Draycote Fishing Report w/e Sunday 16th July 2017
Telephone 01788 812018
As I’m sure you are all aware, the weather has been very changeable this week. The fishing was good from the boats to start with, flattened out through the middle of the week, and then slowly improved as we headed into the weekend. The colder evenings have helped lower the surface temperature a bit, as has the odd shower or two, but the surface temperature is still hovering around 19’c. All week we have been dogged by changing wind directions. This has unsettled the fish and also spread the brown algae bloom throughout the reservoir, colouring the water from one end to the other. As I write this report visibility is around 8 feet or so. All this does not give the anglers much confidence, but again those who keep on the move and vary their tactics should finish the day having had some good sport. Generally, most fish are still being caught in the top few feet of the water, with a washing line and nymphs, or a team of dries being the best methods. The bank angling is still sporadic, (well it is July), and at this time of year we all know that reservoir fly fishing is a game of patience.The weekly rod average was 3.4.
On Monday we had a limited number of rods with very varied results. Mr N and Mr M Woolnough did really well on small CDC’s and green buzzers, netting 26 fish from a boat. Draycote regular Mr Steve Barby Had a “Great day” , catching 19 fish, again from a boat. Season permit holder Mr Ed Douglas spent all day out in the boat and netted over 50 fish, 10 of which fell to dries.
Tuesday dawned with the arrival of some of the Draycote regulars and members fishing the bank. The overflow and rainbow corner were the chosen spots and did produce sport for some.However the north shore proved difficult, as a previous algae bloom had washed into Dunns and Biggin bay. Mr Gordon Slack and Mr Peter Allen had 4 and 3 fish respectively, bank fishing in front of the overflow. Season permit holder Mr Ian Richardson caught 7 fish, bank fishing from the front of the overflow on big reds, a daddy and nymphs. Season permit Mr R Keeber caught over 14 fish from a drifting boat. The boat pairing of Mr J and Mr R Clark caught and released 12 fish from a boat. Mr R Deeley and Mr S Salvin caught 6 fish from a boat in rainbow corner using red holographic diawl bachs.
Wednesday was a more challenging day for fishing, despite being overcast with a good breeze. Mike Weaver faired best, netting 10 fish from a boat using damsels and diawl bachs. Draycote regular Jude Tuffs caught a total of 4 fish from a boat. Higham Ferrers FF took to the water in 5 boats and although they found it tough going, most managed to catch, with a total of 24 fish between them.
Thursday saw the rod average rise to 5.1, with a large section of the Draycote members putting in a stint on the bank. Whilst again the bank anglers found it a bit difficult, those who ventured out in boats seemed to have the best of the sport. Bobs bits seemed to be the right pattern for Draycote regular Lee Patton, who boated 16 fish on size 14’s. Ed Douglas faired well out on the water yet again, this time netting 23 fish on various dries. Yousef Dar made the journey down from Manchester to catch 24 fish, again on dries from a drifting boat. The boat pairing of Eddie Mitchell and Dave Kennel did really well, boating 23 fish between them on, yes, you’ve guessed it, dries. Mr M Yates caught and returned 11 fish from a boat using a crippled midge.
On Friday the water temperature dropped down a bit from it’s midweek high of 22’c to a more fish friendly 19’c. With a strong northerly and overcast conditions it promised to be a good day. Mr K Smith and Mr C Wilkins had 18 fish to the boat between them. Ian Richardson had 11 fish from the bank on olive nymphs and snail patterns. Mr A Crawford caught 8 fish in rainbow corner. Mr B Jones and Mr G Wood caught 16 fish on dries. Mr Steve Barby had “a great day”, boating 10 fish. Mr John Haynes caught 6 fish from the bank during an evening session.
Saturday proved yet again to be an ideal day for fishing despite the odd early shower. Mr S Crane caught 4 fish from the bank. Mr Mark Thistleton caught 6 fish from the tower bank on black cdc buzzers. The boat pairing of Mr Des and Lee James caught 13 fish between them from a drifting boat. Mr M Osborne and Mr B Harris had 22 fish to the boat on dries. Draycote regular Jim Smith caught 9 fish during an evening session.
Sunday was overcast with a steady breeze and light showers mid afternoon. In general the fishing was good with a rod average of 3.3. The boat pairing of Mr M Price and Mr D Hancox caught 10 fish from a boat. Mr Mike Weaver Boated 8 fish. Mr R Walker and Mr P Davis caught 6 fish between them from a boat. Draycote regular Mr Jim Smith caught 16 fish from a boat on dries such as CDC’s and crippled midge. Mr S Williams and Mr S Hawkins had 12 fish to the boat on dries in rainbow corner. Mr P James and Mr L Carter caught 5 fish from a boat during an evening session.
The Midlands counties match, organised by Kirby fly fishers was held on Sunday with 5 teams taking to the water. The match was won by Kirby FF with a total weight of 64lb 5oz. Thanks to Martin Brown for organizing & the 5 club teams taking part Kirby Fly Fishers, Foremark Fly Fishers, Colwick Fly Fishers, Derby Fly Fishers & Leicester Fly Fishers.
Congratulations to Mr Rodney Dangerfield of Milton Keynes , who is the winner of this week’s free boat draw.
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 263 Number Trout Taken: 390 Number Trout Released: 524 Total Catch: 914 Weekly Rod Average: 3.4
Current Fishing Times:
Bank: 07:30 until 21:45
Boat All Day: 08:30 until 21:45
Boat Part Day: 08:30 until 15:00 – 15:00 until 21:45
Last 4 Hours from: 17:45 until 21:45 (Ticket sales available from 17:30)
Gutting Room Closes: 21:15
All Anglers to be off site by: 22:00
Fishery News
Reservoir Dry Fly Masterclass
On Thursday 24th August 2017 Draycote Ranger and fishery guide Tom Bird will give a presentation on reservoir dry fly tactics. The presentation will include tackle set up, fish spotting, fly selection and presentation. During the presentation Tom will reveal the secrets that have led to his remarkable success, both as a member of the England squad and the Five Nations Team. The presentation will take place in the Sailing club. Doors open at 18.30hrs. The presentation will start at 19.00 to 20.00hrs. Ticket are priced at £5.50 each. A bar and refreshments are available.
Call the Draycote lodge 01788 812018 to reserve your place. Find more information on www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
Tuition Days- Beginners Courses
Saturday 14th October Hosted by Kevin Hart and Tom Bird. Currently five places 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
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 manners & etiquette:
As is so often the way at this time of the year, many fish tend to gravitate towards the aerators as a comfort zone & naturally many anglers wish to get in amongst the action there. Please be aware that the area is a strictly no anchoring zone.
We also respectfully ask that all anglers demonstrate good boat manners & etiquette when fishing in close proximity to other vessels there & elsewhere in general. Incidents have been occurring where anglers have rudely reversed back up their drift into oncoming boats or have cut straight into the path of a drifting boat instead of taking their turn returning to the top of the drift. This is unsporting, spoils the action & enjoyment of others & understandably leads to frayed tempers. Should you find yourself at the receiving end of repeated displays of such poor boatmanship & bad etiquette, we ask that you phone the lodge in order that we can come out to rectify the situation ourselves as deemed appropriate.
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 staff Lee Henfrey or 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. Visit the website www.flyfishguiding.co.uk for more information or book a slot by calling 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,
The Draycote Team
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