Draycote Water Fishing Report Monday 12th May – Sunday 18th May 2014
The start of the week saw the demise of the extremely gusty high winds experienced over the weekend leaving conditions almost perfect. Although only twelve rods ventured out on Monday the rod average rose to a massive 12.4 with boat & bank catching similar numbers, almost exclusively on various buzzer patterns!
We now have a full selection of Fulling Mill buzzers, nymphs, emergers, dries & lures available at the lodge
Near perfect conditions continued on Tuesday when regulars John Hoskins & Peter Elliott shared a boat in both Toft Shallows & Rainbow Corner. They enjoyed what John later described as probably their best ever day on Draycote Water netting 42 & 48 respectively, all on buzzer patterns. On his second cast in Rainbow Corner Peter took a rainbow of 10lbs 8oz!
Mike & David Mee also spent two days on the water and found fish to their diawl bachs in Toft, Biggin Bay & the Farborough Bank dam. Between them they caught over 70 fish.
Season rods Tony Broadway & John Dews, who are usually to be found on the banks, decided to take to the water twice during the week & on both days enjoyed tremendous sport fishing white lures deep over open water. Tony weighed in five grown on rainbows with a combined weight of 22lbs. His bag included a beautiful 6 pounder.
On the competition front, we hosted a Civil Service Regional boat heat on Wednesday with 15 competitors weighing in a total of 69 fish.
The banks were then taken over by Rolls Royce on Friday who fished a team event to a four fish limit. Sixty six anglers took part & good sport was enjoyed. The “Derby Tinheads” – John Eccles, Steve Polkey & Lee Payne were the winning Rolls Royce team with 10 fish for 21lbs 11oz. The “Fish Hawks”- Terry Sharp, Darren Graham & Grabham were the leading guest team with12 fish for 29lbs 11oz. Individual prize winners were David Holt & Dixie Baxter. Thanks go to Greys for their sponsorship of the top prizes.
Top prize for stamina must go to visitors from Scotland – Rab Maxwell & Sam Davies who fished with us all week catching & releasing in excess of twenty fish each every day. Their catches all came to either buzzers or dries mainly in Biggin Bay, Toft Shallows & Rainbow Corner.
Numerous brownies have appeared during the course of the week – one at 5lbs was caught & released by Brian Frogatt on Friday. The boats have generally out fished the banks this week. Nevertheless, seasoned regulars Ray Rouse, Ken Rawlings, Kevin Rees & David Hoppe recorded buzzer caught totals of 29, 12, 18 & 30 respectively from their bank sessions during the week. Toft, Rainbow Corner, Lin Croft & Cornfield have been the most productive bank locations.
Things became more challenging with the onset of the hot weather at the weekend causing anglers to reach for the sun screen & water bottles. Not unsurprisingly, rod averages dropped as a result. However, Keith Hamson found a way with olive buzzers in a boat off the Hensborough bank on Sunday catching a creditable 22 fish in very difficult bright conditions.
The buzzer has unquestionably been the fly of the week, in a variety of colours with the blacks, olives & reds favourite. Evening rises have on occasion also been very good at which time emerger patterns & dries have become successful for many.
In order to maintain the accuracy of our records can anglers be politely reminded to ensure completion of the booking out sheet prior to leaving the site.
Boat anglers are also politely reminded of the ruling that there is no anchoring within 100 yards of any pontoon or aerators. This is especially relevant to the harbour pontoon as its own mooring chains & anchors extend out a considerable distance from the end of the harbour & are easily fouled.
Weekly Stats:
Number of rods for the week: 413 Number of fish taken: 767 Number of fish released: 1353
Total Catch: 2120 Rod Average: 5.1 Best fish: 10lbs 8ozs Rainbow
Current fishing times:
Bank 07:30 until 21:15
Boat 08:30 until 21:00
Part Day Boat 08.30 – 14:00 / 2.00pm – 9.00pm
Last 4 Hours commences: Boat 17:00 / Bank 17:15
All anglers to be off site by 21:30
Bank anglers Car Passes: If you want to take your car around the reservoir perimeter road call the lodge & book one of the 30 available bank angler car passes.
Up & coming events
Sunday 1st June- There are currently just two places remaining on the Beginners Tuition Day with Hywel Morgan .
All tackle is provided if required and the £60 per person cost includes fishing permit. Contact the lodge for details.
8th of June – Draycote is holding the Severn Trent England Eliminator, giving you the chance to fish for England. Spaces still available. Contact Ian Colclough @ ian.colclough@googlemail.com for an entry from and further details.
22nd of June – Scierra Pairs Boat match – with a chance to reach the final at Rutland Water. Spaces available. Entry forms visit www.scierrapairs.co.uk .
9th and 10th of August – Lexus individual qualifying heats – the last chance to reach the final at Chew Valley. visit www.lexusflyfishing.co.uk to book your place.
The Rio Pairs event has been Cancelled
Tight Lines Kevin Hart
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Regards
Ifor
01530 230807
07885 347326
Fishery Management(UK)Ltd
Thornton Reservoir, Draycote Water, Foremark Reservoir