A Visit to Barn Elms Fishery at Bradfield -  by John Sawtell

A small group of us met on Tuesday 17 June at Barn Elms Trout Fishery, near Bradfield, Berkshire. These are two spring fed chalk stream lakes, fed by the nearby River Pang (which is not part of the fishery) on secluded farmland. There are two deep lakes, joined by a narrow channel and they were formerly gravel pits about 30 years ago. They are now fully naturalised with an abundance of aquatic life and mature trees. There is room for 30 people to spread around the lakes, and there is more than adequate space in which to cast your fly, and bank-side vegetation in which to catch it.

The group consisted of Colin Spicer and Franco Juliano, Steve Wyatt and myself. We arrived at differing times, having braved the perils of Bracknell and the M4, and as I was the last to arrive, Colin and Franco had already started to fish. The bailiff recommended a Montana to be fished fairly deep as the successful fly to catch fish. I ignored the advice and fished a wet fly instead (to my undoing, I expect!). I started on the main (lodge) lake up by the intake stream, where I have often found success. Fresh spring water enters the lake, bringing a constant food supply and cooler water. Colin joined me at the next swim, Franco was on the opposite bank, braving the dangers of the nearby swan's nest and Steve was further down the same bank.

There was a fish rising almost opposite Colin and after an accurate cast, he hooked it. It was a nice silver Rainbow, which slightly delayed its capture by burying its head in the marginal weed. The water here is quite deep and fish could be clearly seen cruising at about six feet down. Colin just mentioned that there was a large Brown heading in my direction, but it disappeared from view. As I was rapidly retrieving my line, prior to re- cast, the line suddenly stopped, then the water erupted with a large fish jumping clear. I don't know who was more surprised - me or the fish. Probably the latter, as he jumped free; he looked at least 7.5 to 8lb to me.

The day wore on – people started to catch fish (but not I). Steve caught a nice Rainbow on a buzzer just in front of the lodge. It was a classic take where the line just moved forward an inch or so and he lifted into a spirited fish. It became windier and less sunny, I lost more flies in the trees and lunch beckoned.

Colin brewed a fresh cup of tea and we all sat down at a table in front of the lodge. I started a conversation with whom I thought was the afternoon bailiff, hoping to get some tips for the afternoon. But it wasn’t, so I didn’t! However, he had some interesting views on Catch and Release, Farmoor and Haywards Farm.

The afternoon saw us dispersing in opposite directions, whilst I went down to the far lake. There are some very deep pockets here, down to approximately 12 foot, which drop straight down from the edge. There was much Canadian pondweed in the centre of the lake and marginal algal mats closer in to the bank. I guess these mats were a ‘safe’ haven for the insects, which in turn brought the fish up.

I was just lazily drifting a GRHE near to one of these weedy areas, using a floating line and long leader and searching round the weeds, when there was a slight disturbance where I expected my fly to be.

I lifted the rod and the line just moved off towards the centre of the lake, staying well down. It carried on, about 6 foot down (I never saw it) moving steadily away, taking line off the reel.

Nothing much was going to stop it, nor did it, so I wasn’t too surprised when we parted company. But the fly was still attached, which was good, because I can tie some more.

Colin came by for a chat. He had caught his four fish, one of which was the large brown that I had made contact with earlier. He said it was 6.25lb - must have been a distant cousin of the one I hooked!

Franco was on the opposite bank steadily catching fish - what was he using?  So after the 4th fish, I wandered over, naturally inquisitive. He gave me the fly (orange nomad) and suggested I use his swim. Now, I don’t generally like using lures, preferring traditional flies and nymphs, but in this particular instance, I did want to catch one fish, just to show that I could. So I tied on this orange fly (it doesn’t look anything like a cloud of daphnia to me) and cast it into the middle of the lake.

Soon (very soon) a fish took the fly and as it approached the bank, miraculously, our expert photographer (with his new camera) was suddenly taking all these ‘action’ shots.

The whole process was repeated on a second cast, with more action pictures and this time the fly swallowed the fly ‘booby’ style. A change of fly resulted in an orange chenille, which was duly attacked by a third fish. This one was netted without the extra photographic attention.

It was the first visit by Colin and Franco whilst Steve and I have both fished the lakes before. We all came away with fish, but in my case, missed chances earlier in the day were saved by the generosity of friends. Incidentally, none of the fish caught were on a Montana.

For those of you who had wanted to join us – sorry you could not make it, as you missed a good day. But we will return next year, or if the autumn stays warm enough, maybe later this year.

http://www.barnelmsfishery.co.uk/index.htm

John Sawtell, Surrey Branch