That’s my 39th season managing midland trout fisheries completed as the 2021 season has now drawn to a close at Draycote, Thornton & Eyebrook, boats are off the water & engines gone away for their winter servicing. Time to reflect on the 2021 season & plan for 2022
2021 Eyebrook & Thornton we continued to trial a different stocking policy with Thornton receiving trout from 1lb8oz to 2lb+ & Eyebrook being stocked with trout from 1lb10oz to 2lb+
As both reservoirs are relatively shallow, Thornton 30ft at its deepest with Eyebrook 35ft, both fed by a stream with low summer flows and no aeration / bubble line the rod average during the past would drop as the water temperature increased
By reducing the overall average size of the trout stocked at Eyebrook to 1lb14oz & Thornton to 1lb12oz we saw a marked improvement to the weekly & monthly rod average, especially during the summer months.
During 2021 Thornton returned a season’s rod average of 3.7 a huge improvement on previous years, with some of my long term members telling me it was their best season.
For my 5th year managing the Eyebrook the change in the stocking policy returned a record year, with the final figures showing the Eyebrook returned an impressive season’s rod average of 5, outstanding fishing by anyone’s standards.
Draycote Water has a well-earned reputation for consistent, reliable sport, at 600 acres, depth up to 70ft & a long aerator / bubble line it does cope well with the summer temperatures. Draycote once again returned an impressive 4.8 rod average for the season. With its larger size, depth & aerator line we aim whenever possible to maintain a 2lb average size stocked rainbow.
2022
Our diaries are open to accept booking. For 2022 you will be required to pre pay for your booking, this will allow the staff working the lodges during the busy morning period to have more time to interact with their customers, it will reduce queuing within the lodges. It will also eradicate the “no shows” we get, which obviously cost us.
I have introduced two new permit options for 2022 a 3 Fish permit & a 5 Fish permit, there should hopefully be a permit that suits everyone’s needs
Details on permits & pre payment along with membership details follow the link to
Draycote 01788 812018 draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk – follow link to Day Permits – Membership
Thornton 01530 230807 thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk – follow link to Day Permits – Membership
Eyebrook 01536 770264 eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk – follow link to Day Permits – Membership
For groups, angling clubs, competitions we do offer group rates contact the lodges for details
In less than 8 weeks time Thornton opens on the 1st February 2022 followed by Draycote opening on the 1st March with Eyebrook opening 4th March
Dates for your diary
Sunday 19th December, Eyebrook Lodge 9.30am to 2.00pm
Myself, Tom Bird & Jim Wright will be at the Eyebrook lodge to discus our plans for each fishery during 2022, our membership options, or to answer any questions you have.
Tom & Jim will also be tying some of their favourite patterns.
Look forward to seeing you there