Draycote Water: Weekly report ending Sunday 23th October 2016.
Telephone Number 01788 812018
Report
Whilst the fish haven’t fully switched onto the fry here at Draycote yet due to water temperatures, the bank fishing has definitely improved. Bank anglers are reporting good catches all along the north shore from the Tower Bank down into the bottom of Toft. Strong gusts this week have dictated where the bank anglers can fish and, when able too, working from the Swans Nest to the big Willow tree on the near side of toft has also proved fruitful. Fishing from the tower bank has been as always a game of patience, but it has proved productive for some anglers as the odd good brown trout has appeared on the catch returns. Boat anglers have also had their fair share of sport however, with some excellent catches coming from the front of the Farborough Dam, G buoy in Toft and the side of Lincroft Point near E buoy. The Draycote Dam, by the flat stones, has also been very productive, as has the Hensborough bank and the deeper water in Rainbow Corner. I have at times described the fish as being a bit “picky” at the moment, as no one method of fishing has worked that well for any length of time. But suffice to say, that if you keep on the move, and are willing to make changes throughout the day, you should have some excellent sport. I would describe the water quality this week as being reasonably good, with the weekly rod average coming in at 3.2.
On Monday Mr Kevin Rees caught 10 fish from the bank using shrimp patterns. Draycote regular Mr Ray Cramp, also fishing from the bank, had 7 fish on lures. Mr Ed Douglas caught 6 fish from a drifting boat.
Wet and windy conditions greeted the hardy anglers who braved the boats and the bank on Tuesday. The rain had cleared by mid-morning giving way to a bright and blustery day which were not ideal fishing conditions. Richard Dayman and Norman Perkins enjoyed good sport, Landing 20 fish. The pair caught up in Rainbow corner using nymphs on floating lines and lures on 3 inch per second sinking lines. On the bank M Cronin landed 5 fish including a lovely 4lb brownie on a small Minkie pattern. Ray Cramp also enjoyed good sport from the bank landing 6 fish for 15lb 12oz with them falling to various lure patterns.
Wednesday saw the wind change round to the north and it was the banks that really stood out in the catch returns. Season ticket holder Tony Broadway landed 11 fish from Biggin Bay using a team of nymphs fished on the washing line. Tony took 7 of these fish on a small black and peacock spider. Top honours on the day went to Yousef Dar who fished the bank to land 19 fish up to 4lb 8oz, Yousef fished along the cornfield, Lincroft point and Toft using nymphs and small Minkies to land his fish.
Thursday again saw the return of Tony Broadway who this time landed 13 fish from Toft using the same tactic as the day before but also caught on a small white booby to imitate the fry. Gary Hunter also had a good day down in Toft on Minkies landing 8 fish. Out on the boats Steve Barby used the rudder to land 6 fish with 2 of which being over 5lb. Season Ticket holder Kevin Rees had great sport off the bank fishing the Swans nest in toft to land 15 fish. The key to Kevin’s success has been shrimp patterns, just cast out and swung around in the wind. Another season ticket holder catching well from the bank was David Burr who landed 7 in a short hour session using Diawl Bachs and buzzers.
Friday again saw the bank anglers get the majority of the sport, however a number of boats did find the key to success. Season ticket holder Peter Elliot had good day from the bank using red headed Diawl bachs and Minkies fished by the Swans nest in toft, Peters best fish of the day went to 5lbs. Colin Grainger also enjoyed good sport from the bank landing 6 fish. Four of Colin’s fish went 14lbs 10oz. He found that the fish seemed keen on taking small nymphs and buzzers fished on a washing line. Geoff Wanless enjoyed good sport from the boat landing 6 fishing using Minkies and Diawl bachs. Another boat catching well was Adam Larbalestier and Ben Bayliss who landed 9 fish to the boat using snakes on sinking lines. Season ticket holder Tony Parker landed 12 fishing from a drifting boat going from G buoy to the swans nest in Toft. Tony used small floating fry and black nymphs to catch his fish with the best fish tipping the scales at 5lb. Peter Bierenacki took advantage of the last four hour ticket to land 6 fish on fry patterns.
A cold northerly wind made conditions a little chilly for the anglers on Saturday. Mr Mike Garner caught 4 fish from the bank using hot head damsels and a silver Invicta. Dai Davies and Peter Lewis enjoyed good sport from the boat landing 14 fish between them on various boobies and nymphs with toft, Biggin and the Draycote Dam being the hotspots. Chris and Nick Dunn had a total of 12 fish to the boat. Mr Kev Bennett and Mr Keith Gilchrist had 9 fish to the boat using pink blobs and nymphs. Mr Chris Discombe and Mr Jim Brennan had 13 fish to the boat on a wide variety of patterns. Draycote regular Stan Hillman had 7 fish from the bank using Minkies.
Sunday dawned with strong easterly winds and chilly conditions for fishing. Mr Jim Smith and Mr Ken Maplethorpe caught 7 fish from a drifting boat. Nigel Keeber and Lee Henfry ventured out on a boat to net 16 fish between them. Mr P Longstaff and Mr G Owen caught 39 fish between them from the boat, using dries along the Farborough Dam. Season permit holder Mr John Falconbridge caught 4 fish from the bank. Mr Ray Cramp caught 5 fish from the bank on nymphs. Mr W and Mr R Elkin caught 9 fish between them from the boat, the best of which was 3lb 3oz.
Closing Date
The closing date for our fishing season this year is 30th November 2016.
Season Permits
2017 Season Permits, We currently have a waiting list, however if you’re interested in receiving information on availability of season permits at Draycote we recommend your details are added to the list to avoid any future disappointment.
Catch Returns
Could all anglers please fill in the catch return sheet before departing. The sheets will either be located in the gutting room or in the lodge depending on time. It is very important to us for both the fishing report and stock levels.
Selling of Fish
Anglers are not allowed to sell or distribute fish to members of the public on site.
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 240 Number Trout Taken: 326 Number Trout Released: 457
Total Catch: 783 Weekly Rod Average: 3.2
Current Fishing Times :
Bank: 07:30 until 18:00
Boat All Day: 08:30 until 18:00
Boat Part Day: AM 08:30 until 13:15 PM 13:15 until 18:00
Last 4 Hours from: 14:00 until 18:00 (Ticket sales available from 13:45)
No Gutting of Fish after 17:30
All Anglers to be off site by: 18:00
Weekly Free Boat Draw
Congratulations to Mr Ben Bayliss from Lancashire who is the winner of this week’s Free Boat Draw.
Demo Tackle
New SAGE X rods in stock including a SAGE X 10ft 7wt Demo rod for you to take out and try. 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:
The annual Fur and Feather match will be held this year on Sunday 27th November, and will be fished as a pair’s competition. The winning pair will receive a Christmas hamper each with second, third and largest fish will win a selection of seasonal drinks. Please note there will be no raffle this year, no need to bring along a prize. Competition rate for this will be £68 per boat for a 16 fish limit to the boat (£34 per angler). Competition will be fished to fishery rules, NO RUDERS. Please call the lodge on 01788 812018 to book your place.
Disabled Parking Bays
Anglers need to ensure that whilst obtaining a fishing permit, they do not park in the disabled parking bays adjacent to the main car park, unless they are the holder of a duly displayed “blue badge”.
Gutting Room
Please be aware that the Gutting Room refurbishment has now been completed. We 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 17:30
Anchoring
Boat anglers are 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.
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
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