Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton
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| Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session | |
| Lodge & Bank Open: | 7.30am – 9.00pm |
| Full Day Boat: | 8.30am – 9.00pm |
| Morning Boat: | 8.30am – 3.00pm |
| Afternoon Boat: | 3.00pm – 9.00pm |
| Last 4 Hr: | 5.15pm – 9.00pm |
| All Anglers Off Site: | 9.15pm |
Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018
Email: draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk
2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/
2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/
2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.
https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/
Exclusion Zone Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.
Week Ending: 30th July 2023 Rod Av: 4.73 Water Temperature: 16-17 °C
A wet start to the week with cool temperatures, although thankfully the rain did stop just after lunch. With the wind coming from the Southwest. Once again the good fishing continued and we had a good start to the week, with a rod average of 5.35. Once the rain stopped on the afternoon, a couple of bank anglers ventured out. Draycote member Paul Walley landed a brace from the Tower Bank. While Mr Finch Noyes who fished for the last four hours landed 3 fish, also from the Tower Bank on small grey minkies. Out on the boats Ian Richardson & Bob Smith caught fish on a washing line using crunchers on either a floater or midge tip. Kevin Rees once again fished dries with his favourite size 14 crippled midge once again taking fish ended the day on 13. Fellow member John Dickens landed 20 fish also on crippled midge drifting from the exclusion zone buoys towards M & N Buoy. Fishing for an afternoon Colin England & Andy Lille used daddies to great effect landing 18 fish, again drifting from the Draycote Dam out.
The wind swung Tuesday, into the Northwest with overcast skies for most of the day, cool overnight temperatures continued to drop the water temperature to a very trout friendly 16.5°C. On the bank Draycote member Jim Kelly used pheasant tailed nymphs to land 4 fish. Fellow member Richard Walker fished of the Tower Bank landing 3 fish on yellow owls. Mick Cronin fished at the Tower bank to land 7 fish on a midge of sedge’s and also daddies. With Stan Hillman fishing alongside Mick using pearly pheasant tails landing 8 fish. On the boats Lester Booth & Nigel Nixon boated 19 fish between them, using a mixture of dries. Finding their fish in Toft, with the afternoon being the best part of the day for the pair. Members Paul Walker & John Faulkonbridge used a washing line to great effect landing 22 fish to the boat drifting from A Buoy out towards Rainbow Corner. Geoff Allsop & Graham Wood landed 14 fish between them all on dries with F Flies and small daddies being the most productive patterns, and commented “on a great day” Trevor Moore fished with son Robert for the afternoon landed 14 fish with a washing line with Diawl Bachs on the droppers.
A bright start to Wednesday, with cloud arriving in the afternoon and bringing it with it some very heavy rain for the evening. The wind also swung back into the Southwest, after coming from the Northwest the day before. Draycote member Ian Reeve fished a morning boat landing 11 fish. Drifting from Rainbow Corner towards A Buoy either using daddies or a washing line with a tequila FAB on Diawl Bachs. Darn Nataly & Danny Lovegrove landed 21 fish on their boat, with he best area being around Y Buoy. The best tactic the pair found was a washing line, with a mixture of daddies, blobs and Daiwl Bachs. On either an intermediate line or a midge tip. Pete Eville landed 14 fish on dries drifting through the middle around N Buoy & Y Buoy using red bobs bits or a foam daddy. Mr Camm fishing his first of a 2 day break enjoyed a great day landing 16 fish, before the heavy rain set in around 7pm. Commenting that he caught fish everywhere he went from Rainbow Corner to Toft. Using a washing line set up with most of the fish taking the FAB on the point. With the best line being an intermediate when the sun came out and a midge tip in the afternoon when the cloud arrived. Another boat landing 16 fish was Steve Radcliffe and Mike Hill who fished daddies around Rainbow Corner to land their fish.
It was bright and sunny to start with here at Draycote with a light westerly breeze. Once again there is good sport to be had for all concerned. Concentrating your efforts in the top few feet of the water yields the best results but fish can be found at nearly any depth. Gordon Bramwell used a washing line with crunchers to net 15 fish from various areas around the reservoir. Eddie Mitchell and Dave Kennell used boobies, FAB’s and cormorants fished on Airflo’s very popular 12 foot slow tip line, and netted nearly 30 fish between them. The father and son pairing of Frazer Duffy senior and junior, used FAB’s and cormorants to net a bakers dozen during an afternoon session. Mr Dave Naylor and Mr Steve Houlton caught well over 20 fish for the day using hoppers and shipmans buzzers.
A great day Friday, with fantastic conditions overcast skies for most of the day with the occasional patch of sun and the wind coming from the Southwest. Draycote member Dave Smith fished on the boats landing 8 fish using a washing line at Rainbow Corner. With a FAB on the point and cormorants on the droppers and other small mini lures. Fellow member Paul Walker used a midge tip with a washing line of a FAB and Diawl Bachs to land 24 fish. Ian Richardson & Bob Smith landed 13 fish to their boat, drifting near J Buoy into the Farborough Dam wall. Using a mix of methods from dries to a washing line with crunchers on the droppers. Using dries all day John Dickens landed 14 fish with Grunters and Cripple Midge being his best patterns. Also, using dries all day Kevin Rees landed 18 fish all on size 14 crippled midge drifting from the Draycote Dam towards B Buoy. Fishery Manager Tom Bird also took to the water, taking advantage of a day off. Fishing a half day Tom landed 13 fish all taken on a washing line set up. With a FAB on the point 2 nymphs and a orange daddy on the top dropper. The best drift was from the exclusion zone buoys towards M Buoy, however, Tom also caught by J Buoy and also the Draycote Dam Wall.
Despite some heavy afternoon showers, Saturday turned out to be a great day to be out on Draycote Water. The bank anglers are doing well for the time of year with the odd brace here and there. Season permit holder Alan Grant had 3 fish off the Tower Bank on diawl bachs. Young Mike Garner caught a brace from Rainbow Corner using Bibios. Steve Proffitt caught 4 fish from the overflow on the Tower Bank on FAB’s and hares ears on a floating line. Andy Jordan, also fishing from the bank, netted 2 fish from Rainbow Corner on green holographic diawl bachs. Out on the boats Draycote stalwart Jon Crowley netted 11 fish drifting from M buoy to K buoy on orange foam daddies fished on a midge tip line. Scott Graham and Dave Reynolds had a bakers dozen between them using snakes fished on sinking lines. John Brown and Andy Campbell used similar tactics to net 6 apiece. Tim Burn had over 20 fish to the boat using flies such as daddies, FAB’s and snakes, drifting across the middle of the reservoir.
A slightly windy day Sunday, with a very wet afternoon with showers starting around 1pm and continuing for the afternoon. However, the anglers who fished the day enjoyed some more of the good sport that Draycote has been experiencing for most of July. On the bank Stan Hillman fished with Mark Parsley with the pair enjoying good sport. Using a popper minkie Stan landed 5 fish, while Mark used daddies to land 4 fish. On the boats Draycote member Richard Walker fished on a half day boat landing 9 fish. Fishing from near the outlet and the exclusion buoys. Using Big Red’s and foam daddies along with pulling a white muddler. Neil Deakin & Martin Rowson fished around Rainbow Corner to A Buoy and then drifting off the exclusion zone buoys towards M. Landing 19 fish to the boat, using a washing line and also pulling snakes on a Di 3 sinking line. All water member Frazer Duffy Snr & Jnr used slow sinking midge tip with nymphs and blobs to land 24 fish. With the best area being around M Buoy drifting towards N Bouy.
Take A Friend Fishing 29th July to 3rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.
Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/
The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency
Competitions Due at Draycote:
John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/
Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26th August.
Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.
Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.
XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote
Windy App – https://www.windy.com/ on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water +
Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807
Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk
2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/
2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.
https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/
Week Ending: 30th July Rod Av: 3.8 Water Temperature: 18c+ – 19c
Start of the week with a northerly wind and rain forecast led to a quiet day on the water. Only 1 rod member A Wilson took to the water, he caught 4 trout on an orange daddy & muddler but reported other fish coming short.
Tuesday, better forecast with all of our boats out for the morning session with some booked for the afternoon & evening. Water clarity remains good. Barry Deeley fished the morning session catching 10, successful method was fast sinker & booby or floating line and claret hopper. Claret hopper, orange daddy, natural daddy, crunchers & #14 diawl bach & damsel patterns were excellent patterns on the day. Alan Wither & Rob Keeber fished the day session catching 26 trout drifting across the main basin. For the afternoon & last 4 hour session proved to be successful with anglers reporting seeing trout, Max Bazeley caught 4, B Morris caught 3 with Greg Weatherdon catching 5. Good days fishing with a 4.3 rod average.
Wednesday bright start to the day with cloud expected & rain forecast from the late afternoon. It proved to be a more challenging day than expected with trout taking short or trout lost while playing them. Fish were caught on fast sinkers, tip lines & floaters with olive or red booby, blob, orange daddy & natural daddy with Ian Leach top rod with his 5 trout.
Thursday, rainfall during the evening has raised the level a little, but water clarity remains good. Richard Dayman fished a morning session catching 13 on a floating line & small #12 #14 fabs, Mick Huffer also fished the morning session with claret buzzers catching 6. J Scott fished a 6ft tip line with size #14 #16 flashback hares ear & small booby hares ear along the stone bank & into the mouth of the Markfield arm catching 13 trout. Jim Brown fished the last 4 hours using a small hares ear to catch his 2 trout.
Friday humid morning with the breeze back into a south westerly. Busy day with boat fishing the morning, afternoon & last 4hr. Some rods found a fast sinker & a red or damsel booby worked best during the morning with the afternoon & last 4hr rods using daddies, claret hoppers, damsel patterns & cdc. The main basin from the dam down towards the Markfield arm fished best, although we did during the day see a good number of fish opposite the lodge in the Thornton arm, Chris Sayer caught 8 for his mornings session with Swinfield & Zeleny also fishing the morning boating 7 trout to booby patterns with Trev & Nev fishing the last 4 hours catching 6 to claret hopper.
Saturday & an excellent days fishing with midge tip & longer tip lines & floating lines best method with daddies, shipmans, cdc & damsel patterns. Best area continues to be from the dam across the main basin down to the lonesome pine, we continue to see fish moving opposite the lodge. Morning & afternoon continues to produce with the last 4hr session also fishing. B Sibley & M Clay caught 10 for their mornings on a diawl bach. B Perrie caught 9 on a shipmans & orange fab with Mark Hunt fishing cdc & daddy patterns to catch 13. Barry & Mapp on their first visit to Thornton caught 21 on damsel & buzzer patterns. Last 4hr Mr Gee caught 11 trout to 4lb on a washing line.
Sunday a quieter day due to the forecast, but what a day with the best fishing of the week. T long fished the morning session catching 16, P Hunt & J Thomson also fished the morning boating 10 trout on a small fab, diawl bach & buzzer with J Parnham fishing the afternoon & evening catching 11 trout
This coming week. Looking at our local weather forecast its good summer fishing conditions, cooler air temperatures 18c to 19c, cloud breezy conditions & light rain at times, are excellent for fishing as we move into August.
Take A Friend Fishing 29th July to 3rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.
Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/
The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency
Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.
Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.
XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.
Windy App – https://www.windy.com/ on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir
Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report
Lodge – 01536 770264 & Fishery Mobile 07834581424
Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk
2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website
www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/
2023 Membership options visit our website www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/
2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.
https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/
Week Ending: 23rd July Rod Av: 2.8 Water Temperature: 18°c
It was a damp, wet start to the week with light rain developing into heavy showers. By early afternoon the heavy cloud gave way to bright sunshine. There had been an 180° change in the wind direction from previous day which, as expected, made the fishing somewhat challenging as the fish adjusted to the prevailing conditions. Fish were caught in the upper layers on a washing lined tip or floating line. Those that caught better, caught in the Main Basin & had colour somewhere on their cast, be that a small blob booby or FAB on the point or as a top dropper. Most the fish caught today, were caught on the colour.
Tuesday brought with it some good cloud cover & a light North Westerly breeze. Locating fish remained a challenge today with most anglers catching, but not in high numbers. All Water Member Ed Douglas produced a bag of 7 fish which was excellent on the day. Ed caught most of his on Dries from the area of the Main Basin as far down as Robbo’s Cabin frontage. Others to catch on Dries included Mark Goodge & Shaun Higgins who had 3 each on CDC emerging patterns, again from the Main Basin. Another area that held fish was the Dam wall which is where Brian White landed 4 fish on a Green Fritz pattern. Another to catch from the Dam wall was All Water Member Jim Greasley who caught 2 on a Black Shipmans from the Bank.
Wednesday saw another change in the wind direction with yesterday’s North westerly making way to light to moderate Southerly. There were some good consistent overcast skies early on & some sunny intervals later in the day. The reservoir fished very well to the dries with excellent bags for All Water Member Ed Douglas & Draycote Rio Master’s Team member Martin Rowson. Ed landed 17 fish, most of which fell to the Dries with CDC Shuttlecocks & Bob’s Bits being his most successful patterns. Whereas Martin, used CDC Hares Ear patterns to land his 15 fish. The key for both anglers was to remain mobile, conducting long drifts across the Main Basin with the water past Robbo’s holding a lot of fish. Elsewhere, the washing lined floating lines also took a few for other anglers but it has been imperative is to fish this as high as possible in the water. To achieve this the use of a booby on the point helps as it has more foam than a FAB & you can also use a buoyant fly on the top dropper to help keep those flies as high as possible.
Thursday’s weather followed a similar pattern to Wednesdays with the only difference being that the wind increased to a moderate to strong during some parts of the day. The fish remained high in the water column & were caught again on Dries, with All-Water member Mark Hunt landing 8 on CDC Yellow Owls. The Washing line again produced fish with another All-Water member, Norman Perkins landing 5 on Blue Flash Damsel Booby. During the warmer parts of the day, it is noticeable the number of Damsels hatching off. During these periods, the Blue Foam Daddy continues to take fish. The common mistake that anglers are making with the Blue Foam Daddy is fishing it when there is no Damsels hatching. Adult Damsels need to be prevalent for it to be effective.
Friday brought with it some very favourable conditions with a light to moderate west/south westerly winds & consistent cloud cover for most of the day. It was a very busy day with all the boats out & after fishing well in the morning, & still holding a lot of fish, the Main Basin became very challenging by early afternoon. This was more than likely due to angling pressure with a lot of boats fishing in a relatively small area. It paid dividends to ensure that when drifting you had clear water in front of you & that you did not follow a boat down a drift. Another thing that we can do when an area becomes pressurised is to extract yourself from the middle of the pack & drift along the outside of the main body of boats. Fish when pressurised will either stay & become finicky or move to an area where there is still food but less boats, normally the extremities of the main body. This becomes even more evident when the fish are high up in the water column as boats moving cause disturbance. Despite this, the reservoir fished relatively well, with some good returns recorded. Fishing Dries continued to be a very productive method, as did the Washing Line. Fishery Guide Lee Henfrey took to the water on his day off & landed 9 fish on Tan Foam Daddies. All Water Members Ed Douglas & Mark Hunt both enjoyed productive but challenging days on the Dries, landing 11 & 10 fish respectively from various locations.
Saturday initially saw the wind increase slightly which brought with it some periods of extended sunshine. By the afternoon Eyebrook was subjected to strong winds & bright sunshine which is never a great combination. Saturday also saw Eyebrook host AMFC Group 1 for their latest round which saw 36 anglers take to the water catching 109 fish between them, producing a rod average of 3.02. The was a great rod average given the conditions & testament to the quality of anglers on show. Well done to all. Most of the fish were caught on the Dries, with CDC’s proving to be the most productive. Elsewhere, Eyebrook Member Dean Shilton took to his Float Tube & landed 8 fish fishing deep with Minkie Boobies.
Sunday was another blustery day which by late afternoon it had also become very wet. Those that did venture out found the fishing to be very challenging & there was very few fish caught. During these challenging days & when the fish are pressurised, it can sometimes pay to explore other locations. Earlier in the week fishery Staff Martin Blakeston popped out for a couple hours on his day off. Martin chose to fish CDC’s in the area of the Chestnut & was rewarded with a few cracking fish. So when it is challenging, explore the Reservoir, you may well be surprised where you find fish.
Take A Friend Fishing 29th July to 3rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.
Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/
The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency
Upcoming Events
02 August – England Disabled Fly Fishers, 9 Boats + 2 WB’s
03 August – England Fly Fishing Association, 22 Boats.
Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.
Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.
XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.
Windy App – https://www.windy.com/ on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir.