Draycote Water: Weekly report week ending Sunday 31st July 2016.
Telephone Number 01788 812018
Report
What a difference a week makes! After the mini heatwave the week before last it is pleasing to be able to report that things have cooled down and the trout have reacted accordingly. Whilst we are at that time of the season where the fish often “sort the men out from the boys”, some of the sport experienced this week, particularly to well-presented dry fly tactics, can only be described as fantastic. Bank anglers have enjoyed periods of good sport, but generally, as one would expect for late July, the cream of the fishing has been enjoyed by the boat anglers. The aerators have been on all week &, again as expected, much of the action has taken in that area.
Regular Dennis Jones nevertheless managed five from the bank on Monday morning at the overflow whilst Peter Bierenacki fished dries the last four hours on the bank to net seven. Season rods Ed Douglas & Kevin Rees went afloat & also fished dries netting 25 & 17 respectively.
Tuesday proved to be a harder day generally, particularly for the bank anglers. However, out on the water Eugene Hughes showed his consistency with a total of 28 to a mix of pulled lures on sinking lines together with half a dozen quality fish to the dries. Our own Tom Bird partnered up with Andy Taylor for a mini session on the dries to land a total of fourteen.
It was the boats again on Wednesday with Thornton anglers Richard Dayman & Norman Perkins netting 22 between them to a variety of surface tactics. Dave Hesletine was also afloat that day & it is good to report that many of his ten fish total came to that great old traditional wet fly pattern – the Mallard & Claret.
On the bank on Thursday Terry Tappenden led the way with a four fish catch with Peter Bierenacki returning for a later session to also net four but comment how it had been “bright, flat calm & (therefore) slow”. It was once more better out over open water with Geoff Preston enjoying sport during his regular morning boat session. He took 12 with two over 4lbs on his favourite Olive Wholly Bugger pattern presented a few feet down. Graham Homer partnered up with Roy Taylor & both fished Bob’s Bits to take 20 fish between them. Kevin Rees was afloat once more, again in action with his dry flies, this time netting 21.
Gordon Slack had a good morning session on the bank on Friday with half a dozen fish to the net. Also on the banks was Ian Richardson who admirably demonstrated the “match the hatch” concept with an excellent nine fish total taken on a mix of snail, shrimp & dry fly patterns. “A cracking day – brilliant!” was his parting comment on the session. Dave Kennell & Eddie Mitchell were also enjoying fine sport in the boat describing their session as “Fantastic! …Fish up to four pounds plus & all on dries!” They landed 23 between them. Richard Ellis & John Hurst also shared a boat and enjoyed a tremendous day with 37 to the boat. They used various tactics & flies ranging from snakes to muddlers & dries.
Although Saturday proved to be an astonishing day for the boat angler, Dennis Jones returned for a repeat morning session on the bank to land another five fine rainbows. Steve Gibson also managed four from the bank during an afternoon session. Meanwhile action out over the boils was frantic with fish mopping up dries left right & centre. Amongst the action was Adam Larbalestier & Ben Bayliss who netted in excess of forty between them, Peter Elliott & Alex Urquhart who amassed a total in excess of fifty plus David Hoppe who was also a “thirty plus” rod. All were fishing dries & hoppers.
The week ended with many eight fish limits in the Mid Northants boat event on Sunday. Top result on the day came to the boat partnership of Martin Rowson & Neil Deakin who “mixed & matched” snakes & dry fly tactics for a total of 46 fish to the net.
Signs for the coming week bode well. As I write, regular Paul Lloyd has just come off the water having netted a dozen on hoppers.
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 335 Number Trout Taken: 435 Number Trout Released: 1053
Total Catch: 1488 Weekly Rod Average: 4.44
Current Fishing Times :
Bank: 07:30 until 21:00
Boat All Day: 8:30 until 21:00
Boat Part Day: AM 8:30 until 14:30 PM 14:30 until 21:00
Last 4 Hours from: 17:00 until 21:00 (Ticket sales available from 16:45)
No Gutting of Fish after 20:45
All Anglers to be off site by: 21:15
In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure. If not in the lodge it will be found on the counter in the gutting room next door.
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.
Boat anglers may wish to note that we now have a rudder for hire at the daily rate of £7. It can be pre booked at the time you make your boat booking.
Congratulations to Brian Moore of Coventry who is the winner of this week’s Free Boat Draw.
Demo Tackle
We now have a considerable amount of Sage & Rio demo tackle available to try at Draycote. The following link will take you to the website where you can check out the available items: We have added a 10ft 7wt SAGE ACCEL to our demo rods. The Sage One is currently in the process of being phased out. Very limited stock left. Contact the Lodge for details of special offers.
http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/demo-tackle-3/
Forthcoming events:
John Horsey Anglers World Fly Fishing Championships two heats Sat 6th August & Sun 7th August(Floating Line only heat). Some limited availability still – to book for this competition contact john@flyfishingchampionships.uk
Jim Williams Tuition Day on Sunday 7th August. Two places on the course are left. Contact the lodge to secure a place or book online via www.flyfishstore.co.uk
Bank Angler Car Park
Angler Car Park number 7 will remain partially closed while Severn Trent repair a footpath and will be using the car park to store stones for the repairs. Anglers wishing to fish in the areas below car park number 7 will have to park in either car parks 6 or 8 and walk to the area.
Selling of Fish
Anglers are not allowed to sell fish to members of the public on site.
Disabled Parking Bays
Anglers need to ensure that even for short periods whilst obtaining a fishing permit, they only use the disabled parking bays adjacent to the main car park, if they are the holder of a duly displayed “blue badge”.
Gutting Room
Please be aware that the Gutting Room refurbishment has now been completed. Much work has taken place & we would ask that you respect the facility and leave it in the same way in which you would wish to find it. Please also note that no fish are to be gutted after 20:45
Returns
Many anglers have been failing to book out at the end of their fishing. In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure. Too many anglers have been failing to do this of late & this distorts the figures leading to potential fishery management issues.
Anchoring
Boat anglers are also politely reminded of the ruling that there is no anchoring within 100 yards of any pontoon, aerators or the Tower. 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.
Bank Anglers car passes should be, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available. Some anglers came close to being disappointed this week when almost all of the available passes were used.
Rudder Hire
Boat anglers may wish to note that we now have a rudder for hire at the daily rate of £7. It can be pre booked at the time you make your boat booking.
Tight lines
Follow Us on
facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore