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This is a dedicated thread for discussing article: Will’s Day Out at Avington
Will’s Day Out at Avington
- Thread starter FishingMagic
- Start date
Morespiders
Senior Member
Ragged, frankly, ugly creations, yer, they work though Maidment, how many do you want,?
well done Will, glad you had a good day
well done Will, glad you had a good day
geoffmaynard
Content Editor
Nice stuff
I'm going to have a day down there as soon as the hot weather fades out. Any more tips for catching the biggies are welcomed!
I'm going to have a day down there as soon as the hot weather fades out. Any more tips for catching the biggies are welcomed!
lovely read.
Its my 30th at the end of the month and I was thinking of going for day to Avington, its a toss up between that and a few days on hunts corner. Reading this has only wet my appetite for a monster trout some more.
Its my 30th at the end of the month and I was thinking of going for day to Avington, its a toss up between that and a few days on hunts corner. Reading this has only wet my appetite for a monster trout some more.
Neil Maidment
Moderator
Nice stuff
I'm going to have a day down there as soon as the hot weather fades out. Any more tips for catching the biggies are welcomed!
Avington is one of those venues not particularly affected by very hot weather. I suppose its because its fed by the Itchen and various springs that the water temperature is pretty consistent. The weed growth is incredibly luxurient, especially the middle lake, but don't be put off. I have lost some fish if they dive into the thick stuff but invariably they sprint across the top of it! My heaviest fish from there (18lbs+) spent a lot of time out of the water and creating huge bow waves across the lake as it visited most parts at speed! This from a lake I've heard some describe as "unfishable"!
The key factor for me is fish your fly at the correct depth. The crystal clear water makes depth perception very tricky. You see your chosen fish, cast to it and find its long gone before your fly gets down there. Tungsten weighted flys do the business (everyone has their favourite). I usually fish with small weighted Stalking Bugs of various colours (black/orange being a favourite) but the key is I know how fast they sink (on 7lb/9lb Incognito leaders) and fish accordingly.
Also, when I say "cast", usually it means "drop it on their head or intercept their route at close range"! The vast majority of doubles have come from within a couple of rod lengths, often inside a rod length right in the margins. If you're heavy footed, all you'll see is the bow wave of the departing fish! It might come back though - maybe in 5 minutes - maybe in 5 hours!
Get down there, spoil yourself!
Jeff Woodhouse
Moaning Marlow Meldrew
Keep showing pictures like that Neil and even I'll want to buy some fly tackle again!
I've been playing around with Photoshop and created a triptych, I added it to the end.
Hope people like it, I might do more of these creative photos.
I've been playing around with Photoshop and created a triptych, I added it to the end.
Hope people like it, I might do more of these creative photos.
Neil Maidment
Moderator
I like the effect of those! I keep meaning to "invest" in Photoshop but never quite got round to it.
I have been playing around with slide shows and at the risk of seeming sycophantic but adding to your temptation to visit a tackle shop....
have a look at these (none of which have been "photoshopped"):
Flixtime - Quality Fish From Avington
I have been playing around with slide shows and at the risk of seeming sycophantic but adding to your temptation to visit a tackle shop....
have a look at these (none of which have been "photoshopped")
:Flixtime - Quality Fish From Avington
Gary Cullum
Well-known member
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Lovely day out and great article.. and super top up advice Neil. I think you have whetted, and almost wetted, a few appetites. Thanks. Gary
There are some terrific fish in those pictures Neil.
One of these days when I get some time to myself we really must get down there.
One of these days when I get some time to myself we really must get down there.
Cakey
Well-known member
not really if you know what I mean ha ha ha
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Well written Neil, Will is good company.
Tempted to have a go myself again one day,I used to have paid for day's on the river sharing a rod, so I have had the taste!!!
Tempted to have a go myself again one day,I used to have paid for day's on the river sharing a rod, so I have had the taste!!!
the indifferent crucian
Well-known member
Strewth! The size of those trout!
I bet you've got more than one freezer, Neil?
And blisters on your thumb.
I bet you've got more than one freezer, Neil?
And blisters on your thumb.
Neil Maidment
Moderator
Yes Cakey (nudge nudge wink wink).
Avington corporate days are superb but in any event I will happily organise a group outing just with normal day ticketing (2 or 4 fish is the norm - more if you're feeling flush!) if demand exists. In any case if anyone fancies a trip, let me know, I don't need too much persuassion to go.
I am biased towards Avington (in preference to Dever and other big fish venues), it's just such a good set up now, in great surroundings and with very fit fish. They really are solid fighting fish and taste great too. My (the wife's) freezer is pretty full!
The really big ones are not that easy, as Will and I ably demonstrated, but they are there to be chased. But occassionally they are very easy! As mentioned, a few weeks ago I had a 16 and a 15 within an hour of starting (spotted two fish, cast twice!) and then added a 13 later in the day. An exceptional day.
Avington corporate days are superb but in any event I will happily organise a group outing just with normal day ticketing (2 or 4 fish is the norm - more if you're feeling flush!) if demand exists. In any case if anyone fancies a trip, let me know, I don't need too much persuassion to go.
I am biased towards Avington (in preference to Dever and other big fish venues), it's just such a good set up now, in great surroundings and with very fit fish. They really are solid fighting fish and taste great too. My (the wife's) freezer is pretty full!
The really big ones are not that easy, as Will and I ably demonstrated, but they are there to be chased. But occassionally they are very easy! As mentioned, a few weeks ago I had a 16 and a 15 within an hour of starting (spotted two fish, cast twice!) and then added a 13 later in the day. An exceptional day.
Cakey
Well-known member
oi nudger PM me
Richard Farrow
Senior Member
A good read Neil, a pity the big boys didn't come out to play. Many thanks to both yourself and Neil for supporting the charity event.