Lower Itchen Fishey

csmith10 · #1 (**permalink**) 26-02-2013, 11:23

Hi
I was wondering if anyone had fished the LIF recently? I am going down there for the first time next week and hope the water levels are down a bit after the heavy rain and snow we had a few weeks ago.

Cheers

frothy · #2 (**permalink**) 26-02-2013, 14:16

Im going on the itchen for a couple of hours after work i'll let you know how it is

csmith10 · #3 (**permalink**) 26-02-2013, 14:26

That would be great, thank you

frothy · #4 (**permalink**) 26-02-2013, 19:49

River is best I've seen it in a long long time, level and colour looking far more like it should and this was reflected in the fishing too. Only fished for about an hour and a half by the pub but had several roach to 1/2lb and a couple of chub 4-6 and 4-11 and lost another, are you on the LIF for the grayling or just a days course? Tempted to have a day on there myself before the end of season especially if the rain holds off...

csmith10 · #5 (**permalink**) 26-02-2013, 19:58

Hi
Thanks for the report! I was hoping the river was in better nick and the weather forecast is for little or no rain except the second day we are there.
I'll be after grayling specifically but I'll be doing done general course fishing too as well as a spot of barbel hunting

Cheers

captainbay · #6 (**permalink**) 27-02-2013, 11:48

i think its the time to do some fishing as weather is clear now.

mick b · #7 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 15:26

Fished all day Wed and Thur.

Tuesday to Wed it dropped 2" with a further 1" Wed to Thur however its still a bit cloudy, a fair pace still on it, and quite a bit of rotting trash in the flow below the surface.

Grayling were sparodic, one here two there, my personal catch from 21 trips this season is only 1/6th of the previous

From all reports the pub/park stretch is fishing way better than above, which is where I'll be next.

Ronnie · #8 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 17:13

I fished LIF on wednesday, found it hard going 1 chub of 3lb ish,2 lost chub,2 nuisance trout and 1 nice Grayling just on 2lb, the river is stillcoloued and pushing through as noted b
by others,

R

csmith10 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 17:37

Ah well let's hope the conditions get better over the next few days! Was the track passable or is it a long hike with the fishing gear?

Cheers

mick b · #10 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 23:00

Yes the track is open with repair works ongoing.

You will need to take care as the parking areas are only just drying out v v slowly, not helped by some who got bogged down and required pulling out

Go easy on the feed and fish yourself downriver is my advice.

A word of warning, some idiots have tried to fish the trout beats (upstream of the coarse/day section).
Try this and you will be on the free stretch for good!
Plus a blacklist has been started between the Test & Itchen keepers and riparian owners and you wouldn't want to be on that!