October's F4S tip of the month for young anglers - Get out and about for the trout!

October should be a cooler month, especially after a record-breaking heat wave, that seemed to go on and on, but I fear this weather could become the norm for every year as life goes on.

Trout fishing suffered badly for most fisheries over the summer but if you are an early riser you probably had some success. Those later to the bank will have had mixed fortunes as in the heat of the day the fish went down to the depths to try and find cooler water.

Bewl Water has fared well due to the bubble line out in the main bowl which aerated the water, supplying more oxygen and cooler water encouraging the fish to be interested in feeding. The main bowl has 90 feet or more of depth for the fish to swim in but is only accessible by boat.

Fly fishing has been successful but spinning and bait have accounted for catches as well.

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Carp fishing has been excellent especially for me and the students who I teach to catch on the top - carp must love the heat!

Many thanks must go to Monk Lakes fisheries and Hadlow College for allowing us to fly fish there.

Salt water bass fishing has been up and down, especially here on the north Kent coast. We have had the usual problems – it's been windy, making the water dirty and there's been a lot of weed. It's frustrating casting your fly or your plug out and straight away pulling weed, especially when you can see the bow waves made by some large fish!

Well that was September and hopefully October will see the weed problem lessen, but there's always bait you can use. Try small calamari squid or mackerel to entice them.

Back to trout fishing. With the cooler weather trout will be actively feeding. All the usual patterns will catch, but it might be a good time to experiment. Try using a Corixa fly. This tiny creature can fish well until the end of October.

The Corixa is a member of the lesser water boatman family. I am told there are approximately 30 species found around the UK, mostly in still waters to a depth of no more than two metres, because they need to return to the surface to replenish their air supply (usually a bubble). They love to be among plant debris and weed beds. There are many imitations to suggest this. I have included some pictures of a couple I have tied to represent this as well as beetle, shuttlecock and hopper patterns, all can be obtained from good tackle store's or online.

Using your usual tackle - 6/7 rod and line, 7or 8Ibs breaking strain leader and tippet of a good length - cast out amongst the weed bed. Let it sink as most takes happen when falling through the layers. If nothing happens start your retrieve with a sink and draw method. Try to be patient but be ready as trout can wrench your arm off when the take happens.

Tight lines, be safe but have fun.

Bob G