Fishery Newsletter October 16th
General News
After the usual difficulties of managing a small Stillwater trout fishery over the hot and dry summer months we can now move forward with hope and optimism about what will arguably be some of the best fishing of the season during the winter. I really cant urge you enough to get out on the bank during the winter as the fish are really at their fighting best at this time of year. The colder months also allows us to stock the ever popular spartic trout (arctic char, brook trout cross) as well as some of the larger specimen rainbow trout that we have been growing on our fish farm over the last 2 years.
Although the fishing was challenging in August and September the maintenance and upkeep of all four fishery sites continued with mowing and strimming eating into large parts of the week as well as deploying the weedcutting boat at a number of the lakes to keep on top of the weed. The lack of anglers on the bank also gave us a chance to carry out a number of drain downs, with Belmont lake at Vale End, Powdermills, Albury Park lake and Wood Lodge pool at Weston all drained. The main job of the drain down is to remove any tired looking fish that had been in the lakes all summer and to dry all the reeds and banks out that helps manage any parasite activity. Interestingly apart from Belmont lake which has to have all the water pumped out using our 6 inch pump, all the other lakes are cleverly designed to be drained using a monk/drain tower that removes 90% of the water, with the final 10% taken out by the pump.
Tactics
Moving forward into the autumn we are seeing some really exciting dry fly action for those that are prepared to give it a go and put some time into it. Daddy longlegs, hoppers and small olive cdc patterns are reliable dry fly patterns. Presentation is really important with dry flies and leaders should be 12 to 15 foot long down to 5lb/6lb. Degreasing your leader with some sort of mud helps take the shine off the leader and helps it bed into the surface film which all helps with fly presentation. With the daddy longlegs, fish it dry and don’t be afraid to let it fish just under the surface. Lures to have in your box include: damsel patterns, cats whiskers, Humungus patterns, blobs and egg patterns. Also diawl bachs and buzzers will work.
News from our Fish Farm manager Richard King
Normally it's time to start on autumnal and winter tasks on the trout farm, but currently I'm still heaving out weed after a hot, dry summer. The water dynamics are exhibiting low summer conditions. It's not just the air temperature that rises with global warming; the spring water temperatures have risen also. Thames water boreholes upstream have also contributed to the low water table, making conditions very challenging.
Fortunately, the fishing lakes temperatures are now ideal for trout fishing which results in more sales and ponds being harvested with ongoing maintenance being carried out.
The fingerlings in the fry unit can now be moved into the ongrowing ponds, so the cycle continues.
Upcoming Fishery Events
We are very excited to be running a youth fly fishing session on the 25th October from 1pm to 3pm at Weston Fishery. Spaces are limited to 6 and the session includes casting tuition, tackle hire and 1 fish (extra fish can be purchased on the day). This event is open for those aged 12 to 16. Parents must please stay on site while this is taking place. The cost is £25 per person. Please email me to book a place to cameron.craigs@alburyestatefisheries.co.uk.
Peter Cockwill returns to Albury for his ever popular on the bank fishing masterclass on the 4th November. This event will run from 12pm to 3pm and will cost £10 per person which is payable by card on the day. If you wish to attend please email me to book a place to cameron.craigs@alburyestatefisheries.co.uk.
Richard King our fish farm manager will be running a tour of the fish farm on the 10th December 11am to 12pm. Come and see how we produce our fish. If you wish to attend please email me to book a place to cameron.craigs@alburyestatefisheries.co.uk.
Bring a Friend for Free
During the remainder of October and November 2025 bring any non-member for free and share Fish Tokens.
How does this work? Any day or season member can bring any non-member to fish and there is no Day Membership fee for the guest. And for the day you can both share Fish Tokens.
Small Print:
- Valid during October and November 2025.
- Existing members may bring a friend to fish at no additional cost. On the day your guest fishes for free and you can share Fish Tokens.
- If your Guest returns they will need to purchase Access and Tokens in their own name.
- You can bring as many guests as you like, limited to one guest per day.
- Any guest may only visit once for free.
- Any Fish Tokens you purchase remain in your name.
The Café at Weston Fishery
The café is open to anglers from 8.30am to 2pm, Tuesday to Friday serving breakfasts, lunches and home baked sweet treats.