I have been at Bewl Water in Kent for the last week practicing for yesterday's Home International Loch Style Competition.
The weather was evil at times and the fishing was really hit and miss as a result. No stock fish had gone in since 30th April, so we knew it would be hard. We found fish using sinking lines on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - in 6 areas. On Thursday the sun came out and everything switched to floating lines or midge tips with nymphs.
Match day the wind went to the North and the temperatures plummetted again. The same areas held the fish, but instead of slowly fished nymphs, almost all the fish were taken using a Cat Booby or a Sunburst FAB on the point of a 20 foot leader with 3 other nymphs up the line. The odd fish took a nymph, but the vast majority ate the point fly bouyant pattern fished absolutely static at depth!
The Scots had this method off to a man and they thoroughly deserved their emphatic victory. We also had this method but did not fish it so proficiently, so we came second. Wales were third and the Irish picked up the Wooden Spoon.
England Qualifier
I am now coming back to Chew to fish my England Qualifier on Sunday with no practice for the past 10 days. I know it is fishing better than anywhere in the country, with loads of huge fish and the majority taking nymphs. I hope I draw a good boat partner who has been doing his practice in recent days!!!
@johnhorsey for Twitter reports
