Draycote Report W/E 13th August 2023

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

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:   Sunday 13^th August 2023  Rod Av:  4.22 Water Temperature: 17 °C

A bright start to the week, with the wind starting in the West but soon swung round to the Northwest, with cloud arriving in the afternoon. On the bank Draycote member James Kelly landed 4 fish, taking all of them in the morning despite the bright conditions from Toft. James, fished with silver Thorax pheasant tails and Diawl Bach’s to land his fish. On the boats Peter Elliot fished with Lee Patten with the pair landing 19 fish, drifting over the middle using Grunters. All water member Ed Douglas also fished dries to land his dozen fish. Ed kept changing his flies in order to keep catching and found that it was the afternoon that fished better with his best flies being crippled midge, shuttlecock CDC and Klinkhammer. Fellow dry fly fan Kevin Rees also used dries all day to land 16. Using his standard size 14 skinny cripple midge. All water member Pete Eville fished with Mark Lee with the pair boating 22 fish. Using an Airflo 6ft slow tip with a Candy FAB on the point and hoppers on the droppers. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Barfoot finished with 24 fish to the boat. With the pair using either a Di 3 sinking line, Intermediate or Midge Tip with a snake on the point, cormorant in the middle and a blob on the top dropper. The best areas they found being Y, N & M Buoy. All water member and former manager Kevin Hart enjoyed a fantastic days sport, landing 24 fish. Keving fished over Musborough using suspender fly patterns on intermediate or floating line.

An overcast day Tuesday with drizzle for the most part of the afternoon. On the bank Alec Twaites enjoyed a great morning landing 5 fish from the old pipe in Biggin Bay. Alec used a white humungus on a floating line after spotting the fish chasing fry, after closer examination after taking his first fish. They were feeding on sticklebacks, and the white humungus accounted for his further 4 fish. With some really quality fish amongst them putting fish back of 5lb. Beginner member Andrew Tasker also found good sport in the morning from the bank landing 4 fish. On the boats Draycote member David Stott landed 8 fish using an intermediate line, with a cats whisker and a black booby. Taking his fish from Toft and also Lincroft point. Brendan Thomas fished around N & Y Buoy landing 10 fish pulling tequila FABs on an intermediate line and commented on the “quality fish” Ed Douglas once again used dries to great effect landing 15 fish with cripple midge and shuttlecocks being his best patterns. Fishery Ranger & guide Lee Henfrey went out fishing after his morning shift landing 16 fish. Using a RIO 3ft midge tip with a white snake on the point with cormorants and hoppers on the droppers using a slow roly-poly retrieve. With Lee’s best areas being around N buoy and Musborough Shoal and like Alec, commented the fish are hitting the fry around the weed.

A warmer day Wednesday, than we have experienced recently with air temperatures touching 25°C. However, with all the colder weather the water temperature remained cool. Mike Garner fished from the bank landing 4 fish, two on cormorants and two on Silver Invicta. With the fishing coming from Lincroft Point & The Swan’s Nest. Fishing from the boats Mr Gregory from America fishing his final day on a 3 day package, landed 6 fish. With 2 of the 6 being grown on Rainbows of 4 & 5lb, catch on a minkie fished on a Di 3 at N Buoy. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Smith landed 21 fish to their boat, drifting around Musborough Shoal and M Buoy. The pair used Di3 sinking lines or intermediate with cormorants, FABs and snakes all taking fish. Mike Gillett & Colin Campbell fished a washing line to land 11 fish to their boat with most of the fish taking the FAB, with Toft being their best area. The best catch of the day came to the boat of Matt Harris, who struggled during the day. Until around 5pm a huge buzzer hatch took place, and as the wind dropper “nearly every fish in the lake was on the surface feeding” Using a 10ft #4 to help present the flies quietly in the calm conditions Matt landed over 40 fish all on dries.

Another warm day on Thursday, with temperatures reaching high 20s, although thankfully the water temperature still remained at a fish friendly 17°C first thing in the morning. Jim Dempsey fished for a morning landing 6 fish from the boat. Using a Di 3 and snakes to start before swapping to a Di 7 to take a further 4 fishing around Y Buoy. Ian Morris fished down in Toft using a foam daddy to land his 5 fish. David Holding & Geoff Brooks fished around N & M Buoy using a midge tip line with a sparkler booby on the point and hoppers on the dropper to land 5 fish. All water member Pete Webb fished with S Charter with the pair boating 11 fish, but unfortunately left no comments as to how. Fellow all water members Fraser Duffy Senior & Junior used a washing line with a FAB on the point to also land 11 fish. Making the most of the last four hours Draycote member Peter Elliot fished with David Hoppe with the pair landing 10 fish between them on dries fishing around A Buoy and Rainbow Corner. Make the journey from Bristol Dave Reynolds & Paul Golding landed 20 fish between them on a mix of washing lining and also dries later in the afternoon.

Friday was calm to start with but turned bright and blustery as the morning progressed. Once again, we had a good amount of anglers take to the water and use a wide variety of methods to make some good returns. Alex Campbell caught 3 fish on cormorants  fished on a DI3 line during a morning session. M bouy and the Flat Stones were his best areas. Ed Douglas used dries to good effect, catching 10 fish on bob’s bits, the F fly and shipmans buzzers. Debbie and Sean Gilbert fished near the Hensborough Bank used humungus and crunchers to net 3 fish between them. Kevin Rees had a bumper day, netting a total of 17 fish on dries such as crippled midge and the F fly. Kevin Hart and John Hoskins had a bakers dozen between them using a fast glass and a DI5 line, with lures and boobies.

An overcast start Saturday, with sun arriving later in the day with quite a gusty Southwest wind. Jon Crowley took to the boat for a morning session to land 8 fish drifting from M Buoy to K using a black and green snake on a Di 5 sinking Line. As well as using a popper fry fished on a floating line. Steve Barby fished with boat partner Mike used the Rudder to great effect lading 19 fish to the boat fishing with snakes and tubes around Y Buoy & X Buoy. Husband & Wife Neil and Sue Potts fished in Rainbow Corner using a washing line. With a FAB on the point and nymphs on the dropper and also the Bung to land 5 fish. Draycote member Paul Walker using a Damsel on the point and Diawl Bachs on the droppers to land 19 fish. Fishing around Rainbow Corner to A Buoy and then M drifting to K Buoy.

Much better conditions on Sunday with overcast skies all day, with the wind remaining in the Southwest but at times was a little gusty. All water member Kevin Hart fished with Dave Pacey with the pair boating 19 fish. With Kevin using fry patterns such as olive zonkers, mini snakes and also floating fry. While Dave went for FABs and a Damsel. Catching their fish off the Draycote Dam Wall and also the Tower Bank. James Alexander fished for a morning landing 10 fish, drifting from N Buoy to X Buoy using a brown foam daddy fished on a floating line. Draycote member Paul Mitchell fishing with Tim Burn found washing lining and then dries to the their best method landing 26 fish to their boat. Bob Fitzpatrick fishing with Sir Bob Cooper landed 24 fish to their boat drifting from Rainbow Corner towards A Buoy on “various nymphs” All water members Frazer Duffy Snr & Jnr caught 24 on a mix of FABs on a washing line and also dries drifting around M Buoy, A Buoy and N Buoy. Overall a great end to the week with the rod average ending on 5.11 fish per angler.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd 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 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26^th 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

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: 13^th August   Rod Av:  3.5        Water Temperature: 18°c

Monday saw a moderate south westerly breeze push round to a westerly as the day progressed which brought with it some extended periods of sunshine. The fishing remained challenging in the Main Basin with plenty of fish being seen but very few willing to take a fly. One angler who did catch a few was All Water Member Ian Jobe who landed 6 from his Float Tube. Ian fished lures on different sinking lines to tempt his fish but very few of those took his flies at depth, with all his takes coming either at the start of his retrieve or at the end.

There was a gentle westerly breeze on Tuesday which brought with it consistent cloud all day with the occasional light rain. The reservoir continued to be challenging with the fish in the Main Basin proving to be, once again, temperamental to tempt. One angler who found a method that worked on the day was All Water Member Mark Hunt who fished a small, single Dry Fly on a long leader to land 9 fish. This was an excellent return on the day. Off the bank, Eyebrook regular, Nigel Woolnough targeted the fish feeding on Sticklebacks around the weedbeds & was rewarded with a couple of hard-earned fish from the Chestnut & Sam’s Dyke. Nigel proved once again just how important it is to target feeding fish with the relevant representation of a food item the fish are known to be feeding on.

Wednesday started in a flat calm with bright, clear skies with fish seen moving across the Main Basin. A gentle southerly breeze quickly developed but the skies remained clear. On a short morning session was Brian White, quickly got amongst fish on a tan Foam daddy & he ended up landing 4 fish after being connected to several others. Elsewhere, All Water Members Ian Jobe & Clive Moore landed over double figures after finding fish later in the day. Clive & Ian used lures drifting across the Main Basin.

Thursday started the day with flat calm conditions & bright, clear skies. As the day progressed, a moderate to strong southerly wind developed & the skies remained clear for the duration of the day. On the boats fish were found tight along the Dam, along Harrisons to the netted bank, in front of Robbo’s Cabin & also in the open water of the Main Basin. Eyebrook Member Victoria Liggins had a very productive session landing 7 fish on Foam Daddies whereas, another Eyebrook Member, Stuart Bilsdon & his regular fishing partner Tony Tibbert, caught very well on CDC’s once they had located the fish.  Out on a short, guided session, Francois Olivier under the watchful eye of Guide & Eyebrook Manager Lloyd Thompson, also had a productive session. They caught a good number of fish on a variety of methods, from pulling lures on a sinking line to a washing line fished on an Intermediate Line, finding fish 2-3ft down. For further information on the Guiding services we provide, please use the following link  https://www.flyfishtuition.co.uk/guiding/. On the banks, Malcolm Thompson yet again found the fish willing to take a Floating Fry over the weedbeds down at the Hawthorns, landing 3 fish in a morning session.

The weather was much the same as the previous day with the only difference being that there were some extended periods of cloud. Subsequently, the reservoir fished much the same with the fish remaining high up in the water column & some good returns recorded. From the boats, Mr Hastie & Mrs Simms caught very well fishing Nymphs on the washing line in the Main Basin. Out on his Float Tube, Tony Barkley, was another to catch very well. Conducting long drifts through the Basin, Tony landed 14 fish on a variety of flies & lines.

Initially Saturday saw a moderate southerly breeze, with a good amount cloud cover. However, by the afternoon the wind had built & there were some extended periods of sunshine. Subsequently the reservoir was more productive in the morning than the afternoon as fishing conditions became challenging. Despite the deterioration in the weather, overall, the reservoir fished very well with some great returns recorded from the boats, float tubes & the bank. The Main Basin as it has been, was holding a lot of fish & these fish were feeding hard throughout, succumbing to most methods that targeted the upper layers, washing lined floating lines, straight lined floating lines & Dries. From the banks, regular visitor Malcolm Thompson returned for what proved to be a very productive morning, landing 12 from the Hawthorns. There was a large contingent of Float Tubers on the water, all of whom caught with Tony Barclay being the top rod amongst them landing 12 fish. Members Bob Margery & Andy Lilley both enjoyed productive morning sessions in their respective boats, landing 12 & 14 fish. Bob used the Washing Line with a FAB on the point, whereas Andy used Dries & the Washing Line to tempt his fish.

It was an overcast start to the day with light southerly wind that had developed into a strong, gusty wind by early afternoon with some extended periods of sunshine. As in the previous day, this made fishing in the afternoon a tad more challenging than it was in the morning. Benefitting from the better weather in the morning was a Mr Bridge, who fished a Blob Booby on the point on his washing line with Cormorants & Nymphs on the Droppers to land 20 fish in a morning session. Another to catch over 20 fish was All Water Member Mark Hunt, who fished a team of Foam Daddies to tempt is his fish. Elsewhere, Eyebrook Member, Neil Shilton took to his Float Tube & fished deep with lures looking for some overwintered fish & was duly rewarded with 7 fish to 4lb. From the banks Malcolm Thompson had another productive day targeting the fry feeding fish down by the Hawthorns. Malcolm fished Hares Ear CDC’s over the weedbeds & went on to land 5 fish. The Main Basin remains the most productive boat area with fish being found throughout. From the bank, the Hawthorns continues to fish well & the Dam wall is historically a very productive bank area this time of year.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free day’s fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free day’s 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

03 September – Eyebrook Fly Fishers – Single Fly, 8 Boats.

06 September – England Disabled Fly Fishers, 15 Boats + 2 WB’s

09 & 10 September – England Ladies National, 15 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.

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton 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: 13^th August Rod Av: 2.2    Water Temperature: 20c+

Monday a northerly wind, surprisingly strong at times. Surprisingly few fish reported to be seen feeding off the surface compared to the weekend. Pete Hunt fished an intermediate line in front of the public car park, an area that does produce some shelter on a northerly. Pete caught 13 on a tequila blob and buzzers with most offers in the top 3ft.

Tuesday westerly breeze some fish moving but didn’t fish as well as expected. Most caught on floating lines, tip lines or intermediate with daddies, claret hopper, small buzzer & nymphs. Most rods fished the morning session with P Martindale out for the afternoon evening, it was the part of the day we saw most fish moving with Paul hooking 5 but landing 3 mostly to the claret hopper.

Wednesday busy day, all the morning boats out with some booked for the afternoon & evening. Best of the sport was from 11.00am onwards it was a bit disappointing that a flat calm came during the last few hours. It was a varied day of methods taking fish, Stuart Thompson landed 4 fishing a #14 Bibio on a floating line. Mid-morning onwards R Price fished a blue flash booby on a short leader off a fast sinker to boat 7 trout with Ian Leach & Mark Cawley boating 11 to small fabs, diawl bach, cruncher. Bob Jones caught his 5 trout on a black buzzer & diawl bach. First time all year we have seen some algae, its not an issue as long as a breeze moves it. Best fishing area was across the main basin.

Thursday & a hot day as forecast which has also led to an algae bloom. Busy day with all of the boats out during the morning with some boats back out for the afternoon / evening. The hot weather did have an impact on the fishing with the best catches coming to fast sinker and booby. Peter Wrigley opted to fish a floater with a 20ft leader and small red diawl bach, fishing from an anchored boat letting the flies sink and then a slow retrieve boating 4 trout but reporting other fish hooked and lost. On the fast sinkers sink 7 with a short 6ft leader with a damsel booby, red or orange booby & white minkie booby worked best. D Rossi & C Rossi hooked 10 landing 5, S Winram landed 10 with J Hibbert out for the last 4hr catching 4. A slow, very slow retrieve was the most successful method.

Friday following yesterday’s mini heatwave our water temperature was back up to 20c+. With the hot weather the algae bloom had most of the rods set up fast sinkers sink 7 lines with short leaders of 6ft with a single booby or a 6ft leader with a dropper at 3ft and point fly at 6ft. Tim Barnes fished a booby on the point and a diawl bach on the dropper with 2 fish taking the diawl. Steve Zeleny & S Swinfield caught 12 fish and were off the water by midday, their booby drift was out of the public car park to the yellow buoy. C Sayer for the morning session boated 16 he found the drift from the yellow buoy to the wood bank was best for him. Carl Bond caught his 6 trout on a fast sinker and booby from various areas across the basin. A variety of booby patterns worked from a minkie booby, orange booby, red booby, cats whisker booby and at this time of year damsel booby. Excellent day with a rod average 5

Saturday, fresh breeze & noticeably cooler, there was less algae bloom than the previous two days. Surprisingly following yesterday good days fishing today it switched off with 1 rod catching 1 fish while everyone else blanked. The only reason I can put to it is a massive change to air pressure.

Sunday and an improvement J Reynolds caught 9 fishing a Sink5 on the drift down the Markfield arm to cormorant and booby patterns. K Cowen caught 5 on an olive damsel, overall a rod average 2 for the day.

Algae conditions over the weekend were starting to improve.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd 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