Feedback & Reports

We had a fantastic days fishing on The Leen, thank you. I think that the grayling population is very good due to the massive amount of small fish we caught (2 inches). However, I do think that the adult fish are not there in numbers, but the ones that are there, are very large.
We started fishing at the upper weir limit and covered the whole stretch, then returned to the upper half later in the day as we blanked in the lower section. I found some fish mid morning, caught 2 and lost one. My fishing partner was fishing just down stream and he had one at the same time. I found some fish later in the day and had 4 more grayling, one of these fish was a re capture as it had a split mouth from the scissors along (fully healed).
The weights were : 1.14lb, 1.15lb, 2lb, 2.08lb, 2 fish unknown, 2.09lb, 2.095 lb (caught twice).
I think the cormorants are having a good feast in this stretch and after talking to the farmer this was confirmed.
All in all, a superb, beautiful stretch of river that we thoroughly enjoyed fishing. I hope the lovely large ladies of the stream survive and put a smile on more anglers faces.

8 Grayling

We caught 6 good sized grayling and 2 brown trout between us. We were trotting with maggots and also caught lots of very small young grayling (2 to 3 inches long), which looks good for the future. One of the trout had a cormorant stab wound on its flank.

2 Trout, 6 Grayling

River in nice condition but disappointing fishing. Several cormorants seen. I'm sure they are not helping.

1 Trout, 1 Grayling

Well I thought I had chosen the venue well, cracking beat to look at! Fished nymph the few hours I was there to no success whatsoever. Huge amount of fly life on the water but nothing coming up at all even in the shallow pools. Total blank I'm afraid.

Pleasant day trotting maggots down this lovely stretch of river. No grayling but loads of brown trout. Stopped fishing just after lunch as wasn't happy catching so many out of season trout!

11 Trout

River in fine condition, clear, and steady levels. Crisp November day. One rod fly, one trotting with maggots. Both caught one small grayling each. Fly angler fishing Czech nymph style and fish took a flashback pheasant tail on the dropper.
Lovely stretch, lots of yellow wagtails about and kingfishers, just couldn't locate the fish today. No OOS brownies.

2 Grayling

Just too much water for sensible trotting.

2 Trout

A day fly fishing for the grayling.
The nearby Titley Mill EA gauge had been showing the level at about 0.08m for the last couple of weeks but overnight rain had raised the level a bit and put a lot of colour into the water.
Chatting to the farmer on arrival, he suggested we might consider applying for a 'wash-off' as the river was so dirty but as my fishing partner was making a 320 mile round trip to be there, we decided to press on, more in hope than expectation.
We've both fished this beat before, trotting maggots (when allowed), so had an idea of the areas that might produce a 'lady' or two.
Various runs were searched with hare's ear and weighted bug patterns, to no avail. The only fish of the day was a 10 inch brownie my partner caught in a slack just below the weir. Although not the target species and out of season, my mate was pleased with his first river brownie on a fly.
On netting, the trout regurgitated the partially digested remains of a 4 inch fish, a small trout or salmon parr possibly.
Although a day that did not live up to expectations, still a delightful wee river in some beautiful surroundings, and we look forward to our next visit.

1 Trout

Snow on the ground and snow falling steadily through the day. Levels low and clear. We trotted maggots in a nice run downstream of the weir pool - landed two cracking grayling and bumped one off after a few seconds. Fished a few more runs down to the bridge but didn't even fool a trout. Called it a day here and just about made it home through the snow. Wonderful couple of hours on a wonderful river.

Beautiful winter's day. Had some amazing views of birds of prey up close, unfortunately no fish seen or caught.