Draycote Water weekly report week ending 14th May 2017
Telephone Number 01788 812018
Report
Whilst some truly excellent sport has been enjoyed by many this week, we still await that hoped for period of settled, warm late spring weather. Changeable conditions still seem intent on persisting. Nevertheless 409 anglers recorded the capture of a total of 1949 trout for the week representing an overall rod average of 4·76.
Monday witnessed a fantastic start to this reporting period for the boat anglers with a diversity of tactics proving that the trout were well & truly on the feed. A good number of anglers recorded double figure returns on dries, such as season rod Ed Douglas who netted thirty. Messrs McGinley & Pelini also brought some 50 to the net, mostly on diawl bachs fished in conjunction with a FAB blob. Rod Wilson fished large lures on the rudder for a 22 fish total for the day. Eugene Hughes also fished lures from his boat with sink rate 5 & 7 lines over deep water near the Tower & was also into big numbers. The banks however struggled with fish seeming to hold just out of casting reach. That improved on Tuesday when Jude Tuffs took 7 rainbows on buzzers fished under a bung from the bank at Lin Croft. Tony Broadway fished his buzzer team straight to net 8, while Ray Cramp stuck to lures on the bank at Dunns & booked out an 8 fish limit for just 23lbs. Temperatures were held back though with an early morning northerly wind swinging east north east as the day progressed. Unfortunately, a substantial number of boat anglers failed to book out as required which distorts the returns downwards. However, season rods Colin England & Tony Plummer enjoyed a good day netting 20 & 15 respectively to nymphs, while Eugene Hughes was back on the water – this time catching good numbers on dries – in the vicinity of A & B buoys. The morning boat of Ron Beavan & Ted Mills also saw action with 12 buzzer caught fish to the net including rainbows at 4lbs & 5lbs for Ron.
Wednesday saw a dip in the rod average to 3·9, mainly due to weather conditions. Always nice to see Dennis Jones back on the water & he managed 5 from the bank to his small diawl bachs during his usual morning session. John Woodcock netted a creditable 7 on his Last Four Hour permit too. Best rods out in the boats were Ed Douglas (that man again!) – this time with 14 to his dries. He was closely followed by Ian Morris, afloat in Biggin Bay using diawl bachs & gold ribbed hare’s ears to land a dozen. Thursday saw action throughout the venue for bank & boat anglers alike. Mr Bray had an excellent morning on the bank with a nine fish tally whilst Stan Hillman bank fished the afternoon into the evening and landed 10. Peter Fisher boat fished using both black & green buzzer patterns for an 8 fish limit which included a 6lbs rainbow. He released a further 14 fish. John Dickens was also amongst the action with his buzzer & FAB blob combination brining 23 to the net. In the evening Richard Pelly substituted his usual Big Red for a “Big Black” dry and landed 7. The boats have been out fishing the banks as one would expect as the season progresses however, Mr Richards enjoyed fine bank sport on Friday with a 12 fish catch to buzzers & snail patterns. Jim & Richard Hall also enjoyed a short mid day spell on the bank together ending with 8 & 7 respectively. Amongst the boat anglers out on Friday was Mat Harris who concentrated on dry fly action taking 13 on Shipmans & Crippled Midge patterns. The DFFA held an evening bank match & congratulations to the performances of Dave Atkins & John Hanlon who landed 9 apiece.
Very few anglers were on the banks on Saturday, but some of the anglers were reporting significant numbers of fish in both Toft & Rainbow Corner surface feeding very close to the margins. All commented however, that they were proving exceptionally hard to tempt! In the boats Craig Cowan’s party were enjoying terrific sport to dries, mainly on drifts out over open water. It has been a great week for visiting anglers enjoying our three day package breaks. With groups from all four home nations this week it was interesting to note that half of the fleet on Saturday was booked out with such groups. Ian Earle topped the returns sheet for the day having had a magnificent day on the dries for 30+ fish. It was terrific to welcome Rio’s Simon Gawesworth & Jim Fearn from Sage to our open day on Saturday which was really well attended. Many anglers relished the opportunity to try a huge variety of specialist rods & lines available on the day & take best advice from such experts in their field. Many also relished the opportunity to go afloat on 90 minute guided sessions with members of the Draycote Rio Masters Team & put tackle of their choice to the test. The day was a great success, we will repeat it next year & our thanks go to Simon & Jim as well as John Legg of Guide Fly Fishing.
Sunday brought us strong westerly winds with sunny spells which made for tough fishing conditions. The few bank anglers that did venture out were again frustrated by sighting plenty of fish feeding near the surface but proving hard to attract to anything other than a speeding lure. The boat anglers found it tough going as well, but with a bit of persistence and lateral thinking, some returned good catches. Lord Richard Dayman had 10 fish to the boat on buzzers. Mr C Traverne had 12 fish on buzzers. Mr Craig Cowans party did exceptionally well on a wide variety of patterns, with each individual reaching well into double figures from drifting boats. Mr Robert Balls party also returned some great numbers from Rainbow corner, mainly on buzzer patterns.
Weekly Boat draw:
Congratulations to Mr Rod Wilson of Ibstock who is the winner of this week’s free boat draw.
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods:409 Number Trout Taken: 546 Number Trout Released: 1403
Total Catch: 1949 Weekly Rod Average: 4.76
Current Fishing Times:
Bank: 07:30 until : 21:15
Boat All Day: 08:30 until 21:15
Boat Part Day: AM 08:30 until 15:00 PM 15:00 until 21:15
Last 4 Hours from: 17:15 until 21:15 (Ticket sales available from 17:00)
Gutting Room Closes: 20:45
All Anglers to be off site by: 21:45
Damaged Trees
There are a number of trees on Lincroft point which have been deliberately damaged. Upon inspection it looks like someone has used a saw to remove branches on the path leading down to the water. Anglers are not allowed to take or damage any bushes or trees within the boundary of the site. If you do feel that your fishing is hindered by any of the growth around the bank you should bring this to our attention and allow us to deal with it in conjunction with the rangers.
Fishery News
Tuition Days- Beginners Courses
Sunday 21st May Hosted by Kevin Hart & Tom Bird Currently one space available
Saturday 10th June Hosted by Jim Williams of Vision Tackle. Currently four spaces available
Sunday 11th June Hosted by Jim Williams of Vision Tackle. Currently four spaces available
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 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.
Boat Cleanliness:
Our hard pressed team strive to maintain the boats to a high standard of cleanliness. Anglers are kindly requested to respect their endeavours by keeping their vessels shipshape & litter free. Particular attention should be paid to avoiding the unnecessary practise of pulling muddy anchors on board. These should be shaken clean before being lifted into the boat. Your assistance in this regard will be most appreciated.
Guiding & Tuition:
Why not take your own fishing further with a day out on the water with England Internationals and fishery members of staff Lee Henfrey and Tom Bird. Whether you wish to get to know the water better or hone a particular skill, our guides can help to improve your catch rates. Contact the visit the website www.flyfishguiding.co.uk for more information or book a slot call the lodge on 01788 812018.
Keep up to date with the latest catches and fishing posts from our in-house fishery ranger and guide Tom Bird, by following him on Facebook. Tom has been catching some great fish this season and posting pictures of the fish as well as a light write up on how he has been catching them..
Tight lines
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