Draycote Water weekly report week ending Sunday 20th July 2014
Telephone Number 01788 812018
Although at times challenging, in a week that has included some of the hottest temperatures of the year, the fishing at Draycote has remained generally very good –mostly with top of the water sport. We saw 252 rods for the week catching a total of 1063 trout to record a weekly rod average of 4.21
Although sport has still been enjoyed from the banks, particularly early & late in the day, the best action, as expected at this time of the year, has clearly been experienced in the boats.
Monday started very warm & bright but with big westerly winds & breaking waves across the whole reservoir. Richard Pearson (Fishery Manager at Foremark) and I ran a one day “introduction to fly fishing” course for ten pupils from the Avon Valley School in Rugby. After a morning of theory, followed by casting practise, we took to the water in five boats. We soon realised that the fish were holding high in the waves and were keen to latch onto small fry patterns. All the lads experienced hook ups – mostly over open water above, in & downwind of the aerators. Some great fish were caught & all the guys were able to take home a trophy trout for supper. Hopefully, some future new recruits into the sport. Thanks go to Brian Froggatt of Draycote Water Fly Fishers for his valued assistance on the day together with staff Kieron & Alan from the school. Neil Bridges joined in the action that day but deployed his rudder in the big wind to take ten good rainbows on tube flies, also very high up in the water column.
In total contrast Tuesday was hot, bright & almost flat. Nevertheless, for the most part it was to be a day for the dries. Season rod Kevin Rees left his usual bankside haunts once more & went afloat to take 16 on dries in what he described as a “Hot but great day”. Meanwhile Dave Heseltine’s boat took a joint tally of 20 to a mix of damsels & buzzers in Biggin Bay. Another boat of regulars had an amazing day with a total of 41 to the net up to 5lbs. All were on dries from various spots across the Draycote Water dam area & then down towards Dunns & Biggin.
The rod average peaked on Wednesday at a most respectable 5.4 Jude Tuffs returned to form netting 15 to her boat whilst Richard Pelly continued his run of evening successes with five good fish on his delightful light outfit in conjunction with a Big Red dry fly.
Geoff Preston has also proved to be very consistent in the returns this season. His damsel pattern helped him with an 18 fish catch off the Tower Bank on Thursday. Season ticket holder Ray Cramp also took to the boat to catch ten on black lures on a day when the rod average remained high at 4.9
Friday brought with it extremely hot conditions which, as expected, made things challenging to say the least. Despite a rod average drop to 2.2 however, Gordon Slack persisted on the bank and to his credit caught 5 on buzzer tactics. His catch included a 3lbs 8oz rainbow & a brownie of the same size caught & released. Browns have featured well this week .Our own “John The Boatman” has also had some good fish this week including an estimated 6lbs brown caught & released at the bottom of the Hensborough Bank on a snake pattern.
Saturday saw the development of severe thunder storms with torrential rain & lightning. Anglers were correct to promptly cease fishing at these potentially dangerous times. In between the storms the trout were pulling – no doubt brought back on by a cooling of the water temperature. Contrasting tactics were working. Jim Dempsey & Ifor Jones took 26 to tube flies on the rudder whereas Phil & John Hooper stuck to a combination of nymph & dry fly tactics for a joint tally of 18. Both caught & released browns of 4lbs+
Although very hot & bright again, and whilst challenging for many, Sunday saw 60 rods take a total of 283 fish for a rod average of 4.71. We hosted the Midland Counties Cup match fought between Colwick Fly Fishers, Leicester FF, Foremark & Kirby F F – all fielding teams of eight. At the end of the day it was Kirby who took top honours with a total of 32 fish for 74lbs 13oz. Individual honours went to Luke Parker of Kirby F F with an 8 fish limit for 20lbs 12oz. Duncan Millar came in second for Leicester F F. His 7 fish bag for 18lbs 2oz included the best fish of the event – a rainbow of 4lbs 4oz.
Throughout the week the common denominator has been fish in the top three feet or less, together with successes to both dries (particularly the foam bodied daddy patterns) and small fry patterns. To demonstrate the point, regulars Tom Morris & Andy George finished their week on a high with a joint evening catch to foam bodied daddies of 26 rainbows. Tom catches a lot generally at Draycote but described it as his “best fishing session for months”.
For late July current water quality is generally good with reasonable water temperatures. There is a bit of an algal bloom which has developed over the last few days. However this has been pushed across into the Farborough Bank & harbour area. I have just taken a full tour of the fishery in the safety boat and am pleased to say that the water clarity up through Toft, Cornfield, Lin Croft, Biggin & Tower Bank is excellent. It is also clear down through the Draycote Water Dam to the Inlet as well as out across the Aerators.
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 252 Number Trout Taken: 482 Number Trout Released: 581
Total Catch: 1063 Weekly Rod Average: 4.21
Current Fishing Time:
Bank: 07:30 until 21:45
Boat All Day: 08:30 until 21:45
Boat Part Day: AM 08:30 until 14:30 PM 14:30 until 21:45
Last 4 Hours from: 17:45 (Ticket sales available from 17:30)
All Anglers to be off site by: 22:00
In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure. If not in the lodge it will be found on the counter in the gutting room next door.
Bank Anglers car passes should be, where possible, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.
Boat anglers are also politely reminded of the ruling that there is no anchoring within 100 yards of any pontoon or aerators. This is especially relevant to the harbour pontoon as its own mooring chains & anchors extend out a considerable distance from the end of the harbour & are easily fouled.
Tight lines,
Kevin
Up & coming events
9th and 10th of August – Lexus individual qualifying heats – the last chance to reach the final at Chew Valley. visit www.lexusflyfishing.co.uk to book your place.
Hywel Morgan, beginner / novice tuition day. Limited to 6 people per day, all tackle provided including fishing permit, cost per person £60.00 contact the lodge or visit our tuition website for further details and to book your place www.flyfishtuition.co.uk Dates September 6th & September 7th
Rio Pairs Scheduled for July are Cancelled
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