Draycote Water – Weekly fishing report week ending Sunday 27th March 2016
Telephone Number 01788 812018
This week has seen a continuation of excellent fishing despite weather conditions at the end of the period. These brought excessive winds & rain heralding the arrival of “Storm Katie” to unfortunately spoil the Bank Holiday weekend sport. Notwithstanding a glorious Good Friday, no boats were able to go out on Saturday or Sunday. As I write, the reservoir is closed once more to boat anglers with the pontoon itself looking like an Alton Tower attraction. Westerly wind gusts, as forecast, have been in the 50mph+ bracket. Once blown through though, the forecast for the coming week is looking good.
A total of 257 anglers took to the water this week and recorded the landing of 1,537 trout for an overall rod average of 5.98
There were some notable bags of fish together with individual large specimens taken. Dave Parkes fished with a group of friends in boats on Monday & led the way with a thirty plus catch taken mainly from Lin Croft Point down into Albert’s Bottom. He fished weighted orange lures using a light #5wt outfit with a floating line & 18ft+ leader to achieve the best presentation. Season rod Ed Douglas adopted similar tactics from the bank on Tuesday resulting in fast & furious sport with 33 to the net!
Tony Ward was particularly pleased with his day on the banks on Wednesday as his 14 fish total was headed up by his Draycote personal best – a splendid rainbow of 8lbs. He safely returned his trophy to the water. Congratulations Tony -largest fish of the week too! Thursday saw Geoff Preston in action from a morning boat and weighed in a fine eight fish limit with a further five caught & released. Meanwhile, on the bank at the Overflow, Mark Sturgess, fishing a black & green tadpole on an intermediate line, caught a fine 5lbs 8oz brown trout (pictured on our Facebook page) as part of a six fish tally.
Mother Nature was indeed kind with the weather on Good Friday when 99 anglers came out to enjoy the Bank Holiday in glorious conditions. Most were rewarded with terrific sport and 355 trout were netted on the day for a rod average of over 6. Boat & bank anglers alike were in action with a mix of pulling & nymph tactics working. As earlier reported, weekend activity was all but completely curtailed by the adverse winds which blew in. These kept the boats from being allowed out & very few anglers ventured out onto the banks.
Fish populations have tended to still be well spread throughout the fishery, although locations from Dunn’s Bay down through Biggin, Lin Croft, Cornfield & into Toft have probably still been the most productive. Not much movement yet on preferred tactics with the black & green theme still holding good when pulling. There has been the expected pick up in small black buzzer activity with increasing numbers of anglers now resorting to a more imitative approach. Finally, last week’s advice still holds good as regards time of year. It is still early & weather conditions can & do change rapidly. Be mindful of this & layer up appropriately before venturing out. Water temperatures also remain very cold
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 257 Number Trout Taken: 452 Number Trout Released: 1085
Total Catch: 1537 Weekly Rod Average: 5.98
Current Fishing Times:
Bank: 07:30 until 19:30
Boat All Day: 08:30 until 19:30
Boat Part Day: AM 08:30 until 14:00 PM 14:00 until 19:30
Last 4 Hours from: 15:30 until 19:30 (Ticket sales available from 15:15)
All Anglers to be off site by: 19:45
Weekly Free Boat Draw
Congratulations to Mr Colin Campbell of Moreton-in-the-Marsh who is the winner of this week’s Free Boat Draw.
- 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. ALL ANGLERS MUST BOOK OUT PRIOR TO LEAVING THE SITE.
- 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. Boat anglers are also reminded to keep 70 yards or more from any bank anglers.
- Bank Anglers car passes should be, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.
- Boat anglers may wish to note that we now have a rudder for hire at the daily rate of £7. It can be pre booked at the time you make your boat booking.
Tight lines
The Draycote Team
Dates for the Diary: Sunday 17th April 10:00am ~ 4.00pm SAGE & RIO PRODUCTS DAY
Join us at Draycote to test Sage & Rio products of your choice. Our guides will be taking to the water on Sunday 17th April along with representatives from SAGE & RIO PRODUCTS.
We offer you the opportunity to book a FREE hour long fly fishing session afloat with a member of the Draycote guiding team using a SAGE rod matched with a RIO fly line of your choice.
To reserve your free place, Call Draycote Lodge on 01788 812018
Follow Us on
facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore