Draycote Report W/E 17th October 2021

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook & Thornton

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

**New Email Address**: draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

Week Ending Sunday 17^th October          Rod Average 5.1   Water Temperature 13 °C

ANGLER PARKING NOTICE

All Anglers please note that from Monday 23^rd August Severn Trent has requested that all anglers will now have to return their car to the main car park after unloading, if you require a yellow parking pass please ask for one in the lodge on the morning of your visit.

Willow Cutting

The Willow cutting which started at the beginning of September will continue through until roughly the second week of October. Please be aware that members of staff will be out with machinery working to clear areas of the bank. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Severn Trent Ranger Team for their help with this task.

What a start to the week, the rod average Monday was 6.9 fish per angler. Draycote member Tony Broadway fished from the bank at Lincroft point to land 3 fish and loose 3 others in play. All water members Norman Perkins & Steve Orton enjoyed a good days sport landing 27 fish between them catching their fish on blobs. C Cowan & I Dobbie used white snakes to great effect catching 38 fish, the pair found the fish around D Buoy and around Farborough Spit. Draycote member John Dickens used dries and a washing lining line to land 32 fish, with his hotspot being around the Spit and G Buoy in Toft. Fishery Management guide Andy Miller took boat newcomer Nick Burman out for a beginner’s boat session. Nick enjoyed an “exceptional session” with Andy loosing count of the number of fish Nick had, along with now having the confidence and knowledge to take a boat out on his own. Andy located the fish for Nick around D Buoy drifting out towards P Buoy using a cats whisker on a RIO 3ft Midge Tip.

The wind came from the Northwest Tuesday, with sun in the morning then cloud arriving later in the day.  On the bank Draycote member Steve Lees landed 10 fish fishing near the overflow from the treatment works, just up from Dunn’s Bay. Steve waded up to the edge of the weed, and then fished white fry patterns, over the edge of the weed. On the boats Draycote member John Falconbridge landed 14 fish from Biggin Bay on a snake booby fishing close to the shore. Bob Shaw landed 14 fish using a washing line with a booby on the point two Diawl Bachs and then a FAB on the top dropper. Bob found the fish around D Buoy and then drifting around Farborough Spit. On the first of there three day package holiday  M Ward & G McPlain landed 31 fish between them on white snakes, with the hot spot being drifting from H- G Buoy. On the bank for the last four hours Slav & Jonny landed 7 fish between then on suspender minkies. Pete Flay also fished the last four hours but this time from a boat to also land 7 fish.

The good fishing continued on Wednesday with the rod average for the day worked just over 5 fish per angler. All water angler Ed Douglas landed 11 fish using a mix of dries, washing line and Zonkers fished around the Farborough Dam and then P Buoy. Dave East landed 10 fish using a DI 8 sinking lines and boobies and snakes. Draycote members Richard & Jim Hall landed 17 fish between them all on dries fishing around the Tower Bank. Kevin Rees also used dries to land 21 fish using small size 14 crippled midge and Bob’s Bits in fiery brown, around G & F Buoy in Toft. Mick Cronin landed 5 fish from the bank around the Tower Bank using fry patterns. Dave Kennell landed 13 fish using a fast glass with a booby on the point, foam daddy in the middle and then a FAB on the top dropper, drifting from F- G Buoy.

The wind was slightly strong than the previous days, however, these didn’t seem to affect the fishing. Bob Smith fished with Bob Barfoot from the boat with both members enjoyed a good days fishing landing 28 to the boat. Drifting around J Buoy and then along then Farborough Dam, using cats whiskers and small white snakes. Gordon Bramwell & Kevin Cooke landed 25 fish using a washing with a FAB on the point on either a Fast Glass or a 6ft fast tip. All water members Ged O’Donoghue fished with Steve Orton with the landing 16 fish. Drifting along the Dam wall from the Spit down to the Swan’s Nest in Toft. M Ward & G McPlain fished their final day of their 3 day package, boating 35 fish taking the total to a 100 for the 3 days. Once again they used White snakes fished on a Di 3 sinking line.

A cloudy start to Friday soon faded away to leave  sunny conditions with the wind coming from the North. The conditions didn’t seem to affect the fish too much though, as some anglers were still catching on dries. Ivor Bullock caught 3 fish from the bank from various points around the reservoir using snakes. Season permit holder John Dickens caught a total of 9 fish on dries such as crippled midge and bob’s bits. Young Jude Tuffs had 14 fish to the boat on a wide variety of patterns whilst Jed O’donaghue caught 5 on white snakes.

Despite the flat calm conditions to start with, Saturday turned out to be a great day for fishing, with fairly good cloud cover and light southerly breezes throughout the day. Draycote regular Mick Cronin took to the bank to return 6 good fish on lures from the overflow end  of the Tower Bank. Young Mike Garner, also fishing the bank, netted 4 fish from Lincroft Point on fry patterns. Paul Walley took to the bank before his DFF match tomorrow to net 3 fish, but played his cards very close to his chest. ( I don’t blame him). Out on the boats anglers were also fairing pretty well with fish being caught in many places around the reservoir, on quite a few different patterns and methods. Ivor Jones and Jim Dempsey used sinking lines and lures to net a dozen fish from areas such as A buoy the Hensborough Bank and the Farborough Dam wall. Ian Richardson and John Ingham also had a dozen fish between them to the boat, using daddies on a floating line as well as fry patterns. Nick and Tony Parker netted over 20 fish from a drifting boat using small fry patterns. Mr R Coterill used a home made floating fry pattern and daddies to also net a total of 20 fish.

A suprisingly wet start on Sunday morning gave way to more ideal conditions through the afternoon. At one stage through the middle of the day a south westerly picked up, which made casting from the north shore quite difficult at times, but this eased out as the afternoon progressed. Overall, the bank fished pretty well yesterday producing a rod average of 2.9, against a total rod average for the day of 3.2. Out on the boats Sean and  Debbie Gilbert had 4 fish apiece but commented that they lost a lot more. Sean and Debbie caught their fish using sinking lines and lures such as snakes, cats whiskers and zonkers. Paul Mitchell and Tim  Burn had over 20 fish to the boat by keeping on the move and using FAB’s. Draycote guide Lee Henfrey and Michael Hanlon also had over 20 fish to the boat using tube flies fished on  DI3. The Draycote Fly Fishers held their bank pairs match on Sunday in which 14 anglers took part. In third place were Anthony Hart and Mike Nolan with 4 fish, second were William Hunt and Bryan Alwood with 5 fish, and the winners were David Rechtoric and Paul Walley with 6 fish.

yebrook Fishery Weekly Report – 01536 770264

**New Email Address**: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy As we enter the period of the year with expected higher water temperatures at the Eyebrook we alter the average size of trout we stock. Our stocking policy for the Eyebrook is explained on our website Stocking Policy | Fly Fish Eyebrook – Leicestershire Trout Fishery 

Week ending: 17^th Oct 21                Rod Average: 2.1                 Water Temp: 13c

After a weekend with very little wind, The Eyebrook has started off quite slowly for most. The water temperature is dropping, and the fish seem to be on a lot of different things at the moment. They are still coming up for foam daddies and hoppers. They have been hitting blobs, blob boobies, FABS, Popper fry and lots of smaller stuff in between. There are still quite a few fish moving along the front of the dam and along the netted bank. Anglers have been having some success out in open water with fry patterns as well as small dry flies. Most of the boat anglers were catching a few fish and the bank anglers were starting to pick a few up as well. Eyebrook Season ticket holder K. Johnson managed 3 from the bank on what was a challenging day.

Tuesday seen a bit of a stiffer breeze on the lake with a bit of a torrential downpour in the afternoon. Top rod on the day was E. Lee with 10 fish to the boat. A great start to a 2-day package at Eyebrook. All Water ticket holder J. Scott had 7 fish to the boat. Minkie poppers or size 16 bob’s bits were the flies doing the damage on the day. M Anderton also had 7. S Mabbitt also managed his first fish from a boat on his first outing. Surely a great way to start your fishing journey through life.

Wednesday seen Eyebrook host the EDFF once again for their Annual Fur and Feather match. Dave Porter was first on site in the morning to glean some information and get the kettle on for the rest of the anglers turning up. The conditions were near perfect with a gentle breeze and decent cloud cover. However, the fish were playing hard to get on the day. Ian Bradfield once again figured out the method and flies on the day to take first place and Steven Radcliffe took second place. Ian’s method on the day was fishing 2 FAB’s with small buzzers in between them. Collectively, the EDFF landed 50 fish between 9 of them to give a rod average of 5.5. an outstanding average considering the fishing was really challenging on the day.

Thursday was a strange day with the wind changing direction quite frequently. Eyebrook Season ticket holder R. Swinfield spent the morning fishing off the Island and managed 6 fish from the bank. he had at least another half a dozen offers to his popper minky and hare’s ear nymph before the fish started to move further away from the bank as the sun got higher in the sky. This was really promising news that the banks are starting to produce a few more fish. With the staff clearing the willows from the Island it has made life a lot easier to gain access to the water’s edge on the Island. Lots of boats were doing OK with 2 or 3 fish to the boat. Once again Andy Miller was out guiding, this time he was guiding Steve Hill and between them, they managed 11 to the boat. Yet again, living proof that Andy knows this water better than most and is probably the best man to take you out on a guided session on Eyebrook. If you are interested on a guided session with Andy, then follow the link to our guiding and tuition page: http://www.flyfishtuition.co.uk/

Friday morning was a clear indication that the winter months are approaching. As it was still dark as the staff opened up the lodge in the morning. The wind was a little stronger that predicted. It was definitely stronger than 9mph at the start of the day, but it started to subside as the day progressed. Anglers were catching from all over the reservoir south of the island. The most productive area was out along the netted bank to Robbo’s cabin and along the dam front. Top rod on the day was Ian Jobe. He managed over a dozen to the float tube. A third of his count all fell to a small international cats whisker. I wonder where he got that from. Dean Ward managed 7 to the boat on traffic light cormorants and a peach booby. Surely a sign that the fish are starting to hit fry patterns. Some of the regulars who specialise in fishing dries had done extremely well on the day as well.

Saturday was a nicer morning than the day before, but the weather was showing that it was about to change for the next few days. Most anglers found it a little bit more challenging to hook and land fish on the day. Frank Daly managed 8 fish on dries. Most of the regular anglers were picking a few up on a variety of different methods. Popper fry and diawl bach’s were accounting for quite a few of those fish.

Sunday seen the weather turn slightly with rain during the day. For most, the fishing was challenging with only a few managing to land good numbers of fish in on small patterns, size 16’s, all fished in or near the surface. Yet again, all water ticket holder N. Shilton managed to whittle out one of the lakes large resident Browns. A stunning fish at 7lbs 8oz. Yet again, Neil has perfectly demonstrated that you can catch some fantastic specimens on Eyebrook when you put the hours in. well done Neil.

As we come to the end of the week, the reality of the last day of the season getting closer is starting to hit home for the staff at Eyebrook. We have all been busy trying to clear the banks to ensure our anglers can get access to the areas of the bank that can be very productive at the tail end of the year. Before we know it, it will be the Eyebrook Fur and Feather match on the 24^th of October which will be the last match of the season in our diary. There are only a few spaces available, so it’s best to give us a call to get booked in before then.

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

“New Email address”  thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy As we enter the period of the year higher water temperatures we alter the average size of trout we stock our stocking policy for Thornton is explained on our website Stocking Policy | Fly Fish Thornton – Leicestershire Fly Fishery

Week Ending 17^th October.  Rod Av: 3.1  Water Temperature: 13.5c -14c

Monday although darker & cooler as we open up the fishery for the days fishing the forecast for the week is good, with light winds & for the time of year higher than expected daytime temperatures. Although some anglers are finding fish on the fry patterns were still seeing the majority of the trout caught taken on washing line or dries. Pete Hunt fished a washing line with a small biscuit fab on the point to take his 5 trout. B Menhams fished a short 3 hour session catching 4 on a dry caddis with all water member D Skudder catching 6 for his visit

Tuesday Arthur Olding targeted the fry feeder with a small sparkler booby & a humungus silver & white booby to boat his catch of 10 trout, all water member P Walker fished #14 claret bobs bits, small biscuit fab & small gold head pattern to catch his 9 trout. Water clarity is excellent.

Wednesday and were starting to see that autumnal transition period with two distinct methods producing, fry patterns, booby on sinkers with some still taking fish on floating line & dries. Thornton member Carl Bond caught 11 trout using Fry patterns on a sinker or diawls & muddler on a floater. David Hussey fished diawls & buzzer for his 9 trout with All Water member D Slesser catching his 8 on sinkers. I took my granddaughter out for the last couple hours, great evening rise with fish taking #14 Elk hair sedge see photo on our facebook page www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

Thursday Thornton member B Deeley fished a slow sinker gold & lime humungus down the Markfield arm to catch his 8 trout with Ian Brearley opting for a floater with daddy & sedge patterns to catch his 9 trout. S Frakes, R Dunnett & T Ward took to their float tubes catching 14 between them.

Friday the trout moved well during the afternoon & late evening with sinking lines & lures best for the morning session. Good concentration of trout across the main basin with more fish starting to move into the weed beds in front of the wood & up the arms. Thornton member G Jackson caught 7 on a booby losing a further 8 trout, members C Sayer & M Cross caught 15 mostly during the morning session on lures & booby. Brian Perrie fished buzzers to catch his 5 trout with P Broad using a variety of methods to catch his 7 trout.

Saturday little or no wind greeted the anglers with fish been caught from in front of the dam all the way down the Markfield arm. Thornton member M Clay fished buzzers to catch his 5 trout with members Brian Sibley & Alison Toon catching 9 trout for their visit. Keith Cowen fished booby patterns to catch his 4 trout with All Water members M Ravenscroft catching 4 on small dries for his afternoon visit with M Hunt fishing buzzers in the morning #16 single yellow owl to catch his 17 trout

Wet Sunday, more rain than forecast, catches dropped off, although a good late evening rise. Members S Swinfield and S Zeleny fished boobies to catch their 5 trout during the morning session, member R Price also fished a booby to catch his 3 trout with fish taken from in front of the dam all the way down the Markfield arm