Draycote Report W/E 4th April 2017

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Draycote Water weekly report week ending 2nd April 2017
Telephone Number 01788 812018
Report
Draycote has experienced a week of extremely windy, often bright, conditions which on the whole made things harder for boat & bank angler alike. Whilst the overall rod average saw a significant drop on the week before, it proved to be something of a contrary period with many anglers struggling for a take whilst others returned with good results. Winds have been strong & south to southwest predominantly which frequently made conditions on the North Shore marks uncomfortable for the boat anglers & all but impossible for the bank guys who were also forced to contend with muddied up margins from the waves.
Nevertheless, regulars Ed Douglas & Kevin Rees fished buzzers on the bank on Monday, mainly in Toft, taking 15 & 16 rainbows respectively. Ron Beavan & Ted Mills shared a boat & also chose buzzer tactics. They returned a total of 17 rainbows. Rod Wilson fished tubes on the rudder & found fish deep down. He weighed an eight rainbow bag for a total of 23lbs with the best at 4lbs 8oz. The best fish of the week came on Monday to the rod of Trevor Heseltine from a boat – a fine brown of 7lbs 10oz.
Tuesday’s success story on the bank was the combined efforts of Tony Broadway, Jude Tuffs, Colin Grainger & Ed Douglas fishing mainly nymphs for a joint total of 41 fish. Windy conditions did however spoil sport with muddied up margins. Although very gusty, Colin England & partner Tony Plummer brought ten each to the net in the boat. Wednesday was a hard day- sunny & again gusty but saw some good results on the Hensborough Bank & down the Farborough dam wall to washing line tactics. The boat pairing of Mr Hubbard & Draper netted 15 fish whilst, up from London, Eugene Hughes worked his usual magic on sink rate 7&8 lines to bring 30+ fish to the net from all over the venue. During a bank tuition session Tim Davies came up with a beautiful 5lbs+ brownie which took a red buzzer & was safely returned to the water.
Thursday was described as “challenging” by Mike Oliver on the bank but his efforts with a pheasant tail nymph & buzzer combination at the Swan’s Nest saw him bring 20 to the net! Matt Harris took to the boat and landed 10 by the end of his session. Mr C Day did well on Friday on the bank in Dunns & Toft to take a 9 fish bag whilst Graham Homer boat fished nymphs for a ten trout total. Also afloat were Roger Kerrison & Steve Cullen who netted 26 between them on a variety of methods.
The weekend saw no let-up in the winds which left the bank anglers having to work really hard with fish thin on the ground. Boat anglers generally had a tough time too but congratulations to Martyn Price who caught & released a 6lbs brown off the Flat Stones on a home tied lure. He & boat partner Dave Hancox brought 11 to the net. Meanwhile, Peter Elliott shared a boat day with Paul Davison & they recorded a total of 22 caught & released. Peter said that most of his fish were to buzzer fished under a bung in the vicinity of the overflow with most hitting at a depth of about six feet down. Melvin Severn did well on the rudder in the big wind leaving early with a fine eight fish limit. John McLellan was also on fine form too with a boat caught 14 fish total to a combination of black & green lure & Montana Nymph. He commented that he had caught nothing at all until after 13:00. Anglers found conditions tough on Sunday too however, mention must go to Mr K Harding who fished FABS & small black buzzers on a floating line & netted a total of 23 rainbows. Mr Williams & boat partner Mr Hawkins also showed the way with 16 & 14 respectively to their boat fished diawl bach &buzzer combinations.
The new week has also started cold with frozen windscreens first thing this morning. We sometimes forget just how early in the season it is? However, the black buzzer hatch continues to build & with forecasts of a warmer week we optimistically anticipate better sport to come.
Congratulations to Mr Alex Cameron of Burbage who is the winner of this week’s free boat draw.
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 297 Number Trout Taken: 327 Number Trout Released: 780
Total Catch: 1107 Weekly Rod Average: 3.72
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)
Gutting Room Closes – 19.00
All Anglers to be off site by: 19:45
Fishery News
Tuition Days- Beginners Courses
Saturday 8th April & Sunday 9th April – Hosted by Jim Williams of Vision tackle
Places still available for both days. Call the lodge on 01788 812018 to book or for further information
Trout Masters
Draycote has joined the Troutmasters Competition. Entry forms can be found next to the booking out sheets. You will need a member of staff to countersign your entry. Good luck.
Dates for your diary:-
Competition Contact
England Ladies Mixed Pairs Match – Sunday 30th April – Ms Hilary Thompson – 01664 474268
England Eliminator – 27th and 28th May – Ian Colclough – 01543 689117
Scierra Pairs Match – 25th June – Visit website.
Alex Booth Memorial – 29th June – Roy Lewin – 07762 746825
Angling World Holiday Heat 5th and 6th August – Visit website
TEFF Fundraiser. Dry Fly Championship 16th September – Ian Colclough – 01543 689117
Angling World Holiday Final – 23rd and 24th September
Troutmasters Final – 9th October. – See Fishery staff.
Catch Returns
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. (Please note: A total of 17 anglers failed to book out on Sunday alone…)
Anchoring
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.
Car Passes
Bank Anglers car passes should be, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.
Rudder Hire
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
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