Dying to get out and try my new Stillmaniac but do not have the time to go to either Draycote or Eyebrook so decide to return to the scene of the purchase at Sportfish Reading and try my luck on the Haywards Farm water that is run by them
Arrived at the 9:00 opening time and was somewhat surprised to find about 15 cars already there as I had phoned yesterday and they said they only had 2 people booked in.
Never mind went into the lodge and got myself a 2 fish plus catch and release ticket, quick conversation revealed that had been fishing well with the fish high in the water and the right hand bank was suggested as a good start point (the bank outside the lodge was already pretty full)
Tackled up - Stillmaniac Slo Mo on the Stillmaniac with a size 10 Apps Worm, floater on the Onki with a size 10 Red Butt Buzzer on the point and a size 12 Orange Okie Dokie on the dropper
Wandered round and found the first open spot on the bank, started with the Stillamaniac, wind was against me and although not strong did limit the distance I could cast, had 10 minutes and was dragging the bottom at the end of the retrieve so decided to wander round and see if I could find any deeper water
Got to near the top of the lake and noticed a bit of fish movement just off a point so went and had a look, stuck with the Stillmaniac and Apps as the water here was slightly deeper and was rewarded with the first pull of the day but it didn't stick, nothing for the next 5 minutes and plenty showing on the surface so changed rods, the Onki is still a pleasure to cast!!
The rain (did I mention that) was by now coming down very steadily and I was on the damp side of dry
Got overenthusiastic with the backcast and lost my leader in a tree behind me somewhere, then remembered what the pupose of today was so switched the floater to the Stillmaniac and the Slo Mo to the Onki, this was about 10:00
Single fly and decided to stick a muddler on and see what I could provoke in terms of reaction.
WOW - instant reaction 1st cast big bow wave behind the fly and good solid pull, unfortunately didn't stick but the next hour I netted 2 fish and lost another 3 all to the same method, as the pod came within range would have a follow (not always a take) about 50% of the casts then they would move away only to return about 10-15 minutes later
After an hour or so even when I could see the fish moving was not getting very many follows so decided to switch the muddler to a size 12 Sedgehog my size 10 Sedgehogs for some reason are in my dry fly box which I had left at home cos who could possibly need dry flies in March!!!
The next 3/4 of an hour was a bit mad with another 4 to the net and numerous follows then the wind disappeared and a flat calm descended and although there were still fish showing they were no longer interested in the Sedgehog.
Decided to call it a day as had had a fantastic morning and wanted to get back to watch the rugby which was always the plan so finished fishing just before 12.
Well that was a very pleasant way to start the season, Stillmaniac slightly different action to the Onki but once I got used to it was a pleasure, handle is thinner than the Onki (and I suspect most other rods) which I hadn't noticed when testing it and not an issue for me as I have small hands but could see it being an issue for some people.
Will definately revisit here as is only 1/2 an hour rather than the 2 hours of the midlands reservoirs, to be honest prefer the large open expanses and sitting on a boat but being able to get there and feel OK about leaving after 3 hours is a big bonus, plus there would seem to be plenty of fish to have a go at
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