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Older News |
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Monday 28 June 2010
IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY
Last Thursday the fish delivery was late, so Vic, the bailiff, decided to have a few casts from the dam while waiting for the
fish to arrive. It was 11am and boiling hot, no breeze and clear skies. Seven casts and two fish later (he missed a third), the
consignment arrived and he had to get back to work. The moral of this is that if you know what you are doing you can catch fish,
even in what appear to be very unfavourable conditions. We are continuing to put more fish in than are being caught, so with the
continued settled warm weather there is absolutely no excuse for not being able to catch fish.
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Monday 21 June 2010
SAFETY FIRST
Rumour has it that local bookmakers were refusing to take bets this year on the likely hood of a Club member falling in off the
jetty. They were right, but fortunately it’s very shallow there. No one dares to calculate the average age of Club members, but
you would be very unlikely to meet a member under the age of 55! Visitors can be a little younger, but for some reason flyfishers
in the south east tend to generally be a pretty decrepit crowd. So it is very important that anglers use the correct method for
getting in and out of a boat. The ropes attached to the jetty railings are a valuable aid and not just there for decoration. The following
sequence of ten photos shows one of our geriatric members using the correct method to safely negotiate the delicate art of entering
a boat. But even when afloat, you need to watch out for hazards... look out for that willow tree! Unfortunately, your intrepid
reporter was unable to get the actual shot of the angler (who shall remain nameless) crashing into the willow branches as I was
falling about laughing at the time.
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Thursday 10 June 2010
NEWS FROM A CANADIAN COMPATRIOT
I was pleased to receive these photos from Pete Leduc who resides in Northern Ontario, Canada. He's currently fishing for speckled trout and Lake
trout but it will soon be the season for bass which will enable him to use his new outcast pontoon boat. I have asked him to send us some pictures
of this intriguing craft as it is not something that we are familiar with in Europe. From web pictures, it appears to look like two canoes joined
together by a frame with a seat attached. I cannot imagine how some of our older members (which come to think of it happens to be the vast majority
of our our members) would get into this contraption, let alone control it.
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Wednesday 9 June 2010
EVEN THE BAILIFF CAN BE BEATEN
The conditions on Monday looked perfect for a late evening rise. The previous evening the reservoir had been alive with rising fish. So this was the perfect
opportunity for Vic, the bailiff, to invite his pal Big John to partake in an exciting evening's dryfly fishing.
By 5pm fish were starting to rise and conditions
were perfect. A brief shower of rain put a stop to any activity and the evening proved fruitless. However. your intrepid reporter, always striving to bring you
the latest exciting news, could not resist taking a few shots of the inactivity. After all, it's not often that the bailiff blanks!
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Thursday 3 June 2010
MANDARIN FAMILY
A pair of mandarin ducks (Aix galericulata), have raised a large brood of chicks at the far end of the reservoir. I am told that there were around twenty chicks
originally but the current number is now nearing single figures, presumably due to the activity of
predators. Your intrepid reporter has never managed to breed
mandarins at home, despite having specially constructed nesting boxes for them, as foxes and an itinerant mink have always got the prospective parents before
any such activities could take place. Every time someone with a camera goes to photograph the family on the reservoir they are never in evidence, unlike the
friendly coots who parade their young up and down the dam.
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Wednesday 26 May 2010
AN ENJOYABLE DAY FOR A FIRST TIME VISITOR
"Many thanks for your prompt response to my original email enquiry. I thought I should let you know how I got on.
I went yesterday and had a great day!
Once I found it that is!!
What a little gem of a place. I saw Vic as soon as I arrived and got myself sorted re the booking in etc and I bought some flies from him.
It was clear blue skies at the start of the day so I thought I would try the bank straight across the reservoir from the Jetty as there was a
bit of shade there. I stayed there for about 20 minutes and nothing so I went to the north bank straight up the middle and fished to the West
of the reed line but fairly close in. This felt better. I was fishing 3 flies on an 18 foot leader, floating line. Generally mix of buzzer, diawl
bach and hoppers. Initially I was casting to the bank and with the wind behind me it was a cracking arcing drift. I then started casting out
towards the middle of the reservoir and had a couple of knocks. My cast just about reached the end of the reed line.
But then I changed my point fly to a beaded nomad and caught one on my top dropper which was a black buzzer. I had a few more knocks but nothing
held and a couple of fish swirled with a bit of a hatch going on. I experimented with a few flies including a Daddy and again more knocks and
three fish were hooked but I lost them all. Starting to think it wasn’t my day. I moved out in line with the end of the reed line and carried
on casting towards the middle and letting the flies just drift. I was now on just 3 black buzzers. I caught another that just hit them taking
the top dropper and causing a fair tangle. Once sorted I had about ten minutes to wait for the next on the middle dropper and then in consecutive
casts caught another one on the middle dropper and two on point. Four fish around the pound mark one pound and a half and my last fish was
2lb. They fought pretty hard too.
I bagged up by 2pm and had a good day at a new water which isn’t always easy.
I hope I get to use Vics Mayflies another time as I didn’t try them.
Thanks again, Neil
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Friday 14 May 2010
THE ENTIRE FLEET IS AFLOAT
With the poor weather and the lack of a boathouse the annual boat refurbishment has been a long protracted affair. However, at long
last the entire fleet has taken to the water and is now ready to meet the heavy demand expected during the busy mayfly period. There
are three types of boat - the smaller white boats suitable for single use; the large white boats perfect for pairs of anglers and the
medium sized green boats which can also accommodate a pair of anglers. The small boats are easier to row and control in the wind. The
large white boats enable anglers to avoid each other's badly cast flies and the green boats have flat bottoms and are very stable. However,
the larger boats are reputed to be harder to row and can blow about in the wind.
As the only angler who claims to have been seasick while in a rowing boat on the reservoir, your intrepid reporter is more aware then most
of the relative merits and failings of each boat, but each member has his favourites. Yes, I really did feel seasick a few years ago and
threw up over the side, thus contaminating Hastings' drinking water. However, by the time I had struggled back to the jetty, I felt much
better so I turned around and rowed back out, to eventually get my six-fish limit. Happy days!
BIRDLIFE IN PROFUSION
The birdlife on and around the reservoir is a wonder to behold. Three kinds of woodpecker (Green, greater spotted and lesser spotted) can
be seen most days eating peanuts from the feeder by the lodge along with the usual assortment of smaller birds. Blue tits can be seen
constantly popping in and out of the nesting boxes in the adjacent trees. The coot chicks follow mum around the fringes of the reservoir. Hopefully,
fewer will be prey to foxes than last year when many chicks were taken. Grebes, herons, kingfishers and even the dreaded cormorant can all be
seen at various locations around the reservoir. After the departure of the thirteen swans, a pair of young adults arrived and, at present, appear
to be happy to remain with us. There has been no sign of the rare Hobby as yet, but it is still a bit early for this bird of prey to make an appearance.
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Wednesday 12 May 2010
A TADPOLE EXPLOSION
Although there has been little sign of frogspawn this year, the number of tadpoles that are in evidence on the margins of the reservoir are greater than in previous years.
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Tuesday 11 May 2010
TROUT TACTICS CATCH LARGE RUDD
With the number of insects emerging at this time of year, the imitative tactics being used by fly fishermen at Powdermill are producing
the usual crop of large rudd which inhabit the water. Most are simply returned and not reported, but discerning anglers do appreciate
the beauty of these resident fish who's fry help feed the hungry trout. John Austin caught this 3½lb rudd while fishing from a boat
and was photographed by his boat partner, Keith Bulndell.
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Tuesday 4 May 2010
THE MAYFLY ARE HERE
I believe that, this year, Chris Richards is the first angler to catch a rainbow on a Mayfly while using dry-fly tactics (15.20 on Tuesday 4 May).
It's not the best of photos, having been taken using the camera in his mobile phone while the fish lay in the bottom of the boat with the fly still
attached. Earlier that morning, your intrepid reporter, being a fair-weather fisherman, had decided not to fish due to the cold NE wind. However, Chris
fished in a relatively sheltered spot thus avoiding the worst of the cold wind to tempt this discerning trout.
The bailiff, Vic Partridge, has a stock of locally tied Mayflies which are particularly deadly on our reservoir. These sell for £5 for four flies.
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Tuesday 4 May 2010
LUCKY THIRTEEN
A great deal of wildlife can be seen at Powdermill but, for some inexplicable reason, it is a very rare
occurrence to see a swan on the water. So it
was particularly exciting when no less than thirteen swans landed early on Friday morning. Sadly, they are unlikely to stay and, by the time you
read this, are probably long gone.
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Tuesday 26 April 2010
WHAT IS THIS TO DO WITH FLY FISHING?
For some considerable time, the bailiff has been attempting to catch the unwelcome visitor who attempts to raid the provisions in the
clubroom. For weeks the cunning creature outwitted the bailiff by delicately removing the bait without setting off any of the traps. Finally,
the creature became complacent and attempted to remove the peanut which the bailiff, in desperation, had been super-glued to the trap. For
those that want reassurance that it is now safe to enter the hallowed portals of the clubhouse and yet are sufficiently brave to view the
proof... open the second picture! Not for the squeamish.
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Tuesday 26 April 2010
ANOTHER HAPPY VISITOR
"I fished last Friday from a boat and enjoyed a great afternoon of fly fishing with a total of six fish including a super full finned 4lb 6ozs fish pictured.
Thank you for a great day of sport. I will be back for a day on the mayfly next month."
From Emil Morfett via email.
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Monday 26 April 2010
THE FRENCHMEN KEEP COMING
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Sometimes we do not appreciate what we have on our doorstep. It is surprising how far people will travel to visit our little reservoir. For a
number of years we have had the honour of receiving day visitors from across the Channel. With the advent of Eurostar it has been relatively easy
for fly fishers from northern France, starved of decent fly fishing in their own waters, to spend a day at Powdermill. Two such regular visitors are
pictured, ready to do battle with our superb rainbows.
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Wednesday 14 April 2010
SUSSEX FLY DRESSER GUILD
The third annual competition between members of Hastings Fly Fishers and Sussex Fly Dressers Guild will take place on Saturday
3 July 2010. HFFC members wishing to take part in this competition should let Vic know. Somehow, we managed to lose last year
so the results to date are one win each. There is no excuse for losing on our home water so we hope that you will all try harder this year.
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Tuesday 23 March 2010
ANOTHER NEW ADDITION
Vic Partridge, our resident Bailiff has become a grandfather for the second time with another
grandson. This happy little fellow has been named Leon and belongs to Vic's son Lee.
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Monday 8 March 2010
HASTINGS FLY FISHERS CLUB AGM
The AGM will take place at Three Oaks Village Hall at 10.30am on Sunday 28 March 2010.
Copies of the 2009 accounts will be available at the meeting but any member wishing to see a copy in advance can, on request, be sent a PDF via e-mail.
Simply send an e-mail to
mail@hastingsflyfishers.co.uk
WEAR YOUR BADGE WITH PRIDE
If you are a new club member or for some inexplicable reason have not yet availed yourself of our beautifully embroidered
Club Badge, you can rectify the situation by purchasing one for the bargain price of £5 (still at 2008 prices). These
will be available at the AGM.
NOTHING BUT THE BEST
Your intrepid reporter snapped this range of high quality furniture by the boat jetty. These are used to provide luxury
seating for anglers using the wheely boat. As you can see, they are ready and waiting for the first lucky angler to use
the boat. Has anyone got a couple of surplus plastic chairs suitable for use in the wheely boat?
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Thursday 5 March 2010
NEW SEASON
Here we are already half way through the first week of the new season.
Although it cannot be claimed to be warm, the sunshine and calm weather we are currently experiencing is a
real treat after such an awful winter. The reservoir is full to the brim but the water is highly coloured which
makes the fishing harder than normal for this time of year. However, we have been stocking heavily throughout
February and as conditions improve and the water clears, we expect to see some excellent early season sport.
Some boats are still awaiting refurbishment as it has been impossible to work on them during the bad weather. They
are being launched as soon as each is ready and there are more than enough boats to meet the current demand. However,
it is still worth phoning in advance to book your favourite boat. Tel:
(01424) 870498.
For those that feel it is still too early to venture onto the water or even have a thrash from the bank, there is
always the opportunity for a chat and a cuppa in the fishing lodge.
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Tuesday 23 February 2010
DISASTER STRIKES
Just as everything was beginning to fall into place ready for the start of the new season next
Monday, we have suffered a disastrous break-in.
Some time in the night on Sunday 21 February, thieves broke into the clubhouse. They managed to force their way into the secure stock room
containing a large collection of items associated with fishing. They took all the rods and reels including the Bailiff’s Sage rod and a large
stock of new Mayflies. They also took a new strimmer but left the equally valuable outboard motors.
They smashed the desk drawers in the club room and even broke into the metal box containing the tea money. They must have been
disappointed with the few pence that it would have contained at this time of year. However I understand that Mick Coleman did
put a £1 coin in last week so maybe they felt that it was well worth their efforts, even though the smashed cashbox would have
still been worth more than its contents.
The thieves obviously had transport as they decided to take the weighing scales despite their being very heavy and only
recording in imperial weight.
The theft was bad enough, but in order to obscure any prints, they set off the fire extinguisher and sprayed its powder all over the
floor and furniture throughout the building, making an awful mess which will take a great deal of effort to clear up.
We are currently waiting for the police to finish their investigations before we can commence the task of clearing out the mess. A skip
has already arrived. Any member who would like to help clear up the mess should contact Vic (01424 870498) to find out when we can
commence the clear-up. Please let other members know.
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Monday 1 February 2010
YUMMY TROUT!!!
Two new recipes have been added to our Trout Recipes section.
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Monday 25 January 2010
NO INCREASE IN VISITOR PRICES FOR 2010
Prices for visitors in 2010 (1st March to 31st October) will remain the same as last year. Club Members/Shareholders subscriptions will increase by £15 to :
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Members - £440
Shareholders - £415 |
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Monday 28 November 2009
POWDERMILL RESERVOIR AT ITS LOWEST EBB
The past month has seen the reservoir level fall to its lowest for some years. Fortunately, the
rains have now arrived with a vengeance and we can look forward to reservoir levels returning to
normal. Here are a small selection of photos taken in late October.
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Monday 2 November 2009
WINTER FISHING AT POWDERMILL
The summer season ended on 31st October 2009. We will continue to remain open throughout the winter (1st November 2009 to
28th February 2010). Prices for the 2009/10 winter season are:
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Visitor’s Day Ticket - £15 for 4 fish
Visitor’s Day Boat - £10
Member’s Day Ticket - £10 for 4 fish
Member’s Catch & Release - £8
Member’s Day Boat - £8 |
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Monday 1 September 2009
DIVERS DESCEND ON POWDERMILL
On the morning of Friday 28th August, as the sun broke through the clouds and the mist rose off
the water, two vans pulled up in the reservoir car park. These were not vehicles belonging to
visiting anglers, but members of Hastings Sub Aqua Club. Both vans were filled with a large
assortment of diving equipment.
Boat anglers are forever getting anchors stuck and having to abandon them. Fortunately, the other
end of the anchor rope has a buoy attached which marks the position of any anchor. The bailiff
has the job of retrieving abandoned anchors, normally using the wheelie boat with its electric
motor. Over the years, only one anchor has proved to be impossible to free and this particular
one had proved impossible to shift, despite numerous attempts, over the past two years. The
aim of the diving team was to free the anchor and find out what has snagged it.
A team of two divers were to enter the water, one with a video camera to film underwater while a
third member of the team remained on the dam to supervise proceedings and film the above water
activities. Unfortunately, the underwater visibility at the bottom of the reservoir was about 9 inches
and much worse than the divers were used to in the sea. Underwater filming was impossible. Surprisingly, the
divers had no difficulty in following the line down and releasing the anchor. However, simply by feel, they
were unable to establish conclusively the nature of the obstruction. It was deemed to be either a fridge
or a cooker which remains at the bottom ready to snag the next unlucky angler. |
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There used to be three buoys spaced along the dam to mark the minimum distance boats could go to the dam. These
were placed to ensure that bank fishermen were given adequate free space to cast and also to safeguard boats
from drifting onto the dam itself. The story is told that these buoys were attached to old kitchen appliances
such as cookers, fridges and washing machines, which were taken out by wheelie boat and dumped overboard. Over
the years the ropes attached to the appliances rotted leaving the obstructions at the bottom of the reservoir
for fishermen to unknowingly fish over them.
Thanks to Vince, Chris and Angie for taking the trouble to organise and undertake the dive.
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Saturday 29 August 2009
FISH OF THE YEAR (...SO FAR)
As promised, Keith Blundell's photo of the 14lb 12oz rainbow caught by Vic Partridge at Powdermill
Reservoir on Sunday 23 August.
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Wednesday 26 August 2009
VICTOR IS VICTORIOUS
On Sunday 23 August, Vic Partridge, our resident bailiff, landed one of the monster rainbows which were stocked way back last March. This fish
weighed 14lb 12ozs and had been in the water for four months along with other fish of around the same weight which were stocked at the same
time. Several anglers witnessed the glorious battle and fortunately two anglers had cameras and took photos. Unfortunately we are still
awaiting receipt of photos which we hope will appear here shortly.
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Although at least one of these gigantic fish had been recently spotted patrolling the margins on the far eastern bank, it steadfastly
refused to take any notice of whatever anglers threw at it. A number of excited anglers have reported seeing solitary monster fish
cruising around. Most of the eyewitnesses were suspected of gross exaggeration by their cynical compatriots, but too many people
claimed to have seen, or even claimed to have hooked and done battle, with one of these monsters for there not to be some truth in
the stories. Now that one has actually been landed, we 'in the know' can now confirm that there have indeed been a number of large
fish stocked this season and, because they were of similar weights and not weighed prior to release, we do not know if this is the
largest. What we do know is that there are equally large ones still out there.
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In the evening, Vic was fishing from he dam opposite the tower where the air-pipe enters the water. This particular Sunday had been
the hottest day so far this year and the water temperature was around 19 degrees Centigrade. He was using a floating line (he only
possesses floating lines). On the point was tied a Shipman's buzzer on a size 14 hook with another unspecified small fly on the
dropper. I believe that he was retrieving slowly or was almost static when the floating line moved slightly and he struck. It would
seem that the fish probably took the dropper but the hook did not bite. Fortunately the point-fly foul-hooked the fish and the battle began.
The fish took off at a steady but resolute manner showing no sign of coming under control. Now, Vic uses a small reel designed to
hold a 4/5 line, so his 30 meter Cortland line does not allow for a great deal of backing line. Before he knew what had happened he
felt a jerk on the line and realised that he had run out of backing. Short of leaping into the water after the disappearing fish, he
only had one sensible option available. In a desperate effort to remain in contact with the fish, he dashed around the dam outflow
to the opposite side by the tower, hanging on to the rod as best he could. Applying maximum strain, he just managed to persuade
the fish to turn just before it got to the white buoys where it would have broken him.
As those of us who have been fortunate enough to hook a large trout will testify, time can stand still when one is absorbed in a
titanic struggle and it is difficult for Vic to assess how long the battle took.
This report is an abridged version of the story as described to me. Suffice it to say that by this time your intrepid reporter had
lost the will to live, as the saga lasted almost as long as the battle itself. Vic returns virtually all the fish that he
catches (which is just as well as there would be none left for the rest of us). Sadly, this fish was so exhausted it had to be
summarily despatched (I know how it felt, as by this time I wouldn’t have minded being put out of my misery).
Anyway, even I look forward to seeing the photograph of the said monster together with its happy captor. Watch this space!
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Tuesday 25 August 2009
CLUB COMPETITION PHOTOS
Click on one of the four albums to see all the photos from the day.
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Monday 24 August 2009
CLUB COMPETITION RESULTS
Competition Date: Friday 14th August
Jim Adams
John Austin
Terry Beeching
John Berry
Keith Blundell
Martin Brignall
Don Burt
Alec Chisholm
Mick Coleman
Ron Dove
Chas Hards
Mick Joy
Ian Kitchen
Arthur Massey
John Noble
Fred Patterson
Peter Ralph
Jack Russell
Edward Stevenson
Mick Wood
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Fish
6
5
2
2
1
4
3
0
2
0
3
1
1
1
3
2
1
0
0
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Total Weight
8lb 05ozs
7lb 13ozs
2lb 05ozs
2lb 09½ozs
2lb 00ozs
6lb 05ozs
3lb 08ozs
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2lb 14½ozs
-
3lb 13ozs
0lb 14½ozs
1lb 11½ozs
1lb 05½ozs
3lb 14ozs
2lb 11ozs
1lb 10½ozs
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Prize Winners:
Best Total Bag:
2nd Best Total Bag:
Heaviest Fish from a Boat:
Heaviest Fish from the Bank: |
Jim Adams
John Austin
Keith Blundell
Martin Brignall |
6 Fish (8lb 5ozs)
5 Fish (7lb 13ozs)
2lb 0ozs
2lb 9ozs |
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Monday 24 August 2009
CALL ME GRIZZLY
Jim Adams, the wily old fox and highly experienced fly-fisherman, was the only angler to read the conditions correctly on
the day and apply the right method to ensure a six fish limit in the Club competition held on Friday 14 August.
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With the bookies odds of 25/1 he was a reasonable bet. The bookies assessment was as follows:
“This angler is very steady; a good each way bet. I expect him to come up with the goods very shortly. It may be today”. A fair prediction, albeit exactly
the same statement as last year. Bookies know how to rig the odds – if you keep saying the same thing, it will eventually come true!
A limit of 4 fish was set for the first session in the morning in order to ensure that you could not catch your 6 fish limit in the morning
session and that all anglers had to fish in the afternoon.
Jim’s tactics, while fishing the ‘bubbles’ from a boat, put everyone else to shame. Despite it being hot and sunny he managed to get his 4 fish
limit before the end of the session and had to row in early. Although we will never know if he could have caught the 6 fish total from the
boat, as Don Burt managed last year, he continued using the same method from the bank in the afternoon to catch his remaining 2 fish. So what
method did he use? Well, despite the photo of Jim which shows that two rods having been set up in the boat, we understand that his rod with a
floating line did the damage.
John Austin failed to catch any fish from his morning bank session, but managed 5 fish from a boat in the afternoon for a total weight
of 7lb 13ozs and second place.
Last year’s winner, Don Burt, the 6/4 favourite, failed miserably during his morning session from the bank. Despite this, he managed to net
3 fish from a boat in the afternoon to finish seventh overall.
Despite the heavy stocking and plenty of 3lb+ fish, the fishing was not particularly easy with five anglers failing to catch. Only 41 trout were caught.
Anglers on the far bank were being driven demented by what they claimed was a fish of double figures cruising nonchalantly parallel to the
bank. One frenzied angler claimed that he cold almost touch it with his rod tip. It still remains uncaught ready for some lucky angler to
grab the chance of catching the heaviest fish of the season.
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Wednesday 5 August 2009
MEMBERS FISHING COMPETITION & BARBECUE
The annual fishing competition for club members will take place on Friday 14 August followed by a barbecue in the evening. All members
should by now have returned their slip to enter the competition and/or confirm if you are attending the barbecue. If you have not one so, please return these as soon as possible.
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Monday 3 August 2009
MID-SUMMER NEWS
This year's new additions to our fleet are proving to be very popular with both members and visitors.
At this time of year it is hard work keeping the surroundings neat and tidy.
Although the weather has not been that good for this time of year, the trout still do not enjoy the warmer temperatures
which reduce the oxygen content of the water. The large scale aeration system operated at Powdermill attracts large
numbers of trout as it not only increases oxygen levels but also stirs up valuable food. In recent weeks, many anglers
have benefited from fishing the 'bubbles' using floating lines with small
imitative flies.
Despite it being mid-summer, we have increased the number of fish deliveries in order to keep stocks at
maximum levels. We hope this will ensure that we have the best ever catches during the normally hard August/September period.
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Sunday 2 August 2009
SUSSEX FLY DRESSERS GUILD
Members of Hastings Fly Fishers took on visiting members of the Sussex Fly Dressers Guild in early July. This year it was the turn
of the Sussex Fly Dressers Guild to be victorious. Unfortunately, your intrepid reporter was away on holiday, so thanks to Tim
Stacey for stepping in to take some photos of this event.
>
Click here to see all the photos from the day <
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Wednesday 24
June 2009
POWDERMILL CONTINUES TO PRODUCE BIG FISH
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Wednesday 25
February 2009
A CHANGE IN SUMMER 2009 TIMES
Because it still gets dark early at this time of year, we have decided to extend the earlier evening start times.
Visitors & Guests
Please note that Visitors Evening Tickets now start from 4pm in May, June, July and August. Due to the lack of light
in March, April, September and October, Visitors Evening tickets and Evening Boat Tickets are valid from 2pm.
Members & Shareholders
Please note that Members Afternoon Tickets start from 2pm, except in March, April, September and October when, due
to the lack of light, Members Afternoon Boat tickets are valid from 1pm.
See it here. Prices |
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Monday 26 January 2009
NEW SUMMER 2009 PRICES
Visitor prices for 2009 have now been published on our website.
From 1st March 2009, visitors should note that they will now need to purchase a day ticket if they intend to commence
fishing before 4pm. After 4pm visitors can purchase an evening ticket. Because of the lack of light in September and
October, visitors may use their evening ticket from 2pm.
Before the start of the new 2009 season on 1st March, you still have the opportunity to indulge in some really cheap
winter fishing at Powdermill Reservoir.
See it here. Prices |
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Wednesday 19 November 2008
END OF THE SEASON AND THEY'RE STILL STOCKED TO CAPACITY
Bitterly cold, three layers of clothing and I took a boat out at 9am. The sun was shining briefly and I rowed over to the
bubble which I hadn't really tried all year. Second cast I hit a fish well in excess of two pounds using an intermediate
with a very short leader. It fought well but alas there were no more. I moved over to the bushes and again within a few
casts hardly moving the line I caught another in excess of two pounds and so it went on through the morning.
As soon as I caught a trout nothing more happened and I had to move. I covered the reservoir even rowing as far as the
old stream bed up at the top on the left hand side, there was still quite a flow, as I could feel the line tension the
deeper my line sank.
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All were near the bottom and as with
position it required me to change fly often and vary my retrieve. I
noticed two rises up at the top and put a line of buzzers on a
floating line. Within seconds I'd hooked another 2lb plus fish which
had hoovered both droppers, both embedded in the lip.
By lunchtime I had six in the bag with the heaviest just under 3 1/2
lbs and only one under two pounds. Flies used were Damsel, H/E,
Buzzers and I finished with a small cats whisker.
The appearance of the rainbow a the end of the season says it all,
it's where the pot of gold lies.
A fitting end to very pleasant season, especially as we now appear
to have a social side to the club where our fishing widows can
commiserate with each other.
Thank you HFFC.
David Nicholls
(Member)
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Friday 31 October 2008
NEW WEB PAGE - THE POWDERMILL CUP
The Powdermill Cup now has its own page detailing all the winners.
See it here. The Powdermill Cup |
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Friday 31 October 2008
DAM IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE?
The rabbit population around the reservoir has been steadily increasing and the number of warrens in the bank at the rear of the dam has
been a cause for concern. If left unchecked, their excavations could severely weaken the dam, so the rabbit population needs to be kept
under control. There is arguably no more humane way of thinning out the number of rabbits than be ferreting.
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Tuesday 7 October 2008
THE HFFC ANNUAL FISHING COMPETITION AND BARBECUE
The Club’s annual fishing competition and barbecue took place on Friday 12 September and for most of the day it
was sunny and dry, but we did have one heavy shower mid-afternoon.
The nineteen competitors were split into two groups. One group fished from the boats in the morning session and then
swapping over with the other group in the afternoon, to fish from the bank.
Results
Heaviest Bag:
Heaviest from a boat:
Heaviest from the
bank: |
Don Burt
Don Burt
Dave Nicholls |
10lb 14ozs (6-fish limit)
2lb 5ozs
3lb 5½ozs |
The evening Barbecue was well attended and an enjoyable time was had by all.
All six pages of the October edition of our MEMBERS NEWSLETTER is entirely devoted to this event.
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Monday 29 September 2008
REPORT FROM THE FLYDRESSERS GUILD SUSSEX BRANCH AUGUST NEWSLETTER
Match v. Hastings F F
POWDERMILL – 6th July 2008
Beautiful - if that isn’t the word that flashes across your mind when you first see Powdermill reservoir at
Sedlescombe then you must be dead! Powdermill Reservoir is the home of the Hastings FFC, and if you want to know about the club or the fishing then you
can’t do better than visit their superb website at www.hastingsflyfishers.co.uk - in fact if you go to the news page and scroll down
there is a report with over 100 photos of this very event. Curiously, the Branch has never fished against the Hastings club or even
been on a recent outing to the reservoir which they run so superbly. To rectify this obvious error the committee have set up an annual
competition for the “Powdermill Trophy” whereby the two clubs compete for the trophy in a team competition.
Expectations were high as the teams met at the lodge, and not just about the fishing as most people hoped the nice start to the morning’s
weather would hold and confound the forecasters. In fact the competition was affected by the weather but more of that later! After the initial
pleasantries and a mix up on the numbers in our team, each side fielded twelve enthusiastic members.
The competition was run on the same model as the Troutmasters final whereby half the day is spent bank fishing and the other half spent boat
fishing. Who does what and when is decided by a draw. There was an extra twist in that each boat team would be made of one FDG member and one
Hastings member. I was drawn to be in the boat first so can only give a slight bias to the morning’s events. All the boats set off to their
favoured spots under the one manpower engine on the oars! The locals had indicated that the reservoir fishes better at anchor than on a
traditional drift but that was academic because the fish were not playing ball. All the boats struggled and we tried everything but apart
from a few perch that came to minkies on sinking lines there was absolutely no interest. To make life more interesting, the wind picked up
to what can only be described as ‘brisk’. Unfortunately rowing boats are not easy to handle in a ‘brisk’ wind and at one point, one boat, rowing
for the dock, was actually being blown in the opposite direction, amid a cloud of rather interesting language, sweat and tears! The morning
session ended and both boat and bank anglers headed back to the lodge to weigh in, have lunch and swap over. The timing for lunch couldn’t have
been better as the heavens opened during the break. The boats hadn’t performed as expected as not a single fish was landed and to prove how
unpredictable fish can be the bank anglers landed 28 fish with our very own Ray Love leading the pack.
As football pundits say, it was a game of two halves and the second half saw the successful ‘bankers’ headed for the boats and even more testing
conditions than the morning ‘boaters’ had experienced as the weather had deteriorated. Now in addition to the constant nasty wind came squally
heavy showers. The only consolation was that the wind kept the clouds on the move and the rain couldn’t settle in but came through in pulses. One
particular monsoonal downpour tested our waterproofs to the limit and during this the most amusing sight presented itself in front of me. One of
our members who will remain nameless (as long as the £5 notes keep coming Bill) came past me in what can only be described as a squelch. I have
seen people who have fallen in and remained drier!
The fish paid no regard to the weather but even so the fishing wasn’t quite as easy as it was in the morning. I did eventually work out a semi-successful
tactic (very small - 16s - imitative patterns) and I managed to winkle out 3 fish. These fish were fin perfect powerhouses, fighting like demons all
the way to the net, and you would be convinced that they were fish three times their size.
The end of the match was heralded by the arrival of lovely sunshine, the wind dropping and a gorgeous smell wafting across the reservoir. Who needs a
whistle or klaxon to end a match when the smell of sausages cooking works so much better! This isn’t a new technique but simply the Hastings team and
their family and friends had turned up and put together the most magnificent post match meal and BBQ to revitalise our spirits!
Remarkably only 2 fish were caught on the boats against 43 from the bank.
It is at this point that I really have to thank all the Hastings crew (members of Hastings team and all those friends and family who helped) for this meal
and the superb competition but in particular Mary (for organising everything and having to deal with me in the run up to the event) and to Vic for superbly
managing the reservoir.
Regardless of the result this event was never just about the silverware. It was always about making friends and forging a link with another like minded
club in our own county. The social event at the end certainly cemented the friendship and brought the excellent day to an end. I can safely say, without
fear of contradiction that I have never taken part in a more friendly competition with such wonderful people who really understood the spirit of
fishing. Roll on next year!
Paul Davis
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Monday 1 September 2008
FILMING AT POWDERMILL RESERVOIR
‘The Last Breath’ is a UK Film Council funded film which has just been mainly shot at Powdermill reservoir. As well as the reservoir itself, the
interior of the clubhouse / fishing lodge was used as the ‘Dive hut’. I understand that even Vic’s hat, complete with flies, was borrowed to add
rustic colour. Did I say ‘borrowed’? I understand that Vic’s fee was a bottle of whisky!
Your intrepid website reporter was the last to know about this exciting event and did not find out until after it was all over. So I have no first
hand report or photos.
It would seem that, although the film makers were a nice and friendly lot, they certainly knew how to take over the entire fishery, much to the
confusion of the anglers. It has therefore not been possible to get any sense out of my fellow anglers who still seem to be traumatised by the
disruption of their peaceful existence by the invasion of the film crew. I am therefore forced to rely on the local newspaper report.
CLICK HERE to read the full article which appeared in the Hastings AdNews.
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Tuesday 26 August 2008
TALES FROM THE RIVER BANK
Both bank and boat fishermen continue to find fish. At this time of year, fishing can be hard and often the best times are early morning or late
evening, but with the unseasonal weather conditions, the trout are exceptionally active and are being caught throughout the day.
The bigger fish which have been stocked in the last few weeks are proving to be elusive and must be caught soon.
Work has begun to clear the area between the bailiff’s cottage and the fishing lodge. Eventually it is hoped that it will be turned into an additional
grassed area that ‘Woody’ can mow! During the initial clearing of the undergrowth, a large underground wasp nest was discovered and work came to an
immediate standstill as the inhabitants were not very pleased to be disturbed. A fire was lit over the entrance to the nest but, at the time of writing,
the wasps were still in evidence.
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Monday 4 August 2008
RESERVOIR CLOSED ON FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
The reservoir will be closed to casual anglers on Friday 12 September 2008 as we will be holding the annual competition for club members.
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Monday 4 August 2008
MEMBERS FISHING COMPETITION & BARBECUE
The annual fishing competition for club members will take place on Friday 12 September 2008 followed
by a barbecue in the evening. All members should have received a letter with a return slip to enter
the competition and/or confirm if you are attending the barbecue. Please return these as soon as
possible if you have not yet done so.
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Thursday 31 July 2008
SUSSEX FLY DRESSERS GUILD
Members of Hastings Fly Fishers took on visiting members of the
Sussex Fly Dressers Guild on Sunday 6 July. Each team consisted of
twelve anglers.
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Sussex Fly Dressers Guild |
Hastings Fly Fishers |
Buss
Davis
Foster
How
Hunter
King
Lowe
Painter
Perry
Plowman
Smith
Woolnough
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Adams
Blundell
Burt
Carter
Chisholm
Coleman
Noble
Patterson
Rigby
Russell
Stacey
Wood
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Six from each team fished from the bank in the morning while the others
paired up (one from each team) to fish from the boats. In the afternoon
they swapped over.
The weather was awful with strong winds and showers including the
occasional torrential downpour in the afternoon! Despite the miserable
conditions all 24 anglers stuck it out and although the fishing was
exceptionally hard a total of 45 fish were landed, weighing 73lb 7½ozs.
Boat fishing was awful with nearly all fish falling to bank fishermen.
Indeed, during the morning session not a single fish was taken by a boat
angler.
| Results |
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Hastings Fly Fishers Club
Sussex Fly Dressers Guild |
34 fish
11 fish |
55lb 9ozs
17lb 14½ozs |
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Best Bag |
John Noble |
9lb 5ozs |
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Biggest Fish |
Tim Stacey |
2lb 2ozs |
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Best Bank Bag |
Ray Lowe |
8lb 12½ozs |
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Best Boat Total |
John Noble & Richard Foster |
1lb 12½ozs |
Nearly all anglers were pleased when the fishing was finally over and
the aroma from the barbecue soon began to revive their spirits. A few
drinks later and everyone was happy once more. The early evening sun
even managed to make an appearance as your intrepid website reporter
crept away, leaving the revellers to enjoy the rest of the evening. |
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Friday 4 July 2008
THE GEESE HAVE ARRIVED - CONTINUED
The two young geese are growing apace and have now turned from yellow to white.
Wildlife
Foxes are targeting the young of the waterfowl population. Mallard chicks are particularly susceptible when away from
the water. The young coot chicks do not stray too far from the water’s edge so are less likely to fall victim to a
prowling fox. The Bailiff is having to protect the flowers that he has planted with wire netting in order to try and
stop the rabbit population from eating the entire lot.
(Photos of coot chick and boat planted with flowers being eaten by rabbits).
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Tuesday 17 June 2008
THE GEESE HAVE ARRIVED
The two chicks that were hatched for Vic, in order to replace the cantankerous goose which was
killed by a fox, have now taken up residence in an enclosure in the Bailiff’s garden. They have
a cosy shed to shelter in, complete with heat-lamp and a small run.
At this stage we have no idea of the sex of the two chicks. It has been said that eye colour can
be used to sex geese, the ganders having blue eyes and the goose having brown eyes. Also the gander
has a shrill, high pitched note compared with the lower, deeper, harsher note of the goose. These
two methods are not perfect ways to separate the sexes and we shall just have to wait and see. Let’s
just hope that they are friendlier than their predecessor! |
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Thursday 12 June 2008
THEME FOR A DREAM
Chris Richards, affectionately but irreverently nicknamed ‘Cliff Richard’ by some of the less
respectable members of the Hastings Fly Fishers Club, has finally landed a ‘big one’.
After many years of struggling to find time to go fishing, Chris has managed to clock up eight
visits so far this year which is more than he managed in the last two seasons combined! As a
result, he is having a good year, or is it because he is doing so well this year that he is
making more of an effort to take time from his busy schedule to go fishing? Whichever way round,
it’s good to hear from yet another happy angler. |
Click on image to enlarge.
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To a large extent, Chris is credited with having saved the Club a couple of years ago when it seemed
that it was in serious danger of folding due to financial concerns. As a result of his involvement in
reappraising the Club’s position and putting it on a much more positive footing, we have, once again,
one of the best trout fisheries in the South East. It is therefore only fair and reasonable, after all
his efforts to ensure the continued existence and success of the Club, that he has finally landed one
of the double figure rainbows that we regularly stock at Powdermill.
Chris, ever the perfectionist, stated that he would have liked to inform me that the monster was caught
on a dry mayfly, but unfortunately it was on a mayfly nymph. However, he went on to say that of the four
fish he caught that evening, two were on dry mayfly. He also admitted that this evening session was probably
the best 4 hours he has spent at Powdermill!
On Wednesday 4th June, he managed to find time to fish from 4pm until 8-30pm. His equipment consisted of a
brand new Sage rod with a floating line with 12ft of the latest Orvis 'Maxknot' Mirage
fluorocarbon on the
end. No droppers, just a mayfly nymph.
He rowed the boat round “the top left by the little bay at the end on the right”. (from this description, I
am none the wiser as to where he was!!) He said that on this evening there were fish in evidence absolutely
everywhere. (There never is when I go!!) Anyway, he was soon into the 11lb 10 oz rainbow which proceeded to take all his line
onto the backing. The monster fish took his line onto the backing three times over the next 30 minutes. At
several points during the titanic struggle he thought it was never going to end up in the boat. Finally, with
aching arms and a beating heart, he managed to slip the landing net under the fish and heave it into the bottom
of the boat.
Over half the fish that Chris has caught this season have been on dry mayfly, which is what it is all about for
most of our Club members. Can’t be bad!!
"Theme For A Dream" was recorded by the real Cliff Richard in
1961 and reached No. 3 in the UK charts in February of the same year. |
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Tuesday 03 June 2008
SUNKEN TREASURE
A club member, who shall remain nameless, had a bit of a disaster
last week. He had left his dry fly floating on the water while he
contentedly sat in his boat having a refreshing cup of tea. Needless
to say the inevitable happened and the next thing he knew was that
his valuable Sage rod was disappearing over the side. Despite
throwing the hot tea all over himself in his haste to grab hold of
the rod he only succeeded in falling into the bottom of the boat.
Despite the bailiff’s efforts to recover the unfortunate anglers
equipment it still remains somewhere between the willow tree and the
sunken road.
THE RETURN OF THE GEESE
After the sad demise of the bailiff’s demented goose earlier this
year, I am pleased to be able to announce that replacements are on
their way. Vic arranged for three goose eggs to be incubated by a
broody hen and two have now hatched. The less agile among us may
cringe at the thought of another vicious bird on the rampage let
alone two, but hopefully these will prove to be friendlier.
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OTHER BIRDLIFE
Every year we hope that the lifebelt situated near the boat staging remains unused. This is not because we hope
that no one needs its services, but because each year a pair of blue tits raise a family in the lifebelt holder. This
has been a bumper year for our bird population with over 30 baby blue tits having been raised in our nesting boxes
around the fishing lodge. The aquatic bird population is also doing very well with plenty of chicks in evidence. However,
only one Hobby has been spotted so far this year.
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Wednesday 28 May 2008
PARISH COUNCIL AGM
Purely by accident, your intrepid website reporter has just found out that the Hastings Fly
Fishers Club had made an appearance at the annual Parish Council AGM held in the Sedlescombe
village hall in April. Although two of the County’s self professed leading fly-tyers made a
rare public appearance at this event, in order to demonstrate their art, no photographer was
on hand to record this auspicious event.
However, we are fortunate to have been able to coerce Mary Stacey, our Club Secretary, into
spilling the beans on this auspicious event. This is her report -
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“Sedlescombe Parish Council run an annual magazine, which includes a little ad for any local
club or business who want to subscribe, and once a year when they have the Parish Council AGM
they invite subscribers to have a small table display on show after the meeting. We thought we
would give it a go this year so Tim Stacey and Doug Rigby went along on 29th April and "set
out their stall" before the meeting started. After such a lot of hard work they obviously then
had to adjourn to the local hostelry for refreshment whilst the meeting went ahead.
After the meeting they were then on duty at the table where their vices were on show!! They
demonstrated the art of fly-tying to a large population of the Sedlescombe area and great
interest was shown in our display and the Club. Vic and myself also went along later obviously
to provide the glamour aspect and I was able to talk to a lot of people who expressed an
interest and in some cases never even knew we were there. We were welcomed most warmly and
expressly asked to attend again next year as it had been enjoyed so much. The other displays
were for example, the local school, gardeners Club, WI, Police, archery Club etc. It turned
out to be a very enjoyable evening and lots of literature and information was given out which
hopefully will lead to more interest in the Club.”
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Tuesday 27 May 2008
BIGGEST FISH IN MAY... SO FAR
On 18 May, while fishing from the far bank adjacent to the green hut, Mick Coleman caught
a rainbow weighing 12lb 1oz, on a Mayfly Nymph. Although Mick and Maggie Coleman were the
generous donors of the latest addition to our fleet, L’Aquapêche 370, Mick prefers to fish
from the bank. Although there were plenty of anglers present to witness the capture, there
was not a single camera to record the event.
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Tuesday 27 May 2008
A MISSING LANDMARK
One of the very few eyesores which has been quietly rotting away has finally been removed
after many years of neglect. The photo below shows the gap where the old Portaloo has
stood for more years than most of us can remember. The Portaloo, once considered to be
the height of luxury has been standing neglected and unused for so long that we only
just managed to demolish it before it was classified as Grade II listed! For the nature
lovers amongst you, a visit to the site is well worth the detour on the way to the
fishing lodge as you can see a rare example of wild hops entwining a tree to the left
of the clearing where the portaloo once stood.
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Monday 26 May 2008
GOT A SPARE FIVER?
If you are a club member and have not yet been accosted by the
bailiff... Beware! He’s after your money. However, this time he is
offering something worthwhile in return... or so he claims. For
little more than the cost of its manufacture, he is offering to
provide you with a beautifully embroidered Club Badge for the
bargain price of £5.
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The high quality cloth badge is intended to be sewn on to your
fishing waistcoat alongside the plethora of Trout Master badges and
other such memorabilia that you will have undoubtedly acquired over the
years. Sadly, I have no badges but do have a number of flyfishing waistcoats, so I am spoiled for choice
as to where to put it. Unfortunately, although she has many talents, invisible sewing is not one
of my wife’s better attributes. Maybe sticky ‘Velcro’ is the answer as I could then transfer it
to the appropriate wastecoat!.
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Thursday 17 April 2008
New Fishing Statistics finally added.
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Wednesday 09 April 2008
GIVE US A CLUE?
As a result of the recent report on the latest good fish to come out
of Powdermill, I have received a couple of e-mails from subscribers
wanting to know a bit more about the method used. In response David
Nicholls has provided me with the following:
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“I was using an intermediate line with a 6lb leader, about 15ft of it. I'd tried with a floater and long
leader but they appeared pretty deep. The fly was a size 12 green nymph. I was up in the far end where the
huge bay is just past the last little bay on the right, casting towards the right bank of trees, allowing
it to drop within 2ft of the overhanging trees. The wind was taking the line and it was dropping into the
shallows. About 6-8 ft from the tree line. I'd had several nibbles and it just slowly took the line
away. It then went off in to a power drive towards the dam nearly taking me to the backing. It lasted
about 10 minutes and then the fight went straight out of him and he came to the net. He hardly fitted in
and the neck of the landing net broke. (I bought a new one today.) As with the large one the other day
I tried to revive him, he'd taken the hook quite deeply in the mouth. I kept him alongside the boat for
a long time, attempting to revive him, I'd intended to let him go but he just kept rolling over. In the
end he gave up. A really deep bodied fish weighing in at 10lb 15oz. Today I took him up to the smokery
off the A21 as I'll have him cold smoked.”
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Tuesday 08 April 2008
As far as I am concerned the weather is still not warm enough to venture onto the water, so I have
still yet to cast a fly on Powdermill this season. However, those of you who brave the fickle weather
seem to be more than happy to rub my nose in it by e-mailing our website to report on the wonderful
fishing that I am missing. I thought you might like to see a couple of the photos sent in by the
David Nicholls which were taken at Powdermill this week.
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David wrote....
"They're still out there. It was the day after the snow and it was still thawing. Mid afternoon at the
far end. Some sleet some sunshine. Lots of takes and then a very slow tightening of the line and it was
away. For such a large fish it gave a good fight for some 10-15 minutes and then succumbed to the net
which it promptly broke. A brilliant afternoon's fishing which also yielded a 2lb 4oz fish to the
net. This seemed a mere minnow when placed alongside.
Powdermill gets better every year.
Regards David Nicholls" |
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Thursday 03 April 2008
New Trout Recipe added. Contribution by Chris Webb
Monday 31 March 2008
Visitors who brave the fickle weather are reaping the benefit of quality
over-wintered fish. Chris Dance caught a six fish limit totalling 14lb 4ozs,
which included a rainbow weighing 4lb 6ozs. Ian Colclough of Weybridge
Guns & Tackle in Surrey visited us on a far from ideal March day and was
so delighted with his day’s fishing that he actually e-mailed us to tell
us about it! Most anglers just take all our efforts for granted so it
is nice to get the occasional feedback. To see Ian’s e-mail
click here.
Tuesday 26 February 2008
New Trout Recipes added.
Thursday 14 February 2008
THE NEW SEASON APPROACHES
Welcome back everybody.
This year the main fly fishing season at Powdermill Reservoir starts on Saturday 1 March 2008.
Anglers may commence fishing from 08.00 and if the weather continues to be as good as it has been
we should have a busy weekend. If you intend to go out in a boat during the initial weekend it
may be wise to book it in advance if you want a particular favourite boat rather than rely on pot luck.
A large number of anglers prefer to fish from the bank rather than use a boat and prime spots on the
bank are always at a premium if there is an initial rush of enthusiastic early season anglers. It is
therefore advisable to be reasonably early, rather than stroll along at midday only to find that all
the best places are taken.
Quality Fishing
Fishing during the last few weeks has been exceptionally good for the time of year with plenty of dry
days with lots of sunshine and gentle breezes. Fish are still well spread throughout the reservoir with
trout being caught along all the accessible bank areas. Winter fishing has yet again proved very
successful and with the new stocks now being introduced ready for the 2008 main season, the mix of
established and new fish should ensure that the new season gets off to a good start for both bank and boat fishermen.
Wednesday 11 July 2007
Once again we have to leave it to the visiting day-ticket anglers to show us how to catch the big
fish. V. Chapman caught a rainbow of 10lb 12ozs on a Red Buzzer in the morning, only to be upstaged
by a 12lb 5oz specimen caught by A. Morton on a Prince in the afternoon.
In general, Buzzers are the still proving to be the most successful type of fly, but a wide variety
of fly and methods can and do succeed at Powdermill.
Sunday 01 July 2007
The weather so far this month has been very changeable and fly fishermen throughout the region
have had to put up with some miserable conditions interspersed with short periods of fine weather.
Those hardy souls prepared to risk a soaking have still caught fish but those fair weather anglers
(such as myself) prefer to stay indoors and wait for more settled weather.
While sitting indoors watching the rain run down the windows, would it not be nice to relax and
watch the latest film on Fly fishing? Well, before you say that they are all the same and a
bit boring, take the opportunity to see the latest offering from Trufflepig Films which is due
to be released shortly -
"THE LOST WORLD OF MR HARDY"
Over the past year Trufflepig Films have been making a film to be called "The Lost World of Mr.
Hardy". The film is about the love of angling and the fishing tackle that goes with it and tells
the story of the much loved family business of Hardy's.
The film traces the history of angling over the years by looking at Hardy’s as a family business.
In the 50s and 60s their world was turned upside down by the switch to reservoir fishing as well
as the arrival of carbon fibre (something which Hardy's invented with Richard Walker and then
botched up). For this part of the story the film makers needed footage of reservoir fly fishing.
They wanted to include as much lyrical footage as possible to help the story telling along.
Where better to do this than to film Dusk on Powdermill. The atmospheric footage of fishing at
Powdermill reservoir fitted the bill beautifully. Its peaceful tranquillity comes across in the
film as they gently follow a late summer afternoon turning into dusk.
The film will be released on DVD at the end of July 2007. It is expected to be in the £18-£19
range and it will be available only from the following website :
www.thelostworldofmrhardy.com
The stills from the film look pretty
good and as soon as the film is released we hope to provide a full review.
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Friday 22 June 2007
Despite the unsettled weather, June has been a reasonable month so far, as far as
the fishing at Powdermill is concerned. While other local venues are experiencing
hard fishing with very few fish being caught, it has still been possible to catch
fish at Powdermill with catch averages remaining higher than elsewhere.
The prevailing wind is now regularly blowing off the dam making bank fishing much
easier. Boat anglers continue to find fish all over the reservoir and one should
not stay in one location too long if no takes are forthcoming.
At this time of year the variety of flies which are successful is much more diverse
and many unusual names appear in the catch book.
Now that we have reached the longest day, fishing into the late evening can be
particularly productive.
Stocking at Powdermill continues as usual. I was particularly impressed with the
latest stocking (20 July) with yet more large rainbows including double figure
specimens. No one has caught a double figure fish so far this month, so there
are a number out there and therefore there is a very good chance of catching the
largest fish of the month and obtaining a Troutmaster badge.
Friday 8 June 2007
A great deal of work has been taking place on the far bank adjacent to the dam. The
whole area has been completely cleared and now looks more like someone’s lawn. Bank
anglers will appreciate the easy casting that this bank now provides. Two out of the
three cut-outs on the far bank have also had a facelift and the third cut-out will be
tackled in the next few days.
Bank fishing from next to the large willow adjacent to the landing stage is a favourite
spot with regulars and this area has accounted for many fish so far this season, both
from the bank and from boats moored further out and casting into the bay.
With the continued weekly stocking regime, we are still putting in more fish than the
anglers are taking out, despite the high catch averages. All recent stockings have included
double figure rainbows as well as the large quantity of 3lb plus fish so there is
plenty of opportunity to hook into a good fish.
The direction of the wind over the past couple of weeks has made bank fishing difficult
but I am confident that the more normal seasonal conditions will prevail in the next few
days and the wind will turn and start to blow from behind the dam making bank fishing far
easier. If wind conditions do improve, the rest of June should prove to be an excellent
time to try your hand at a bit of bank fishing. If not, a boat is the easy answer to
resolving the problem of wind direction. Either way, June looks like being a bumper month
at Powdermill.
Wednesday 30 May 2007
Although it is not the last day of the month and a new bumper delivery of rainbows is arriving tomorrow,
because so little time is left, I am fairly confident in stating that the best fish in May will be the
12lb 8oz rainbow caught by visitor M.S. Dennis on 22 May. He tempted this excellent fish on a Black
Cruncher tied on a size 14 hook while fishing from the bank. This fish just beat the specimen of
12lb 3oz caught earlier in the month.
It should be noted that the four largest rainbows which were caught this month, all fell to VISITING BANK
ANGLERS. This just goes to show that although boat anglers tend to catch more fish on average, the bank
angler still can do well. Many theories are put forward to explain this anomaly but the favourite is
that while boat anglers tend to congregate where shoals of trout tend to be in evidence, the bank
angler is obliged to fish along the banks known to be favoured by the very large fish. These large
fish tend to be solitary and patrol parallel to the banks just within easy casting distance of the
average bank angler.
Sunday 27 May 2007
Mayfly hatches continue to be very impressive and plenty of fish are being caught on Mayfly, buzzers and Damsels.
Thursday 24 May 2007
Burgham Fly Fishers - A Report by Doug Rigby
An enjoyable day was had by all when Doug Rigby’s party of ‘pheasant-shooters’ fished a friendly
competition on 17 May.
(Ed: from what I saw of them as they assembled in the lodge, they looked far from a friendly lot,
but fortunately they had left their guns at home!).
The weather was warm, showery and overcast with NW breezes.
>
Click Here To Read The Full Article <
Wednesday 23 May 2007
The Mayfly together with other water life are now very much in evidence. Dry Fly tactics are now coming
into their own at Powdermill. Anyone wishing to tempt a feeding trout to take a dry fly off the surface
should visit without delay.
At this time of year, boats are in high demand so, if you prefer to fish from a boat rather than from
the bank, you are best advised to phone the lodge between 9.30 and 10.30am and book a boat with the
bailiff. Visitors can book up to two days in advance.
For those of you who fancy the chance of tempting a genuine wild native brown trout rather than just
factory-farmed designer rainbows should also beat a path to Powdermill. In the last ten weeks, over
100 browns have been caught and returned.
Sunday 6 May 2007
On Friday we received another large delivery of quality rainbows in order to maintain stock levels. This
is just as well as catches continue to be above average, with many anglers achieving their 6-fish limit.
Despite the breezy conditions which have prevailed in the last few days, boat anglers have continued to be
very successful. Bank anglers have been restricted to areas other than the dam itself as the prevailing
breeze has been onto the dam which has made casting any distance a little difficult.
The signs are that the mayfly hatch could escalate at any time during the next few days if the necessary
weather conditions do not change significantly.
Vic, the bailiff, reports that he had two positive takes on a dry fly this morning but missed both. Although
he easily caught his 6 fish, using buzzers on a floating line, it is not like Vic to fail to catch off the
surface once the trout are showing themselves. I can only assume that his technique is a bit rusty and he
will soon be reporting his first true surface capture of the season. I think that if he had waited until
this evening, it would have been a different story as the wind has dropped slightly. I am wondering why
I am wasting my time providing you with this information when I could be taking advantage of a beautiful
bank-holiday weekend evening to try my hand at tempting trout with a mayfly off the surface.
My advice to visitors is to get out in a boat as soon as you can. Your visit could easily coincide with
a flurry of emerging Mayfly, but even if conditions are not quite right, you can still score with the
reliable buzzer or even the Daiwl Bach on a floating line.
Phone the bailiff at the lodge on 01424-870498 between 9.30 and 10.30 am to book a boat (up to forty-eight
hours in advance). Take his advice on where to fish and enjoy yourselves.
29 April 2007
So far this month we have had 327 anglers who have caught a total of 827 fish, which includes 25
wild browns (all browns were returned). 41 of the rainbows weighed in excess of 3lb, including
specimens of 9lb 10ozs, 10lb 2ozs and our best fish so far this year of 12lb 3ozs caught on a mayfly
nymph. Despite the fact that the boat anglers have been having the greater success in terms of quantity
of fish taken, all three 9+lb fish were caught by visiting day-ticket bank anglers.
The mayfly hatch has already started and fish have been seen to take them. This is a week or two earlier
than normal. We are all hoping for an exceptionally good hatch this year as initial indications are very
favourable with continued settled weather forecast.
The most successful flies so far this season are small nymphs and buzzers (GRHE, Diawl Bach, PTN, and black, red or green Buzzers).
25 April 2007
Weekly stocking is now taking place in order to ensure that we
maintain a stock of over 2,000 fish compared with less than 1,500 fish in
previous years. The quality of the fish is also exceptional. I have just
returned from a morning boat session and the 6 fish that I caught included three
of 3lb and over and the six totalled 14lb 12ozs. Also this morning, a visiting
bank angler caught a double figure rainbow and another visitor fishing from the
bank caught one weighing 9lbs.
The major action has been with the boat anglers
during the past few weeks so we are delighted that two visitors have had superb
rainbows while fishing from the bank.
24 April 2007
The weather conditions that have prevailed at Powdermill so far in April have
proved to be ideal for fly fishing. Not only has the clement weather meant that
both boat and bank anglers have been able to fish in comfort but the conditions
have proved perfect for the feeding trout especially the over-wintered stock.
The quality of the fish being caught is as good as we have ever achieved and the
superb fighting ability has to be experienced to be believed. All waters claim
to have exceptional fighting fish but everyone who has caught fish at Powdermill
have remarked on their fighting ability as well as their superb quality and
perfect finage.
Boat anglers have been particularly successful with many quality fish coming
from half way down the west arm in what is relatively shallow water. The area
just off the boat landing stage has also proved to be very productive.
For bank anglers, the Willow adjacent to the boat landing stage has proved
popular as has the far bank to the right of the dam. Fish have been caught off
the dam itself but not in the quantities that we would expect for this time of
year. However, the wind direction plays a vital role in how well the dam fishes
and I would expect anglers fishing from the dam to come into their own in the
next few weeks.
Because of the remarkable weather conditions, there are strong indications that
the mayfly hatch is going to start early this year. Anglers are already finding
that at certain times of the day the trout are evident on the surface.
There are known to be at least four double figure rainbows in the reservoir from
recent stockings, plus a number of fish over 5lb. Fish of 3lb are common.
20 April 2007
The number of anglers who took the opportunity to fish the reservoir during the first winter
that it has been open for fly fishing was far greater than anticipated. This
enabled us to continue to stock heavily throughout the winter as well as boost
numbers to their maximum level for the start of the new season.
As a result the reservoir is currently fishing exceptionally well for the time of year and
members and visitors are taking the opportunity to enjoy an early season outing
at arguably the most beautiful and peaceful venue in Sussex/Kent at a time when
the fishing is superb and catches are above average.
The combination of well acclimatised fish which are feeding naturally as well as recent 'stockies'
which arguably will snatch at anything (you should be so lucky!), has ensured
that there is plenty of sport for all fly fishing methods.
Due to the excellent water conditions the quality of fish being caught are superb and many
have remarked on the fact that they are exceptionally hard fighting fish.
The most effective flies continue to be buzzers and small nymphs. These have been the most popular
throughout the mild winter.
Bank anglers will find that the far bank to the right of the dam has been cleared of tree stumps
and as a result the undergrowth can now be kept down throughout the year which
will make casting from this area much easier.
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