Total Flyfisher Magazine

This weeks picture was taken during a ‘shrimping’ trip to Grafham a couple of weeks ago. It was, without doubt, one of the best bank fishing days I’ve had for years even with the wind whistling into our faces for most of the day. Even my rather famous rock god musician mate, who had to thaw his fingers out twice in a cup of coffee, stuck it out until the end of the day. Which in itself is almost unheard of, as he normally bails out at the slightest sniff of breeze or inclement weather.    

Received some interesting information most fly fishermen will be keen to hear…the opening times for the ‘Big Four’ midland reservoirs in 2012. And here they are: Ravensthorpe Reservoir Friday 2 March 2012; Pitsford Water Friday 9 March 2012; Grafham Water Friday 16 March 2012 and Rutland Water Saturday 31 March 2012 (tbc).

So there’s only the winter to see out and we can start again…can’t wait! Have a look at next week’s blog for the Anglian Water Airflo International dates for 2012

Last week Anglian Water were granted permission by the Environment Agency to extract water from the River Nene to replenish Pitsford Water which has dropped to a pretty alarming level. It’s now less than 50% full, or empty whichever is your choice, and is well below the Anglian Water target level. However, I guess it all depends on the river levels over the winter. For sure, we badly need some significant rainfall to help all reservoirs save those in the North East, North West and Scotland. The Island in the middle of the Pitsford ‘small half’ is now fully exposed a sight that is more unusual than hen’s teeth.

Not much else to report apart from a delightful bit of graffiti I spotted on a desk in an examination room in the school where I am an Exam Invigilator. It read, “I’m so bored I’m playing ‘I Spy’ by myself.” Oh, the younger generation how prophetic, it used to be “Albert wos here,” in my day, how things change!

Cliff Waters
www.fishypics.co.uk