The fishing at Draycote has gone from strength to strength over the recent weeks as more settled weather has taken hold, albeit the occasional day of torrential rain and strong winds has been thrown in for good measure. The fish are now very much near the surface, and all throughout the lake, although at times on sunnier days the fish will drop lower in the water.
Quality grown on fish are showing every day and being caught too! Over 50 fish over 4lb were recorded this week, 23 over 5lb, and 4 fish over 7lb, with the week’s biggest fish weighing in 7lb 10oz, caught by Mr F De Franco on a buzzer. Reports of bigger fish being lost seem to be happening daily!! Many people are reporting frequently being snapped – with the quality of fish here at Draycote water, we recommend a nylon strength of no less than 8lb breaking strain.
Yearly visitors from Ireand, Ronan and his colleagues have had some awesome sport during their five day visit. Sunday 18th they had fantastic bags of fish on dries into the evening. One of the group had 6 fish, 4 were over 4lb and the remaining 2 were over 5lb. All the fish fell to bobs bits and a size 14 shuttlecock. They have had in excess of 40 fish between them every day bar one!!
The unusually cooler water for this time of the year has kept the fish closer to the margins than normal allowing bank anglers to have some fantastic sport. John Dews and Anthony Broadway both had a fantastic day landing double limits between them on buzzers, the biggest weighing 5lb 4oz. Grown on fish are at times feeding close to the margins on flooded ground taking buzzer pupae and small snails.
Water levels are still rising, and the water clarity remains excellent. The fish are now well spread throughout the lake with the potential of catching a fish anywhere you choose to fish. The continuous weekly stocking is keeping a good head of fish in the lake, and with the warmer weather and more settled conditions, earlier stocked fish and last seasons overwintered fish catches are becoming the norm, with many fish over 4lb coming in daily!
Best flies – Diawl bachs, red and green, black and green buzzers, UV crunchers, black and claret bits, CDC’S,Tequila and orange blobs, fab blobs, and size 12 boobies. All areas of the lake are producing fish, more noticeably Toft Shallows, Rainbow Corner and across the middle areas.
Sunday 1st of July sees the Rio Boat pairs competition held at Draycote. There are now just 3 boats remaining! Fished to International rules, although you WILL fish with your chosen partner. First prize will win in excess of £1000 Rio/Redington tackle and 2nd Prize will win in excess of £800 worth of Tackle – prizes will be awarded to 10th place. Entry fee is £23pp + usual fishing costs of £37pp. To book one of the remaining boats please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018.
Sunday August 19th is the first of 2 £1000 cash prize boat pairs matches. Fished to fishery rules, with the exception of the rudder (1st match only). Entry fee £25pp plus fishing costs. To book a place call Craig Barr on 01788 812018. Prizes will go to 3rd place.
Number of fish caught 1,118
Fish released 790
Total Rods 244
Fish average 4.6
Free car parking for all visiting anglers (limited to 30 cars on the bank, and 30 cars for boat anglers)
Bank anglers are permitted to drive around the lake, with the only restrictive bank fishing areas being the big dams.
Bank anglers may take their cars around the reservoir, limited to 30 cars at any one time – call the lodge to book one of the 30 available car bank passes.
The remaining weekends are busy for boats so if you are planning a day’s boat fishing it is recommended you book early.
Tight Lines
Craig Barr