Thinking of expanding my fly fishing odyssey next season to sea trout. Given that I will mostly be fishing the Itchen and maybe some other southern chalk streams what tackle (rod weight, line type etc) will be best? Flies? Any top tips?

I am assuming night patrols are de rigeur?

And can anyone recommend a good internet resource? I've found a few but would appreciate a steer on which are best.

Good to be a total novice again Thanks in advance for your help.

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Many thanks Beanzy- PM replied to

I have not fished for sea trout on the Itchen, but my house overlooks the Salmon Pool at Woodmill and I can see the poor souls flogging the water, particularly in the late summer. I am told it cost £180 for the night for the pool. They are using #6 or #7 rods, nothing larger. The numbers of sea trout coming up the river are not large. I often take my rabbiting lamp and do a river inspection late at night. The river flows through the bittern park and from August to October you will normally spot a handful of 3-6lb sea trout and 2 or 3 7-10lb salmon. One of these days I will give them a go, but I’m more of a Test man!!

mjg

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mjg, John (especially for the very comprehensive post) - thanks to you both for posting. Lots of extremely useful info.

Please keep it coming!!!

Regarding the best time of year, I am told by the locals that for the best sea trout fishing wait until the blackberries are ready. This has always seemed a bit late to me, but I certainly see more fish jumping August time.

mjg

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Yes, another one for "when the fox gloves are in bloom".

Sea trout fishing is IMHO the pinnacle of fly fishing. One of the most frustrating, exciting, infuriating sides of fly fishing there is.

If I could give only one bit of advice to a new comer to night time sea trout fishing it would be;

Don't over analyze. If you do, you can come to the wrong conclusions, which then introduces a sea trout anglers nemesis - waning confidence. Confidence in the fly you are using is essential, you can fish for sea trout throughout the season with no more than 2 or 3 patterns in your box. Try and resist the urge to chop and change flies all night. I use the exact same pattern on the dropper all season, and will only change the point fly if the water colours otherwise it will also be the same pattern all season.

All i can say is that i was on a sea trout quest this year on my local river and had endless night sessions . I never caught 1 ....... but it was some of the best fishing highlights of my year was waiting for "that time" and heading down to the river bank . It opened up a whole new aspect of fishing when i started the quest for a sea trout . And i'll be doing the same in 2010 .

good luck and i hope you have the same amount of enjoyment as i did !!!

im surprised i didnt wear out the forum page "sea trout flies" copying patterns and reading peoples theories

marky


ps


after me trying with considerable stealth my friend stanners got 1 on the river in daylight , blue sky / sunny .... when nothing was moving .