For the last couple of years, during the
period between Christmas and New Year,
we’ve “enjoyed” traditional grayling
weather – freezing conditions, snow, low
water and ice in the margins. This year
it’s been the opposite with heavy rain, high
water and temperatures in double figures.

On Boxing Day the river level had been
edging into the “danger of flooding”
segment of the EA’s Ashford river gauge
but happily it was easing back by the time
we arrived for our traditional “cabin-fever”
get together on the following day. A glance
over the bridge at the Bobbin Mill confirmed
it was still high but fining down nicely,
with that lovely tinge of jade which always
gives me confidence at this time of year.

There were plenty of midges in the air as we
tackled up, enjoying a Sloegasm, courtesy
of Chris Pryor’s well stocked mobile drinks

rainbow, quickly followed by a very nice
grayling which had taken the Serendipity

cabinet. Rather unsteadily we made our
way up and down the river to see if the
grayling were coming out to play.

There was nothing showing on the surface
so I put on a couple of reasonably heavy
nymphs – a PTN on the point and a white
bead head Serendipity on the dropper. The
PTN was tied on one of those Czech
cranked-shank jig hooks which fish with
the hook point uppermost. This took the
first fish – a spanking bright winter

as the cast came round behind me. This is
a characteristic grayling take. Stuart
Crofts was telling me later over a pint that
the fish will often gather behind an angler,
feeding on stuff dislodged by his wading.
So it always pays to fish out the cast,
drawing the flies slightly upstream then
letting them down again, a movement that
grayling find irresistible. A sort of
downstream induced take. Another bright
silver rainbow followed, fin perfect and
bursting with life, and then the tiniest
grayling I’ve ever caught – no more than 3
inches but a perfect little specimen.

It was now 1.30 pm and time for a cup of
tea with some of Dr Smith’s Christmas
Cake and Wensleydale Cheese. And of
course on cue, a hatch of Olives started as
soon as we were tucking in. A few fish
started to show on the surface but we’d all
had a fish or two during the morning and
the lure of the pub was now more attractive.

Later, over lunch at the Cock & Pullet,
Stuart asked us – which olive did we think
had been hatching? We all assumed Large
Darks, but in fact they were actually Blue
Wings, Stuart having caught a specimen
which he produced from his fly box, still
alive. Quite amazing to see them hatching
so late in the year, presumably encouraged

Cressbrook & Litton Flyfishers’ Club
Fishing Report 29 December 2011

by the mild weather, and a reminder never
to assume anything in fly fishing.

I shall be doing more shooting than fishing
in January but given reasonable weather, I
intend to put in a few more grayling
sessions as the days start to draw out
during February and early March. I hope
I’ll see you on the riverbank.

Happy New Year & tight lines!
DJM

david@mgrw.co.uk to order.

The Peak Passport waters also have some Grayling fishing available with some surprisingly large fish in the Manifold and Dove.

On the stillwater scene, Press Manor is fishing well, as is Barlow.  On the larger stilwaters fish are now switching onto the fry.

On the Pike fishing front, we spent a day on a large midlands water with angling writer and all round good egg, Robert Tomes.  Robert is a reknowned Muskie fly fisherman and is the author of the Muskie bible, “Muskie on the Fly.”  Fishing on intermediate lines we took numerous Pike upto mid-doubles.

On the Peacock water Poly Prop Spinners and tiny Griffiths Gnat’s at the last knockings have been taking fish. fish have also been on small sedges on the lower beats of the Peacock water.

Litton & Cressbrook have reported that pale wateries appear to be the main upwing during the day, coming off in trickle hatches. Beadhead nymphs and olive emergers are also worth a try.

On the Peak Passport waters the Manifold is fishing well. Stealth is required on this small river. A heavy foot will scatter fish within 30 yards.

As expected the stillwaters are hard. Small buzzers fished static at Press Manor seem to be the order of the day. At Carsington fish are in the main bowl. The outer edges being choked with weed.

On the CLFFC the consensus is that the Mayfly was something of a damp squib this year. There were one or two days when good hatches occurred, particularly on the Day Ticket water but by and large there wasn’t a lot of fly about on the Wye, even down at Haddon. There was a fair spinner fall on the evening of the 4th but that was about it. Otherwise it was trickle hatches and windy evenings – anathema for the spinners and fly fishers alike.

On the stillwaters, things are turning harder. At ladybower and Carsington fish have moved out to deeper water. The main bowls are worth a try.

Despite the lack of rain there are plenty of fish to be caught provided you’re extra stealth like and keep a low profile. Long leaders will also help while the rivers are low.

On the Peacock stretch of the Wye, mid-day olive hatches are bringing the fish to the surface. Small olives (surprisingly), small sedges and double badgers seem to be the way to go. With the lack of rain try the faster runs.
On the Cressbrook and Litton water olives again are comimg off around mid-day. Small loop-wing duns, cdc olives and olive klinks have worked well. When fish aren’t rising try prospecting with a small bead head pheasent tail nymph fished upstream.

On the stillwater scene, Errwood has produced some nice fish with a fish estimated around 15lb taken on a dry fly. Best areas, east bank, gillmans point, duffers on the west bank.

Ladybower producing some nice fish. Bank anglers taking the most fish.

The Cressbrook and Litton stretch of the Wye opened on the 18th March. Reports of some nice fish being taken. With little weed cover at the minute fish are easily spooked so it’s advisable to spend more time fishing the deeper holes. As expected so early in the season hatches are sporadic. Reports of LDO’s coming off around lunchtime and fish have responded well to Loop Wing Dun’s and Kite’s Imperial.
The Peacock stretch of the Wye opened on the 1st April. Hatches of olives coming off as the day warms up along with a few small sedge. Don’t be in a rush to start fishing. it pays to spend a little time observing before making that first cast.

On the stillwater scene the warm weather has certainly made a big difference to the fishing. Ladybower has switched on with reports of a number of limit bags taken. Amongst them some quality fish being taken.
Barlow, Press Manor and Foremark all report good fishing.

Barlow is fishing well. Hatches of buzzers in the warmer parts of the day. Plenty of fish coming out to buzzers and just about any pattern to be honest.

Further afield, Arnfield fishing well. Lots of big fish coming out to Montana’s, mini-lures and nymphs.

Press manor now open 7 days a week

Not long to wait now until the rivers open. The Peak Passport waters will not be open until mid-April this year. Anyone that fishes these waters will know that it takes a while for the water to warm up and for the fishing to get going. From mi-April onwards is about right.

The season kicked off at Ladybower on the 1st March with great anticipation. Some anglers left disappointed at the lack of sport. However, let’s not forget the new owners have had barely 3 weeks to try and turn around years of neglect. Anglers who did catch reported some stunning fish over the 3lb mark. Restocking is taking place as quickly as fish can be sourced. No easy feat at this time of year. The new management team deserve our support to help make this fishery great again.

On the smaller stillwaters, Barlow and Press are reporting conistant catches. Buzzers and mini-lures fished slowly accounting for fish.

The Grayling season is nearly over now. The odd nice fish still being taken from the Peak Passport waters.

It was possible to tempt a fish with heavy ressy tactics on the whole but a longish leader and a small fly fished Washing line or an attractor type mini Montana or small bead headed river fly like the dee devil produced at least a few takes. One skillful angler even rose a good few fish to a carefully fished dry fly, not bad going, as someone said it is still only February!

Barlow is open all year and the few anglers who fish through the winter are of course better placed to take advantage of spring and summer when it does finally arrive. It felt close today!

Press Manor is still Thursday to Sunday for the next couple of weeks, it fished well to buzzers and hares ear nymph on a recent visit, again fish fussing around the sparse hatch of buzzer but willing to take something other than the tiny flies we get at this time of year.

Both these fisheries have spent a long winter frozen over and need and indeed deserve as much support as we can give them.

The big news of course is the opening of Ladybower under new management. At this moment reports suggest that very few boats are available but it fishes better from the bank any way. It was common to see drifting boats casting right up to the bank in the opening day madness of yesteryear

Lures on a sinker will be expected to catch as usual, but sometimes a proper fly may sort out the better fish.

Rivers. Very little to say ,good clean high water levels, some fresh redds cut on the wye and grayling pairing up, nobody fishing for anything much with a fly rod at least, but not long now!