It’s been six long months since I last wet a line; encompassing tiering systems, lockdown 2, a very quiet Christmas, lockdown 3, more working from home and home schooling. But, finally, the crisis looks to be easing and the stay at home order was lifted on 29th March.

Needless to say I was desperate to get out on the water, so I booked a bank session at my nearest reservoir, Farmoor. The weather looked to be favourable and with a steady SW wind all week, I had determined to head straight for the north shore of F1 where I expected the fish to be. Unfortunately, when I arrived, the wind was just too strong to fish into so I drove round to the west bank instead. The water was a little coloured and it was chilly first thing but so nice to be out by the water.

There were a few buzzers hatching off but its still early in the season, especially at Farmoor which takes longer to warm up and hence for the fish to venture up the water column for the naturals. I started on a Di3 with a black and green Minkie on the point and a black blob on the dropper. The plan was to count down the casts, trying different depths and retrieves until I hit the fish. Unfortunately, the fish had other ideas. After several hours, I’d not had a touch so I decided to have a go on F2.

Here the water was crystal clear. I tried a couple of places before ending up on the top of the west bank where it was sheltered from the worst of the wind but there was enough of a ripple. I stuck with the Di3 and put the minkie back on and started to count down, methodically fishing the water. As I hit 15 seconds on a fast figure of eight, the line went tight and I brought in my first fish; a lovely overwintered rainbow of around 3-4lb. As often happens on Farmoor, once I’d found the depth and location I managed another 3 to the net quickly.

The sun came out after lunch and the wind dropped which was lovely but it cooled the fishing down. There was a decent buzzer hatch but the fish weren’t interested yet. I only managed another two in the afternoon, on the Minkie again, but a couple of mates I hadn’t seen for six months came down for a beer and we spent the afternoon catching up.

Enjoy the short video!