Neil Maidment
Senior Member
Well that was an adventure!
Two days booked on Grafham Water with Graham Elliott chasing predators with the fly gear. It's a while since I used a #9/10wt rod, fast sinking line and huge fluffy/tinselled lures! We knew it was going to be a bit on the windy side, and so it turned out. Crossing the reservoir turned out to be a quick learning experience for both of us as we zigzagged trying not to be side on to the wind.
Several good drifts using a drogue were entirely non productive, save for a couple of possible follows or suspicious taps. With the exception of one area where we anchored up, there was very little sign of any activity for other boats or fish showing and still no fish for us.
Mid afternoon saw some very unwelcome storm clouds approaching and the wind started to pick up even more. We were on the far side of the reservoir and decided we really ought to get across to the other side in the vicinity of the Fishing Lodge as soon as possible. That was fun!
We reached the home side safely and found a bit of "sheltered" water along with several other boats also seeking shelter. Not long after we and most others headed for the Boat Park and Fishing Lodge!
An early check-in at the hotel (Holiday Inn, Huntingdon Race Course - highly recommended) followed by a beer and good meal was very welcome.
Friday's weather was even worse so, after a leisurely and excellent breakfast, we drove to the Reservoir.
A couple of boats were going out but it was not for us. It looked foolhardy to our eyes and fortunately the nice man from Anglian Water agreed to refund us the days booking.
Two days booked on Grafham Water with Graham Elliott chasing predators with the fly gear. It's a while since I used a #9/10wt rod, fast sinking line and huge fluffy/tinselled lures! We knew it was going to be a bit on the windy side, and so it turned out. Crossing the reservoir turned out to be a quick learning experience for both of us as we zigzagged trying not to be side on to the wind.
Several good drifts using a drogue were entirely non productive, save for a couple of possible follows or suspicious taps. With the exception of one area where we anchored up, there was very little sign of any activity for other boats or fish showing and still no fish for us.
Mid afternoon saw some very unwelcome storm clouds approaching and the wind started to pick up even more. We were on the far side of the reservoir and decided we really ought to get across to the other side in the vicinity of the Fishing Lodge as soon as possible. That was fun!
We reached the home side safely and found a bit of "sheltered" water along with several other boats also seeking shelter. Not long after we and most others headed for the Boat Park and Fishing Lodge!
An early check-in at the hotel (Holiday Inn, Huntingdon Race Course - highly recommended) followed by a beer and good meal was very welcome.
Friday's weather was even worse so, after a leisurely and excellent breakfast, we drove to the Reservoir.
A couple of boats were going out but it was not for us. It looked foolhardy to our eyes and fortunately the nice man from Anglian Water agreed to refund us the days booking.
