Draycote Report W/E 2nd October 2022

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

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

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Week Ending:  2^nd October 2022              Rod Av: 3.6      Water Temperature: 14 °C

A showery day Monday with slightly strong winds than we have seen for a few weeks, as there was a large pressure change. On the boats Draycote member Ian Richardson landed a cracking fish of 5lb taken on a cormorant at Dougie’s Gap along the Cornfield. Fishing the first day of their three day break Brent Vinall & Andy Birkett enjoyed good sport landing 11 fish between them. With all their fish coming to dries or Popper fry with Daddies being their best pattern on the dries. Eddie Mitchell & Dave Kennel boated ten fish using daddies and washing lining drifting over the open water around A & B Buoy. Draycote member Kevin Rees used dries all day to land 9 fish landing his fish on Bob’s Bits around B Buoy and Y Buoy.

Not the most pleasant day for the anglers out on the water Tuesday with gusty winds and some heavy rain at times. Mr Bailey fished for his second day or a 2 day package break. Coming off early due to the journey back to Scotland, Mr Bailey landed 6 fish in just over a morning session. Landing his fish on yellow owls and balloon caddis drifting off the top dam wall. Another boat fishing on a package was Andy Birkett & Brent Vinall who landed 9 fish between then on dries and also pulling cormorants just under the surface. Tony Baldwin enjoyed a good day on the water sticking to dries all day to land 14 fish drifting off the top dam wall over the open water towards B Buoy and Y Buoy. Season ticket holder Martyn Hancox fished for a few hours on the bank in the evening. Opting to use Minkie patterns at the Tower bank and was rewarded with a brace of fish including a cracking 5lb 7oz Rainbow that was returned to the water.

Wednesday started bright and sunny with a north westerly breeze, with good cloud cover coming along about 11 o’clock. The water temperature is down to 14 degrees now and visibility is very good. Fish are being caught in quite a few different areas on the reservoir such as, Rainbow Corner, along the Tower Bank, Middle Shoal and Toft Shallows. Draycote regulars Mick Cronin and Stan Hillman fished the Tower Bank and landed a dozen fish between them, with two of the fish weighing in at over 5lbs each. Tony Broadway also fished from the bank near the Valve Tower and landed 3 fish on suspender minkies and crunchers. Jim Dempsey and Rod Wilson had 16 fish to the boat between them using lures and sinking lines on the rudder. Ian Richardson and Bob Barfoot caught 17 fish. Ian and Bob drifted from Y to N buoy using a slow tip and a DI3 with cormorants and minkie boobies. Norman Perkins and Steve Orton had a dozen between them on minkie boobies pulled either on or just under the surface. Andy Birkett and Brent Vinnall had 24 fish to the boat between them on pin fry patterns and dries.

Thursday started with good overcast conditions, a light northerly breeze, and a fine drizzle of rain. On the bank husband and wife due Tony & Ruth Kirk enjoyed a good days sport landing 8 fish between them. Fishing at the Tower Bank using floating fry patterns they landed a cracking Rainbow of 5lb 8oz which can be seen on here www.facebook.com/flyfishstore C J Day, also fished the bank landing 5 fish on Minkies landing 3 from Toft and 2 from the Tower Bank including fish of 5lb, 4lb 2oz and 3lb.  On the boats all water member Kevin Hart fished with John Hoskins landing 24 fish to the boat. They found the fish at N buoy and used fry patterns with Kev opting for popper minkies to land the majority of his fish. Draycote member John Falconbridge used snakes and cormorants to land 12 fish. Brent Vinall & Andy Birkett enjoyed their final day here at Draycote with the pair boatng a dozen fish on dries and fry patterns. Draycote member Kevin Rees also fished dries to land 10 fish. Fishery guide Lee Henfrey took the two Lack brothers out for a 4 hour guide. With Lee they landed 10 fish on white snakes fished on intermediates with he best area being drifting from the top dam wall towards B Buoy with the majority of the fish coming half way between the wall and B.

It wasn’t the best weather forecast for Friday, with the wind picking up in the afternoon bringing with it some heavy rain. In these conditions, only 3 boats ventured out onto the water, eventually heading for the shelter of the Draycote Dam. At this time of the season, whilst the fish are not hard on the fry, they will take Snakes and other lure patterns, such as minkie boobies and cats whiskers. Dries will also work in the right conditions, as will a washing line, with a sparkler booby on the point, and crunchers or diawl bachs on the droppers. Season permit holder Ray Rawlings took a boat out for half a day and used white snakes to net 3 fish drifting on to A and B buoy.

Saturday dawned with a clear blue sky, and a cold westerly breeze. The wind picked up about 11 o’clock and blew most of the boats in to shelter along the Draycote Dam. Considering the conditions, the reservoir fished pretty well overall giving a rod average of 4 for the day. Quite a lot of the fish caught fell to lures of some type, but some were also caught on cormorants, nymphs and floating fry patterns. Ivor Jones and Jim Dempsey put a bakers dozen in the boat fishing sinking lines and lures on the rudder. Mr A McKenna and Mr A Clarke had 19 fish to the boat between them using black crunchers and sunken daddies. Mr Neil Loughrey had 17 fish on cormorants. Neil used a 3 foot mini tip drifting between A and M buoy on the Hensborough Bank.

Sunday morning was overcast and calm to start with but became brighter as the morning progressed. However, the bright conditions didn’t seem to the bother the fish with boat the bank and boat anglers enjoying good sport. Draycote member Paul Walley fished on the Tower Bank with a white mini snake to land 11 fish. Ian Weston also fished the bank at Lincroft Point to land 4 fish. On the boats Jon Crowley landed 6 fish in a short morning session using an intermediate with a black snake and a yellow dancer. Landing his fish drifting along the Farnborough Dam to the spit with 2 of his fish weighting over 5lb. Mark Thistleton enjoyed a good day landing 9 fish using snakes on an intermediate line drifting around B Buoy, Y and N Buoy. Kasidit Leoviriyakit, fished from the boat in the morning before switching to the bank for the afternoon. He landed 17 fish during the day with 12 coming from the boat using hoppers for the most part and then he pulled snakes on the bank. The best catch of the day came from the boat of Ed Douglas and Jim Smith who boats 40 fish. The used snakes on Di 3 sinking lines and also intermediates with Olive Snake in both weightless and Boobies being their best patterns. Finding the fish at N Buoy, S Buoy, P Buoy, M Buoy and off the Draycote Dam. They commented the key was long draws and then handing the flies at the boat and landed a number of cracking fish up to 6lb with sharp fins and silver rays on the tail.

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 02 October 2022       Rod Av:  5.0      Water Temperature: 15-16°

Monday brought with it a moderate to strong North Westerly wind & clear skies. As the day progressed the wind abated & the sky filled with dense cloud. Consequently, the reservoir fished better in the afternoon than it did in the morning. Regular visit Alan Withers had a very productive day conducting long drifts across the Main Basin. Alan fished the washing line most of the day with a black Foam Daddy on the point, a small, black Muskins in the middle & a Black Midas on the top dropper. By the end of the day he had 18 fish to the boat & reported a lot of interest throughout the day. Elsewhere, Mr Hensell & Mr Buxton also had a productive day, landing 12 between them, fishing intermediates & cats’ whiskers also in the Main Basin. The fish are still in the top 3ft of water & given the right conditions they will quite happily feed on the surface.

There was a cool, damp start to Tuesday with a moderate North westerly breeze that brought with some heavy, isolated showers. The unsettled morning weather had a detrimental effect on the fishing as early fish were difficult to come by. The afternoon brought with some settled weather, consequently, the fishing improved. Long drifts across the Main Basin, aiming at intercepting the heavily podded fish, was again the order of the day. The fish remained in the first 3ft of water throughout the day & were caught on a variety of methods. Foam Daddies featured well on the catch returns, whether fished on the surface or just under it, they were equally effective. Other methods that were small Snakes & Cormorants on either a Slow Glass or a Fast Glass. There are so many ways to fish the upper layers & it has paid to chop & change until a successful method for that period has been identified. Once identified remain vigilant for any subtle changes in the conditions or fish behaviour & adjust the method accordingly if required.

Wednesday was a busy day at Eyebrook with all the boats booked out. Weather wise, it was an overcast morning with a moderate westerly breeze followed be an afternoon of sunny intervals. The reservoir continues to fish well with most of the fish getting caught in the first 3ft of water on a variety of methods across the Main Basin. There was fish caught on lures being pulled on Fast Glass Intermediates, washing lined nymphs & Foam Daddies on tip lines & floaters & also on the Dries. Allan Withers had another excellent day, landing 14 fish on the washing line with small black flies: Daddies, Midas & Muskins. The Fishing For Fun club also had another successful day, having landed 53 fish between 10 of them. It was their second successive day at Eyebrook & over the 2 days they had over 100 fish which is a great return, well done to all. The recent cooler weather has encouraged the Browns to start moving with Mr Richardson landing & returning a beautiful specimen of an estimated weight of 7 – 8lb. The fish was caught around the weed beds along the Hawthorns on a Dawsons Olive.

Thursday saw the wind swing round to the North with solid cloud cover until early afternoon, where the solid cloud gave way to broken skies & periods of bright sunshine. The reservoir fished extremely well with a lot of fish caught in the first few feet of water on a variety of methods. All Water Members Paul Walker & Mark Hunt both had very productive days on very different methods. Mark opted to fish dries & caught throughout the day by changing his flies regularly to match the changeable weather, particularly in the afternoon. When it was bright, he fished Popper Minkies & Foam Daddies, whilst overcast, he fished small CDC patterns. Paul chose to fish the washing line with a FAB on the point & small nymphs above it. Both anglers fished from drifting boat, staying mobile & covering a lot of water. Paul’s most productive drift was from the 3 Trees on the netted bank to the Hawthorns. Regular visitors Danny Peet & Varley also had a great day landing over 30 fish between them on Popper Hoppers & Snatchers, conducting long drifts through the Main Basin. The benefits of a drifting boat this time of year is that you are covering more water in the search of actively moving pods of fish, rather than remaining static & waiting the fish to come to you.

It was a misty, still start to Friday. As the day progressed, so did the wind & by the mid afternoon it was a strong southerly that brought heavy rain with it. Those that did brave the elements, caught very well as the reservoir yielded a daily rod average of 6.3, as fish were caught from both the bank & the boats. The key point remained to keep your flies in the top 3ft of water as fish were again caught on a variety of methods.  Dave Porter & Tony Ward had a very successful day landing well over 20 fish between them, pulling FABs on a Midge Tips & a Hover Line, up in front of Robbo’s Cabin. Mike Christie also caught very well from the boat but this time on a Half Hog Daddy. Whereas regular angler Nigel Woolnough caught well from the bank in what were at best, extremely challenging conditions. Nigel landed a very respectable 3 fish from Mucky Bay.

Saturday remained a dry day & the wind had abated slightly on the previous day. The reservoir continued to fish well with a good number of fish caught in the upper layers on a variety of methods. As with previous days, it was all about presenting your flies in the top 2ft of water, whether that was Dries, Nymphs on the Washing line or Cormorants & Lures on the Intermediate lines. The Main Basin remains the most productive area & those who covered the water by fishing on the drift fared a lot better than those who remained static on the anchor. Eyebrook hosted the Dave Carter charity pairs match which saw 16 anglers take to the water & under fishery rules they caught 68 fish between them which gave them a rod average of 4.25. Congratulations goes to the overall winning pair of our very own resident guide Andy Miller & regular angler Dave Etty. Andy weighed in 3 fish for 8lb 1oz which was a cracking bag for the day. Thank you for all participants & those supporting the event who made for a very enjoyable day, well done to all.

Sunday was another very productive day where the Reservoir fished very well. We hosted the latest match for the Alex Booth Fly Fishers where 15 anglers took to the water & caught 93 fish between them which gave them a rod average of 6.2 which is an excellent return, well done to all. Top rod on the day was Kev Slater who had 17 pipping Andy Cotterill, who also had 17 fish, by a matter of ounces. Kev fished a Foam Daddy on the point & a Claret Hopper above it. Most of his fish came to the Claret Hopper. Elsewhere, All Water Members Sue & Neil Potts had a great day landing over 20 fish between them, drifting onto Robbo’s fishing the Washing Line. Eyebrook Season Ticket holders Roy Swinfield & Lynsey Bates also had a very productive day landing well over 30 fish on Foam Daddies & UV Crunchers. What is noticeable in the Main Basin, there are a lot of fish sat between 75 – 100m off the bank over the deeper water. As the water temperature continues to decrease these fish will begin to move closer into the bank in their search of food. It has already been noticeable that early in the morning there is a lot of Fry feeding activity around the pontoon. This bodes extremely well for the forthcoming weeks.

Only a few spaces available: The 2022 Eyebrook Fur & Feather will be held on Sunday 23rd Oct. The Fur & Feather is a Pairs Competition fished to a 12 fish Boat Limit & Fishery Rules. The price is £83.50 per pair which includes 2 x 6 fish Tickets & Boat costs, Members can use their season tickets & just have to pay for a member’s boat. For anyone who is interested please call the Lodge on 01536 770264 for bookings.

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:2 October       Rod Av:2.5     Water Temperature: 14c

As were officially into the autumn there is a definite change to the weather, noticeably cooler. Monday a cold, brisk northerly wind made for challenging conditions with anglers struggling on the day.

Tuesday was a better day, less wind & not as cold with anglers spreading themselves along the Thornton arm down into the Markfield arm. Mixture of flies taking fish from daddies, fabs, diawl bach to small fry patterns fished on an intermediate, tip lines or floater. T miles caught 7 for his mornings fishing down the Markfield arm, P Eville caught 5 with Paddy fitch catching 4 off the bank opposite the lodge. If your coming to fish the bank there is some weed about which you need to wade through, be sure to bring waders.

Wednesday, and were and were starting to see a few more fish taking fry patterns. Keith Cowen caught 4 on fry patterns and booby with R Price fishing a silver minkie booby to catch his 4 fish with Jamie Scott catching 7 on a daddy, diawl bach and fab during the late afternoon when the trout started moving. Markfield arm, opposite the lodge fished best.

Thursday a mixed day, Paddy Fitch fished the afternoon session catching 6 with L Serrano also fishing the afternoon catching 7 trout. Ian Leach fished a fab to catch his 4 trout with B Stone joining Paddy Fitch in his boat later in the afternoon and catching 3. David Hussey also fished the afternoon session catching 3 on a diawl bach. Later in the afternoon anglers reported a good rise down the Markfield arm

Friday with wind and strong wind forecast for the afternoon only 1 boat ventured out for a morning session, Chris Sayer who caught 5 trout

Saturday and were in that transition period of the autumn, some fish still on the dries while others are on the fry. Jan Webber caught 13 on  DI7, blue flash damsel and booby, L Serrano caught 11 for his afternoon session, Mark Hunt fished straight line buzzers moving to dries for the last hour to catch his 10 trout

Sunday, light winds, bright at times had anglers reaching for their floating & sinking lines. L Serrano returned for another afternoon session this time fishing a white minkie to catch his 8 trout. D Woodall caught 5 with 2 on a cdc pattern & 3 on a fast sinker and booby, during the last hour the trout did move across the main basin to the stones with P Cook catching 3 on daddies