30-40% of those I saw were brownies.
I would never fish blind at a place like this, so I kept moving around, cast several times at bigger looking fish but had no luck, so I went light & had some fun with the regulation-sized fish instead.
Playing the first ranbow entirely off the reel was super fun, as was getting the other 2 on a size 12 dry fly.
There appeared to be at least 2 or 3 x 6-8lb+ fish in each lake apart from the North pool, which had 2-4lb'ers.

I'm out next on Friday 4th.
Chalk Springs is fully booked, so I'm thinking of a few alternatives. Maybe Powder Mills near Guildford, or even Blackwool Farm near Petworth.

Anyone got any other suggestions (I live in Crawley in W Sussex)?

Ask Peter Cockwill (if he is back from Alaska) as he would put you straight, about what is available, like Weston fishery etc...

Check with Blackwool as they use to stock on Thursday so Friday was the best days for monsters as after the weekend fishing it may have very few fish left.

__________________
GAIA: APGAI & GAIC, Single Handed. Qualified Mentor & Trainee Assessor
FFF MCI - Master Casting instructor
ADB Level 1 & Level 2 Coach (Game) http://www.flyfishlondon.co.uk/

very nice looking fish steve,is that the xflite you have in the picture.




If our father had had his say, nobody who did not know how to catch a fish would be allowed to disgrace a fish by catching him.

Thanks.
I already emailed Blackwool, so I'll see what they say.

I quite fancied Duncton Mill, but after having spoken to a few people, it seems that in warm weather the fishery is particularly badly affected so it may not be worth getting a season membership if I only end up going a few times in the cooler months.

---------- Post added at 05:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:02 AM ----------

Thanks & yes it's a 9'6" #7 x-flite with matching reel & WF #7 Greys platinum floater.

Last time I looked at Duncton Mill's web site it seemed to be members only for part of the year, but I'm not a member and whenever I've rung up to book it doesn't seem to be a problem. Give them a ring if you fancy a day there, they can only say no.

at the moment is hard going, but may be OK when you want to go. I have had a few recently out of the small stream/river that runs around it, but had no luck there this afternoon. However, I had a few casts into the lake about 6is and surprised myself with a nice 4lb rainbow on a small black buzzer cast near the shaded trees on a floater. Good fun on a 3wt rod, so they are there, just not exactly prolific.


All the best

OTT

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'If you didn't waste your youth, you never had one!'. Bloke in the public bar circa 1970