Despite all the recent rain, one good thing to come out of it all, is we have had some consistent wind directions and good cloud cover, thus providing ideal fishing conditions, well, that’s what us fishermen would like to think!
Draycote has continued in great form with yet more spectacular catches being caught, and an increased rod average for the week. Graham Davis landed 20 fish with the biggest weighing 5.5lb. Mr J Hardy and Mr T Storey shared a boat and between them landed 13 fish with a combined weight of 43lb. Mr Severn weighed in 6 fish for 19.5lb. The best fish recorded for the week was a rainbow of 7lb 3oz, caught by Mr K Brooks, his 3 other fish all weighed over 3lb too! Over 50 fish have been recorded over 4lb this week and 16 over 5lb.
The bank is also continuing in good form with most people taking their limits. Rainbow Corner, Dunns Bay, and the Tower bank have been the favoured areas from the bank.
The fish are very near to the surface and are now actively coming up for dry flies during the day, as I discovered myself, on a day’s guiding. Rainbow Corner continues to be the hot spot on the lake as the fish are hanging around on the abundant buzzer and daphnia supplies at that end of the lake. Biggin Bay has also proven consistent over the last few weeks with some bigger fish both showing and being caught there. A rudder angler described Toft Shallows as “stuffed with fish” on Saturday after he caught 8 fish in excess of 25lb.
The best flies have been, Diawl Bachs, UV Crunchers, Hares Ears, Hoppers, Buzzers, CDC’S, Big Red Dries, Orange Blobs, Fab blobs, and Goldhead Damsels. Floating lines and the Midge Tip have been the best fly options, however DI-3 AND DI-5 line have also been useful when chasing daphnia feeders.
FISH CAUGHT 1209 FISH RELEASED 661 NUMBER OF RODS 233 ROD AVERAGE 5.1
Boat Anglers: Access is available to take your car to unload your tackle next to the pontoon from 7.30am – 10.30 & again from 5.30pm onwards, disabled anglers can gain access at any time.
Bank Anglers: We are allowed 30 bank anglers cars access to the perimeter road of the reservoir at any one time, bank angler car parks are clearly marked. Call the lodge & pre-book one of the 30 available bank angler car permits.
Friday August the 10th Sees the Lexus Individual heat held at Draycote. If you are lucky enough to Qualify then you have the chance to win a Lexus RX450 4×4 for 12 months, plus many other fantastic prizes, at the International Final on Chew Valley on September the 1st. This is the last qualifying heat !! To book please contact John Horsey at Lexus Fly Fishing Championships | The UK’s No.1 Friendly Fly Fishing Event or telephone 07974748496
WIN £1000 at the Draycote Open Pairs boat match on Sunday August the 19th. Fished to reservoir rules, this match is open to everyone. £25 entry fee pp + fishing costs 0f £34pp. The heaviest pairs bag weight wins!!!
Why not take advantage of our last 4 hour ticket, costing only £10 for 1 fish then c&r. A last 4 hour boat is also only £10
Fancy a 3 day package trip? Unbelievable value at only £145 for 2 rods and a boat for 3 days on a 1fish c&r . Or you can take an 8 fish ticket over 3 days with a boat for only £180!!
Remember, if you are wanting to fish from the bank then please call the fishing lodge on 01778 812018 to book a bank car parking ticket, that will be issued at the fishing lodge. Bank anglers do have access to drive around the reservoir.
Tight Lines
Craig Barr