Draycote Water weekly report week ending 30th April 2017
Telephone Number 01788 812018
Report
Under very changeable conditions Draycote has once again had an excellent week, with the rod average rising to 10 by Wednesday. Fish are being caught just about everywhere, with dries accounting for lots of over wintered fish in open water. Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Crunchers are all working extremely well, but with patience, Boobies and snakes on a DI5 or DI7 are yielding some cracking over wintered fish from the deeper parts of the reservoir. Both the Draycote and Farborough Dam remain a focal point for this method, with the latter producing the largest Brown of the season so far, weighing in at 8lbs.
The bank anglers are having some of the best sport of the season, with some great catches coming from the more popular areas along the north shore and Toft shallows. Unfortunately Rainbow corner has been coloured for most of the season, but should start to fish well now that the pumps are turned off. Rainbow is teaming with good over wintered fish, which so far this season have been caught by boat anglers fishing the clearer water further out in the reservoir. The weekly rod average was 4.5.
On Monday, season permit holder Ed Douglas had a total of 18 fish to the boat, 13 of them on dries. Paul Beasley had 8 fish from the bank on Damsels. Kevin Rees caught 19 fish from the bank in Dunns Bay and Lincroft point.
Tuesday turned out to be a busy day after a slow start with both boat and bank anglers doing equally as well as each other. Season permit holder Ian Richardson commented on “ An excellent day” , netting 12 fish from the bank on buzzers. Draycote regular Mike Oliver had a “ Hard but fun day” catching 21 fish from the bank, again on buzzers. Mr Tommy Carroll caught 8 fish from the bank on a small white lure. Mr P Barnes caught 8 fish from the bank on an olive hot tailed zonker. Tuesday also saw the arrival from Ireland of Mr Phillip Creshams party. The group consisted of 5 anglers on a 3 day package who, during their stay caught over 300 fish between them. Looking forward to seeing you all back next year.
On Wednesday we had 4 seasons in one day here which included sleet and snow. Season permit holder Mr Colin Grainger caught 12 fish from the bank on buzzers. Mr G thorns caught 10 fish from the bank on buzzers and diawl bachs. Boat anglers Mr Dave Heseltine and Mr Mark Evans had 26 fish on buzzers, mainly in Toft shallows, with one Blue which weighed in at 4 lbs. Draycote regulars Mr I Pugh and Mr T Whitchard caught 37 fish between them from a drifting boat.
By Thursday the weather had improved a tad but still proved a bit cold due to that icy northerly wind. Mr Alan Bettles still managed to whittle out 11 good fish from Dunns bay on lures. Mr R Walker and Mr N Barber caught 21 fish between them from a boat using pink lures. Season permit holder Mr Steve Gibson caught 6 fish during an evening session from the bank.
Friday was a much busier day with some of the regulars and permit holders retuning good catches. There was supposed to be a light southerly breeze but the water remained mirror calm all day. Tony Broadway had 14 fish from the bank. Ed Douglas caught 34 fish from a drifting boat. Paul Beasley had 13 fish from the bank on buzzers. Mr G Darlow caught 14 fish from the bank. Mr D Leonard caught 18 fish from a boat and commented on the “fantastic blues”. Mr R Hankins caught 9 fish on dries. Mr Howard and Mrs Marion Rutter caught a total of 22 fish between them from a boat, “all on buzzers”. Season permit holder Mr Tony Parker caught 15 fish from a drifting boat. Draycote regular Mr Jim Smith caught 11 fish from a boat on dries. Season permit holder Mr Dave Adkins caught 12 fish during an evening boat session.
Saturday turned out to be a good day for Mr Ifor Jones and Jim Dempsey. Not only did they boat 18 fish between them , but they got to see their good friend and fishing buddy Melvin Severn catch the biggest brown of Draycotes season so far, weighing in at 8 lbs, by the look on both their faces you could tell that they were so pleased for him.
Mr Gareth Dixon and Mr Christian Jones, visiting us from Clywedog Reservoir in Wales, had a great day out, catching in excess of 55 fish from a boat on the Bung. Season permit holder Mr Jim Hall caught 12 fish from the bank on buzzers. Mr Vince Aronika and his boat partner had 32 fish to the boat on a variety of methods such as DI5 and snakes, and a washing line with a FAB and buzzers.
Sunday dawned bright and breezy and saw the arrival of the England Ladies mixed pairs match. On what proved to be a very challenging day out on the water the pairs did exceptionally well, producing a competition rod average of 6.7. The results are as follows;
1st Place Eileen Chatwin and Graham Willis 16 fish for 42lbs 8oz
2nd Place Samantha Edmunds and Rob Edmunds.
3rd Place Jane Robinson and Paul Mitchell
The biggest fish of the competition was caught by Alan Riddell and weighed 4lbs.
Weekly Boat draw:
Congratulations to Mr Les Watson of Coventry who is the winner of this week’s free boat draw.
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 253 Number Trout Taken: 186 Number Trout Released: 947
Total Catch: 1133 Weekly Rod Average: 4.5
Current Fishing Times:
Bank: 07:30 until : 20:45
Boat All Day: 08:30 until 20:45
Boat Part Day: AM 08:30 until 14:30 PM 14:30 until 20:45
Last 4 Hours from: 16:45 until 20:45 (Ticket sales available from 16:30)
Gutting Room Closes: 20:15
All Anglers to be off site by: 21:15
Fishery News
Sage & Rio Day
Saturday 13th May 2017 Meet Simon Gawsworth & Jim Fearn 10:00 to 16:00 hrs Our Draycote guides will also be taking to the water along with representatives from Sage & Rio Products. We offer you the opportunity to book a complimentary fly fishing session afloat or on the pontoon with a member of the team using a SAGE rod matched with a RIO fly line of your choice. With less than two weeks to go and limited slots remaining. Reserve your free place by calling the lodge on 01788 812018.
Tuition Days- Beginners Courses
Sunday 21st May Hosted by Kevin Hart & Tom Bird Currently two spaces available
Saturday 10th June Hosted by Jim Williams of Vision Tackle. Currently four spaces available
Sunday 11th June Hosted by Jim Williams of Vision Tackle. Currently four spaces available
Call the lodge on 01788 812018 to book or for further information
Trout Masters
Draycote has joined the Troutmasters Competition. Entry forms can be found next to the booking out sheets. You will need a member of staff to countersign your entry. Good luck!
Dates for your diary:-
Competition Contact
England Eliminator – 27th and 28th May – Ian Colclough – 01543 689117
Scierra Pairs Match – 25th June – Visit website.
Alex Booth Memorial – 29th June – Roy Lewin – 07762 746825
Angling World Holiday Heat 5th and 6th August – Visit website
TEFF Fundraiser. Dry Fly Championship 16th September – Ian Colclough – 01543 689117
Angling World Holiday Final – 23rd and 24th September
Troutmasters Final – 9th October. – See Fishery staff.
Boat Cleanliness:
Our hard pressed team strive to maintain the boats to a high standard of cleanliness. Anglers are kindly requested to respect their endeavours by keeping their vessels shipshape & litter free. Particular attention should be paid to avoiding the unnecessary practise of pulling muddy anchors on board. These should be shaken clean before being lifted into the boat. Your assistance in this regard will be most appreciated.
Guiding & Tuition:
Why not take your own fishing further with a day out on the water with England Internationals and fishery members of staff Lee Henfrey and Tom Bird. Whether you wish to get to know the water better or hone a particular skill, our guides can help to improve your catch rates. Contact the visit the website www.flyfishguiding.co.uk for more information or book a slot call the lodge on 01788 812018.
Keep up to date with the latest catches and fishing posts from our in-house fishery ranger and guide Tom Bird, by following him on Facebook. Tom has been catching some great fish this season and posting pictures of the fish as well as a light write up on how he has been catching them..
Tight lines
Follow Us on
facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore