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 26^th November 2023  Rod Av: 2.9   Water Temperature: 8-9°C

The week started with a calm day with overcast skies, however the wind picked up as the day progressed coming from the Northwest with some sunny spells. On the bank all water member Norman Perkins landed 5 fish using a minkie booby on the point and buzzers on the droppers. Fishing at the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay in the morning before moving to Lincroft point for the afternoon. On the boats fishery ranger at Draycote & Eyebrook Jason Pusey landed 5 fish using a white snake and a humungus. Using a Di 3 sinking line catching at the Hensborough Bank and also the Farborough Dam. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Smith enjoyed a “good day” landing 11 fish. Finding the fish at the Farborough Dam and then drifting around M & N Buoy. The best method being a Di 3 sinking line with a small snake and a minkie on the dropper. Mr Lowe used suspender minkies and then a small sparkler with either a humungus or olive snake on a Di 3 sinking line. Ifor McCary fishing for his final day on a 3 day break while down visiting family. Landed a dozen fish using an intermediate line and a small olive snake.

A much colder feel to the day, as the wind blew from the Northwest all day, with rain in the morning. It certainly, wasn’t a very enjoyable start to the day. On the bank Tony Broadway landed 3 fish, using a small popper minkie on the point and then a cruncher and black Diawl Bach on the droppers. With, Tony’s best area being the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay. Fishing next to him, Pete Allen also landed 3 on similar tactics. On the boats Draycote members Lee Patten & Pete Elliot landed 7 fish. Drifting along the Farborough Dam using snakes on Di 3 sinking lines with a roly-poly retrieve. Dave Etty fished with Bill Livingstone with the pair landing a dozen fish. Commenting on the quality of the “good fish” they landed. Fishing along the Farborough Dam using various fry patterns on sinking lines.

The wind swung back to the Southwest on Wednesday with overcast skies all day. With the wind swing it was a tricky day for the bank anglers, although Ross Davies managed a brace from the Swan’s Nest. It was the boats who enjoyed the better sport. Draycote members Martin Foster & John Vyse landed 10 fish to their boat. Fishing with snakes on sinking lines around the Farborough Dam Wall and then near M & N Buoy. Fellow members Paul Walker & John Faulkonbridge landed a dozen fish, again fishing with snakes and fry patterns. Ed Douglas landed 10 fish using a washing line set up on an intermediate line with a FAB on the point and then shrimp patterns on the droppers. With the Farborough Dam wall being his most productive area. Former manager Kevin Hart tried deeper in the water column to land 8 fish. Using humungus boobies on a Di 8 sinking line. Taking his fish at the Farborough Dam but also along the Valve Tower Bank, with his best fish being 4lb rainbow. Another angler finding the fish deep was Dave Atkins who used a Di 7 sweep sinking line with a grey snake. Landing 5 from “all over” the reservoir along with a number of other pulls and takes.

The stiff south westerly continued to blow out of Rainbow Corner through Thursday, making for uncomfortable conditions at times. Anglers were catching fish all over the reservoir throughout the day, but most finished off in the lee of the wind up underneath the western wall. Returns gave us a daily rod average of 3.2, with the majority of fish being caught on sinking lines and lures. Bank anglers stuck mainly to the northern shoreline with The Old Pipe and the Tower bank being the most popular spots. Mick Cronin and Stan Hillman fished the Tower Bank and netted 4 fish and 2 fish respectively. Thew pair used intermediate lines and lures such as snakes and minkies. Draycote regular John Dickens caught a brace from the bank whilst fishing near the Old Pipe using the very popular humungus fly. Ed Douglas caught half a dozen fish from a boat using snakes from various areas around the reservoir. Seasoned angler Dave Smith had 5 fish to the boast near the Valve Tower using white and black snakes as well as boobies. Dave fished his flies on a DI8 sinking line as well as an intermediate. Ian Richardson and Bob Smith caught a total of 10 fish between them. Ian and Bob used DI3 and DI5 sinking lines with snakes and humungus flies near  M and N buoy. Season permit holder Bob Barfoot caught 5 fish near N and X buoy on small sparklers and sparkler boobies.

A very strong north westerly wind greeted us on Friday morning with the promise of it dropping off through the middle of the day. Mr Mark Windsor took to the bank with season permit holder Brian Allwood to net one fish between them in very difficult conditions. Peter Jeffries and his boat partner Rod Singer had 5 fish to the boat between them using lures fished on a DI5 sinking line. Ex site manager Kevin Hart took to the water with Mr Steve Burns to net nearly 20 fish from a drifting boat. The pair spent most of the day fishing near the Valve Tower using sinking lines of various types and lures, before moving out into open water through the afternoon.

A very cold start to Saturday morning with a good frost and ice in the bottom of the boats. However with the sun shining brightly on the pontoon, it didn’t take long for it all to clear. There were many anglers taking to the water today in preparation for Draycote’s Fur and Feather match tomorrow. Staff member Mark Braun enjoyed a good day off landing 7 fish. Using a Di 8 sinking line with a black and green booby. Drifting from C- D Buoy. Rob Edmouds and son Albert enjoyed a good days practice for the fur & feather landing 9 fish. Using Di 7 sinking lines and mix of fry patterns such as snakes and humungus. With the best areas being S Buoy to Croft Shoal and then around Y Buoy. All water member Craig Middleton also enjoyed a good day landing 6 fish on snakes.

A cold start to Sunday and the annual fur & feather with the thermometer reading -3°C first thing in the morning. With very light winds which did pick up slightly to give a ripple in the afternoon, the temperature did also rise. Although when it did it brought some very unpleasant rain, which make it feel very cold indeed. This being said it didn’t seem to put the fish off, as the 60 anglers caught 229 fish. Winning the match was all water member Rob Edmunds with son Albert who landed their 12 fish by 12.04pm and with their time bonus had a weight of 31lb 1oz. In second place with a later finish time but a cracking bag of fish including a 4lb 3oz rainbow. Was the boat of Ben Bayliss & Adam Larbalestier who finished at 13.42pm so with time bonus weighted 29lb 13oz. In third place finishing at 13.30pm Andrew Scott & Sam Edmunds with 28lb 11oz. Fourth place with a finish time of 14.16pm with 28lb was Frazer Duffy Snr & Jnr. Then rounded out the top 5 was fishery ranger & guide Lee Henfry with partner Nigel Keeber who finished at 12.57pm with a weight of 27lb 3oz. The biggest fish of the match was caught by Rick Saccone who landed a cracking 4lb 11oz rainbow. At the other end of the spectrum Stan Studdick landed the smallest fish a 1lb 3oz rainbow. We also gave a prize of a fly box and some flies to the youngest angler on the day Tom Lewis aged 11 fishing with his grandad Michael Hanlon. The best area seemed to be Y Buoy with some of the anglers using snake boobies on booby basher and Di 8 sinking lines. While others found them a little higher at times during the day using Di 3 sinking lines. The Farborough Wall and the front of the pontoon also produced good catches to the same methods. It was this area that produced the 2 biggest fish of the match.

With the weather looking cold but nice light winds for the final 4 day of the season, we are hoping the good sport we have experienced this week continues.

Draycote’s closing date

The closing date for Draycote for this season will be Thursday 30^th November 2023.

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: 26^th November   Rod Av: N/A        Water Temperature: N/A °c

So another season comes to its close here at Eyebrook. I would like to start by thanking you all for your continued support throughout what has been an extremely challenging season, with many a week succumbing to the weather & the poor water quality that it brought.

The season initially started well, but by the second week in March, the typically spring weather brought some heavy seasonal showers. These coloured the water & it took several weeks before the sediment began to drop through the water column. The bank areas were the first to clear & the subsequently better than the boats during the early season. As the water clarity improved, so did the fishing & by mid-April the Eyebrook fish were feeding hard on the Buzzers, with some exceptional returns recorded along the Leicester Bank from the Hawthorns to the Cowshed. Stoke Dry was another prolific area which produced some great buzzer fishing, with high numbers of fish caught from both the Boats & the Bank on a variety of methods.

By late May, the buzzer fishing had started to slow & it was now the turn of the Damsels which started to appear in great numbers. The fish soon locked them happily taking them in both the Nymph form & also Adult form from various locations around the reservoir. During this period, there were some unseasonal Northerly winds which kept the shallower water up at Stoke Dry cooler for longer than in previous years. This meant that the fish remained up Stoke Dry for longer, gorging themselves on the abundant aquatic life that was there.

During the summer months there were some noticeable warm spells, one earlier in June & much later in early September. Throughout June, July & August the reservoir continued to fish very well as the fish fed hard on Damsels throughout this period. By late August, Crane Flies started to show up in considerable numbers & it did not take the trout long to turn to this nutritional food source. Consequently, the Foam Daddy became the “go to” pattern for many a visiting angler & for good reason to. This versatile Fly pattern accounted for a huge number of fish over the season, whether it was fished on its own as a Dry Fly or as a part of team as a point fly on the washing line.

The hot spell in September brought with it an Algal bloom which lasted for a few weeks. Unlike the sediment particles that are brought into the reservoir after heavy rain, the impact of an Algal bloom can be mitigated by the angler. Those that found success during the Algal bloom, found it by either, going upwind to find clear water or by simply fishing below it. Once the Algal bloom had cleared, the reservoir returned to some fine form & by the middle of October, we had experienced our first cold snap of the season which brought some of our grown-on fish on the feed. This resulted in Rainbows in excess of 6lbs & Browns to 9lb being caught, It looked very promising for the last few weeks of the season.

However, the 3rd week of October brought some extremely heavy rain which subsequently coloured the reservoir & it remained so until the seasons end on the 20 November which was very disappointing.

Despite a relatively poor start & end to the season, Eyebrook still produced a yearly rod average of 4.6 which is an excellent return. There also some good Pike caught throughout the season, with a lot of fish between the 20 & 30lb bracket & even more in the upper double category.

In preparation for next season, we have will be working hard on improving the Bank access for the Rutland bank & have already done a large proportion of work clearing between Harrisons Corner & Stoke Dry.

Upcoming Events & Key Dates.

Eyebrook Fly Fishers Winter Fly Tying Program, open to all.

Sunday 10^th December – 10.30 to 12.00.

Sunday 07^th January – 10.30 to 12.00.

Sunday 28^th January – 10.30 to 12.00.

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.

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Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton are explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For 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: 26^th November Rod Av: 0.5 Water Temperature: 9°c

The colder days this week have helped to improve the clarity of the water meaning now that the visibility is anywhere between 2-5ft down.

The fishing still remained a challenge, however the best tactics has still been boobies fished near the wood back on sinking lines. With a black booby with a silver body and silver flash being the most productive fly.

With more cold weather forecast and again a drier week, we expect the clarity to improve. With the final day of the season on Thursday. We are hopeful that the final day may produce the best fishing of the month so far fingers crossed.

If you wish to book a boat for Thursday. On the days the lodge is not open if you call the lodge on 01536 770264 and then leave a voicemail we will pick up the message and book you a boat.

Thornton 2023 last day of the fishing season Thursday 30th November

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

A very strong north westerly wind greeted us on Friday morning with the promise of it dropping off through the middle of the day. Mr Mark Windsor took to the bank with season permit holder Brian Allwood to net one fish between them in very difficult conditions. Peter Jeffries and his boat partner Rod Singer had 5 fish to the boat between them using lures fished on a DI5 sinking line. Ex site manager Kevin Hart took to the water with Mr Steve Burns to net nearly 20 fish from a drifting boat. The pair spent most of the day fishing near the Valve Tower using sinking lines of various types and lures, before moving out into open water through the afternoon.

The stiff south westerly continued to blow out of Rainbow Corner through Thursday, making for uncomfortable conditions at times. Anglers were catching fish all over the reservoir throughout the day, but most finished off in the lee of the wind up underneath the western wall. Returns gave us a daily rod average of 3.2, with the majority of fish being caught on sinking lines and lures. Bank anglers stuck mainly to the northern shoreline with The Old Pipe and the Tower Bank being the most popular spots. Mick Cronin and Stan Hillman fished from the Tower Bank and netted 4 fish and 2 fish respectively. The pair used intermediate lines and lures such as snakes and minkies. Draycote regular John Dickens caught a brace from the bank whilst fishing near the Old Pipe using the very popular humungus fly. Ed Douglas caught half a dozen fish from a boat using snakes from various areas around the reservoir. Seasoned angler Dave Smith had 5 fish to the boast near the Valve Tower using white and black snakes as well as boobies. Dave fished his flies on a DI8 sinking line as well as an intermediate. Ian Richardson and Bob Smith caught a total of 10 fish between them. Ian and Bob used DI3 and DI5 sinking lines with snakes and humungus flies near  M and N buoy. Season permit holder Bob Barfoot caught 5 fish near N and X buoy on small sparklers and sparkler boobies.

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/

2024 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 19^th November 2023  Rod Av: 3.0   Water Temperature: 9°C

A windy start to the week resulted in the boats being cancelled and the weather so foul that no bank anglers wanted to head out either.

A much improved day Tuesday with the wind coming from the Southwest and the rain that was forecast thankfully held off for most of the day. On the bank all water member Norman Perkins landed 4 fish from the Swan’s Nest using a washing line. With a minkie booby on the point and crunchers on the droppers, with the fish taking a mix of both. Fellow member Pete Allen landed 4 fish from Dunn’s Bay also using crunchers. Fishery ranger and guide Lee Henfrey fished with Kevin Hart with the pair landing over 25 fish. Using fast intermediates with snakes and various fry patterns. Fishing from J & T Buoy drifting into the Farborough Dam wall taking fish from 100 yards off all the way to right onto the Dam Wall. Draycote member John Falconbridge fished from a boat for the las four hours landing 6 fish from in Toft also on fry patterns.

An overcast and windy start to the day on Wednesday with a bit of a nip in the air. Not the most comfortable of conditions to be out on the water, however those who did venture out made some good returns. Season permit holder Mark Smith had a brace off the bank using fry patterns at the Swans Nest. Young Dennis Tidmarsh also caught a brace from the bank using lures. Dennis plied his trade off the Swans Nest as well as the Cornfield and Lincroft Point. Out on the boats Lee Patten and Peter Elliott caught a total of 10 fish between them. Lee and Peter fished along the Farborough Dam wall, as well as Toft Shallows and Biggin Bay. Draycote regular Mr Brian Moore used a DI5 sinking line with snakes to boat 5 fish during a morning session. Brian tried various areas around the reservoir before settling on the Draycote Dam.

Although a little chilly, it was a lovely morning on Thursday with a soft breeze and high based cloud. The Farborough Dam was very busy early on with anglers and rods could be seen bending from just outside the harbour. Indeed the area just in front of the pontoon and down the wall seemed to be about the hottest spot on the reservoir, as we watched anglers bending into some good fish throughout the day. The bank fishing was a bit quiet with only 1’s and 2’s caught here and there, sparse pickings perhaps because of the  bright conditions. Out on the boats however anything from an intermediate line to a DI5 with lures was producing some great returns. Draycote stalwart Ed Douglas had a dozen to the boat on a fast glass line with snakes, boobies and shrimp patterns fished along the edge of the Western Wall.  Ian Richardson and Bob Smith had 19 fish to the boat and commented on a cracking day. They were using small snakes fished on a DI3 line along the Farborough Dam and around M buoy near the Hensborough Bank. West Midlands Police were out on the water today with 10 anglers. Obviously good communication was key to their day as between them they caught a total of 30 fish, giving them a rod average of 3 for the group.

Another cold bright start here at Draycote on Friday morning with the forecast being quite calm for the day. The bank fishing gave us some better returns on Friday, and the calmer conditions meant that the anglers could use almost all of the areas around the reservoir. Tony Broadway caught 7 fish from the bank from various areas along the northern shoreline using popper minkies fished off a buzzer tip line. Season permit holder Richard Walker caught 3 fish from the Tower Bank using minkies fished on an intermediate line, with the best of his fish weighing in at 6lbs. Many other bank anglers had a brace to the net including, Pete Allen, Mick Cronin, Stan Hillman and Mr G Armitage. The vast majority of these fish were caught on either a tip or an intermediate line with lure patterns. Anglers also faired pretty well off the boats on Friday with Thornton member Mr Chris Sayer boating 9 fish using a midge tip with nymphs and blobs. Season permit holder Paul Havard netted 8 fish from a drifting boat using a DI3 with black and gold humungus, and remarked on some cracking fish. Bob Barfoot caught 5 fish along the Hensborough Bank and around N buoy using a combination of sinking lines with snakes and cormorants. Ian Reeve worked his way around the reservoir before settling in Rainbow Corner, where he caught 3 fish on snakes using an intermediate line.

A very, very wet start to Saturday morning with a south westerly wind blowing across Draycote Water. The weather for most of the day was a lot kinder than initially forecast, with the wind not picking up properly until about 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Seasoned regular Jon Crowley took to the bank to net 7 fish. Jon spent his morning down at the Swans Nest using a floating line with hares ears and popper hoppers. Mike Garner fished from the bank along the northern shore line to net a brace on kate mclarens and hares ears. Out on the boats Kasidit Leoviriyakit had half a dozen fish to the boat around T and J buoy. Kas used a DI5 line as well as a DI7 line with humungus boobies to net his fish. Draycote regular Alex Campbell caught 3 fish during an afternoon session using a DI5 line and a small perch fry pattern. Season permit holders Sam and Rob Edmunds had 16 fish to the boat between them. Sam and Rob used sinking lines and boobies to catch their fish over Croft Shoal and the front of the pontoons.

Yet another wet and windy start on Sunday morning with a strong south westerly blowing across the reservoir. With the weather being so windy and wet, it kept a number of anglers off the water. However, those that did venture out enjoyed some good sport. On the bank Draycote member John Dickens landed 3 fish using a blue flash damsel and a FAB fishing at the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay. On the boats, fishery ranger Michael Hanlon landed 6 fish using a black and green snake. Fishing at S Buoy and Croft shoal using a Di 3 sinking line. All water member Frazer Duffy Snr & Jnr enjoyed a great day landing 27 fish to their boat. Using a Di 3 sinking line and snake. Drifting from J Buoy in to the Farborough Dam Wall and then drifting around S Buoy and Lincroft Shoal.

Upcoming Events.

26th November- Fur & Feather

Draycote’s closing date

The closing date for Draycote for this season will be Thursday 30^th November 2023.

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/

2024 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: 19^th November   Rod Av:  0.05      Water Temperature: 09°c

It has been yet another extremely quiet week here at Eyebrook, with the poor water clarity continuing to have a detrimental impact on the fishing. Very few anglers ventured out with very few fish caught. Those that did catch caught from the bank as the sediment began to drop through the water column. A few Pike anglers went out this week & fared slightly better than the trout anglers with a few fish caught, nothing of no real size though.

Eyebrook Fly Fishers held their club Fur & Feather on Sunday, where Dave Etty took the honours fishing Nymphs in Mucky Bay from the bank, well done Dave. By the time this report goes out, it will be the last day of our 2023 Season, so next week’s report will be a Season Review.

2023 Winter Restrictions.

From the 01 November, we will be operating a reduced number of boats, 10, so pre-booking will be important. Also, the bank fishing will see some winter restrictions, with Banking Fishing limited from the Chestnut, down the Leicester Bank, to the Lodge & along the Dam, around to Robbo’s Cabin. These winter bank restrictions have been increased since last year.

2023 Eyebrook Closing Date.

The last day of fishing on Eyebrook is Monday 20^th November.

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.

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Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton are explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For 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: 19^th November Rod Av: 0.5 Water Temperature: 9°c

Once again more rain caused the fishing to remain a challenge as the water level rose. On Saturday member Jan Webber landed 3 fish. Fishing 50 yards off the wood bank using a white and green booby fished on a sinking line.

Looking ahead this week looks a lot drier and turning cooler towards the weekend, these cold nights will help to drop the levels of water coming in to the reservoir. Resulting in the sediment dropping and we hope this will see a vast improvement in the fishing.

If you wish to book a boat Thursday, Friday or the weekend. On the days the lodge is not open if you call the lodge on 01536 770264 and then leave a voicemail we will pick up the message and book you a boat.

Thornton 2023 last day of the fishing season Thursday 30th November

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

A very, very wet start to Saturday morning with a south westerly wind blowing across Draycote Water. The weather for most of the day was a lot kinder than initially forecast, with the wind not picking up properly until about 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Seasoned regular Jon Crowley took to the bank to net 7 fish. Jon spent his morning down at the Swans Nest using a floating line with hares ears and popper hoppers. Mike Garner fished from the bank along the northern shore line to net a brace on kate mclarens and hares ears. Out on the boats Kasidit Leoviriyakit had half a dozen fish to the boat around T and J buoy. Kas used a DI5 line as well as a DI7 line with humungus boobies to net his fish. Draycote regular Alex Campbell caught 3 fish during an afternoon session using a DI5 line and a small perch fry pattern. Season permit holders Sam and Rob Edmunds had 16 fish to the boat between them. Sam and Rob used sinking lines and boobies to catch their fish over Croft Shoal and the front of the pontoons.

Another cold bright start here at Draycote on Friday morning with the forecast being quite calm for the day. The bank fishing gave us some better returns on Friday, and the calmer conditions meant that the anglers could use almost all of the areas around the reservoir. Tony Broadway caught 7 fish from the bank from various areas along the northern shoreline using popper minkies fished off a buzzer tip line. Season permit holder Richard Walker caught 3 fish from the Tower Bank using minkies fished on an intermediate line, with the best of his fish weighing in at 6lbs. Many other bank anglers had a brace to the net including, Pete Allen, Mick Cronin, Stan Hillman and Mr G Armitage. The vast majority of these fish were caught on either a tip or an intermediate line with lure patterns. Anglers also faired pretty well off the boats on Friday with Thornton member Mr Chris Sayer boating 9 fish using a midge tip with nymphs and blobs. Season permit holder Paul Havard netted 8 fish from a drifting boat using a DI3 with black and gold humungus, and remarked on some cracking fish. Bob Barfoot caught 5 fish along the Hensborough Bank and around N buoy using a combination of sinking lines with snakes and cormorants. Ian Reeve worked his way around the reservoir before settling in Rainbow Corner, where he caught 3 fish on snakes using an intermediate line.

Although a little chilly, it was a lovely morning on Thursday with a soft breeze and high based cloud. The Farborough Dam was very busy early on with anglers, and rods could be seen bending from just outside the harbour. Indeed the area just in front of the pontoon and down the wall seemed to be about the hottest spot on the reservoir, as we watched anglers catching  some good fish throughout the day. The bank fishing was a bit quiet with only 1’s and 2’s caught here and there, sparse pickings perhaps because of the  bright conditions. Out on the boats however anything from an intermediate line to a DI5 with lures was producing some great returns. Draycote stalwart Ed Douglas had a dozen to the boat on a fast glass line with snakes, boobies and shrimp patterns fished along the edge of the Western Wall.  Ian Richardson and Bob Smith had 19 fish to the boat and commented on a cracking day. They were using small snakes fished on a DI3 line along the Farborough Dam and around M buoy near the Hensborough Bank. West Midlands Police were out on the water today with 10 anglers. Obviously good communication was key to their day as between them they caught a total of 30 fish, giving them a rod average of 3 for the group.

It was an overcast and windy start to the day on Wednesday with a bit of a nip in the air. Not the most comfortable of conditions to be out on the water, however those who did venture out made some good returns. Season permit holder Mark Smith had one off the bank using fry patterns at the Swans Nest. Young Dennis Tidmarsh also caught a brace from the bank using lures. Dennis plied his trade off the Swans Nest as well as the Cornfield and Lincroft Point. Out on the boats Lee Patten and Peter Elliott caught a total of 10 fish between them. Lee and Peter fished along the Farborough Dam wall, as well as Toft Shallows and Biggin Bay. Draycote regular Mr Brian Moore used a DI5 sinking line with snakes to boat 5 fish during a morning session. Brian tried various areas around the reservoir before settling on the Draycote Dam.

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 12^th November 2023  Rod Av: 2.3   Water Temperature: 10°C

A very challenging day Monday, with bright skies and the wind coming from the Southwest. On the bank Draycote member Paul Walker landed a brace from Lincroft point. With the fish taking a FAB on the point of a washing line. On the boats Bob Barfoot fished a snake on a Di 3 forty plus line, landing a cracking 4lb 8oz Rainbow. Taken drifting in towards the Farborough Dam from J Buoy.

Another bright day Tuesday, with quite a strong Southwest wind at times. As with the previous day it was the bank anglers who enjoyed the best sport of the day. Tony Broadway fished at the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay landing 7 fish. Using a washing line with a FAB on the point and then crunchers on the droppers, with his best fish being a 3lb 8oz Rainbow. Ifor Bullock fished at Lincroft point using a cats whisker to land 4 fish. Another angler who used Cat’s Whisker to great effect was Andy Lillie who also landed 4 fish, using a bead head cats whisker on the point and hares ears on the droppers. Andy, found the Swan’s nest to be the best area and lost of couple of fish as well. On the boats John Jones fished in Toft near G Buoy and through the middle of Toft. Using a Di 3 sinking line with two black ang gold humungous. Mr N Butler also landed 5 taking his fish at the Swan’s Nest. Using a popper minkie on the point and crunchers on the droppers. Kevin Hart fished with John Hoskins with the pair landing 10 fish to the boat. They used fry patterns on sinking lines around the Farborough Dam to land their fish.

A wet start to the day, with a strong South wind, which thankfully dropped back by 9am. As a result of the poor conditions we only had a few brave souls that headed out on the water. Mr Whitehouse & Mr Mills enjoyed a good day landing 7 fish. However, left no comments as to what method or area they used to tempt the fish.

Sunny on the most part Thursday, with the odd rain shower with the wind once again coming from the Southwest. The strong wind made the bank fishing a challenging, as the Swan’s Nest hotspot coloured up a little with the wind. Martin Bourne landed a brace from this area using a blob and a cruncher, before the wind made the fishing to challenging. Out on the boats Paul Havard landed 3 fish from the Draycote Dam around B Buoy using a Di 3 with a black and gold humungus. Steve Owen also out in the boats, found the fish to be high in the water column landing 5 fish on an orange lure fished on a floating line in Toft.

It was a great day to be out on Draycote Water on Friday. It all started flat calm, then a light northerly breeze picked up and stayed with us all day. The good fishing continues here at Draycote, with fish being caught on all sorts of methods including dries, snakes, sparkler boobies and nymphs. Tony Broadway caught 9 fish from the bank, over near the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay. Tony used floating fry and crunchers fished on a floating line. Mr Brian Joseph caught 3 fish on nymphs whilst bank fishing near the Valve Tower and up in Rainbow Corner. Season permit holder Andy Lilley had 3 from the bank on hares ears down by the Swans Nest. Out on the boats young Alex Campbell had 3 fish to the boat early on in the day along the Hensborough Bank, with all of them falling to a foam daddy. The boat pairing of Peter Elliott and Lee Patten had well over 30 fish to the boat on sinking lines and snakes whilst drifting down in Toft Shallows. Young Mr Ian Reeve and Steve Hibberd had and absolute hat full of fish to the boat using blue flash damsels and snakes fished on sinking lines and said that they kept on the move throughout the day. Dave Kennell had 11 fish to the boat using an Airflo DI3 40+ line with FAB’s and sparklers.

Saturday morning was very cold on the pontoon with our first real frost here at Draycote Water. These conditions coupled with bright sunshine all day slowed the fishing a little but there were still some good returns from both boat and bank anglers. Season permit holder Jon Crowley caught a brace whilst fishing the bank by the Swans Nest on a floating fry pattern during a morning session. Mike Garner also took to the bank to net a brace down  in Toft Shallows. Both of Mike’s fish fell to a “ kate mclaren “. Jim and Richard Hall caught half a dozen fish from a drifting boat down in Toft Shallows using lure patterns such as snakes. Young Ed Douglas had 7 fish to the boat using snakes and FAB’s from various points around the reservoir. Mr Tom Roberts caught 3 fish from a drifting in Biggin Bay on orange daddies.

A wet day on Sunday, with showers for most of the day. On the bank Draycote member Martyn Hancox came fished for a short 3 hour session on the afternoon landing 4 fish from the Tower Bank on snakes and also 2 cracking Perch. On the boats Mr C Brodest and his boat partner landed 9 fish, using a floating line with minkies. Jim Smith fished with Ed Douglas landing 16 fish to the boat. With the hotspot being Farborough Dam and the Split. Using a Di 5 40+ sinking line with a mix of tubes and snakes with a roly-poly retrieve. Husband & Wife household all water members Rob & Sam Edmunds landed 17 fish to the boat. They too found the fish at Farborough Spit and the Dam Wall. Using a Di 3 sinking line and snakes again with a roly-poly retrieve.

Upcoming Events.

26th November- Fur & Feather

Draycote’s closing date

The closing date for Draycote for this season will be Thursday 30^th November 2023.

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: 12^th November   Rod Av:  0.15      Water Temperature: 11°c

The week has been dominated by the poor water clarity which has not got any better during the week. There has just been enough rain to prevent the Eye Brook from running clear & therefore bringing clean water into the reservoir. Also, there has been just enough wind strong enough to keep the sediment that colours the water, in suspension, preventing it dropping out which isn’t helping matters. Anglers have ventured out but have found fish difficult to come by, with the only a few fish to be caught. Pike anglers have reported that there are large numbers of prey fish gathering up the northern end of the reservoir & there are large fish clearly seen sat below them. Pike have been hooked, but none landed.

There appears to be a dry week forecast ahead, which can only increase the likelihood of the water clarity improving. If you are planning a visit to Eyebrook, please call the lodge on 01536 770264, to receive the latest update on the water clarity.

2023 Winter Restrictions.

From the 01 November, we will be operating a reduced number of boats, 10, so pre-booking will be important. Also, the bank fishing will see some winter restrictions, with Banking Fishing limited from the Chestnut, down the Leicester Bank, to the Lodge & along the Dam, around to Robbo’s Cabin. These winter bank restrictions have been increased since last year.

2023 Eyebrook Closing Date.

The last day of fishing on Eyebrook is Monday 20^th November.

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.

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Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton are explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For 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: 12^th November Rod Av: 0.27  Water Temperature: 10°c

While we hoped for a drier week, it turned out not to be the case, with more coloured water causing the visibility to drop after it had started to clear last Sunday. This being said we did see a slightly improvement this week on last weeks rod average with some anglers landing fish. The best tactic was fishing tight into the Wood Bank using boobies on sinking lines. With Yellow or Black & Green boobies being the best colours.

Looking ahead to next weekend it does look like a drier week is forecast, so hopefully the colour will drop out ahead of the weekend.

If you wish to book a boat Thursday, Friday or the weekend. On the days the lodge is not open if you call the lodge on 01536 770264 and then leave a voicemail we will pick up the message and book you a boat.

Thornton 2023 last day of the fishing season Thursday 30th November

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

Saturday morning was very cold on the pontoon with our first frost of the season here at Draycote Water. These conditions coupled with bright sunshine all day slowed the fishing a little, but there were still some good returns from both boat and bank anglers. Season permit holder Jon Crowley caught a brace whilst fishing the bank by the Swans Nest on a floating fry pattern during a morning session. Mike Garner also took to the bank to net a brace down  in Toft Shallows. Both of Mike’s fish fell to a “ kate mclaren “. Jim and Richard Hall caught half a dozen fish from a drifting boat down in Toft Shallows using lure patterns such as snakes. Young Ed Douglas had 7 fish to the boat using snakes and FAB’s from various points around the reservoir. Mr Tom Roberts caught 3 fish from a drifting in Biggin Bay on orange daddies.