Fly Fishing at Chigborough in April

There’s a small, cherished window in my fishing calendar that I dedicate to something a little different. It falls right after the river season closes its doors for spring and just before the tench begin to properly wake up. This year, for my annual "fluff chucking" session, I headed back to Chigborough Fishery in Essex for a day of fly fishing at Chigborough. It’s a venue I have fond memories of, and on a bright, sunny April day, I couldn’t think of a better place to be.

Cap and glasses fly fishing — The flat cap can only mean one thing - fly fishing!

A Challenging Start

I like to travel light for these sessions. Armed with just a 7-weight fly rod and a couple of boxes of basic flies, I felt ready for anything. The sun was warm, but experience told me the water would still be holding onto the winter chill. I started on the first lake, full of optimism, and tied on a Damsel pattern. After working a few spots with no interest, I switched to a Hare's Ear. Still nothing. The fish were proving to be elusive, and I knew I had a puzzle to solve.

Another scenic view of the fishing lake at Chigborough. — A basic unorganised box of fluff!

Cracking the Code with Buzzers

Rather than persist where the fish clearly weren't active, I decided to switch lakes. As I walked into a quiet corner of the next water, I saw it – the subtle rings of a fish sipping something from the surface. Then another, and another. I’d found them! Their location was given away by these occasional "topping" movements.

My initial fly choices were clearly not what they were looking for. I had a good look in my box and decided to tie on a Buzzer. It was like flicking a switch. Suddenly, the trout were all over it. The key was a slow, patient retrieve – I’d let the fly sink deep into the cold water before starting a very gentle figure-of-eight retrieve. Within a short space of time, I’d landed around half a dozen hard-fighting, immaculately conditioned trout.

Trout Chigborough fly fishing — Code unlocked - the trout wanted slow buzzers

Essential to protect your eyes from you fly and for slight fishing - Fox Rage polarised glasses

Respecting the Catch

As much as I love documenting my sessions, the welfare of the fish always comes first. With catch and release, especially for trout, it's crucial to get them unhooked and back into the water as quickly as possible. That’s why I only photographed one fish properly, making sure to keep it in the water at all times.

A panoramic view of the tranquil Chigborough Fishery lake on a sunny day. — The beautiful Home Lake at Chigborough Fishery.

A Well-Earned Break

Around lunchtime, with the sun high in the sky, I decided to take a break. The Fisherman’s Lodge at Chigborough is just an awesome place to relax. With picnic tables and a veranda overlooking the lakes, plus a kitchen to make a cup of tea, it’s a real asset to the fishery.

Exterior of the Fisherman's Lodge at Chigborough, a welcoming hub for anglers. — The fantastic Fisherman's Lodge.

As I was heading for my break, I saw a young lad with his dad and a coach, learning to cast. I offered them my swim where the fish were still topping. I wanted a cinnamon roll anyway! It’s always great to see the next generation getting into fishing, and if I can help, I will.

Chigborough Fly Fishery — I'd caught a few fish so time to chill :)

Putting the Theory to the Test

After my break, I explored a few other areas. I had to work for the bites, but the buzzer method kept producing fish. After a couple of hours, I wandered back over to see how the young lad was getting on. I was absolutely delighted to hear he’d caught plenty, including his first-ever trout! What a fantastic moment for him.

Fly Fishing Essex — Returning another health trout

Before heading home, I felt I had to return to the first lake - the one I’d blanked on earlier. Now that I knew the secret (Buzzers), could I change my fortunes? Sure enough, the buzzers did the trick there too. It just goes to show that a change in tactics can make all the difference. After a few more fish, it was time to call it a day.

A Perfect End to the Day

To cap off a brilliant session, I took a short 5-minute drive down the road to the Jolly Sailor pub in Heybridge Basin, overlooking the Blackwater Estuary. A cold pint of Cruzcampo was the perfect reward before the long drive home.

An open fly box showing a variety of trout flies, including buzzers and nymphs. — Sometimes you have to keep trying flies until you find what works.

Fly Fishing Tips

Look for Signs: Don't just cast blindly. Before you start, take time to walk the banks and watch the water. Fish "topping" or sipping from the surface is a dead giveaway of their location.
Polarised Glasses: Wear polarised glasses as these will protect your eyes when you have flies and hooks whizzing around your head and will certainly help you with fish location.
Change Your Fly: If what you're using isn't working, don't be afraid to change. On this day, switching from lures like Damsels to imitative patterns like Buzzers was the key to success.
Vary Your Retrieve: The water was still cold, so the fish wanted it slow and deep. A slow figure-of-eight retrieve near the lakebed triggered the bites. Always adapt your speed and depth to the conditions.
Handle with Care: When practising catch and release, minimise handling time. Unhook trout in the water using a net and release them promptly to ensure they swim off strong.

If you've never tried fly fishing, I can’t recommend it enough. It was a casting tutorial right here at Chigborough Fishery about 10 years ago that got me started. Why not book one in and try something different?

The annual fluff chuck is complete. Now, it’s time to hunt down some tench!

Tight lines.