Autumnal Fly Fishing for Bass and Grayling

Fishing under the Seven Sisters

It's been a very mild autumn this year. We are into November now, yet to have a frost and it still feels warm. I've had a couple of free days this week as I'm waiting for my next decorating job to start. What better way to fill the time than a spot of fishing!

On Monday morning I was treated to the most incredible, misty dawn down under the Seven Sister's cliffs. I headed down there on the off chance that there might be a Bass or two willing to take a fly.

The weather over the weekend had been very calm and settled. On arrival I noticed that the water was nice and clear. This is essential to success on the fly in my experience and was a good start. I rigged up my new fly rod as quickly as I could, watching small fish topping no more than 30 yards out. Another good sign......it was looking very fishy!

I started fishing with an epoxy sand eel pattern on an #8 weight set up and floating line. The leader was 9 feet of 10lb fluorocarbon straight through.

Epoxy Sand Eel Fly

Starting at low tide, I waded in to knee depth and began casting. First straight out to sea and then by fanning casts around the clock to cover the water. It can't have been more than my fourth cast when the line pulled tight in my hand signalling a fish had hit the fly. I instinctively set the hook with my left hand by giving the line a good tug and the fight was on.

At first the fish was confused, topping once and floundering a little. Then it got it's head down and charged off out to sea, taking line as it went. At this point, I realised I was attached to something fairly substantial and the old knees started to knock a bit.

After a few more runs and some stubborn resistance the fish finally tired having given a good account of itself. I could now see it was a cracking bass hooked very nicely with the fly sitting comfortably in the scissors. This was my first bass on the fly for quite some time as my fishing efforts have been concentrated elsewhere recently. To say I was pleased is an understatement. I was over the moon.

In my eyes, there's not much better than taking a fish like a bass on a fly from my local patch. It's a pretty special place and they are pretty special fish.

I'd guess it went between 3 to 4lbs, so not massive but an amazing experience on the fly tackle. I followed this up with another 5, all of which were smaller, around the pound mark and like peas in a pod. Probably the last chance this year as the South Westerly winds have now picked up again bringing with them colour to the water. I'm glad I went.

Beautiful bass 

My friend and casting instructor Bob also invited me down to the River Itchen on wednesday to have a bash at chalk stream Grayling fishing. This is something I've always wanted to have a go at as the water is so clear it adds a whole new dimension to the fishing. You can see the fish and they can see you!

The technique here is to creep along the river, spotting fish as you go and covering them with your fly. Casting upstream above the fish and dead drifting your offering past the grayling or trout in the process was the aim of the game. Without being seen of course!

Bob in action on the Itchen

We were fishing #5 weight fly fishing gear, floating lines and bite indicators with a small leaded nymph suspended below on a 3.5lb tippet. Keeping off the skyline was essential as the fish were very easily spooked.

After a slow start and a little advice from Bob regarding mending the line and use of the wiggle cast, things started to improve. I managed a tiny grayling first off, more by luck than judgement I think. Then a move on to a carrier stream proved to be a little easier as 3 more reasonable grayling came to the net.

The stamp of grayling we encountered

It was a new experience for me flyfishing on the chalk streams but I have to say it really was very exciting. I'd love to go back again some time in the summer when the trout are rising to dry flies. That will no doubt be 'heart in the mouth' stuff. Until the next time - TIGHT LINES!