Just got back from Lechlade. Managed to catch two 7Lb rainbows, one first cast the second a couple of hours later No interest in between the two fish.

One joker in a boat (or should I say smart ar$e?) was landing fish after fish afer anchoring up in the bay adjacent to the boathouse, thus impacting the bank fishers. He landed 8+ fish that I saw, when the rules clearly say you must buy a second ticket when your limit is reached.

This is my second visit and I am afraid to say it will be may last. Whilst the fish were a good size and plentiful (though difficult to catch for most there). In my opinion it was too busy, too many fisherman there, a not real opportunity to switch swims.

There was some sort of club outing (there was last time as well) they were noisy, rowdy, and drinking from cans at 09:00 in the morning! not the sort of people I pay £50 to mix with!

Very disappointed, I know times are hard Tim but the fishery could be supervised much better.

ive fished it a few times mate and loved it .but i agree it gets too busy at times.i was fortunate to fish it a couple o times thru week which made a difference as for the clown who was on the boat ?? id have shopped him STRAIGHT AWAY, dont let that day cloud your judgement tho m8 afterall i think tou had all the LOONIES in one day A wee buzz to TIM might be worhwhile tho as im sure thats not the way hed like it. good post m8

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Dont do to someone that you wouldnt like done to yourself

I was there on the Friday before, and the fish were in the same area, as well as up by the house. the fish were fighting fit, and because it was a friday, (and a corp. day) there was a lot of bank space to explore. I had 8 over the course of the day, including a 9ish lb brownie (released) and a 14lb 2oz rainbow. Don't give up on it because of a few lager louts Ian, it's a great place for some winter fishing. I think there are some grayling in the river too.

Not really a reply to any of the above posts, but just a personal view of Lechlade after a day's fishing there today.
Great conditions, light breeze, cool, cloudy, and not overcrowded as the weekend apparently was, but a few guys there, all seemingly doing very well, plenty of fish being taken on varying methods. I did ok, having most joy on a bloodworm very close to the surface and also some interest on a daddy right on the top, and caught my limit of 4 rainbows between 7 and 8.5 pounds. (the biggest fish I have ever caught in my life by the way!) Now, I have only been fishing for around 15 months but have packed quite a bit in during this period, and I have to say I have never seen 4 such miserable looking fish as these. Their tails I reckon were somewher between 55 and 65 pct of their 'optimum'. They were all 'patchy' on their skin (bird attacks maybe?). The tails apart, not one had a full set of fins and this was reflected in the fight they put up, only one not rolling almost immediately to the surface. (I was using a 6 wt rod and line with 8 lb tapering down to 6 on the leader). Maybe I was unlucky with the 4 sad things I caught, but I think not, as when I got to the gutting room, there was a wheelbarrow load of fish waiting there and the top 4 or 5 i could see were equally poor condition wise.
I still enjoyed my day. Very helpful staff, pretty place, and apologies for the 'bleat' but that's how I see it and how I feel.
Won't be going back and that's a pity, although after this post I'm sure I won't be missed.
Cheers and thanks for reading.

Delray.

Your right about the fish the two I caught had very poor tails and put up little fight before they were landed.

It's a great place to fish and I am pleased it is not always overcrowded maybe I've been unlucky (twice?)

It is a shame that although the fish are a great average size the quality is not really what you would expect.

I do have to say though the fish are a much better average size than those at Avington and similar quality so I guess Lechlade offers better value at the end of the day?

The last couple of posts are very interesting. I haven't fished Lechlade much recently, but when i was there on Friday, i had some great fishing. One fish (of the 8) was a pretty grubby affair with a poor tail, but the others were all in great nick. The 14 pounder had a full tail and fought me to the backing (on an 8 weight) one was a poor fighter, but i often saw people playing fish that ran and ran and ran.

Can't offer any excuse for your fish, but mine were pretty good to tell the truth, and certainly no worse than waht you'd get from other stillies.

Had thought of going over the next couple of weeks, always lead to believe it's in prime condition through the winter months.

I fished there in the summer and hit a 5/6lb fish on a 5 weight and as soon as it felt the hook it went belly up and wallowed into the net. I think even Tim regards it as a winter fishery.

We went over to Bushy in the evening and had some cracking sport on dries, really made our day.

Unfortunately, I'll have to go on a Saturday. It'll be interesting to see other peoples recent experiences.

Tim certainly regards it as a winter fishery. in the summer the fish get lethargic and become extremely difficult, which is why he stocks his bigger fish in the winter.

Would be interested to hear how you get on.

Alex

I am a bit surprised. I have been to Lechlade for a day out for the last 5 years, the last time in Apr 08. I have been broken several times on 10lb leader, straightened hooks and taken for trips around the lake including being towed round in the boat while tied to a buoy. On one trip I had a fish that went in the bin but generally I smoke fillets of the lumps without any problem.

regards

vgb