Saltwater fly fishing report for Solent, Southern UK

I have taken the liberty of reproducing Justin Anwyl's August report here because it has some very useful info.  I have beach fished with Justin but I think now he mainly drift fishes (loch style) with his clients. During the season they manage to catch thousands of sea bass!
When it comes to fishing he is a "top gun!"


"August is here as is the sun. This season has been a complete tail of 2 halves as in May when we last wrote a note, I was in the Solent in a ski jacket trying to keep warm. Water temps were 12 degrees and Bass were still spawning! which is at least 2 months later than normal. Since then, the water temperatures have rocketed to 20 degrees and the sun has come out big time. Over the last couple of months we have experienced some of the best catches in ten seasons and some of the worst - my feeling is with the lack of blanket cloud and very high visibility a lot of fish have moved into deeper ground as it's the first time ever I've seen not only lobster pots from beneath the boat but lobsters in them - I can't imagine what the reflection is like when looking at the hull! - whatever you are tempted to do, i would suggest getting down deep and put on a larger than average pattern aswell as venture out as early as you can before the light is up - many times this season we have been on the boat for 4.30am and had 50-60 Bass by 8.00am, after that, you'll start to dredge the depths as the fish mover lower against the light..

The website has some larger 4/0 deceivers in white, red and cockroach - try drowning them and you will get pulled! http://www.bass-fishing.co.uk/en/all/c-accessories/f/

Red Cockroach Deceiver 4/0

I've just had delivered the new Seawolf 8/10 "S" series of reels which are based off the original design with the addition of a closed face drag, this makes them even more robust and easier to maintain - they will all be going to Connecticut this year for a good work out as well as Christmas Island to hunt down big Bonefish and GT's. http://www.bass-fishing.co.uk/en/seawolfslargearborsaltwaterflyfishingreel-p-9001.html

New Seawolf 8/10 "S" in Gunmetal Grey

Re the fishery, it is obvious to me that there is pressure on the brood stock as we are hooking up to mid gauge Bass and there seems to be a lack of quality in the usual areas in the early part of the season, as well as a lack of the smaller Bass showing in the harbours - I would be interested in your thoughts to see what your experiences have been like to date this year.
One thing which I have noticed, especially when traveling east is the amount of food in the water, tonnes of bait, either sandeel or mullet fry and this has only just started to attract large shoals of mackerel and Bass - this is the latest I have know this to happen, so maybe if we have a very clement summer/autumn our lines may be graced with a pull into November - fingers crossed. .

This is Good!

This is better! (J McGill)

I have since the last newsletter put up a Facebook page, which you can access via the link on the homepage - a good way to ask questions and keep track of daily catches and experiences.... if you have a question, i'd be happy to help.

For now, the season is in full swing and hopefully we can fish into latter part of the season if the summer extends as we expect it to. Pray for heat, cloud and low wind - not too much to ask!

Tip down and hold!"

Justin
Kind Regards

Justin Anwyl
IGFA Captain/Guide UK/USA
Email info@bass-fishing.co.uk
Tel: 07767 820268 or Tel: 01243 785496 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 01243 785496 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting

www.bass-fishing.co.uk