Fly fishing on the River Coln
The Bull Hotel’s stretch of the River Coln offers a wide variety of fly fishing opportunities for trout and grayling. With everything from fast shallow gravelly runs to deeper slow pools along its 1.25 mile length, it has a multitude of different characteristics and is suitable for a variety of fishing techniques from traditional dry fly fishing through to more modern techniques such as Euro nymphing
The river, which runs gin clear for most of the year, has a very healthy population of wild brown trout and grayling and very good fly life, including a large mayfly hatch. Most days there is a hatch of upwing flies giving the chance to catch on the dry fly. Other important hatches include sedges, hawthorne and other terrestrial flies, so it’s always a good idea to have some of these patterns in your fly box
If there isn’t anything rising then a small weighted nymph fished under an indicator or dry fly can pick up fish
Wading, whilst not essential on some parts of the river, will enable you to fish more of the water though care should be taken in times of increased flow and there are a few deeper holes, especially towards the bottom of the stretch
A public footpath runs along much of the beat so please check carefully for walkers and their dogs when casting
Recommended tackle – 4wt rod between 7’6’ and 9’ with floating line and 4lb leader
All fishing is catch and release and all flies must be barbless-Barbed hooks to have the barbs flattened
Read Rules & Codes of Practice HERE
Expert Guides and Tuition
Andy Grey Fly Fishing
A lifelong fisherman, Andy has been guiding and instructing on the Bull water for over 10 years
Over that time his intimate knowledge of the river and all its moods has helped hundreds of anglers of all abilities catch trout and grayling throughout the season
Catering for both 1-2-1 guiding and tuition as well as groups of up to 3, all tackle, flies and waders etc. are provided
As well as holding the Game Anglers Instructors Associations qualification Andy is also a qualified casting instructor
Mark Purvis, Blue Zulu Fly Fishing
Mark Purvis is a fly fishing guide and coach who has been fishing the Bull Hotel water for more than 35 years. He has a deep knowledge of the Cotswold rivers, their trout and grayling, and the flies they feed on
An expert fly tier and dry fly enthusiast, he offers guided days or half days tailored to suit the experience and interests of the individual. He caters for beginners who have never held a fly rod through to experienced anglers looking for local insights or wanting to learn new techniques
As well as guiding, Mark is the Assistant River Secretary of the Cotswold Flyfishers club and spends much of the winter maintaining the local rivers, including the Bull stretch of the Coln