Although I fancied a trip to Grafham I gave my regular boat partner (recently returned from Australia, and gagging at the bit to catch fish) the choice of venue.As Ravo is a good bet for an action packed day we ended up there, on what looked like good conditions- overcast with a decent wind (though a little changeable and cool) and a few late martins starting to appear.
I couldn't see as many fish on top as usual so only fished a team of surface nymphs for the first two drifts, only having one quick take.When my mate's first fish took his dry on the top dropper I went the whole hog with #14 bob's bits on tops, h.e spider in the middle and #12 claret hopper on the point.As a hatch of tiny buzzers began at about ten-thirty the fish showed well, though they were hard to take.Spooning my first fish showed lots of tiny black and very tiny bright green buzzers.Lots of interest in the dries but no matter how carefully presented only about one in ten were hooked.Unusually the sunk spider took no fish, with the hopper taking slightly more than the bob's bits, so I don't think size was an issue.A lot of boats appeared to be struggling, normally the ones who anchor up, and sometimes don't move all day.
An interesting day's fishing, if tricky.I want to get at some fry feeders now!
Gads

Hi Gads,

Ships in the night, mate ... well, boats in the evening anyway! I managed an afternoon/evening session at Ravo today. Up at the Coton end I didn't see many fish move and most of those I did see were nearer the upwind shore.

I began by fishing dries and emergers on the drift but, although a few fish came up and had a look, they would not take properly.

After a few unsuccessful drifts, I decided to try fishing at anchor near the weed beds on the southern shore. A change of tectics seemd called for so I rigged up a washing line set-up with a Cruncher Booby on the point supporting a couple of small nymphs. The switch worked for I took a few fish in quick succession, the best a lovely 51/2 lb rainbow which accepted a s12 Pearly Hare's Ear. The method allowed the small nymphs to be fished really slowly in the top few inches which was definitely how and where the trout wanted them.

For the last while I reverted to drifting with emergers and in this way took one more fish on a 14s Red Bob's Bits.

All in all, a very enjoyable few hours' fishing.

Mugsy

Hi Mugsy,
We will meet, one day!Glad you had a good session- the bigger fish certainly power off when you hook them on the surface.
You are dead right about the fish wanting the flies in the top few inches; maybe my hares ear spider, despite being suspended between two dries, was sinking too deep.I found it odd it didn't take at least a couple of fish.
I found most fish at the end of the drift, right on the weed edge, though I would warn anyone not to get stuck in it like I did! It took a lot of back and forwards to get out; I began to have thoughts of Shackleton caught in the pack ice. Not having taken oars on board (oops) I thought I would have to phone Graham and ask him to tow me out, but avoided the embarassment.Just.
All the best,
Gads