MARCH - MAY

Since all the winter rain the lake filled to within 12 feet of overflowing. The surface area increased dramatically, finally filling the legendary arms of the lake unseen and un-fished for some 7 years or so. I was re-reading an article by Ron Woodward that was written about the lake in 1998 when it was at the same sort of level as it is now, if not higher. The article included a sketch map of the lake that only now has made sense to me. As for the fishing the rain colours and cools the water that generally slows down the fishing but despite this with a bit of effort or luck (you decide) we had some good results.

As winter turned into spring the fish started spawning and more importantly feeding, things reaching a peak around about Easter. All of a sudden Chira turned on like a light and the catch rate soared The margins, heavy with floating debris, were alive with fish feeding on all the goodies that the rain had washed off the mountains. Floating baits were very productive, there were so many fish moving about that I actually caught one in my net while landing another! This frenzied activity causes the fish to damage themselves on the rocks as the absence of reeds, lilies or thick weed leaves the fish nothing else to rub against during spawning.

I also saw a three different Koi Carp all of about 8lbs, a golden Orf and perhaps more surprisingly I saw a youngish looking Common carp, again about 8lb, swimming around the shallows. I have never heard of anyone catching a common Carp in Chira or any other type of Carp apart from mirrors, to catch one of these different fish from Chira would truly be a rare treat.

By the end of May Chira was back to its best with 6 fish in a day seeming easy both off the top and bottom. The two arms seemed to be the most productive with Cactus bay being the favored swim of most of the few regulars that fish Chira.

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