Draycote Water weekly report week ending 26th March 2017
Telephone Number 01788 812018
Report
Draycote has once again been in good form this past week. Despite some cold blustery days anglers have ventured out onto the water, well wrapped up I might add, to return some great catches from all over the reservoir. The bank and boats are fishing equally as well, with the backbone of the catch falling mainly to buzzers, either on a washing line or fished straight through. Lots of fish are also being taken on lures, particularly those of the black and green variety, whilst a small number of patient souls are steadfastly fishing dries with some success. On cloudy overcast days the fish can be seen feeding very close to the bank in Toft, giving anglers cause to stand well back and make short casts along the shoreline. Indeed some anglers have waded out into the water only to find the fish rising behind them.
The most popular area on the water has without a doubt been Toft shallows, with anglers working the near shore from the Swans nest, casting into the breeze. On Friday some of the regulars who were catching sporadically in the Cornfield with a comfortable breeze on their backs, said they were watching across the water at anglers having “A pluck a Chuck” by the Swans nest, and moved around to get in on the sport.
On Monday season permit holder Mr John Dickens had 12 fish from the bank on a mixture of buzzers, FAB’S and cormorants. Mr Ed Douglas, also fishing from the bank had 14 fish. Mr Bob Thompson had 6 fish from the bank on buzzers.
On Tuesday Mr Alan Bettles had 20 fish in Dunns bay on a white and green lure. New season permit holder Mr Rob Keeber caught 12 fish. Mr R Maxwell and Mr I Coxon had 17 fish to the boat. Mr Les Watson and Mr John Pearson enjoyed an evening session on the bank, netting 8 fish between them. A photo was taken of John holding a large one.
On Wednesday Mr J Gregory and Mr M Joy had 29 fish to the boat. Draycote members Mr Brian Warwick and Mr John Dews had 11 fish each fishing buzzers down in Toft. Mr Rob Bettinson, Mr Peter Fox and Mr John Woodcock braved the cold for an evening session on the bank, netting 15 fish between them.
Thursday saw the brighter, warmer weather bring a few more rods to the water and despite the sunny conditions, the rod average remained high. The usual suspects saw fit to grace us with their presence and were bending into some hard fighting fish all around the reservoir. Paul Beasley and Colin Grainger had 9 apiece. Ms Jude Tuffs caught 14 fish from the bank. Tony Broadway had 27 on buzzers from the bank. Mr Ed Douglas had 13 fish and the ever so young looking Mr Brian Warwick caught a total of 35 fish on buzzers, also from the bank. Scottish anglers Mr D Quigley and Mr J McGuigan, visiting on one of our 3 day packages, caught over 40 fish from a drifting boat. Mr Gomez and Mr Armstrong caught 25 fish between them from a boat. Mr Dave Hesseltine and Mr Mark Evans had 26 fish to the boat fishing black buzzers in Toft and in Biggin Bay. Season Permit holders Mr Dave Kennel and Mr Eddie Mitchell caught 32 fish between them from the bank. Also on the bank was Mr Ian Western and Mr Dave Adkins, who caught 12 and 14 fish respectively.
On Friday Mr Graham Homer and boat partner Mr Barry Butler caught well from a boat netting over 40 fish between them. Mr Dave Quigley and Mr J McGuigan on their second day of their visit again netted over 40 fish on a variety of tactics. Mr David Bradley caught 32 fish on buzzers whilst bank fishing down in Toft. Mr M Moore had 27 fish to the boat whilst buzzer fishing in Biggin Bay, remarking on “A fantastic day”. Draycote regular Mr Mike Oliver commented on what a great day out he had, netting 31 fish from the bank on buzzers. Season permit holder Mr Peter Elliott caught over 40 fish from the bank in Toft on buzzers. Mr Paul Davidson and Mr Tony Baldwin had 40+ fish to the boat each.
Saturday dawned with the arrival of the England youth team, here for the weekend for a spot of training with both mentors as well as a day out with the England senior squad. They were all catching plenty of fish around the reservoir over both days using a variety of methods from DI7s to floating lines and nymphs. Other notables of the day where husband and wife team Ruth and Tony Kirk who between them netted over 17 fish from the bank in the Corn field on buzzers, montanas and fry patterns. Mr J Osborne and Mr W Bilsborough caught 30+ fish from the boat on damsels and diawl bach’s. Boat partners Mr Chris Discombe and Mr Jim Brennan caught 25 fish on red and black buzzers.
Sunday was yet another bright and breezy day which for the first time this season was a bit more difficult from the bank. The bright conditions saw the fish move out into deeper water with anglers reporting having to wade and cast a long way in order to reach them. Mr John Mills did well to net 17 fish in Toft on buzzers. Season permit holders Mr Ian Western and Mr Dennis Tidmarsh worked hard for their 19 fish caught from the bank. Mr Dave and Mr Liam Scott had 17 fish to the boat. Mr D Simmonds and Mr B Chambers had 12 fish to the boat on snakes and boobies. Mr T Speak and Mr E Smith caught 26 fish from a boat on buzzers and blobs.
Congratulations to Mr Brian Moore of Coventry who is the winner of this weeks free boat draw.
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 253 Number Trout Taken: 260 Number Trout Released: 1514
Total Catch: 1774 Weekly Rod Average: 7.0
Current Fishing Times:
Bank: 07:30 until 18:45
Boat All Day: 07:30 until 18:45
Boat Part Day: AM 08:30 until 13:45 PM 13:45 until 18:45
Last 4 Hours from: 14:45 until 18:45 (Ticket sales available from 14:30)
Gutting Room Closes – 18:15
All Anglers to be off site by: 19:15
Fishery News
We are pleased to welcome Lee Henfrey to the Draycote team, Lee will be working here at Draycote and at our other waters.
Lee is well known on the competition scene with a number of England caps to his name. He is also a member of the RIO Masters fly fishing team. Lee is a very experienced angler who’s knowledge of reservoir fishing will make him an invaluable member of Fishery Management UK Ltd. He is looking forward to working here at Draycote and sharing his knowledge with visiting anglers in the coming season. In addition Lee will also be available for guiding throughout the season.
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 Ladies Mixed Pairs Match – Sunday 30th April – Ms Hilary Thompson – 01664 474268
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.
Catch Returns
In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure. If not in the lodge it will be found on the counter in the gutting room next door
Anchoring
Boat anglers are also politely reminded of the ruling that there is no anchoring within 100 yards of any pontoon or aerators. 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.
Car Passes
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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