Anglers at the Farmoor II reservoir, near Oxford, are enjoying some of the best top-of-the-water fishing they have had for three years.

The warm, overcast days have seen fish rising continuously from first light till dark. Even when the sun breaks through, the fish are no more than 6-8ft down, but as soon as the cloud comes back, they are showing on top.

Senior fishery warden Paul Doherty said: "Most small flies are proving successful, but top patterns are Diawl Bach, crunchers, GRHE and buzzers, with red Bob's Bits taking fish right off the surface.

"The big browns are still showing, with a number in the 4lb to 5lb class caught each week. Best was 4.11.0 to Ian McLeod and a season-best rainbow of 5.12.0 to season ticket holder Tom Corrigan.

"So far, since March, we have stocked 18,000 fish into the reservoir with just under 5,000 caught, of which approx 30 per cent were overwintered.

"With 12,000 fish to be stocked between now and the end of the season, the prospects for a superb autumn are very good.

"I am contemplating running a winter league competition from mid-October through till end of January and I would welcome suggestions as to a format for this, so I would ask people to get in touch with ideas or just to register an interest."