Missing Report from 10th July 2022

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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Week Ending:  Sunday 10th July 2022              Rod Av:  3.7    Water Temperature:  19°C

A bright warm start to the week, however as forecast cloud cover did roll in about 11am. The cloud cover certainly helped he bank fishing with the best catch of the day coming from the bank. Draycote member James Kelly enjoyed a great day’s sport landing 13 fish from the Swan’s Nest in Toft. Using Diawl Bach’s and Damsel patterns to land his fish. Out on the boats John Dickens enjoyed a good day landing 9 fish using a washing line with buzzers on the droppers. A fellow angler who used buzzers to great effect on the boats was Francis Campbell who landed 7 fish, all on red buzzers. Kevin Rees used his trusty dries to land 6 fish with his best patterns being Crippled Midge & Bob’s Bits.

Nearly identical weather as the previous day on Tuesday, however, the cloud did clear later in the day. All water member Ken Key fished for a short 4 hour session on the bank during the middle section of the day to land a brace from the Cornfield. Bernard McCarthy also fished from the bank for an afternoon to land 3 fish all from the Swan’s Nest in Toft. The cooler water temperatures this year are certainly helped the fish remain closer to the margins for longer than normal. On the boats Geoff Allsop & Graham Wood enjoyed a good day using dry flies. The pair drifted from the Valve Tower over towards C Buoy and the Aerators using Claret Hoppers and suspender dries to land 15 fish to the boat. Also fishing around this area the boat paring of Vic & Pete also landed 8 fish, but did comment as to how they caught them.

Overcast conditions Wednesday with quite a strong breeze, as a result of the overcast skies the fish seemed to be sitting not only high in the water, but, there was once again a good proportion close to the bank. C.J Day fished in Biggin Bay on the bank to land 15 fish, with the fish sitting 12-20ft from the edge. With his Colin’s best flies being Damsel emerger, black buzzer and a red cruncher. Another bank angler who enjoyed great sport was Brian Joseph who only fished for 5 hours landing a dozen fish all on nymphs fished along the Cornfield. Another angler finding the fish close to the bank was former Fishery Manager Kevin Hart. Kev, fished by the Willow Tree in Toft fishing close to the shore to land over 30 fish to the boat. His set up was a #5 rod, floating line then a team of nymphs with 2 crunchers and a Damsel on the point. All water member Ed Douglas landed 19 fish opting to stick with dries all day. The best pattern for Ed was a CDC shuttlecock, with his best area drifting from the Valve Tower towards C Buoy. Draycote member Jim Hall, like Kevin, fished tight in to the bank at Toft landing 15 fish on a team of Diawl Bachs. John Falconbridge also enjoyed good sport in Toft, once again on Crunchers & Diawl Bachs. Fishing for the afternoon Matt Crisp & Paul Newnham landed 14 fish between them from Rainbow Corner on CDC dries and commented “very good fish”.

More overcast cool conditions Thursday morning, with the sun breaking through late in the afternoon leaving a very warm afternoon & evening. Draycote season ticket holder Paul Walker fished on the bank landing 5 fish on Diawl Bachs from Biggin Bay. With beginner season ticket holders Tim Illsley & Andrew Tasker also fishing the bank landing a brace each from the Cornfield. A busy day for Beginner season ticket holders with Colin & Tracy Wilson also on the water but fishing from a boat. With Tracy landing her first fish while out on her own after a couple of session of instruction. Tracy’s fish took a hot head Diawl Bachs near the Aerators, a massive WELL DONE Tracy hope it’s the first of many. Draycote season ticket holders David Holding & Geoff Brooks fished from a boat with he pair landing a dozen fish from Toft by the Willow tree using a team of nymphs fished on a floating line. John Clifford fished in the middle around K Buoy and N Buoy to a land 10 fish in a morning using an intermediate and various lures. All water member Ed Douglas fished for another day landing 24 fish with 13 falling to dries. Ed, fished around X Buoy and P Buoy in the morning on dries before heading down to Toft in the afternoon. Another angler who found dries to be a good method for catching was Kevin Rees who landed 15 fish on crippled midge and CDC Culs.

A warm day Friday with the sun making an appearance all day. A number of anglers fishing Draycote were in the Repechage on Sunday so exact numbers and tactics were a little scarce. On the bank the bright weather slowed what had been some great  bank sport. However, Stan Hillman did manage a brace from the Tower bank. On the boat Michael Hanlon landed 7 fish using a Midge Tip line with a washing line. With his best patterns being a cruncher on the dropper teamed with a Cat Whisker booby on the point landing fish from the Aerators and also near J Buoy. Another boat who caught at J Buoy was that of Paul Roach and Jeff Mason, the pair used a washing line on a floater and also dries even in the bright sun to land their fish. Mr B Barlow fished the boats for the afternoon to land 6 fish. Mr Barlow used a washing line to land his fish with the best drifts being around B, C and D Buoy. All water member Craig Middleton enjoyed a good days sport landing 9 fish using a 12ft slow tip with a washing line with most of the fish taking the FAB on the point.

A scorching day Saturday, however, the day did start with cloud cover, although this didn’t last very long. However, while the cloud was over Matt Nuttall practicing for the Repechage the next day landed fish on dries. Then when the sun come out the fishing certainly slowed up with the anglers keeping how they caught close to their chest. There was defiantly a mix of reports on they caught, with some people optioning for a washing line on a midge tip with FABs and nymphs while other anglers went for Di 5s and boobies. Outside of the anglers practicing for the match on Sunday, Mark Thistleton landed 7 fish on snakes using a Di 7 sinking line. With fellow Draycote member Tim Davies landing 5 fish using a pink booby on a Di 5 sinking line around the aerators and C Buoy.

A very warm day Sunday with temperatures sitting in the high 20s and very little to no wind. Certainly not ideal conditions for the 32 anglers competing in the Angling Trust- Team England Loch Style Repecharge looking for a final chance to make into the national final in September. As expected the conditions made the fishing challenging, but the anglers did manage a very respectable rod average of 3.5 fish per angler. Winning the day with an impressive 12 fish was Alex Johnstone who used a Di 7 sinking line with a mix of boobies and cormorants to land his fish, with his best area being the Valve Tower. In Second was Robert Williams and Third, his boat partner Martin Griffiths who landed 11 and 10 fish. Like Alex they used Di 7 sinking lines with boobies and cormorants to land their fish, but the hotspot for them was A Buoy. However, it wasn’t just sunk lines that caught the fish Andrew Haskins fished a 12ft Slow Tip 2 Muskins and a foam daddy around A buoy to land 8 fish giving him 4 place. For a full list of the results please see www.facebook.com/flyfishstore

Outside of the competition Draycote season ticket holder Jon Crowley landed 5 fish, only out on the water for 4 hours before it got to hot. Jon, used a 12ft slow tip with an orange blob on the point and cormorants on the droppers. Taking his fish on one long and very slow drift from Rainbow Corner, Hensborough Bank and out to K Buoy. The best catch of the day came to fellow Draycote season ticket holder Mark Braun who landed over 25 fish fishing at Y Buoy. Mark used a Di 7 sinking line with a 5ft leader and a small comp legal humungus booby fished on a 5 foot leader.

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – 01536 770264

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website: www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre-payment policy. The 2022 details are on our website:  http://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: Sunday 10 Jul 22       Rod Av:   4.0          Water Temperature:  20-22°C

The start of the week brought with it a moderate South-Westerly breeze which swung round to the West as the day progressed. There was on occasions, some decent cloud cover, which was interspersed with sunny intervals. The Reservoir fished well, recording a daily rod average of 4.3. Fish were caught across the Main Basin with Dries proving to be the most productive approach. On the day the most effective patterns proved to be Foam Daddies, Adult Damsels, Big Reds & small CDC’s. All water member Ian Jobe landed 10 fish in what was a relatively short session. Ian also spent a considerable amount of time targeting some of Eyebrook’s larger resident Browns on fast sinking lines & a large Humungous. After losing a substantial fish, Ian then returned to fishing higher up in the water column to catch his 10 fish. Enjoying day 1 of a 3-day Short Break package, Mr Benjamin & Simmons had a productive day, landing well into double figures between them, all on the Dries.

The reservoir continued to fish well on Tuesday. The day started with a stiff, cool West/Northwest breeze & overcast. As the day progressed the breeze lightened, bringing with it sunny intervals & a rise in the air temperature. This meant that the Damsel hatch that had previously been occurring late morning to early afternoon, did not occur until late afternoon, early evening. This reflected in the reservoir fishing very well in the evening with All Water Member, Albert Coales catching a very high number of fish in a relatively short space of time. Throughout the day fish were caught all through the Main Basin, either on a washing lined floater with Diawl Bachs on the droppers or on the Dries. Another All Water Member, Jamie Scott caught well throughout by utilising the washing line early on & them caught on the Foam Daddies & Damsels later. Foam Daddies caught well throughout, the trout seemed to prefer the larger profile of the Foam Daddy today, what with the bigger wave. Whereas the adult Blue Damsel or Blue Foam Daddy did not really become effective until later in the day, once that air temperature had increased.

Wednesday bought with it a light to moderate westerly breeze & a good amount of cloud cover. Therefore, the reservoir fished well to the Dries from the off. Season Ticket holder Mr Johnson had a great day on the Dries, with most of his fish falling to a Grunter from numerous locations around the reservoir. Malcolm Baker thoroughly enjoyed his session with resident Guide Andy Miller, catching numerous fish on Blue Foam Daddies from the relatively shallow water of Mucky Bay. We offer numerous Guiding options on all of our fisheries & If you are at all interested in any of the options, please follow this link https://www.flyfishtuition.co.uk/  or phone Tom Bird on 01788 812018. Fish were caught from all over, from the weedbeds along the Leicester Bank up into Sam’s Dyke, all across the Main Basin to the deeper water off the netted bank. The banks also produced, with those willing to fish over the weed being rewarded for their endeavours with some explosive action. A point to note is when you are fishing around the weedbeds it is sometimes better fishing with a single fly as it is easier to control & not having a trailing dropper will prevent it snagging in the weed when you are playing fish.

On Thursday, the day started with almost perfect conditions with a light breeze & plenty of cloud cover. As the day progressed the wind swung round to the north & gathered in pace. This did not affect the air temperature too much as there was a significant Damsel hatch mid-late morning. Subsequently, the reservoir fished very well with plenty of fish caught on Blue Damsels, Foam Daddies & CDC Emergers. Mr Williams & Heritage had a great day catching a high number of fish on Damsels & CDC’s from various locations. All water member Andy Lilly also had a very productive session landing 9 fish in a relatively short session. Andy fished Foam Daddies on the washing line in the Main Basin picking up fish from various locations. We have started working on the bank access at Harrison’s Corner & this will continue around to Robbos’s Cabin. This will give bank anglers access to deeper water relatively close in which will become very important as the water temperature looks set to rise due to the recent warmer weather.

Friday saw the start of the recent high pressure. With it, it brought a rise in air temperature & bright clear skies. Consequently, the water temperature started to rise, starting the day at 20 degrees it rose 2 degrees during the day. This made fishing relatively challenging, however, there was still fish caught with those catching well fishing dry Damsels over the deeper water. All water member John Duncan caught 8 from the Main Basin on Blue Foam Daddies & Rob Keeber caught 10 on the Dries over the deeper water. Well done to both anglers as this was an excellent effort given the conditions.

Saturday started with a brief spell of overcast cloud which soon gave way to searing sunlight. The water had increased again overnight & now stood at 21 degrees. This did not deter the fish from feeding hard on adult damsels & there was plenty caught throughout the day. As well as being caught on the Blue Dry Damsels, fish were also caught on the washing line. The fly that seemed to be doing the damage on the washing line, was the one that was nearest the surface be that a FAB or a Booby. Some anglers also tried fishing deep on fast sinkers which did prove successful; Season Ticket Holder Neil Shilton had 6 from his Float Tube.  The percentage method seemed to be the Dries though, with fish not only caught over the Main Basin but they were also caught down by the Cowshed. The most successful patterns were Blue Foam Daddies, Blue Dry Damsels, Foam Daddies & Grunters. Season Ticket holder Mick Farrell had a very productive day with his boat partner landing over 20 to the boat, mostly on the Dries. With the water temperature on the steady rise, the fish will eventually start to move down in the water column as they seek the cooler water, don’t discount the use of sinking lines, especially over the Main Basin.

Sunday brought with it bright sunshine, without a cloud in the sky & the lightest of ripples. Venturing out in these challenging conditions was the All Abilities Fly Fishers. They managed 45 fish between 23 anglers giving them a rod average of 1.95, which is a great effort given the conditions. Those that had the more productive days fished Damsel patterns around the weed beds in the shallower areas, Sam’s Dyke & Mucky Bay. Fish were caught on small Damsel Boobies on the washing line & then Blue Dry Damsels once the Damsel hatch was in full flow. The fish over the deeper water in the Main Basin could be seen moving consistently during the day but they were harder to catch. Despite still feeding on the surface It would appear that these fish are starting to sit a little deeper in the water column & as the warmer weather looks set to continue they will drop deeper still.

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre payment policy for 2022 details are on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending:  10^th July      Rod Av: 7.4      Water Temperature: 18c+ – 20c+

Monday with a rod average 7.3 to start the week helped by the water temperature at 18c+ and a brisk cooler north westerly wind helping to keep the fish in the top few feet of the water. Floating lines, midge tip and intermediate with orange daddies, muddlers, yellow owls, buzzer, fab, diawl bach and damsel patterns taking fish. Surprisingly for Thornton during July there are good numbers of fish up the Thornton arm but the majority are being caught in front of the dam, green bay, stones and across the main basin. J Brinksman on his first visit to Thornton caught 8 on an olive nomad, Dennis barns fished a morning session catching 6 on fab & hopper with Bb Menhams fishing damsel & diawls to catch his 6 trout during a morning’s visit. G Jackson & Gary Owen shared a boat for the day catching 4 trout between them.

Tuesday and with this early July weather still on our side we enjoyed another excellent days fishing with the rod average 8.2 Andre Russel & Gary Cragg fished from their float tubes catching 27 between them along the stones on a diawl bach. A Lilley & S England shared a boat catching 40 fishing a washing line with P Cox fishing a sink tip & fabs to catch his 15 trout. All Water member Dave Slessor caught 17 for his visit with J Wright on his first visit to Thornton catching 6 for his mornings visit on a small olive snake. Water temperature was 18c+ at 7am with a strong cool northerly wind & some cloud cover which all helped to keep the fish in the top few feet of the water

Wednesday and the forecast continues to be kind to the angler with todays rod average 5.6  Floating to intermediate lines are still best with dries & emergers such as small orange or brown daddies, hoppers & yellow owls, muddlers & small fabs pulled through the surface with diawl bach, olive or black buzzers, damsel & small olive snakes. Best area continues to be in front of the main dam, stones & across the main basin. H Davies fished an olive snake to catch his 15 trout for a mornings visit. T Hutchinson also fished a morning catching 10 on orange daddy & black epoxy buzzer with S Lorenso catching 20+ on fabs, damsels & hoppers.

Thursday & a busy day for early July with the anglers enjoying an excellent days fishing with the rod average 9.6 for the day. Majority of the trout were high in the water taking dries, damsel, fabs, diawls & hares ear. Paddy Fitch decided to fish the bank concentrating his efforts to the Thornton Arm, wading through the weed he fished hares ear & gold head damsel to catch 21 trout. Andre Russell & Gary Crag float tubed fishing with diawls & blue flash damsels to catch 45 trout between them. Bob Jones continues to enjoy a successful season at Thornton catching 17 on suspended olive buzzer, blue flash damsel & booby. David Rowbottom fished a morning session catching 8 on diawls & cats whisker with Mr Caley fishing Thornton for the first time in a number of years catching 11 trout for his mornings visit on emergers. I Shepherd another angler returning to Thornton after a number of years fished with P Fletcher catching 10 between them on Montana & Diawls. Mick Smith & J Wenlan caught 36 for their visit with Mike commenting on the quality of the dry fly fishing during the morning. Jason on a day off from his ranger duties at the Eyebrook caught 10 for his afternoons session.

Friday and the start of the warmer spell that’s forecasted. S Swinfield & S Zeleny opted for the fast sinking line & booby approach catching 5 for their mornings visit. Lee Henfrey on a day off from his Draycote fishery ranger duties fished with Kevin Hart boating 40 trout on crunchers, nemo, damsel & fabs starting their morning fishing the main basin before moving into the Thornton arm. Couple boats opted for the last 4 hour session finding fish still feeding in the Thornton arm with J Brown catching 4 on a fraser nymph with Sam & Paul Cook fishing sedge patterns to catch their 3 trout.

Saturday a quiet day due to the hot weather forecast but the anglers missed a good day with the daily rod average 4.4 Keith Cowen caught 6 on sinking lines with a cats whisker booby over the deeper water. Martin Clay also caught 6 from the deeper water but also the shallower water in the Thornton arm. K Hart and D Pacey fished the afternoon and evening fishing up the Thornton arm with nymphs they caught 8

Sunday and the hottest day of the year so far, not many rods out fishing & the ones that did fished the morning session with fast sinkers booby, damsel & bloodworm patterns. Carl Bond caught 4 for his visit with P Hunt catching 3 overall rod average 2.3 for the day

Overall & excellent July week with the rod average an excellent 7.4 Water clarity remains good but the water temperature is up to 20c+ This coming week with the current forecast expect the mornings to fish best with the deeper cooler water in front of the dam, buoys & stones fishing best