Avington Trout Fishery is not everybodys cup of tea! Some will say it's far too expensive and just another big fish venue with very few big fish! But to many, me included, it's a superb fishery, well managed and good value - yes it's expensive but I reckon value for your hard earned cash. The main thing there is to try and be selective with your approach. It's primarily a stalking water, requiring a patient and disciplined approach. Too many "first timers" turn up, blindly fish away and...

The following weekend saw the first FM Southern Fly Fish-In http://www.fmcarp.com/news_events/events/14394.html held at Haywards Farm. Hopefully this event will develop into a regular annual event. We all managed to catch a few good trout, enjoyed the social side immensely and even had time for an excellent pub lunch. We also returned to the pub for the evening where the landlord even accepted a couple of rainbows in return for a few pints!

Peter netted the biggest fish of the day...

My next trip was an afternoon/evening session at Powder Mills, part of the Albury Estate Fisheries. Not exactly your "bargain basement" venue but I'd heard so much about the complex of lakes set in deepest Surrey that I had to visit at least once. I was greeted by a pretty little lake which sat alongside the tiny River Tillingbourne. What's more, I had the place to myself:



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Up to this point in my resurrected Fly Fishing exploits, I had only dented my list of "must visit" local(ish) venues. I had heard rumours that trout were to be caught north of the M4 so decided at the last minute to join the annual FM Fly Fish-In at Press Manor (where ever that was!).

A very early start and long drive eventually saw me parking on a grassy verge overlooking a good looking piece of water. But can fish survive this far north?

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There's no doubt about it, Peter has some fine fishing right on his doorstep (he can see the upper Hants Avon from his kitchen window!). No doubt the choice of residence was no fluke as he has a variety of superb fishing all within easy reach. Avon Springs is literally just round the corner:

http://fmcarp.com/forums/blog.php?b=13

Another good quality trout fishery is just a few miles away near Pewsey. Manningford offers some excellent facilities and good quality trout....