Draycote, Eyebrook & Thornton Christmas Gift Vouchers

Draycote & Eyebrook lodges are open this weekend 19th & 20th December from 10.00am – 2.00pm for you to pick up your Christmas Gift Vouchers

Vouchers can be exchanged at the Draycote, Eyebrook & Thornton fisheries during 2021 to purchase Fishing Permits, Fly Fishing Tackle, Fly Fishing Tuition or Guided Fly Fishing Trips

If your unable to visit the Draycote or Eyebrook lodge this weekend the Last posting day for 1st class mail is Monday 21st December visit our online shop for details https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/

This weekend is also an opportunity for you to discuss our membership option for the 2021 Season

Call
Tom Bird Draycote Lodge 01788812018 www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk
Jim Wright Eyebrook Lodge 01536770264 www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk
Ifor Jones Thornton Lodge 01530230807 www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Merry Christmas to all our customers

Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Tom will be at the Draycote Lodge with Jim at the Eyebrook lodge on Saturday 19^th & Sunday 20^th December from 10.00am – 2pm for you to call & pick up your Christmas gift vouchers, pick up a last minute gift from the Draycote tackle shop or discuss our 2021 membership options.

Last Royal Mail posting for gift vouchers is Monday 21^st December you can buy them online https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/s=christmas+voucher&s_cs=true

Online Shop & Sales
We also have an online shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk during the next few weeks we will be adding items to or sales page keep checking to make sure you don’t miss out on a bargain!  https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/
With the upturn in angling reported by the EA we have a number of tuition days & casting lessons which can be purchased as a Christmas gift voucher https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/s=christmas+voucher&s_cs=true last posting date for Christmas vouchers 21^st December

Membership
We also offer membership for individual fishery & our increasingly popular All water Membership for details, members receive discounted boat rates & 20% reduction on the RRP of any item of fishing tackle we stock
Draycote http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/prices/season-permits/  

Call Draycote 01788 812018 email shop@flyfishstore.co.uk

Eyebrook http://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/prices/season-permits/

Call Eyebrook 01536 770264 email shop@flyfishstore.co.uk

Thornton http://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/season-permits/

Call Thornton 01530 230807 email shop@flyfishstore.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you back in 2021
Thornton 1^st February, Draycote 1^st March & the Eyebrook 5^th March

Wishing you all a safe Christmas & Happy New Year
Ifor & the fisheries team

Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

2020 End of Season News

That’s the 2020 season completed, boats & engines are off the water for a deep clean & maintenance, staff will be enjoying a well earned rest as in 8 short weeks we start all over again at Thornton on 1^st February 2021
This was my 38^th year managing trout fisheries, during those years I have dealt with a number of events from heat waves, flooding, foot & mouth etc but none of those years threw up the difficulties & challenges that the Coronavirus Pandemic presented us with.
Looking back on the year I need to thank the Angling Trust for ensuring fishing was one of the first outdoor activities allowed to reopen after the first lock down & through their continued work with Sports England & Government kept us fishing from May onwards. I also need to thank the fisheries staff who adapted to work within the new Covid working guidelines, deep cleaning and disinfecting boats, life jackets and equipment daily, keeping themselves & our customers safe, our suppliers within the tackle & fish farms industry & you our customers who followed our new fishery working procedures / guidelines & John Horsey for having the confidence in us to run a safe Anglers World Final at Draycote during August.
During the first lock down fishing was suspended from March 23^rd to the end of May, unfortunately it coincided with one of the best spring weather conditions we have enjoyed for a number of years, excellent weather & good hatches saw our resident fish feed freely undisturbed for those 10 weeks, it did however provide the fisheries with superb fishing when we did reopen.

Thornton at 70 acres the smaller of the three reservoir we manage returned a seasons rod average of 2.8 similar to the previous year, however this year the fishing remained consistent especially during the summer months & into the Autumn through to our last day on November 30^th providing the most consistent fishing weave enjoyed in years.

During the latter part of the season, it was good to see grown on rainbows being caught with fish that were taken & spooned found to be feeding heavily on bloodworm, snails, buzzer & fry.
With Thornton being an old shallow reservoir built in 1853, its maximum depth at the dam of 30ft & fed by two streams with restricted summer flows we trialled a different stocking policy for 2020, stocking with smaller 1lb10oz to 2lb+ trout, with 1lb8oz – 1lb12oz trout during the warmer & traditionally our most difficult fishing months late June to August. I wanted to see if smaller stocked triploid rainbows would react better to the warmer summer conditions than our traditionally stocked 1lb12oz to 2lb+ rainbows

The trial worked with better consistent fishing returns despite the heatwave, I`ll be honest I received a few negative comments regarding the 1lb8oz to 1lb12oz, but our rod average increased, visiting rods caught and our visiting rod numbers during the summer increased. We should remember the word quality should reflect the condition of the trout we catch, full finned good condition, not their size

If you believe in global warming or not, one thing is certain were seeing different weather patterns to what we experienced 20 years ago, we as fishery managers constantly need to adapt to ensure we can provide as consistent seasons sport.

For 2021 we aim to stock with trout from 1lb8oz to 2lb+ this size range should ensure consistent fishing during the year

www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Eyebrook at 400+ acres is a popular midland reservoir, located on the private Eyebrook estate with fly fishing been the only permitted leisure pursuit allowed.

The Eyebrook is fortunate therefore to be a 400 acre water solely for fly fishermen to enjoy

Returning a rod average of 3.9 for the season boosted by a more consistent fishing period during the warmer summer months July to August with a stocking during that periods of smaller triploid rainbows of 1lb10oz to 1lb14oz, during the other months we stocked with rainbows from 1lb12oz to 3lb+ rainbows

Were fortunate at the Eyebrook to have a body of water rich with food items, buzzer`s, olive`s, mayfly, sedges, hog louse, freshwater shrimp, corixa, the most prolific number of damsels, snails, fry & blown on from the surrounding farmland, daddy long legs.

It’s not surprising therefore we see some superb grown on rainbows & brown trout with rainbows to 9lb7oz & browns to 17lb recorded during the latter part of the season, photographs on our social media pages Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore  Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/ Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

With much of the focus on boat fishing across the larger Stillwaters it was particularly pleasing to once again watch our regulars enjoy their bank fishing during May to the end of October along Stoke Dry, Chestnut Tree, Hawthorns, dam wall & the netted bank with “matching the hatch” buzzer, sedges & damsels been key to their success especially if they were fishing into the evening and the evening rise.

For 2021 our planned stocking of 25,000 trout is a reflection of the increased number of day rods & the 2 & 3 day fishing breaks, competitions & angling club visits that will return during 2021.
20,000 of these trout will be in the 1lb10oz to 2lb4oz+ range but to ensure the Eyebrook fishes during the warm summer months 5,000 trout in the 1lb8oz to 1lb12oz range will be stocked during late June, July and early August.

We also allow limited fly fishing for the Pike & Perch at Eyebrook, this is strictly fly fishing only from boat or float tube & is limited to a maximum of 5 boats per day, for the past few years we have had pike of 30lb+ caught with 3lb+ perch
www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk

Draycote at 600+ acres the larger of our three reservoirs is a popular midland reservoir returning a rod average of 4.5 for the season

With most of our competitions, fishing break packages, group & club events cancelled due to Covid this year we were thankful once allowed to welcome back our members, day rods at the end of May, during that first month back they enjoyed a rod average of 7.0

We were especially proud to successfully & importantly safely host 100 anglers at the John Horsey Anglers World Competition Final, thanks to Kay Pittaway & her team at the Draycote Waterside Restaurant for providing takeaway pies & chips for the competitors. We also hosted a heat of the  Scierra Pairs & the TEFF / AT fundraiser arranged by Ian Coclough & Andy Taylor fished to a successful catch & release format.

With Draycote rich buzzer hatches, shrimp, snails & fry providing valuable food source for our resident trout we every year see our stock fish put on weight during the season with an increasing number of 3lb, 4lb, 5lb+ trout caught, photographs on our social media pages Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore  Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/ Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

The bank fishing at Draycote is always better once the water level drops by a couple of feet, it took a bit longer this year for STW to begin drawing down, once they did the bank rods enjoyed good sport with the last 6 to 8 weeks seen the larger fish move in after the shrimp & fry.
For the boat anglers taking long drifts across open water & along the edge of the shoals with long leaders & sparsely tied nymph, buzzer & emerger patterns picked out the better trout throughout the season with fry patterns during the last month of the season off the edges of the shoals picking up 5lb+ trout

With Draycote depth of 65ft at the valve tower & its 90 to 100 yard long aerator pipe which helps to keep the water temperature for most of the summer below 20c we will be stocking Draycote with trout between 1lb14oz to 2lb8oz+
www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Looking forward to 2021
The news of the vaccines gives us hope that during 2021 we will slowly start to see a level of normality start to return to our fishing lives.

2021 will see our Eyebrook Tackle Shop become fully open with a range of demo fly lines, rods & float tubes for you to try.

Online Shop & Sales
We also have an online shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk during the next few weeks we will be adding items to or sales page keep checking to make sure you don’t miss out on a bargain!  https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/
With the upturn in angling reported by the EA we have a number of tuition days & casting lessons which can be purchased as a Christmas gift voucher https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/s=christmas+voucher&s_cs=true last posting date for Christmas vouchers 21^st December

Membership
We also offer membership for individual fishery & our increasingly popular All water Membership for details, members receive discounted boat rates & 20% reduction on the RRP of any item of fishing tackle we stock
Draycote http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/prices/season-permits/  

Call Draycote 01788 812018 email shop@flyfishstore.co.uk

Eyebrook http://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/prices/season-permits/

Call Eyebrook 01536 770264 email shop@flyfishstore.co.uk

Thornton http://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/season-permits/

Call Thornton 01530 230807 email shop@flyfishstore.co.uk

Christmas Shopping the Draycote & Eyebrook Lodges will be open on Saturday 19^th December & Sunday 20^th December from 10.00am – 2pm for you to call & pick up your Christmas vouchers, pick up a last minute gift or discuss our membership options

We look forward to welcoming you back in 2021
Thornton 1^st February, Draycote 1^st March & the Eyebrook 5^th March

Wishing you all a safe Christmas & Happy New Year
Ifor & the fisheries team

Draycote Weekly Fishing Report.

Tel: 01788 812018   email: lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Web Site www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Our COVID-19 Guidelines, Updated 5^th November 2020

Full details of our updated guidelines can be found on our website http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us/

Fishery Report: Week ending Sunday 29th November 2020

Well here is the final fishing report of the season with the final day of the season also added on. Overall in the final 8 days, 307 angles visited the fishery landing a total of 1047 fish for a final rod average of the week of 3.4 fish per angler.

A very cold start to the final full week of the season with a white over frost, that did not full go till mid-morning. This was the first really hard frost of the year and as a result it took a while for the fish to start pulling. On the bank Ed Douglas fished on the Tower Bank and into Dunn’s landing 6 fish on a washing line with a FAB on the point and hares’ ears and crunchers on the droppers. Draycote season ticket holder Kevin Rees fished in Toft to land 10 fish again using a washing line with a FAB on the point, with Kevin opting for 2 shrimp patterns on the droppers. Mr D Mount enjoyed a great day on the bank landing 12 fish from Biggin Bay with all the fish falling to shrimps. On the boats all water season ticket holder Phil Mee landed 7 fish back drifting by P Buoy with a Di 5 sinking line and a snake. Fishery ranger & Guide Lee Henfrey took the water with Gaz Roberts with the pair landing 25 fish in a half day session. Fishing with Airflo Booby Basher sinking lines with 2 boobies, a brown Minkie Booby on the dropper and a black and gold Humungus booby on the point. They found the fish at P buoy fishing into the deep water off the side of Middle Shoal and then at Y Buoy again into the deeper water.

Tuesday was forecast for a dry day with a southerly wind, providing fairly comfortable conditions for all concerned. Once again the bank fishing here at Draycote is holding its own with most anglers netting at least a couple of brace. Tony Broadway caught 6 on Shrimp Patterns whist Petr Allen caught his 4 on a Black Boobie, all from the Hensborough Bank. James Kelly caught his fish from the bank on a mixture of Shrimp Patterns and Minkie Boobies.Mike Garner caught 5 fish from the bank whilst fishing in Toft Shallows and the Cornfield using Fry patterns. Phil Cross used a Cutthroat Cats Whisker to net 11 fish from the bank in various spots along the northern shoreline. Season permit holder Jim Hall took his 4 fish from the bank on Shrimp patterns along the Cornfield and Lincroft point.

The weather forecast gave some showers Wednesday morning before the wind swung to the North West and the day brightened up. However, the rain in the morning turned out to be a little heavier than showers and we had heavy rain for around 3 hours. Although as forecast the rain did subside in the afternoon it was a very pleasant day out on the water. As a result of the rain forecast we had a quieter day than we have over the past week. The anglers who did take to the water enjoyed a good day with the rod average working out at over 8 fish per angler. On the bank season ticket holder Ed Douglas landed 15 fish using a washing line with a FAB on the point and then shrimp patterns on the droppers. Ed found the fish in Toft in the morning before the wind swung resulting in a move to Lincroft point. Fishing alongside Ed on Lincroft point was Kevin Rees so also landed 15 fish using the same tactics of washing line, just with Diawl Bachs on the dropper. With John Dickens landing 9 fish again on the shrimps.  On the boats all water season ticket holder Phil Mee landed 6 fish using a fast sinking line with a long leader and 2 boobies to pop the flies up from the bottom. With Phil concentrating on the shoals and P & Y Buoy.  Also out on the boats Draycote season ticket holder Richard Walker landed 6 fish using a fast sinking line and a booby on the side of Middle shoal fishing around P Buoy. Fishery Guide Lee Henfrey took Barry Burnham out for a 4 hour guided session with Barry looking to continue his understanding of sunk line fishing after a 4 hour guide with Lee last month. Under Lee’s observation Barry landed 7 fish using boobies on a Di 7 fishing around M buoy and then Y buoy. Fishery Manager Tom Bird fished with Cameron Rothwell with the pair landing over 25 fish to the boat. Using a Airflo Booby basher and a Di 7 sinking with 2 boobies fished 10ft apart with a black gold Humungus Booby and a natural Minkie Booby proving to be the best patterns. The pair found the hotspots to be Middle Shoal fishing at P Buoy with other fish taken at the Value Tower, Farnborough Spit and also Musborough Shoal near Y buoy.

A very cold frosty start Thursday, that did not warm up as the day moved on, and a thick pea soup fog covered the whole lake and did not lift until the last hour of daylight. On the bank season ticker holder Lee Patten landed 7 fish from the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay. Fellow season ticket holder Ed Douglas landed 9 from the bank. Ed used a washing with a FAB on the point and then shrimps on the droppers with the fish coming from The Tower Bank, Cornfield, Toft & Lincroft Point. Richard Walker fished in Dunn’s Bay to take 6 fish including a 5lb rainbow taken on a natural minkie. On the boats it was a slightly more challenging day with a complete flat calm all day and the fog made it difficult to effectively fish the recent hotspots. All water season ticket holder Ian Reeve and Matt Pittaway enjoyed a good day fishing the Farborough Dam just round the corner from the Spit with Ian landing a 6lb 2oz Rainbow taken on a fast glass intermediate. Gordon Bramwell laned 5 using a Di 7 sinking line and boobies around the Tower Bank and Biggin Bay.

A flat calm day Friday, with very cold conditions with the pontoon covered in black ice. On the bank Ed Douglas landed 6 fish sticking to his washing line with shrimps from the Cornfield and the Lincroft Point. Stephen Peart fished from the Tower Bank landing 10 fish using shrimps and a Minkie on the point, with all of Steve’s fish being fantastic sharp finned bars of silver. On the boats both Lee Henfrey & Michael Hanlon both found the fish at Y Buoy. Using Booby Bashers and Humungus boobies with black and gold or white. However, they also noticed that the fish they spooned were stuffed with shrimps. With Lee then putting a shrimp pattern on the middle dropper to take a couple of fish. Rob & Craig Middleton noticing the lads catching and dropped in behind to land 15 fish between them again on Booby Bashers and boobies. Kevin Hart fished with John Hoskins landing 18 fish on N Buoy using boobies on a sinking line and also floating fry on a floating line. All water season ticket holder Mark Hunt landed 7 fish taking 4 on suspender minkies and the other 3 falling to a single CDC cast at rising fish. Arthur Olding also enjoyed a great morning sports taking 7 fish along the Farborough Dam using a Di 7 sinking line and 2 boobies cast close into the dam. The retrieved away so the flies swept down the drop off were the fish where waiting.

A challenging day Saturday with fine rain and fog for most the day and light wind or no winds for most of the day. Fishing from the bank Adam Vicary landed 6 fish along the Cornfield, with Paul Tebbitt fishing along side him landing 3. Season ticket holder Paul Walley also fished along the Cornfield using hare ear shrimps to take 4 fish. On the boats Phil Mee concentrated his efforts over the shoals using a fast sinking line and boobies to take 6 fish. Keith Harding also found fishing deep was the key to success landing 7 fish including 2 cracking Perch. Keith fished around the Value Tower and then P Buoy in the afternoon using a Di 7 sinking line and 2 boobies. One boat showing that fishing deep was not the only was to catch the fish was that of Bruce Blackshaw & Mark Parsley. Who found that a floating line with 2 FABs and Hares Ears on the droppers did the trick landing 8 fish including a number of others pulls and swirls, with Lincroft point being the most productive area.

A very foggy was for the penultimate day of the season at Draycote with a busy day on the water with nearly all the boats out looking to make the most of the mild weather before closing on Monday. Lee Henfrey fished with Nigel Keeber out on the boats with the pair landing just short of 30 fish from the deep water around Y Buoy. With their best patterns being 2 Minkie Boobies fished 10 ft apart, however, later in the day Lee put a small Pink FAB in between the minkie boobies to pick up a couple of bonus fish. Starting next to Lee on Y buoy was all water season ticket holder & Draycote season ticket holder Jim Smith who boated over 30 fish. Using Booby Bashers and a mix of Minkie boobies and Humungus boobies, with the pair also finding fish along the Farborough Dam wall later in the day. Rob Middleton & Darren Cox also found the fish by Y Buoy like the other boats using Booby Bashers for the lines. Although, Rob & Darren found that smaller FABs worked best for them. Ian Bradfield fished with Dave Davis with the lads landing 20 fish to the boat using a mix of unweighted minkies in black, natural, and white. With the best line being a Di 5 using a slow figure of eight retrieve, with Ian commenting how clean and silver the fish are at the time of year.

Well the final day of the season finished in fine form with 50 anglers taking to the water both on the bank and the boats looking to land one final trout before the close season. The anglers who were look enough to get out one last time enjoyed some good sport with the rod average for the day 4.28. On the bank C.J Day landed a dozen fish on pink and purple lures fished on a floating line along the Cornfield. Season ticket holder Pete Allen landed 4 fish on shrimps in Biggin Bay. With Tony Broadway taking 7 on minkie boobies and shrimps again in Biggin Bay. Out on the boats Lee Henfrey enjoyed one final trip with Michael Hanlon landing over 20 fish to the boat using booby bashers at Y Buoy with Minkie Boobies and a small pink FAB. Jim Smith and Ed Douglas did the same tactics to land 32 fish with Minkie Boobies and Humungus being their best patterns with several fish also falling to a tube later in the day off the Farborough Dam. Kevin Hart landed 18 fish off N Buoy on killer shrimp patterns fished over the top of Musborough shoal on a Di 3 sweep. Just allowed to swing around on the breeze with the fish picking them up as they swung across the breeze.

All the Draycote staff would like to thank the anglers for supporting the fishery through this challenging season and we have all enjoyed having you visiting the water. We hope you all have a good off season and stay safe. We look forward to seeing you on our opening day Monday 1^st March.

2021Membership: Details of our Draycote membership & increasingly popular All Water Membership are on our Draycote web site http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/prices/season-permits/

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Our Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Check out our limited quantities of RIO floating lines on sale https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

Going away for one last fishing trip of the season or going away this winter Covid allowing on a winter fishing get away? Well why not look at the fantastic Fishpond Duffel bags currently with 30% off RRP on the online shop https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

Tuition & Guided Sessions

With the end of season approaching now is the perfect time to get out with one of our guides looking at how to land some of these big back end fish. All of 1:1 casting tuition & guiding is now able to resume following the latest guidelines for Covid-19 please visit www.flyfishtuition.co.uk for bookings please call Tom on 01788 812018.

Follow Us on social media

Facebookwww.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/

Local Angling Club is Draycote Fly Fishers www.draycote-fly-fishers-assoc.co.uk/

Draycote Weekly Fishing Report.

Tel: 01788 812018   email: lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Web Site www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Our COVID-19 Guidelines, Updated 5^th November 2020

Full details of our updated guidelines can be found on our website http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us/

Fishery Report: Week ending Sunday 22nd November 2020

A cold wind to start the week, coming from the South West blowing around 15-18mph. On the bank season ticket holder Ian Richardson landed 7 fish from along the Cornfield using shrimps on the droppers and a minkie booby on the point. Fishing in between Biggin Bay and Dunn’s Bob Barfoot landed 6 fish using nymphs on a washing line. Kevin Rees fished at the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay using a washing line with a small FAB on the point and shrimps on the droppers. On the boats former fishery manager Kevin Hart enjoyed a good day landing 10 fish. Kevin fished drifting towards the tower bank fishing a booby basher and boobies in the deep water to target some cracking fish. All water season ticket holder Ian Reeve & Matt Pittaway enjoyed a good days sport landing 16 fish back drifting using snake boobies on sinking lines. The pair found the fish willing to take in Biggin Bay and then near the Inlet and along the Draycote Dam. Fishery Ranger & Guide Lee Henfrey took to the water with Nigel Keeber, utilising the rudder to land over 20 fish from various spots across the lake. With booby snakes the best flies with Lee using a Di 5 sweep and Nigel opted for a Di 7 sinking line.

A milder day Tuesday with he wind spend remining in the same direction just dropping a couple of mph from the previous day. Fishing at the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay, Draycote season ticket holder John Dickens landed 9 fish. John found the fish wanted a washing line with a small FAB on the point and then shrimps on the droppers. Pete Allen fished along the Cornfield to lake 6 fish again using a washing line but opting for Diawl Bachs on the droppers. Dave East also fished along the Cornfield to land 7 fish, with Draycote season ticket holder Tony Broadway taking 5. Another Draycote season ticket holder who enjoyed a good day’s sport on the Cornfield was Bob Smith who landed 7 fish using a minkie booby on the point and then shrimps on the droppers. On the boats all water season ticket holder Lindsey Bates fished with Eyebrook season ticket holder Roy Swinfield with the pair boating 19 fish. They found the fish drifting around C Buoy using floating lines with either a static Coral Booby or a Suspender Minkie. All water season ticker holder Alec Urquhart landed 9 fish drifting along the Tower Bank and then through into Dunn’s Bay using a minkie. Richard Callis fished around Lincroft Point using a floating line and a team of Buzzers to land 6 fish.

A wet windy day Wednesday kept the majority of anglers away, with the wind starting in the South before swinging to the South West later in the day. On the bank Mr C. J Day landed 6 fish talking 2 from the corner of the Hensborough Bank while the other 4 taken in Toft. Mr Day used a washing line with a booby on the point and shrimp patterns on the droppers. On the boats the two Webster brothers landed 11 fish between them using snakes and various lure fishing in Rainbow Corner. Mr Robert Ball & P Hill also landed 11 fish from Rainbow corner using a floating line with a barred olive snake on the dropper.

Well the weather forecasts certainly got Thursday morning wrong with torrential downpours for a good proportion of the morning. Although, thankfully the rain did pass, the wind swung to the North and the sun came out, the anglers who persisted through the rain where rewarded with some great conditions. On the bank Tony Broadway fished along the Cornfield using a Minkie booby and then shrimps on the droppers to land 10 fish. With fellow season ticket holder Bob Smith also fishing the Cornfield to land 7 fish using a Minkie booby on the point and then a nemo cruncher and a black buzzer. Ed Douglas enjoyed a great day on the bank landing 11 fish, landing his fish from the Tower Bank and the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay. Using a washing line with a FAB on the point a cruncher and a hares ear with most of the fish taking the FAB. On the boats Kevin Hart landed 13 fish using a Booby Basher and a white and silver Humungus booby fishing around the deep water off the Tower Bank. Using the rudder to great effect John Mack landed a cracking brown of 6lb 9oz from the Aerators on a Gold & Silver friendly tube fished on a sinking line, which was photographed my fishery ranger Andy Miller before swimming away strongly. To see a picture of this cracking fish please visit www.facebook.com/flyfishstore

Friday was reasonably comfortable with a gusty southerly wind blowing, but remained dry and dare I say , mild, all day. Season permit holder Pete Allen Pulled 15 fish to the net whilst bank fishing on the north shore using Diawl Bach’s and FAB’s. Mark Smith also elected to fish the bank and netted 8 fish from Lincroft point on Boobies and Nymphs, whilst Colin Grainger and Jim Hall caught 3 apiece. Chris Pallot and his boat partner Paul Southgate had 5 fish between them drifting around C buoy near the valve tower on sparkler Boobies. Paul Cramp had 9 fish to the boat on floating fry patterns drifting around P buoy near middle shoal and down in Toft shallows.

Saturday was a cold start with a south westerly which was supposedly going to gust into the high teens. The gusty wind made for uncomfortable fishing in the boat and fended off the bank anglers from the northern shore. Les Lerigo and Gary Pointer had 8 fish to the boat mainly on Snakes in Rainbow corner.  Dan and Vince King had 5 good fish back drifting on Boobies. Graham Homer ventured out in a boat for a few hours through the middle of the day to catch 5 fish in the top couple of feet of the water. All water season permit holder Andy Lilley caught 4 fish on sinking lines and lure patterns. Andy fished P buoy, C buoy and along the Draycote dam.

A lovely Autumnal day Sunday resulted in all the boats taking to the water and the bank also being fully subscribed, with all the anglers taking advantage of the good weather before we close on the 30^th November. On the bank Draycote season ticket holder Paul Mitchell enjoyed good sport landing 9 fish along the Cornfield using a washing line with Hares Ears on the droppers and a FAB on the point. Fishing alongside Paul on the Cornfield and then later in Biggin Bay Tim Burn landed 12 fish again fishing a washing line with Hares Ears. Again using Hares Ears on the droppers but this time a Minkie booby on the point was Draycote season ticket holder Paul Walley who landed 5 fish from along the Cornfield. Fishing at the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay Mark Hunt landed 4 fish on a midge tip line and a team of buzzers. On the boats Daniel Tranter & Andy Axon landed 11 fish using a floating line and suspender Minkies, with the pair finding the key was to keep on the move and cover the water. Keith Harding used a Di 3 sinking line with snakes to land 4 fish including landed a cracking silver fish weighting 6lb. Draycote season ticket holder Jim Smith fished with Ed Douglas enjoyed a fantastic days sport landing over 30 fish to the boat. The pair kept away from the other boats and opted to fish over the drop off into the deep water fishing boobies on Airflo Booby Bashers. Commenting the fish seemed very fussy and the flies had to worked on the retrieve with stops and draws to induce the takes and it was “very rewarding fishing”.

With the weather looking great for the final full week of the season why not get out on the water and enjoy some of this great late season sport.

2021Membership: Details of our Draycote membership & increasingly popular All Water Membership are on our Draycote web site http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/prices/season-permits/

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Our Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Check out our limited quantities of RIO floating lines on sale https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

Going away for one last fishing trip of the season or going away this winter Covid allowing on a winter fishing get away? Well why not look at the fantastic Fishpond Duffel bags currently with 30% off RRP on the online shop https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

Competition

Fur & Feather- Sunday 29^th November 2020. UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO LOCKDOWN 2. WITH ALL COMPERTITIONS CANCELLED UNDER THE ANGLING TRUST GUIDELINES. WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL THIS YEARS FUR & FEATHER. IF YOU HAVE A BOAT BOOKED YOU ARE STILL ABLE TO ENJOY A PLEASURE DAYS FISHING.

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Tuition & Guided Sessions

With the end of season approaching now is the perfect time to get out with one of our guides looking at how to land some of these big back end fish. All of 1:1 casting tuition & guiding is now able to resume following the latest guidelines for Covid-19 please visit www.flyfishtuition.co.uk for bookings please call Tom on 01788 812018.

Opening Hours & Boat Session

Lodge & Bank Open – 7.30am – 15.45

Full Day Boat – 8.30am – 15.45

Morning Boat – 8.30am – 13.30

Last 4 Hr – 11.45 pm – 15.45pm

All Anglers Off Site – 16.00pm

Follow Us on social media

Facebookwww.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/

Local Angling Club is Draycote Fly Fishers www.draycote-fly-fishers-assoc.co.uk/

Draycote Weekly Fishing Report.

Tel: 01788 812018   email: lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Web Site www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Our COVID-19 Guidelines Updated 5^th November 2020

You May fish with, Member Same Household, your support bubble or one regular fishing partner.

Full details of our updated guidelines can be found on our website http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/latest-report/

Fishery Report: Week ending Sunday 15th November 2020

Overcast conditions and light breezes led to yet another good day on Draycote water on Monday, with the odd light shower thrown in for good measure. Not too many fish were showing in the surface and it was slow going early on, with boats constantly changing position. But things soon settled down, and by mid afternoon rods could be seen bending all over the water. The bank anglers were having some great sport with Bob Smith netting a dozen from the bank on Shrimp patterns and various Boobies. Ian Richardson caught 9 fish from the bank on Shrimp patterns and remarked on “an excellent day”. Norman Perkins also took to the bank to net 10 on Diawl Bachs and buzzers from the Cornfield. Draycote regular Mick Cronin used Fry patterns to tempt 8 to the net from Duns Bay and the Tower bank. John Falconbridge had a bakers dozen from the bank, all on Buzzers, whilst Michael Ravenscroft caught 7, the best of which weighed approximately 5 and a half pounds. The boats also faired well with Ed Douglas netting 23 fish. The boat pairing of Nigel Keeber and Gaz Roberts had a dozen between them on sinking lines and lures.

A very mild day on Tuesday with the temperatures into double figures and a light south east breeze that swung later in the day to the south west. On the bank Tony Broadway landed 8 fish using a washing with cruncher and either a FAB on the point or a Minkie booby. Tony found the fish at Lincroft Point, Cornfield and also the Swan’s Nest. Lee Patten fished from Lincroft point to take 7 fish using shrimps, nemo crunchers and small olive snakes. Draycote season ticket holder John Dickens enjoyed a great day’s sport from the bank at the old pipe in Biggin Bay, landing 13 fish using a washing line with shrimps on the droppers and a FAB on the point. Out on the boats Ed Douglas fished with fishery guide Lee Henfrey with the pair landing 35 fish to the boat. Finding the fish in the channel between Lincroft Point and Croft Shoal with a brown minkie booby fished on a Di 5 being their best pattern. Ken Key & Steve Robinson fished in Biggin Bay landing 9 fish between them on blobs and buzzers fished on a floating line. Fishery Manager Tom Bird took a 4 hour guiding client Malcom Patrick out and enjoyed a great mornings sport, with Malcom landing 10 fish. Tom set Malcom up with a Di 5 sinking line and a single white snake booby using a roly-poly retrieve to land fish over Croft Shoal and also Biggin Bay.

The wind remained in the south on Wednesday and we had yet another mild day. On the bank Colin Granger landed 8 fish on black spiders and a size 14 olive Diawl Bach fishing by the Willow Tree in Toft. Draycote season ticket holder Richard Walker fished over Croft shoal using a RIO Deep 6 sinking line and a lure to landed 7 fish in a morning session. Using the rudder to good effect Rod Wilson landed 12 fish on a Di 7 sinking line and a silver tube, with Rod’s 4 fish bag weighting 17lb 2oz. Phil Murphy & Craig Dootson enjoyed good sport landing 15 fish between then using Woofta boobies and also booby snakes and Diawl bachs from Rainbow Corner and the Hensborough bank. All water season ticket holder Phil Mee fished with Graham England with the pair landing 13 fish between them from the Farborough Dam and the through Biggin Bay as well.

A brighter day Thursday with the wind swinging to the South West, and bright sunshine for the whole day. Fishing in Toft from the bank Dave Parkes landed 13 fish on black nymphs fished on a floating line. Kevin Rees also enjoyed a good day on the bank landing 10 fishing from the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay in washing lined shrimp patterns. Draycote season ticket holder Tony Broadway landed 7 from various spots on the reservoir using a washing line with a FAB on the point and then crunchers and shrimps on the droppers. Fishing alongside Tony was David East who took 6 fish using similar tactics. From the boats Alan Cooke & Dave Bailey enjoyed a good day fishing booby snakes from a drifting boat in Biggin Bay and also coming off the Inlet. Kevin Hart fished with John Hoskins with the pair landing 18 fish between them anchored up at the Hensborough Bank using a Di 5 sinking lines and olive snakes and tubes. All water season ticket holder Ian Reeve & Matt Pittaway landed 14 fish back drifting through Biggin Bay using booby snakes again on Di 5 sinking line.

A bright but windy start to Friday which became overcast in the afternoon. A tough day for some with a blustery south westerly bouncing the boats around. Stan Hillman and Mick Cronin had 8 from the bank between them on sinking lines and fry patterns. Sean Gilbert netted 12 fish from a boat using Zonkers, Snakes and Humungus on sinking lines.  All water season permit holder Paul Havard had his 5 fish to the boat on a DI3 and Olive lures and remarked on some “lovely fish.” Mark Hunt had a total of 7 fish to the boat using a midge tip line and a mixture of Crunchers, floating fry and yellow dancers. Fred Brookes caught his brace along the Draycote Dam on a “Boss Eyed Hooker”!!!!!!!!  (I’ll speak to her about loitering along the Draycote Dam.) The big boss, Ifor Jones took to the water along with his friend Arthur netting fish to 5lb4oz taking them on DI7’s and Minkie Boobies.

A gusty south wind made presentation a challenge on Saturday, then with the arrival of the rain later  it was not a very pleasant day at all. On the bank fishing in Rainbow Corner Nigel Keeber landed 4 cracking fish, using a weightless olive snake fished on a midge tip. Also, on the bank season ticket holder Mike Garner fished in Toft landing 5 fish. With 4 of them falling to a fry pattern and the other to a cruncher. On the boats all water season ticket holder Andy Lillie fished with Graham England with the pair landing 20 fish using pink snakes fished on the rudder in Rainbow Corner. Fishery Guide Lee Henfrey fished with his friend Gaz Roberts landing 14 fish to the boat, fishing in Rainbow Corner and the top dam wall. Lee fished a Di 5 sinking line with a Minkie Booby while Gaz opted to fish a Di 3 sinking line with a booby olive snake out the back of the boat.

A very windy but dry day on Sunday with the strong southerly making the far shore very uncomfortable in the boats and practically impossible for the bank anglers. Season permit holder Richard Walker caught 7 fish from the boat using Olive, Purple and Pink Snakes on a floating line and a long leader. Mr J McElligott and his boat partner Mr G William caught 8 fish from a boat between them using Hot headed White Minkies.

2021Membership: Details of our Draycote membership & increasingly popular All Water Membership are on our Draycote web site http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/prices/season-permits/

Gift Voucher: Planning for Christmas? Our Gift Voucher & Tuition days prove to be popular Christmas presents details: https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/?s=gift+vouchers&s_cs=true Call Tom Bird 01788812018 for details

Our Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Going away for one last fishing trip of the season or going away this winter Covid allowing on a winter fishing get away? Well why not look at the fantastic Fishpond Duffel bags currently with 30% off RRP on the online shop https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

Competition – Cancelled Fur & Feather- Sunday 29^th November 2020. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO LOCKDOWN 2. WITH ALL COMPERTITIONS CANCELLED UNDER THE ANGLING TRUST GUIDELINES. WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL THIS YEARS FUR & FEATHER. IF YOU HAVE A BOAT BOOKED YOU ARE STILL ABLE TO ENJOY A PLEASURE DAYS FISHING.

—————————————————————————————————————————–

Tuition & Guided Sessions

With the end of season approaching now is the perfect time to get out with one of our guides looking at how to land some of these big back end fish. All of 1:1 casting tuition & guiding is now able to resume following the latest guidelines for Covid-19 please visit www.flyfishtuition.co.uk for bookings please call Tom on 01788 812018.

Opening Hours & Boat Session

Lodge & Bank Open – 7.30am – 16.00

Full Day Boat – 8.30am – 16.00

Morning Boat – 8.30am – 13.30

Last 4 Hr – 12.00 pm – 16.00pm

All Anglers Off Site – 16.15pm

Follow Us on social media

Facebookwww.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/

Local Angling Club is Draycote Fly Fishers www.draycote-fly-fishers-assoc.co.uk/

Draycote Weekly Fishing Report.

Tel: 01788 812018   email: lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Web Site www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk      Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

We are open for Boat & Bank fishing working to new COVID-19 Guidelines updated 5^th November, please read before calling the lodge to book your visit

Full details of our updated guidelines can be found on our website http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us/

Fishery Report: Week ending Sunday 8th November 2020

Monday was yet another day when the wind blew too hard for the boats to venture out. We did however have three anglers fish the bank in some exceedingly difficult conditions. Because of the strength and direction of the wind the anglers were restricted to the overflow, the Tower Bank and rainbow corner. Gaz Roberts and Nigel Keeber caught their 4 fish each by lunch using a floating line and a weighted barred olive snaked allowed to sink for 20 seconds before starting the retrieve.

Thankfully, the wind dropped Tuesday allowing the boats to head out on the water. However, it was still a gusty day and presentation was difficult. It was the bank anglers who enjoyed the best sport, with the Cornfield fishing well. Draycote season ticket holder Bob Smith landed 9 fish from along their taking 7 on shrimps and 2 booby minkies. Fellow season ticket holder Ian Richardson landed 8 fish from again the Cornfield but also in Toft, with shrimp patterns accounting for Ian’s fish, including loosing another 4 in play. John Dickens also landed 8 fish but rather than shrimps, John opted to for a black booby and crunchers on the droppers. On the boats A Forster landed 6 fish using a Di 5 sinking line and a minkie drifting along the Farborough Dam.

It was a great day for fishing on Wednesday with light breezes and a bit more cloud cover than promised. The rod average remains steadily high with fish being caught in many areas of the reservoir, mostly in the top few feet of the water. Fry patterns account for the majority of catches but there are still fish being caught on Crunchers and Diawl Bachs fished on a washing line. Season permit holder Tony Broadway caught 11 fish from the bank using Minkies and Shrimp patterns. Colin Grainger also fished the bank, netting 6 fish on the same method. Peter Elliott netted 10 fish from the bank on Floating Fry Patterns and Crunchers. John Hall fished from the bank in the Cornfield using Black Crunchers to net 7 fish. Roger and Graham Davies had 8 fish from the bank on Lincroft Point using Fry patterns and Diawl Bachs. Mr R Harris had a brace from the bank during an afternoon session using White Minkie Boobies. Ed Douglas caught 22 fish from a drifting boat using a DI3 and Fry Patterns. Kevin Hart used the same method to net a bakers dozen, two of which he caught in the aerators. Season permit holders Ian Reeve and Mat Pittaway had 9 fish to the boat using White Boobie Snakes. Jim Brennan and Chris Discombe fish along the Farborough Dam on Humungus to net 10 fish between them. Kevin Rees caught a dozen fish from the boat using Shrimp patterns and Diawl Bachs.

A lovely Autumnal day Thursday with light winds and very welcome sunshine, it was the first day of the new lockdown restrictions and was great to be allowed to continue the sport we all love. On the bank Draycote season ticket holder John Dickens landed 9 fish from the Willow Tree in Toft using a washing line with a FAB on the point and then buzzers on the droppers. On the boats Trevor Heseltine & L Hunt landed 10 fish using a mix of Minkies and Humungus patterns fished on Midge tip lines. The pair found the fish drifting around Farborough Spit and also drifting through the middle of Toft. Matt Harris & Andy Lane landed 16 fish to the boat either using ginger minkies on Di 5 sinking lines or popper minkies on floaters. Matt & Andy found the fish drifting near J buoy out from the Lodge and also drifting along the Tower Bank.

The weather seems to be holding up well at the moment as Friday was yet another lovely day with light breezes and sporadic cloud cover. Again the bank anglers are having some good sport with Tony Broadway netting 4 and losing 4 on Fry Patterns. Anthony Hart caught 3 fish from the bank on Minkies. Bob Smith caught half a dozen from the bank at Lincroft point using Shrimp Patterns and Minkie Boobies. Draycote regular Mike Oliver also fished the bank to net 8 fish on Pheasant Tailed Nymphs and Hares Ears and remarked that he’d caught fish “everywhere”. Ian Richardson caught 7 fish from the bank using Minkie Boobies, Hares Ears and Shrimp patterns, mainly in Biggin Bay. Out on the boats anglers were also having some great sport with Roger Kerrison going against the current grain and netting 11 fish on Dries. Paul Havard netted half a dozen from a boat using a DI3 and Olive Lures. Ivor Bullock and John Hoskins had 9 fish to the boat between them on Cats Whiskers.

Saturday dawned with a mist on the water which soon cleared to reveal a bright calm day right through until the afternoon. Once again Draycote Water is producing some good sport for both boat and bank anglers alike. The fish are mainly taking Fry patterns in the top few feet of the water with the odd angler teasing a few out on dries and nymphs. David Rechtorik caught 5 fish from the bank on a Rio Hover Line using Minkies and an Orange FAB. All water season permit holder Tim Davies caught 4 fish from the bank in Biggin Bay and Toft Shallows using FAB’s and Hares Ears. Out on the boats Mr S and Mr M Lewandowski had well over 30 fish to the boat on sinking lines, Snakes and Boobies. The boat pairing of Mike Clark and Keith Harding had 20 fish to the boat using DI 3’s and DI 5’s with Humungus and Booby Snakes. The lads remarked that they caught most of their fish in Biggin Bay. Mr Lee Nolan had 7 fish to the boat on floating fry patterns, with one of his fish weighing approximately 5 and a half pounds. Season permit holders Dave Kennel and Eddie Mitchell had well over 20 fish to the boat and remarked that it was a brilliant day with fish being caught all over the reservoir.

A foggy start to the day Sunday with he chance of rain around but thankfully this never materialised, the wind came from the South East and dropped out later in the day. Draycote season ticket holder Paul Walley enjoyed a great day’s sport from the bank landing 11 fish, fishing from down the Cornfield. Using a floating line with a minkie booby on the point and Diawl Bachs on the droppers. On the boats all water season ticket holders Phil Mee & Andy Lillie fished in Biggin Bay to land 15 fish to the boat fishing with Di 3 sinking lines and olive snakes. Mark Goodge & Dave Davis used a combination on either Diawl Bach’s and minkies or dries. Alec Urquhart landed 8 fish using fry patterns from Biggin Bay and Dunn’s. Fishery Manager Tom Bird fished with Jim Smith with the pair enjoying good sport landing over 20 fish to the boat. Finding fish around S Buoy and Croft shoal on a white snake fished on a Di 5 then over Middle Shoal using boobies fished on a Di 7 sinking line.

 Our Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Going away for one last fishing trip of the season or going away this winter Covid allowing on a winter fishing get away? Well why not look at the fantastic Fishpond Duffel bags currently with 30% off RRP on the online shop https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

All Competition, Club Events cancelled in line with Covid Guidelines

 Fur & Feather- Sunday 29^th November 2020. UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO LOCKDOWN 2. WITH ALL COMPERTITIONS CANCELLED UNDER THE ANGLING TRUST GUIDELINES. WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL THIS YEARS FUR & FEATHER. IF YOU HAVE A BOAT BOOKED YOU ARE STILL ABLE TO ENJOY A PLEASURE DAYS FISHING.

Tuition & Guided Sessions

With the end of season approaching now is the perfect time to get out with one of our guides looking at how to land some of these big back end fish. All of 1:1 casting tuition & guiding is now able to resume following the latest guidelines for Covid-19 please visit www.flyfishtuition.co.uk for bookings please call Tom on 01788 812018.

Opening Hours & Boat Session

Lodge & Bank Open – 7.30am – 16.15

Full Day Boat – 8.30am – 16.15

Morning Boat – 8.30am – 13.30

Last 4 Hr – 12.15 pm – 16.15pm

All Anglers Off Site – 16.30pm

Follow Us on social media

Facebookwww.facebook.com/Flyfishstore

Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/

Local Angling Club is Draycote Fly Fishers www.draycote-fly-fishers-assoc.co.uk/

Draycote Weekly Fishing Report.

Tel: 01788 812018   email: lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Web Site www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Draycote is open for fly fishing during November

We have updated Our COVID-19 Guidelines in line with government & Angling Trust recommendations or mandatory regulations https://anglingtrust.net/2020/11/04/fish-safely-locally-and-respect-the-rule-of-two-during-lockdown/?fbclid=IwAR0f0CAa1nNEvJV4YD0H-K_VZcK8kOI7q2y1msp4QIi5bnrC25ADuKm9bY4 which you will need to follow from the 4^th November

Fishing lodge & Shop is closed, all angler`s members & day rods must call the lodge to pre book & prepay for your visit.

Full details of our updated guidelines can be found on our website http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us/

Please read the updated guidelines before you call the lodge to book your day

Fishery Report: Week ending Sunday 1^st November 2020

With, not very pleasant weather for the majority of the week with rain and strong winds, we saw a slightly quieter week than normal here at Draycote with 148 rod visiting the fishery, those rod caught 593 fish for a rod average of 4 for the week.

Conditions first thing in the morning looked great with some Autumnal sunshine and light winds to start the week. However, by the time the pontoon was open there were some showers about and the wind speed had increased to the forecast 13-15mph coming from the South West. On the bank Draycote season ticket holder Bob Smith landed 5 fish from the Hensborough, Dunn’s Bay and the Cornfield. Bob used a minkie booby on the point with shrimps on the droppers to land his fish. Ian Richardson used the same tactic from the Cornfield and Dunn’s to land 6 fish and commented on the “Very good sport”. Mike Garner enjoyed a fantastic mornings sport along the Cornfield taking 8 fish all falling to crunchers. On the boats Ian Morris landed 12 fish all on surface fry patterns getting sport from all over the lake. Amongst Ian’s 12 fish he also landed 2 fish over 5lb. Another angler enjoyed some sport with big fish was beginner season ticket holder Chris Pallot who landed 8 fish including a stunning 5lb 8oz rainbow which can be seen on our Facebook page www.Facebook.com/flyfishstore. Chris took him fish drifting from S Buoy down to F Buoy just off the side of Croft Shoal, with all the fish taking a barred olive snake booby fished on a RIO Deep 5. All water season ticket holder Ed Douglas enjoyed some great sport taking 19 fish, fishing down the Farborough Dam wall, School Slips and Croft Shoal. Ed fished with a Airflo 12ft slow tip a black and gold Humungus on the point and then a brown minkie on the dropper. Top fishery guide Lee Henfrey took Barry Burnham out for a 4 hour guide looking to improve Barry’s knowledge of not only Draycote but sunk line fishing. Under Lee’s watchful eye and following his advice Barry, enjoyed a great 4 hour sport taking 9 fish. Commenting it had been a “fantastic morning, really enjoyable” for bookings for Guiding before the end of the season call Tom on 01788 812018.

A drizzly start to Tuesday with the wind coming from the South, with the rain getting worse as the day progressed while the drizzling conditions kept the majority of anglers away those that did make the journey enjoyed a good day. All water season ticket holder Norman Perkins landed 7 fish from the Swan’s nest on Diawl Bach’s and buzzers fished on a washing line. Out on the boats Lea Tones landed 21 fish drifting down the Farnborough Dam using a fast intermediate with a minkie booby on the point and a blob on the dropper with a Di 5 also working when the wind picked up. Kevin Hart also fished along the Farborough Dam and the school slips using a Di 3 sweep to take 10 fish finishing just after 2pm. All water season ticket holder Rodney Dangerfield took him grandson out for a day afloat with him landing a cracking 3lb 8oz rainbow on a silver fry pattern.

A windy day Wednesday, but thankfully remained dry. On the bank Draycote season ticket holder Paul Walley landed 10 fish from the Swans Nest and further down the bank in Toft. Using a midge tip with a Fab on the point and hares ears on the droppers and commented on what a “great day” it had been. On the boats all water season ticket holder Paul Havard landed 5 fish with a minkie booby and also a white and silver Humungus, fished on a RIO Deep 6. Mr Swinbourne also fished from the boat to land 5 fish using various fry patterns around the Hensborough Bank and also Rainbow Corner.

A windy day Thursday with winds of 16-18mph coming from the South West, with some drizzle around in the morning as well. On the bank Draycote season ticket holder Ian Richardson landed 13 fish, fishing from the Cornfield. Using shrimp patterns and also Nemo Crunchers, an impressive catch especially when you consider the strong wind Ian was fishing into. On the boats Simon Neve organised a friendly get to together with 6 boats taking to the water. The boats enjoyed some great sport landing 116 fish between them giving a rod average of 9.6. Using mini barred olive snakes and Humungus boobies with the majority of the fish coming from the Farborough Dam, The school Slips and off the Hensborough Bank. The best catch of the group was Mr M Webster who boated 20 fish with a number of the fish over 4lb.

A windy day Friday with the wind once again coming from the South West, with it starting around 20mph before dropping back later in the day to a more pleasant 13mph. The bank anglers enjoyed good sport with Tony Broadway landing 5 fish from the Cornfield on a minkie booby and shrimps along the Cornfield. Brian Allwood enjoyed “good sport” in the afternoon landing 6 fish fishing along side Paul Farrell who landed 6 fish. Mick Cronin using shrimps and also floating fry landed 9 fish from the Overflow & Tower Bank. Out on the boats Kevin Hart fished with John Hoskins landing 24 fish to the boat, using Di 3 & 5 sinking lines. Taking the fish from Rainbow Corner, Farnborough Dam and the Hensborough Bank, using barred olive snakes, with the fish all full of fry with Perch, Roach & Sticklebacks all turning on the Trout’s menu for the day. All water season ticket holder Ian Reeve & Matt Pittaway landed 22 fish using booby snakes fishing along the Draycote Dam. Keiron Barnes landed 10 fish using olive minkies and humungus fishing from the Farborough Spit down to the Swan’s nest. Keiron said that all the takes came when het got the flies as close to the dam wall as possible.

The wind blew too hard at Draycote on Saturday for the boats to venture out. Only two anglers took to the bank for a last 4 hour session, who unfortunately did not net a fish.

Sunday started bright and blustery with the wind due to swing in to a south westerly by 10 o’clock, bringing with it gusts into the high thirties, and a chance of the odd shower. On the bank Draycote Fly Fishing Association hosted their Autumn Pair Bank match, following the Angling Trust guidelines for competition fishing. The friendly bank match was very well attended with over 16 members taking to the water in the far than less then ideal conditions. With the 16 anglers landing 24 fish, a good result when the whole of the North Shore was unfishable due to the strong winds. In first place was Dave Atkins & Paul Farrell with 6 fish, 2^nd Paul Walley & Mark JJ with 5 fish and 3^rd went to Mike Nolan & David Rechtorik who had 4 fish.

On the boats The All Abilities Friendly Fly Fishers (AAFFF) enjoyed their last day of the season, with slightly lower then normal numbers as the weather stopped a number of anglers being able to fish. The 8 anglers who did manage to get out on the water enjoyed good sport landing 38 fish between them for a rod average of 4.75. All water season ticket holder Phil Mee fished with Phil Bruce took 9 of these fish in Rainbow Corner using Minkies. Organiser Mark Goodge fished down the back a little towards the school slips and opted for a more laid back approaching taking 9 fish on Diawl Bachs fished on a floating line. The best boat out of the group was that of Ian Bradfield & Dave Porter who fished along the Farborough Dam to land 14 cracking fish using snakes fished on sinking lines.

Our Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Going away for one last fishing trip of the season or going away this winter Covid allowing on a winter fishing get away? Well why not look at the fantastic Fishpond Duffel bags currently with 30% off RRP on the online shop https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

Competition All competitions during November are cancelled

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Fur & Feather- Sunday 29^th November 2020.  CANCELLED

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Opening Hours & Boat Session

To Ensure staff have adequate time with the shorter daylight hours boats will only be available for the Day or Morning session

Lodge & Bank Open – 7.30am – 16.45

Full Day Boat – 8.30am – 16.45

Morning Boat – 8.30am – 13.30

All Anglers Off Site – 17.00pm

Follow Us on social media

Facebookwww.facebook.com/Flyfishstore

Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/

Local Angling Club is Draycote Fly Fishers www.draycote-fly-fishers-assoc.co.uk/

Dear angler

Fishing is to continue, Severn Trent sites are to remain open allowing us to continue fishing & enjoy the excellent end of season sport at Draycote & Thornton which remain open to the 30^th November

Once again we must thank the Angling Trust team for all their hard work behind the scenes to ensure our voices are heard in government, but also I think reflect the excellent attitude shown by anglers during the year.

Fishing Draycote & Thornton from boat or Bank during November:-

All angler`s, members & day rods must call the lodge to pre book & pre pay for your visit.

Two anglers may share a boat, they must however be from the same household, support bubble or your one regular boat partner.

During November we are not allowed to hold any competitions or group events.

Regretfully therefore we will be cancelling our Draycote Fur & Feather and will be contacting any other group that was planning to hold an event.

The lodges & shops are closed the booking in & out area will be located outside the lodge door with your permit and receipt available for you to pick up outside the lodge.

With shorter daylight hours during November & to ensure staff have adequate time to disinfect boats & lifejackets you will only be able to book boats for the Full Day or Morning session

We can offer a click & collect service for items of fishing tackle you may require

I have updated our guidelines, please read them before you call to book your visit

Draycote 01788 812018

http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us/

Thornton 01530 230807

http://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us/

As anglers we are extremely fortunate to still be fishing during this current lockdown, I would urge you all to act responsibly as we have during the past 5 months. Ensure we all meet the 2m social distancing rule in the car park, outside the lodge, on the bank & while you wait to be called onto the pontoon for your boat, wear face coverings when required & use the hand sanitiser provided.

Thank you for your cooperation

Ifor

Draycote Weekly Fishing Report.

Tel: 01788 812018 email: lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Web Site www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Our COVID-19 Guidelines
Full details of our updated guidelines can be found on our website http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/latest-report/

Fishery Report: Week ending Sunday 25th October 2020

Draycote has experienced some great fishing this week from both the bank and boats, with fry patterns taking some cracking fish. Overall 188 anglers visited the fishery landing a total of 760 fish for a rod average of 4.

The week started with light winds coming from the North East to start the day before swinging more to the south and strengthening as the day progressed. On the bank Mark Parsley landed 5 fish using a suspender minkie and commented he has interested in every area he stopped. Stand Hillman fished at the overflow using Minkies and floating fry to land 4 fish including a cracking fish around 5-6lb bracket. Mick Cronin landed 6 from the fish taking 4 from the tower bank before the wind picked up with, the others coming from the Overflow again on fry patterns. Out on the boats Paddy Hallam enjoyed a great day boating 14 fish, Paddy used two methods to take his fish a Di 5 sinking line in the morning and then dries in the afternoon. His set up on the Di 5 was a tequila blob on the top dropper with a hares and cruncher on the middle droppers with a sparkler booby on the point. This took half of his fish from around the School Slip and Hensborough Bank before swapping to dries in the afternoon. Brothers Phil & Paul Calvert landed 13 to the boat using pink snakes, tequila blobs and floating fry. The brothers found the best lines to be either a fast glass or a Di 5 sweep with the best drift being around S Buoy and Farborough spit. Draycote season ticket holder Roger Kerrison enjoyed a great day boating 10 fish with all the fish falling to Midas, great sport on the dries for October.

Strong winds Tuesday coming from the South, on the bank Tony Broadway enjoyed good sport landing 6 fish. Tony landed 2 cracking fish over 3lb from the outlet before moving to Toft and the Swan’s nest to land a further 4 on a washing line with Diawl Bachs on the droppers. All water season ticket holder Ken Key also enjoyed a good day’s sport landing 5 fish. On the boats Steve Barby and his boat partner enjoyed a good day landing 28 fish using the rudder using dries with runs down the Farborough Dam wall and then out from the Hensborough proving the most productive. All water season ticket holder Paul Walker fished around Rainbow Corner and also drifting off the Hensborough bank and outlet to land 19 fish. Paul used a traditional Kate McLaren on the dropper and a goldhead on the point. Another boat who enjoyed a good day’s sport was that of Ian Morris & Brian Hall who boated 8 fish using muddlers and an appetizer booby around the inlet pulled through the surface layers.

A very wet day Wednesday which did not really see the rain stop all day, with winds coming from the North West. This wet weather kept most of the anglers away, however those did brave the weather enjoyed some good sport. On the bank all water season ticket holder Norman Perkins landed 8 fish fishing the overflow from the treatment works and along the tower bank. Norman found the key to catching the fish was to use a minkie booby on the point and then Diawl Bachs and Buzzers on the droppers fished on a floating line. On the boats Alex Campbell enjoyed a good mornings sport landing 8 fish using a DI 7 sinking line with fry patterns taking fish from the Farborough Dam wall and then around the Value Tower. Fishery staff member Lee Henfrey fished with former manager Kevin Hart with the pair boating 18 fish. Using Di 5 sweeps and a mix of barred olive snake boobies, tubes and humungus they took fish from along the Farborough Dam and also over Croft shoal.

A busy day Thursday with most of the boats heading out on the water and a number of anglers taking to the banks. After some heavy downpours first thing in the morning the sun broke through to leave a nice autumnal day, with the wind coming from the West. The bank anglers enjoyed a great day’s sport with the Cornfield being the most consistent area. Draycote season ticket holder Tony Broadway landed 10 from this area using a minkie booby on the point with crunchers on the dropper using a floating line. Brothers Roger & Graham Davies also found fish along the Cornfield landing 13 fish between them using a floating fry on the point and crunchers on the droppers. Fish along the Tower Bank and also the Overflow Stan Hillman & Mick Cronin landed 5 & 9 fish using suspender minkies. On the boats Mr J & M Webster boated 20 fish on Olive Snakelets fishing around D buoy and through to Biggin Bay. The boat of Kevin Jones and Dave Summers enjoyed good sport taking 19 fish with a Di 5 and minkies working in the morning before a change to dries in the afternoon worked well with black hoppers.

A calm start to the day turned blustery in the afternoon with light showers. Again the bank is fishing quite well with Bob Smith taking 4 fish from Dunns Bay on Minkies and Olive Snakes. Draycote regular John Haynes took a brace from the north shore on fry patterns as did Peter Allen. Out on the boats Young Kevin Hart had 14 using a DI 3 and a DI 5 with Black and Gold Humungus. Kevin fished along the Saddle Bank, Lincroft Point and Toft Shallows. Draycote Guide and fishery ranger Lee Henfrey had a day in the boat with Michael Hanlon, netting over 30 fish. Lee and Michael used a DI 5 Sweep and fry patterns in areas such as the Farborough Dam, Lincroft point, ands then the spit to the Swans nest. They said that most of the fish came “on the hang”. To learn more about this type of fishing with a Sweep line, read Tom Birds latest blog on our website at www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Saturday turned out to be a very wet and windy day with a strong southerly blowing hard into the north shore. Only 14 rods ventured out with the three bank anglers doing quite well considering the conditions. Mr J and Mr M Dowse had 3 fish between them on Minkie Boobies, whilst Mr Slav took 3 from the bank during an evening session . Mr I Tearle and his boat partner had 18 fish to the boat between them, although no information as to how they did it is available at this time. Mr H Smith and Mr M Cox caught 9 fish from a boat using fry patterns, whilst Mr S Thomas, had 3 fish to the boat on Damsels, which tipped the scales at 10lbs 4 oz.

The weather forecast for Sunday looked awful early in the week with strong winds and rain forecast. However, it turned out to be a lovely day with some showers later in the day, but for the majority of the day the anglers enjoyed lovely Autumnal sun and a steady breeze. On the bank season ticket holder Paul Walley enjoyed a good day’s sport landing 5 fish from the Swan’s Nest in Toft using a FAB on the point of a washing line. Fishing alongside Paul was Draycote Fly Fisher club member Stephen Dewhurst who also used a FAB on a washing line to land 3 fish. On the boats season ticket holder Richard Walker landed 10 fish using an Olive Snake fished on an intermediate line. Alex Macpherson & Robert Webb landed 13 fish using a black and green hot head fritz lure using a Di 3 Forty Plus line. The pair found the fish around the Hensborough Bank and also along the school slips. Andy Lunn also fished from the boat landing 13 fish on boobies fished on sinking lines, from various points around the reservoir.

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Competition

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Fur & Feather- Sunday 29th November 2020.

We are please to announce we have the date for a popular Fur & Feather competition on Sunday 29th November. As always there will be some fantastic Christmas Hamper prizes up for grabs for the 1st prize and bottles of wine and spirit for 2nd 3rd and the biggest fish.

Fish with your partner to fishery rules 12 fish limit to the boat no time bonus heaviest weight wins. To book your place please phone the lodge on 01788 812018.

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Tuition & Guided Sessions
With the end of season approaching now is the perfect time to get out with one of our guides looking at how to land some of these big back end fish. All of 1:1 casting tuition & guiding is now able to resume following the latest guidelines for Covid-19 please visit www.flyfishtuition.co.uk for bookings please call Tom on 01788 812018.

Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open – 7.30am – 17.00
Full Day Boat – 8.30am – 17.00
Morning Boat – 8.30am – 13.30
Last 4 Hr – 13.00 pm – 17.00pm
All Anglers Off Site – 17.15pm

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Local Angling Club is Draycote Fly Fishers www.draycote-fly-fishers-assoc.co.uk/