Draycote Water weekly report week ending 16th June 2019
Tel: 01788 812018
Another good week at Draycote, although, like the rest of the Country, hampered by torrential rains which left us with no boats out on Tuesday. Despite the seemingly incessant downpours, this reporting period saw a total of 281 rods on the water catching a total of 1736 trout representing an impressive rod average of 6.17. In the wake of hosting the Ladies Home International the bulk of this week centred on the Angling Trust Loch Style Team Championships www.anglingtrustevents.net/e/222/loch-style-team-championship-2019 with practise days on Thursday & Friday and the event fished over both Saturday & Sunday.
Prior to the onset of the worst of the rains, anglers experienced great sport on Monday with bank angler Ian Richardson catching 14 on a mix of damsels & buzzers in Dunn’s Bay. Newcomer Ray Hopkins also did really well on the bank for a 7 fish total, also on damsel patterns. The boat anglers were enjoying fine sport as well with Rod Wilson netting 20 rainbows up to 4½lbs fishing zonker & snake patterns high in the water column whilst on the rudder. Peter Fisher stuck to his team of buzzers & Pheasant Tail nymphs presented on his usual floating line & long leader ending a good session with a brace for the pot & a further 8 caught & released. John Dickens had a very mixed 10 fish session in terms of fly patterns. He caught on CDCs, buzzers & lures! Tuesday was effectively written off by the weather with no boats on the water & only a small handful of hardy souls on the bank. Season ticket holder Peter Allen was not to be put off though & he located pin fry feeding fish off Tower Bank & managed to tempt half a dozen to the net. Wednesday saw a marginal weather improvement but boat & bank anglers found fish picky with no clear method, location or pattern coming to the fore. Twenty five anglers fished for a day total of 56 caught – a rod average of 2.24. Bank regulars Bob Smith & Alan Grant managed 3 & 4 respectively whilst the best combined catch afloat was that of Messrs Williams & Donaldson with a 13 fish total “scratched” from all different spots on the lake.
Thursday & Friday saw the top competition anglers out in force practising for the AT Loch Style Team Championships at the weekend. Tactics, methods & areas were being kept close to everyone’s chests as expected. However, it was clear that many fish were coming to the net from all over the venue & from the upper layers of the water column too. Most pairings in practise were recording catches in the twenties & it was clear that an exciting event was in prospect. Dave Kennell in particular had a great session with 8 of the rainbows he caught & released all over the 3lbs mark and fighting as if on steroids.
The event itself was fished over Saturday & Sunday and each day comprised three x 3 hour sessions with all fish caught measured in our measuring troughs before being released. Sixteen teams of three competed, with one team member having to act as boatman/controller in other teams boats each session to ensure compliance. With scoring over every session the top of the leader board was in a state of constant flux and tensions ran high given the kudos of winning such an event, as well as the high cash prizes being fought for. High winds and heavy showers made for challenging conditions but, as anticipated, it was washing line tactics on various length midge tip lines that brought the best returns. A total of 775 trout were caught over the two days at the end of which congratulations went to first place team Fulling Mill FNF Nymphomaniacs who netted 70 fish with a combined length of 3211cm to collect their £3,000 winner’s cheque. Flash Attack Reservoir Dogs came in second with a 66 fish total for 3143 cm and a cheque for £1,500. Pitsford Pirates in third spot had netted a 70 fish total but their overall length was 3140cm and saw them collect a prize cheque of £1,000. For full results see our Facebook page but our thanks go to Ben Thompson, Senior Competition & Performance Manager, Angling Trust for his organising of such a prestigious event at our venue.
Whilst the worst of the wet weather appears to have passed, we currently remain in a low pressure area & the potential for thunderstorms has been forecast from late Tuesday. Forecasts then improve dramatically and although showery at times, more normal seasonal weather is anticipated.
Disabled Anglers
Draycote has a wheelie boat for hire, which includes a ramp and hydraulic lift for wheelchair access. To book the wheelie boat call the lodge on 01788 812018.
Fishery Tackle Shop & Online Shop
Draycote has a tackle shop at the fishery stocking SAGE, RIO, VISION, REDINGTON, WYCHWOOD, GREYS, SNOWBEE, FULLING MILL, FARIO, LOON, FISHPOND and STREAMWORKS products with demo SAGE, Vision & Redington rods & RIO fly lines for you to take out and try.
We also have an online shop. For all you anglers who might not be aware www.flyfishstore.co.uk is the online store for Draycote and the whole of Fishery Management (UK) Ltd. During the 2019 season we will be looking at doing weekly specials offers on the website. The weeks special offer is the Guiding & Tuition teams’ best buzzers and how to fish them in the latest blog at www.flyfishtuition.co.uk by Tom Bird. To see the special offer please visit www.flyfishstore.co.uk/offers
COMPETITIONS During June
27th June 2019 – Alex Booth Fly Fishers Charity Match contact Roy Lewin via 07762 746825
Weekly Boat draw
Congratulations to Mr Mark Rose from Northallerton the winner of this week’s free boat draw.
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 281 Number Trout Taken: 68 Number Trout Released: 1668
Total Catch: 1736 Rod Average: 6.17
Current Fishing Times:
Bank: 07:30 until 22:00
Boat All Day: 08:30 until 22:00
Boat Part Day: AM 08:30 until 15:00 PM 15:00 until 22:00
Last 4 Hours from: 18:00 until 22:00 (Ticket sales available from 17:45)
Gutting Room Closes – 21:30
All Anglers to be off site by: 22:15
Tight lines,
The Draycote Team
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