Trout season lives on - winter rainbows at Avington

A near double figure winter rainbow from Avington

I met up with Paul Richardson of Wychwood Game Fishing at Avington trout fishery nestled deep in the Hampshire countryside this week to see if we could tempt any of their famous hard fighting trout.

After the recent gales that lashed the UK it was a pleasant break in the weather that greeted us on our arrival at Avington on the dot at 8am opening time. Blue skies with a few clouds and a mild temperature that held up most of the day and just a handful of other anglers who had decided to give it a go.

Paul had brought down some Wychwood tackle to use including the EFFTEX winning Truefly reel so I was hoping to see it put through its paces - I was not to be disappointed!

As this was Paul's first trip to Avington we chatted over a morning coffee to fishery staff members Dorjee and Cameron who along with Fishery Directory Sam Seall take excellent care of the facility, the fish and their guests. Wychwood tackle is stocked in the Avington tackle shop and so this was also a good chance to talk 'shop' literally!

Then it was down to the lakes for a quick orientation before begining to fish. A few trout were sipping midges off the surface as we walked around, quite a nice sight for November! Finding a likely looking spot in the middle of lake 2 Paul tied on a red damsel and fired it out into the middle where there were some fish making themselves obvious and it was not long before one obliged. Maybe it's because they are bred on site in the pure waters diverted from the Itchen next door but there is something special about Avington trout. They are particularly dogged fighters and this one was no different giving a great account of itself and making a commotion whenever it could. The other benefit of the chalkstream fed lakes are that the water temperature remains fairly constant over the winter so even when there is snow on the banks, the trout are still willing to feed and be caught.

Paul and I wandered from lake to lake during the course of the day catching a few more fish and losing some large ones at distance when hooks pulled out. Not to be defeated however we gave those areas a rest and returned later in the day when Paul hooked up with an obviously larger rainbow that had come out from under one of the bankside trees. Silver flanks sparkled as it rolled on the surface before being drawn into the waiting net, a near double figure fish and in prime condition (see main picture at top). Avington remains well-known and deservedly so and one of the top stalking waters in the country thanks to fish like this and much larger of course too. Visit in the summer and you'll have shots at double-figure brownies too!

After satisfying ourselves on the lakes we also took advantage of the small carrier stream that runs alonside the fishery with its head of wild grayling and some trout too. The grayling remained elusive and very spooky, shying away at the slightest hint of a leader or the splash of a fly too close for comfort which is a shame as there were some nice fish up to around a pound or so but all the more reason to return. A rainbow of about 2lb was more obliging and sucked in my nymph at close quarters before dashing downstream making the 4 weight reel I was using sing its merry song before leaping twice into the air. The carrier does have some open spots but on the whole it's quite technical close quarter fishing due to the bankside vegetation and trees behind you. This makes for a great diversion from the lakes and their monsters and there are plenty of small wild browns and grayling also so bring a small stream rod and spare an hour or so on your next visit.

So just because the brown trout season has ended don't feel that you have to be finished for the year also. Wrap up warm and go enjoy one of the many fisheries all over the country that continue to offer great rainbow trout fishing all year long.

Go Fishing!

For full details of the fishery and how to get there please check their website at www.avingtontrout.com or call them on 01962 779312.