June 2013 fishing report

Malcolm Watson makes his day

It was the anniversary of D-Day, 6th June, and it was also my birthday. To celebrate both of these momentous events I decided to have a D (Dry) day on Well Lake, here at Brick Farm Lakes. This meant I was to practise my dry fly fishing techniques, not go without a glass of wine of two!  Well Lake is ideally suited for this particularly unique form of angling, with its crystal clear, deep, spring fed water and surrounded by open hay fields and woods full of the necessary insect life. It has all the requirements for a top class venue for fishing a dry fly at this time of year. With a good stock of Rainbows and Brownies I was looking forward to an enjoyable session, for once telling myself not to worry if I didn’t catch as long as I learnt a thing or two, practise makes perfect etc., etc. (I know I didn’t believe a word of it either!).

Today was to be a day of treats and nice things so, after a coffee and flapjack for breakfast in the Fishing Lodge and booking a breakfast for lunch and armed with a handful of new flies off I set. The only “fly in the ointment” was the wind AGAIN which was blowing a gale from the North-East up the backside, if you’ll pardon the expression, of the dam. I surveyed the scene. I was the only fool, sorry angler, to be brave enough to venture forth. I had the whole lake to myself, which, on a different day would have been a joy, but I couldn’t help feeling on this occasion more than a little sense of trepidation. Did I really want to do this? Of course I did! Fishing constantly throws us challenges and problems to solve and if you choose not to tackle them then you fail to learn and progress. Those planning operation Neptune didn’t back out because things looked “a bit tricky!” 

A Parmenter from Bexhill bags a pair including a 4lb 2oz rainbow trout

We had a most enjoyable quiz night on May 30th. With Keith as Quiz Master and with a delicious ploughman supper (which was more than you could eat) served by Sophie and Vicky it was a great evening for all those taking part.  Big congratulations to the winning team Timmy's Tadpoles with an impressive 94 points out of 100! (Note to self…swat up a bit next year!)

Peter Winder and his niece enjoy a successful day’s fishing at Brick Farm

Our next big day here is on Saturday 21st September. This is when we are happy to host the annual St. Michael’s Hospice Charity Fly Fishing Day. It is a fantastic way to combine your beloved sport with supporting a very worthy cause. The day includes a 4-fish ticket, breakfast, homemade lunch, pudding and afternoon tea with prizes and trophies to be won. Cost is only £52, to enter please contact Marcia Dart on 01424 456381 or mdart@stmichaelshospice.com.

Wishing you tight lines for July…