From the other side I couldn’t believe many people say – the floods have washed out all the fish – there is nothing left. Well – it is true – such was the impression. But look at it from the other side – how the hell did these fish survive for 1 000 000 years if there were floods every year before? (the dam was built mainly to prevent every years’ huge floods)

Fish did move to strange places – that’s true – some best pegs seemed empty!
Fish had stomachs absolutely FULL with food after floods – no wonder they were hard to catch.

For all these who were so negative – please explain where did the great, absolutely fantastic fishing come from in October?
Ask Paul Procter, Pat Stevens, Jeremy Lucas.

After what I’ve seen in November – incredible amount of spawning reeds and how the October fishing was I will risk the following statement – San is in a better condition than it ever was – certainly with trout. The soon-coming changes in fishing regulations will make it even better with grayling. San still is the world’s leading mixed trout and grayling fishery.

And if you can’t accept weather conditions influence the fishing – please stop telling lies and don’t spoil my day. I was born to live happy.
(this should be translated in French- in that language I have heard biggest nonsenses ever)

All the best to all of you for 2011, tight lines!
Wojtek

First serious snow this year

Grayling

trout are so hungry after spawning that it is difficult to target the grayling – trout come from absolutely nowhere to steal proper grayling flies.

Trout come from nowhere

Feels colder already they announce big cold coming within few days…

So – great grayling time, even that fish are, as usually in late autumn, very picky and not easy to catch.

Someone throws stones from the bottom...

Old man and his stick aka Tremendously Experienced Angler, appearing regularly in fishing magazines and books, Carefully Studies the Water

Low, clear water throughout our trip, and every day trickle hatches of BWOs, and huge caddis numbers (these ignored by the fish), and rising trout…  Among them the gold of the San, the grayling, the best grayling in Europe. I managed a 45 cm specimen (somewhere around two and a half pounds in weight), and four other 40cm+ fish.  Paul Fear caught about the same, along with huge numbers of trout on a mixture of French nymphing and dry fly.  I fished most days exclusively dry (19 and 21 plume tips), though had two morning sessions with duo (Oppo and PTN size 18) and averaged 15 ‘measurers’ each day.

Autumn on the San

Lawrence Greasley claimed to be right at the limit of his ability, but I observed him fishing carefully and with some success.  He caught trout consistently well and also grayling when he committed to the plume tip and ignored the dreadful deer hair abomination in which he has so much faith.  There was a moment, actually on our first afternoon, fishing in the river by our garden, when I found a long line of grayling (where they always are).  I caught three of them (all 35cm plus) before calling over Lawrence to get on the drift line: who then enjoyed this special moment with this, the ultimate prize among single handed fly rod exponents.

Pat Stevens – probably the finest fly dresser in England – had already hosted a group on the San the week before our trip, so he was now relaxed and determined to fish dry.  Of course, this paid off and I witnessed two special moments when Pat singled out big grayling rising to BWO duns.  Lovely fish and a smiling Pat.

Nice grayling returned

There, in the Blitzkrieg dazzle of autumn leaves, and the steady, reliable hatches of BWO, we suffered.  We endured.  Wojtek’s dreadful cooking (we all put on a few pounds during the week); the dismal absence of fly hatches (every day – more than you will ever see in agriculturally destroyed Britain) and huge grayling (a 60 cm grayling was caught by Lechu, and photographed, during this week), the lack of enormous numbers of brown trout (Paul nudged into the twenties most days) – well, if the place wasn’t so ugly it would be ok.  You get the message.  If you want the best that trout and grayling fishing can possibly provide, there is only one place in Europe where you can find it.  Take it from me, who has fished throughout Europe.  San River is the worst place on the continent.  Stay away, please.

During the week all beats on the No Kill section of the river were thoroughly explored with the top and islands beats being the most productive – Martin Glennie finding fish watching fascinating and success in taking 45cm+ grayling by dapp

ing a size 18 dry in a swirling breeze.  The Bowland trio of Chris Hosker, Alan Davies and Keith Owen worked hardest covering the water without the results due although all 3 caught some nice fish.  Just as Alan got stuck into a pod of big grayling 12 inches of dirty water was released in to the river which put paid to his afternoon.

Arek got to some decent grayling

Watching the river flow collapse and then rise 3 feet in the space of 15 minutes the following afternoon again killed the fishing for the day and gave cause for some interesting exit strategies from the river.  Bill Beddows had success on the nymph and dry, particularly by inducing an apparent hatch of sedge one evening.  Matt Stevens had a great trip and caught everyday, not bad for one with limited experience.  It was a great shame that the cameraman was not functioning when his 45cm grayling came to hand.

Generally the week was interesting with all catching some fish every day.  The potential of the river was obvious but not realised this week, conditions did seem to be a bit against us.  Accommodation, tying facilities and Richard’s guiding were all great as was the wild life (otters, red and roe deer, foxes, eagles, and kingfishers to name a few species seen).  I am sure we will be back with more knowledge and success next time.

Pat