It's nice to start feeling warmer with the odd sunny day arriving and with the clocks changing it can only mean one thing – trout are on the menu!

We are spoilt for choice for trout fishing in and around Oxfordshire, with both lake and river fishing available on day and season tickets.

Starting with our rivers, there is the Colne, Leach, Windrush and Evenlode – the mayfly hatch on the Windrush is a beauty to see.

There are several lakes around the county all containing quality trout, amongst them Barnes Lake in Standlake, which lends itself to the more traditional types of fly fishing.

Salford Lake is just outside Chipping Norton and over the border in Buckinghamshire, there is Church Hill Farm. Meanwhile, Gloucestershire can boast Lechlade Trout Farm on the Oxon-Gloucs border.

Lechlade lake is full of big rainbows and browns, and if you want a double-figure fish, this is the place to go.

Just over the road, you have Bushyleaze, one of the prettiest lakes around, with an abundance of wildlife.

I have seen frogs, newts and toads, while one sunny afternoon I watched a grass snake feeding on damsel flies – I will always remember that.

Our two biggest trout waters are Farmoor I and II.

Farmoor I has been a trout fishery since 1966, producing some superb fish, and was the first water in Oxfordshire to give up a brownie over 10lbs.

Farmoor II opened up for day ticket angling in 1976 and can turn up fish to over ten pounds-plus.

You can catch them on all methods, hard on the bottom or with the dry fly.

My favourite method is to fish two buzzers under a strike indicator. It’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but if you want success, you should have it as part of your armoury. Good fishing!

Meanwhile, Mick Denton recorded an excellent canal weight of 14lb 8oz to win North Oxford AS’s third Summer Series match on the Oxford Canal at King’s Bridge.
Despite very heavy boat traffic, Denton caught chub and perch on chopped worm for a clear victory.
Second-placed Dave Scott-Picton alternated between bread and worm to catch skimmers and perch for 5.6.0, followed by Mick Abbott, who used similar tactics for 4.15.8.
The second in the six-match Predator Spring League Series was fished by 15 anglers at Stable Lake, Kirtlington.
Once again the carp obliged, Peter Wilson catching 32.8.0 of them on long pole and maggot.
Charlie Jones used maggot and meat for 29.0.0 and second place, followed by Geoff Broome with 26.0.0 of carp and bream on legered maggot.
TOMORROW’S FIXTURES
Kidlington AS: Open match, Oxford Canal at Grovelands. Draw Green Road SC 8.30am. Details on 0780 8191705.
Predator Spring Series: Match 2. Butler’s Hill.
Beehive AC: Beehive Cup 1st leg. Frobury. Fishing 10-4.
Littlemore AS: Spring League 1. Panshill. Draw 8am, fishing 9.15-2.15.