Draycote Water weekly report week ending Sunday 8th June 2014
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Yet again a week of variable weather conditions which ranged from some bright, hot flat calms to non-stop rain mid-week. Nevertheless, the rod average was 3.7 for the week peaking at 6 yesterday. Whilst the boats are starting to find more consistent results, some excellent sport has been enjoyed on the bank, especially early & late. Generally, sport has still been had on buzzer tactics or nymph patterns such as Diawl Bachs & Crunchers. However, it has also been most noticeable how many anglers have been fishing dries to great effect – especially CDC shuttlecock patterns.
Early in the week Gordon Byers from Lockwood Beck Trout Fishery in North Yorkshire, led a four angler party who spent a couple of days with us. They concentrated their efforts on the dries and enjoyed tremendous sport locating some magnificent grown on fish. Don Coe repeatedly enquired as to what steroids we had them on! John McGarrell took the lead on their first session with a nine fish evening catch of rainbows up to 7lbs – all taken on CDC patterns. They ended their two days afloat having caught and released a total of 53 rainbows.
Dave Thomas enjoyed his reintroduction to Draycote on Tuesday using White Zonkers in Toft where he caught four 3lbs rainbows.
Lough Mask angler & guide Ronan Cusack plus friends flew in from Dublin late on Tuesday morning & headed straight up to Rainbow Corner where the four of them caught 34 rainbows mostly on dries. Their best fish was a 5lbs rainbow that came to a Claret Bits. Season rod Tony Broadway was also on form on the bank and managed a 12 fish total whilst Kevin Rees fished buzzers from the bank at Lin Croft catching 14.
Tosh Storrar’s annual party from both Scotland & Wales was ten strong this year. They described their sport as “fabulous” – catching a total of 132 rainbows with many in the 4-6lbs class. Tosh himself caught & released an estimated 7lbs rainbow. He commented that they all fished dries on the fine weather days but fished deeper with buzzers on what proved to be a very wet Wednesday.
Yet another group making their annual pilgrimage to us were 16 anglers led by Jim Brown who spent 3 1/2 days on the water. Their collective description of the sport experienced was “superb”. They also concentrated on dry fly tactics especially during the last few hours. Their group rod average was a most creditable 7.45!
On Thursday we played host to the CSSC National Game Angling Final. Twenty Four anglers competed catching a total of 86 fish. Steven Frakes took top honours with an 8 fish bag for 21lbs 12oz. Second was Nigel Evans, 8 fish for 21lbs 1oz with Lee Patten in 3rd also weighing an 8 fish total for 20lbs 1oz.
Friday & Saturday saw most of the fleet out, with many practising for the TEFF England Eliminator on Sunday & trying to keep their tactics, flies & results close to their chests.
The event itself was fished by 44 anglers who took 195, caught & released a further 48, recording a rod average of 5.6 per angler. The largest individual fish was a rainbow of 5lbs 10oz. A brown of 4lbs 5oz was also weighed in. Congratulations go to Andrew Taylor whose 12 fish total + 1lbs 4oz time bonus gave him a winner’s weight of 27lbs 14oz. Second place went to Stephen Peart with 10 for 26lbs 11oz. It was another third for Lee Patten, who is clearly on form right now. Lee also managed a 12 fish bag.
Overall, best areas for both boat & bank have been Rainbow Corner, Hensborough, Toft Shallows & Lin Croft. The Tower Bank right down to Dunns has also provided some good sport. Drifting over open water has also been finding a lot of fish for the boat anglers.
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 436 Number Trout Taken: 543 Number Trout Released: 1095
Total Catch: 1638 Weekly Rod Average: 3.7
Current Fishing Time:
Bank: 07:30 – 21:45
Boat All Day: 08:30 – 21:30
Boat Part Day: AM 08:30 – 14:30 PM 14:30 – 21:30
Last 4 Hours from: 17:30
All Anglers to be off site by: 22:00
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.
Bank Anglers car passes should be, where possible, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.
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.
Tight lines,
Kevin Hart
Up & coming events
22nd of June – Scierra Pairs Boat match – with a chance to reach the final at Rutland Water. Spaces available. Entry forms visit www.scierrapairs.co.uk .
9th and 10th of August – Lexus individual qualifying heats – the last chance to reach the final at Chew Valley. visit www.lexusflyfishing.co.uk to book your place.
Rio Pairs is Cancelled
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