Autumn is here at Millbrook... well, autumn of sorts has been here since the start of February!
We've had no 30C days since January, and maximum temps for Feb and March are running about 2C below average. And we've received nearly 200mm of rain for the year.
To put that in context, last year, it took until well into May to hit 200mm for the year.
The result is a very good head of water in the lakes for what is traditionally our low water minimum, and unseasonable trout feeding patterns.
Dun hatches and spinner falls, normally something we don't see until at least mid-March, have been a possibility for weeks now.
Smelters are more typical of autumn, but they too have been going virtually non-stop through summer. Meanwhile, damselflies are hatching in their millions, and stick caddis are abundant. And in the last few days, it even looks as if midge hatches may be starting in earnest.
Overall, it's a weird season with unpredictable days and a 'be ready for anything' approach necessary.
As Jim and Bill from the USA found last week though, fish size and condition is excellent, and there are moments of truly spectacular fishing to be had - just bring some warm clothes!
We've had no 30C days since January, and maximum temps for Feb and March are running about 2C below average. And we've received nearly 200mm of rain for the year.
To put that in context, last year, it took until well into May to hit 200mm for the year.
The result is a very good head of water in the lakes for what is traditionally our low water minimum, and unseasonable trout feeding patterns.
Dun hatches and spinner falls, normally something we don't see until at least mid-March, have been a possibility for weeks now.
Smelters are more typical of autumn, but they too have been going virtually non-stop through summer. Meanwhile, damselflies are hatching in their millions, and stick caddis are abundant. And in the last few days, it even looks as if midge hatches may be starting in earnest.
Overall, it's a weird season with unpredictable days and a 'be ready for anything' approach necessary.
As Jim and Bill from the USA found last week though, fish size and condition is excellent, and there are moments of truly spectacular fishing to be had - just bring some warm clothes!
RSS Feed