Churn Pool Fishery

Author Archive

Well done to Stan, Steve, Bob, Dave, & Matt who have managed to land some nice rainbows over the last couple of days. A special mention must go to Chris Cannon for a beautiful 7lb 2oz rainbow which was lured by a Damsel from the far point, fishing towards the bank. Those big fish are certainly in the margins including a few brownies.

While the fishing has been hard since reopening in October due to continued high temperatures at the start of the month and residual heat, the frosts have done us a favour and the fishing is showing signs of returning to normal. For the past few years at least, October has been a time of transition while we look forward to our winter sport. We would like to thank those who have bore this in mind and greatly appreciate your support.

New stock should be with us for the weekend of 30th October. We’ll see how the stock responds and review tactics over the next few days. We’ll update the note board in the ‘sign in’ hut with what’s working also.

For those of you that have noticed the web site is rather outdated, this is being worked on and should look updated, shiny and new fairly soon.

The last few cold nights have lowered the day temperature to 58/14.5 degrees and we are starting to see the fish move a little more including signs of chasing fry. After the success of last weekend, it’s still an idea to keep close to the margins initially before branching out. 

All the best!

With the water still at 60/15.5 degrees, Churn Pool is still very challenging, but that didn’t stop Nick Jones from bagging two stunning rainbows just over 6lbs each and a brownie estimated at 8-9lbs. I believe the method was a size 14 slim pheasant tail left to sink with a few sharp pulls. Both Stan Kerslake and John Steedman also deserve a mention after success on stalking bugs and brown damsels fished in the margins. Well done.

October 1st is almost upon us after a few months of hibernation and well deserved rest. We’ve been busy mowing and pruning in the last week or so but it’s rather a shame that the leaves are due to fall. Regardless, we’re sure we have some great winter fishing ahead of us and the water temperature is dropping slowly. This time last year, all still waters in the south west had to cope with the residual heat of summer but we feel this year will get off to a better start. There’s not a lot we can do about mother nature so we’ll see what cards we are dealt. 

We’re very much looking forward to seeing you on the bank again. The kettle will be on!

Well done to Dave Phillips, Dave Norrie and Shogo this weekend for landing some great fish in reasonably hard conditions. Trout were rising all over the lake, but appeared to be extremely selective. Most fell to emergers and parachute patterns fished into the ripple while Mr Phillips secured four on a size 16 PTN.

Under the watchful eye of Alan Grunig, Saturdays tuition with the Wiltshire Fly Fishing School was great as we saw seven people new to fly fishing managing to cast and occasionally temp a few fish with one landed in time for supper.  Well done to your all.

Just a reminder that there will be casting lessons for around 10 clients on Saturday afternoon so it may be busy. Saturday morning, Sunday and Bank Holiday are business as usual. (Saturday evening too, for that matter)

Friday evening saw a great rise from about 20.30 with some very nice rainbows taking the Mayfly and other tasty morsels until nearly 10pm.

The weather looks to be a mixed bag but it should remain largely overcast so the fishing should be okay. As the water tempurature ramains in the early 60′s,  you’ll often have to work a little harder and either fish deep or really look at what’s hatching.  Tight lines !!!

For anyone after some great sport after work, the evenings have seen some great rises. Dry fly action has been fantastic with Emergers, Sedge and F-Fly’s doing the business. What better way to finish the day?

Not a member? Evening tickets are available after 5pm for £15.  3 fish limit with the option to retain your first fish. Tight lines!!!

Please be advised of the following dates if you plan to fish as it could be a tight squeeze….

May 20th:                         North Wiltshire Fly Fishing Club Evening

The club have their annual evening Fish and BBQ at Churn Pool Fishery. Keith Passant from Orvis (Burford) should be in attendance for anyone wishing to try out a Helios, Hydros, Western3 or Clearwater.  If you wish to have a chat with the members or fancy a cast, please drop in.

May 22nd:  There are 8 fishermen booked in for this Saturday along with a few family members. We have allowed a BBQ on this occasion and advise that the fishery could be busy after mid to late morning.

May 29th : Updated  Jim Williams’ Wiltshire Fly Fishing School will be giving tuition to 10 clients on the Saturday of the Bank Holiday from 13.30 – 17.00. This will obviously be  busy over some of the lake.  Sunday & Bank Holiday Monday will be business as usual.

June 26th:  To see out the first six months before we close for the summer, we’ll be having a BBQ for our members and any Day Ticket visitors in attendance. We look foreard to seeing as many of you as possible and may well have a competition for Best Fish in the morning. More info TBA.

New stock will be delivered 17th March. With the evenings erupting with surfce action, the new additions should provide some great sport.