Draycote Weekly Fishing Report.

Tel: 01788 812018   email: lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Web Site www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Fishery Report: Week Ending: 8^th March 2020

The week started with a calmer day than had been seen on opening day. However the winds did build later, Mike Williams party took to the water for there second day. They hosted a small match between the group having a blind pairs match and also an individual prizes for the heaviest 4 fish bag. The majority of the group fished along the Farnborough Dam wall hoping to land some more of the overwintered fish they had found the day before. This proved to be a great option as the big overwintered fish where once again feeding and the boats landed some great fish. With lots of 4 & 5lb fish being caught it was going to be close match. However, it was Mike Williams who took the crown helped along with a fantastic 6lb 4oz rainbow taken on a Di 7 and a snake. Overall the Foxton’s outing group landed a total of 295 fish between the 18 of them. Another group finding good sport was Select FF from Scotland on their second day. The 14 anglers landed a total of 140 fish, they found the fish in a number of areas from along the Farnborough Dam, Biggin, Toft and the Cornfield being the best areas. On the bank season ticket holder Paul Walley used a Montana to great effect to tempt 8 cracking fish.

The weather improved even more Tuesday with lighter winds than had been seen during the opening 2 days. As a result the banks fished much better as the bank anglers could spread along the North shore and fish the popular marks that had been ruled out due to the wind. Fishing along the bottom section of the Cornfield near Car Park 3 Pete Allen landed 7 fish on a Green Pea fished on an intermediate. Using the same tactic just up the bank from Pete, Brian Allwood landed 10 fish. Russ Logan fished in Dougie’s Gap just down from Lincroft point used a black and green fritz to land 14 fish. Russ fished with Henryk Pytz who used a black and green snake on an intermediate to land 16. Season ticket holder John Dickens found that a washing line was the way to land 11 hard fighting Rainbow’s from Biggin Bay and the Cornfield catching on both the Diawl Bach’s and the booby. Out on the boats Select FF saved their best day for last, yet again catching some cracking overwintered fish but also landing lots of fish from Biggin Bay and the Cornfield. The group found the fish keen to take snakes and various lures fished on intermediates all the way to Di 7s. All water season ticket holder Ed Douglas enjoyed his first trip of the year landing 17 fish, Ed concentrated his efforts around the spit and the Shoals looking to land the resident fish and he did just that.

A flat calm cold start to Wednesday, which saw a number of anglers heading out on the water. On the bank John Hall fished the lower section of the Cornfield to land 12 fish all on a green pea. Also on the bank season ticket holder Bob Smith landed 9 fish from Dougie’s Gap. Lee Patten and Peter Elliott netted 34 between from various points around the bank. Mr Clive Wilkins, also fishing from the bank had 27 fish on black and green nomads in Toft. Out on the boats Jim Smith & Ed Douglas enjoyed good sport landing over 40 fish between them. Jamie Scott had 15 fish to the boat on black snakes. Draycote regular Mr Eddie Kirk had a very respectable 8 fish to the boat during an afternoon session on black and green lures.

Thursdays north easterly wind had a cold nip to it first thing in the morning, but made for comfortable fishing from the north shore as the day wore on. Again nearly all the boats headed for toft, as it has proved to be a hot spot for most of the week. The bank was fishing well from the north shore with Tony Broadway picking up twelve fish on a Pitsford pea from the Cornfield. Ron Evans also had a good day on the bank with 18 fish on an orange fritz. Both Danny Lovegrove and Norman Perkins used Diawl Bach’s and Buzzers to good effect from the bank landing good numbers of fish. Out on the boats Eyebrook fishery ranger Toff Crowther and his boat partner Jeff Cronden had over 50 fish between them using a variety of flies in long drifts over the deeper water. All water season permit holder Dave Smith took 11 fish on black and green lures in Toft. New staff member Lloyd Thompson took a cracking 8lb 2oz Brown whilst drifting over P buoy, using a white snake fished on Airflo’s “Booby Basher” line right on the bottom of the reservoir.

Heavy overnight frosts made for a chilly start to Friday, however, the sun soon warmed the day and it was a fabulous day to be on the water. The very light to no winds made it challenging to drift and meant that it was certainly you were either on the fish or not. Although the wind did increase later in the day giving near perfect conditions. The very welcome spring sun caused a number of buzzers to hatch off and even fish to rise over the open water for these large spring buzzers. On the bank Neil Ledbrook fished in Toft with a black Minkie and a small black buzzer to land 11 fish enjoying “Great Sport”. Matt Baggott also fished in Toft using a Green Pea to land 16 fish again in Toft with the best fish going 5lb 4oz. Martin Griffiths managed to get out for a last 4 hours on the bank to land 17 fish. Martin found the fish in the corner of Toft just below the Willow Tree. Martin used a fast glass with a black and green lure leaving the line to sink for 10 seconds before retrieving the flies. Fishery Ranger & Guide Lee Henfrey took advantage of a day off to go and look for some of Draycote resident fish. Lee landed of 30 fish with the majority being overwintered, Lee used a Booby Basher and a snake booby to take the fish from various marks across the lake.

Overcast conditions for Saturday with stronger winds in the afternoon, coming from the South West. All water season ticket holder Phil Mee fished in the corner of the Hensborough bank landing 8 fish taken on a green pea. Glen Moody also took a cracking fish from this area weighting a very impressive 6lb 14oz an amazing fish. Fishing down in Toft father and son duo the Hollingshead’s landed 15 on a mix of black and green and Damsel patterns. On the boats rudder angler Steve Rainbow landed 14 cracking rainbows, Steve used tubes on a DI 3 in Toft and a Di 9 with the same flies over middle shoal. Also fishing at middle shoal was Gareth Jones and Ed Douglas who found the fish off the drop off on Middle shoal to land over 20 fish, including some cracking overwintered the best of them a 5lb brown. Gareth & Ed used booby basher lines on a count of 60 seconds with boobies to tempt the fish. Andrew Barrowman & Paul Sharp enjoyed a real red letter day landing over 50 fish to the boat. They used sinking lines with a mix of blobs, boobies and snakes, drifting all around the lake.

A gusty south west wind make the fishing challenging on Sunday as it was difficult to present the flies correctly. This being said there were still some great catches from various points around the reservoir. Keith Smith did really well with 9 from the bank, one of which weighed 5lbs.Mr Mike Weaver took half a dozen from the bank on black and green lures. Michael and Richard Hanlon caught 23 fish from a boat using snakes around P Buoy. Mark Hunt caught 8 fish drifting across the front of Farborough Spit using Damsels and Pink Snakes. Martin Griffiths and Paul Sharp had over 30 fish to the boat drifting in Biggin Bay using DI 5’s and Snakes.

This week Draycote had a total of 360 rods, catching 2608 fish, giving us a weekly rod average of 7.2.

Our Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Visit our online shop we currently have sale & discontinued items with discounts up to 50% on selected items. https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

Competition  Next Draycote competition will be the Angling Trust Tri Masters, 3 Man Team Event

Details of the 2020 competitions at Draycote with organisers details are on our website http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/competitions/

RIO & SAGE Day March 29^th at Draycote we are holding our RIO & SAGE day with Simon Gawesworth RIO, Chris Anderson SAGE & Jim Fearn Guide / SAGE on hand to offer advice on all aspects of fly fishing, Reservoir, River, Saltwater, Pike & Salmon

Book a FREE guided fishing session from a boat using any SAGE rod & RIO fly line of your choice, contact Tom Bird at the Draycote lodge 01788 812018 to book your FREE guided session

Tuition & Guided Sessions Fly casting tuition, beginner days & guiding available with our in-house guides & instructors who work at our Draycote, Thornton & Eyebrook fisheries. Contact our guiding & tuition manager Tom Bird for detail 01788 812018 or his works mobile 07834 581 423. Details of our beginner course date & information on guiding along with Tom Bird advice blogs are on our Tuition & Guided website www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Next Draycote Tuition Day. Draycote Beginner Course Sunday 22^nd March cost £75.00 includes all tackle & fishing permit contact Tom Bird to book 01788 812018 or 07834 581 423

Opening Hours & Boat Session

Lodge & Bank Open – 7.30am – 18.00pm

Full Day Boat – 8.30am – 18.00

Morning Boat – 8.30am – 13.00

Afternoon Boat – 13.00pm – 18.00

Last 4 Hr – 14.00pm – 18.00

All Anglers Off Site – 18.30

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Local Angling Club is Draycote Fly Fishers www.draycote-fly-fishers-assoc.co.uk/

Draycote Weekly Fishing Report.

Tel: 01788 812018 email: lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Web Site www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Fishery Report: 1st March 2020

After a week of what looked like the boats wouldn’t be going out the forecast improved, and we where able to get all 32 boats out on the water with a fully booked bank as well. While the wind had dropped enough to allow the boats to go out the wind did still make the fishing challenging at times, with mean speeds remained in the 20s from the South West. This meant a lot of the bank anglers headed up to Rainbow Corner seeking shelter. The best tactic for the anglers up in the lea of the wind was a midge tip line teamed with a Green Pea and then a blob on the dropper. Fishing just a bit further down the bank in the corner of the Hensborough bank season ticket holder Ian Richardson got his season off to a fine start. Ian landed a dozen fish using a Green Pea and a blob on a floating line, including a cracking 3lb overwintered rainbow. On the far side just off the strongest winds fishing in Dunn’s Bay was Tim Burns who landed 20 fish using a Di 3 sinking line and a couple of boobies. Another angler who found fish in Dunn’s is new all water season ticket holder Chris Bobby who landed a number of fish with his best being a 5lb overwintered rainbow. This wasn’t the only 5lb fish to come out from the bank with Danny Lovegrove having 2 fish over 5lb along with 13 others. Danny fished along the Tower Bank using a Black & Gold Humongous to tempt a 5lb 2oz brown and a 5lb 1oz rainbow. For pictures of the fish please visit www.facebook.com/flyfishstore Season ticket holder Peter Elliot landed 15 fish from the overflow from the treatment works using a single Green Pea on a 10ft leader using a fast intermediate with a roly poly retrieve.

Out on the boats, it was great to see retired manager Kevin Hart out with Draycote regular John Hoskins fishing his 31st Opening day. The pair enjoyed good sport using snakes and boobies on sinking lines with Rainbow Corner proving to be the best spot. Mike William’s party of 20 anglers enjoyed great sport from the boats. Wayne Jones from the Fly Shop and David Hoppe enjoyed a red letter day, finding fish all over the lake. Wayne and David said they found a great concentration of freshly stocked fish in the shallow water drifting along the school slips. The pair used the new RIO Fathom sinking lines in a Di7 teamed with snakes to land a cricket score. Before trying the same tactics along the Farborough Dam, this proved to be a great tactic as they boated some cracking overwintered fish with tails like shovels. Gareth Jones from the same party also fished along the Farnborough Dam using snakes on fast sinking lines to land a 5lb brown. Scottish traveling party Select Fly Fishers found some good sport up along the Draycote Dam and near the valve tower with overwintered fish, with one of their party taking a good brown.

With the wind dropping as the week progresses with yet more hard fighting fish going in, we are expecting the sport to continue in the same fantastic vain as it kicked off. With Sunday seeing 102 anglers catching a total 414 fish for a rod average of 4.1 with a lot of fish getting caught in lighter winds today as I write this report.

Our Online Shop www.flyfishstore.co.uk
Visit our online shop we currently have sale & discontinued items with discounts up to 50% on selected items. https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

Competition
Next Draycote competition will be the Angling Trust Tri Masters, 3 Man Team Event
Details of the 2020 competitions at Draycote with organisers details are on our website http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/competitions/

RIO & SAGE Day
March 29th at Draycote we are holding our RIO & SAGE day with Simon Gawesworth from RIO, Chris Anderson from SAGE & Jim Fearn from Guide / SAGE, all on hand to offer advice on all aspects of fly fishing, Reservoir, River, Saltwater, Pike & Salmon

Book a FREE guided fishing session from a boat using any SAGE rod & RIO fly line of your choice, contact Tom Bird at the Draycote lodge 01788 812018 to book your FREE guided session

Tuition & Guided Sessions
Fly casting tuition, beginner days & guiding available with our in-house guides & instructors who work at our Draycote, Thornton & Eyebrook fisheries. Contact our guiding & tuition manager Tom Bird for detail 01788 812018 or his works mobile 07834 581 423. Details of our beginner course date & information on guiding along with Tom Bird advice blogs are on our Tuition & Guided website www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Next Draycote Tuition Day. Draycote Beginner Course Sunday 22nd March cost £75.00 includes all tackle & fishing permit contact Tom Bird to book 01788 812018 or 07834 581 423

Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open – 7.30am – 6.00pm
Full Day Boat – 8.30am – 6.00pm
Morning Boat – 8.30am – 13.00pm
Afternoon Boat – 12.30pm – 6.00pm
Last 4 Hr – 2.00pm – .6.00pm
All Anglers Off Site – 6.30pm

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Local Angling Club is Draycote Fly Fishers www.draycote-fly-fishers-assoc.co.uk/

Draycote Opens 1st March

Tel; 01788 812018

Fully Booked for Boats & Car Passes for the 1st March

Due to a cancellation 1 boat left for the 2nd March with limited bank angler car passes

As the water is pumped into Draycote we have excellent clarity with the reservoir at 98%+ water capacity

Pre season stocking has started with trout averaging 2lb, with our records indicating 19,000 trout left in the reservoir at the end of 2019 it may well be worth a look across the shoals for these fish!

Lodge is currently been stocked for the 2020 season with SAGE, VISION & Redington demo rods for you to take out and try along with the new RIO fast sinkers.

Events

RIO SAGE Day March 29th with Simon Gawesworth RIO, Chris Anderson SAGE & Jim Fearn Guide Fly Fishing / SAGE further details contact Tom Bird at the Draycote Lodge http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/demo-tackle-3/

Competitions busy year for competitions at Draycote which start with the New Angling Trust Tri Masters 3 man team event 19th April fished to fishery rules, contact details http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/competitions/

1st March Fishing Time

Lodge Open 7.30am

Bank: 07:30 until 17.45
Boat All Day: 08:30 until 17.45
Boat Part Day: AM 08:30 until 12.30 PM 12.30 until 17.45
Last 4 Hours from: 13.45 until 15.45 (Ticket sales available from 13.30)
Gutting Room Closes –17.15
All Anglers to be off site by: 18.00

Local Angling Club Spotlight: Draycote Fly Fishers www.draycote-fly-fishers-assoc.co.uk/ they arrange club events at Draycote visit their website for further details

Draycote Opens 1st March 2020

Tel: 01788 812018

2020 BOOKINGS

Boats are fully booked for the 1st March & 2nd March, with limited car passes available for bank anglers car access to the perimeter road. Call the lodge to book your visit

New fishing tackle continues to arrive from SAGE, RIO, Snowbee, Greys with the new VISION STILLMANIAC rod in stock with a demo rod available for you to take out and try during the fishing season

SAGE & RIO Day. With Simon Gawesworth of RIO, Chris Anderson of SAGE with Jim Fearn of Guide Flyfishing & Sage at the lodge during the day to answer your questions relating to Stillwater, Rivers, Salmon, Pike & Saltwater Fishing. Individual Casting sessions with Simon, Chris & Jim are fully booked but they will be on hand at the lodge to answer your questions.

On the day we offer a FREE guided session from a boat using any SAGE or Redington rod or RIO fly line, limited availability left for these sessions call the lodge for further details or to book 01788 812018 http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/demo-tackle-3/

SALE & DISCONTINUED ITEMS

We currently have end of line & sale items on our online shop “Flyfishstore” new items added with savings between 25% & 50% https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

TUITION & GUIDING

Details on our Tuition dates for 2020 are on our Tuition & Guiding Website, 2020 Tuition Dates

We are taking guiding booking for the 2020 with guiding available at Draycote & Thornton for the trout with guiding at Eyebrook available for the trout & the pike, contact Tom Bird for details 01788 812018

COMPETITION

We continue to update our competition page, latest New Comp is the Angling Trust Tri Masters 3 Man Team fished to fishery rules, great new comp for people looking to try competition fishing, details for the TRI MASTERS

Draycote Opens 1st March 2020

Tel 01788 812018

Draycote boats are fully booked for the 1st & 2nd March with the Bank angler car passes fully booked for the 1st with limited availability for the 2nd

Contact the lodge bookings

RIO & SAGE DAY March 29th 2020
Simon Gawesworth of RIO, Chris Anderson of SAGE with Jim Fearn of Guide Flyfishing & SAGE will be at the lodge to answer your questions on fly fishing with RIO & SAGE products for reservoir trout, rivers, salmon, saltwater & pike

Opportunity for you to book a FREE guided session using a RIO fly line or SAGE rod of your choice fishing from a boat with one of our guides, call the lodge 01788 812018 to book your place

NEW COMPETITION
Angling Trust TRI MASTERS Sunday April 19th fishing to fishery rules, if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at competition fishing this is the perfect competition for you and two other fishing pals to enter further details contact Tom Bird at Draycote or visit the angling trust website

Draycote Opens 1st March 2020

Tel: 01788 812018

2020 BOOKINGS

Boats are fully booked for the 1st March & 2nd March, with limited car passes available for bank anglers car access to the perimeter road. Call the lodge to book your visit

SALE & DISCONTINUED ITEMS

We currently have end of line & sale items on our online shop “Flyfishstore” new items added with savings between 25% & 50% https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/

TUITION & GUIDING

Details on our Tuition dates for 2020 are on our Tuition & Guiding Website, 2020 Tuition Dates

We are taking guiding booking for the 2020 with guiding available at Draycote & Thornton for the trout with guiding at Eyebrook available for the trout & the pike, contact Tom Bird for details 01788 812018

RIO & SAGE DAY

Our RIO & SAGE day is on the 29th March an opportunity to meet Simon Gawesworth RIO products, Chris Anderson SAGE & Jim Fear Guide Fly fishing & SAGE. Book a free guided session on the day to fish with any SAGE Rod or RIO fly line of your choice, great opportunity to try their products, book your session via Tom Bird 01788 812018  RIO SAGE DAY

Advice isn’t limited to reservoir tackle, come along and speak to Simon, Chris & Jim about Salmon, Saltwater, River or Piking rods, lines, leaders etc.

COMPETITION

We continue to update our competition page, latest New Comp is the Angling Trust Tri Masters 3 Man Team fished to fishery rules, great new comp for people looking to try competition fishing, details for the TRI MASTERS

MEMBERSHIP

Draycote, All Water & Beginner members should have received their 2020 membership cards, if you haven’t received your contact Tom Bird 01788812018 or email lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Draycote Water’s Fishery News 7^th January 2020.

Opening Day 1^st March 2020

Tel 01788 812018 or email lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Draycote opens on the 1^st March 2020 our boats are fully booked for the 1^st with limited availability for the 2^nd

Bank fishing, we are allowed 30 cars around the perimeter track and you’re required to park in the parking bays. We advise you call the lodge & book a car pass to ensure you have access, limited car passes available for the 1^st March

Competitions

We continue to update our competition page http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/competitions/ hosting Scott Nellins new Spring3, AT Team Championship, John Horsey Anglers World Final, England Youth National Final, Troutmasters, AMFC, English National Final to name a few.

Membership

All Water, Draycote & Beginner season permit holders should start receiving their membership cards next week.

SALES Page https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/ we have clearance & discontinued items on our sales page, most items 25% off

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Draycote Water’s Fishery News 9^th December 2019.

Opening Day 1^st March 2020

Tel 01788 812018 or email lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

With the boats off the water & receiving their winter maintenance were also busy taking bookings for the 2020 season, our boats are already fully booked for the 2020 opening Day 1^st March although we still have bank fishing car passes available

With an increasing number of competitions being held at Draycote during 2020 http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/competitions/ our membership offers good value for anglers fishing these major comps during 2020

Membership details for Draycote which starts from £443.00 & our All Water Membership allowing you access to Draycote, Eyebrook & Thornton can be found at http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/prices/season-permits/ Members can use their membership to fish competitions terms & conditions apply

OPEN MORNING On Sunday 15^th December Ifor will be holding an open morning at the Eyebrook Lodge from 10.00am – 12.30pm an opportunity for to come and discuss our plans for 2020 across our waters & the advantages offered by our membership options

Christmas Gift Vouchers  Our Gift Vouchers are the perfect gift & can be redeemed across our three waters Thornton, Draycote & Eyebrook. Casting Tuition, Beginner Days & Guided Fly Fishing sessions are also available to purchase at our online shop Fly Fish Store www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/gift-voucher/

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Draycote Water’s final fishing report 1^st December 2019.

As we start to tidy up at the end of yet another season, our thoughts take us back to the highs and sometimes lows of what has been yet another very busy year here at Draycote Water. We’ve hopefully made some new friends along the way, and unfortunately lost some old friends too. We’ve done our best to introduce new anglers, both young and old to the sport, and tried to help existing anglers catch more fish, through either introducing them to some new methods, or indeed by improving their existing skills. It certainly hasn’t been an easy season for us, but it has been a rewarding one.

The final week fished very well, with a lot of 3 to 5lb fish showing up on the catch return. Indeed we are very excited about the 2020 season as there are 19,000 fish by our records still swimming around out there, with a preseason stocking of 5,500 trout this bodes well for our opening day, (1^st March 2020), and the following days and weeks of the 2020 season.

Andy Lilley got the final week of the season off to a great start with 7 fish from the bank, including a 5 pounder, using floating fry patterns in Toft. Ian Richardson fish along the Hensborough bank to produce 4 fish on Minkies. Brain Allwood has had some great back end of season sport with yet another good bank session, catching 4 fish, one of which weighed a touch under 4lbs. Mr C J Day had 5 fish from the bank on Boobies and Shrimp patterns. Fishery Manager Tom Bird and season permit holder Jude Tuffs had 16 fish to the boat midweek using heavy sinking lines and Boobies over the shoals. Ed Douglas and in house guide Lee Henfrey had roughly 20 fish apiece to the boat, again on sinking lines and Boobies. Jamie Scott caught half a dozen fish from a boat using DI 7’s and Olive Snakes. Ian Reeve had a total of 5 fish on Bunny Leaches, again fished very deep. On the final day of the season Adam Gunby and Steve Jordan gave the fish a right pasting with over 20 to the boat on sinking lines and Snakes. Jim Smith and Ed Douglas had over 30 fish, drifting around the shoals near P and X Buoy using much the same method of DI 7’s or “The Booby Basher”, and various Lures.

As I’m sure most of the angling community at Draycote are aware, Kevin Hart has retired. It’s has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Kevin over the past eight years both here at Draycote and at our other venues. Kevin has been at the forefront of driving this company forward to where it is now, and has been key to our successes, both at the front of house as well as the background work which anglers don’t necessarily get to see. Regular Anglers, members and staff donated money towards Kevin’s retirement fund from which we purchased various gifts such as a Rod, Reel, Lines and Luggage, which I’m quite sure we will all see Kevin enjoying, when he is fishing our venues next year using his season permit. Photo of Kevin being presented with his retirement gifts on our social media pages www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

It is with great sadness and regret, that we inform you of the passing of Draycote stalwart, Don Roper. Don has been fishing here at Draycote for so many years, and was known not just by the anglers, but also by so many members of the general public. A great character with a fantastic sense of humour, a lot of fishing experience that he openly passed to others, and a good word for all concerned. We spent many a time chatting in the lodge about the fishing and life in general. I don’t think anyone ever saw Don without a smile on his face. He will be sadly missed by everyone here. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

Membership details for Draycote which starts from £443.00 & our All Water Membership allowing you access to Draycote, Eyebrook & Thornton can be found at http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/prices/season-permits/

Tight lines,

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Draycote Water fishing report week ending Sunday 24th November 2019

The final full week of the season, with the fishery closing this coming Saturday 30^th. Overall a moderately busy week for the time of the year with a total of 214 anglers visiting the fishery landing a total of 592 trout for a rod average of 2.8.

The week started with a lovely day with light winds from the North, along with fantastic late autumnal sunshine. A perfect day for the fishery to host its end of season fishing event. This is a day where invited guest who have helped the fishery over the year are taken out fishing under the watchful eye of a member of the fishery team. Overall 10 guests took to the water all with varying levels of experience from seasoned anglers all the way to complete novices. A great day was had by all who took to the water with the 10 guests landing 35 trout. Some great fish where caught on the day with Dave & Rebecca from the Sailing club both landing fish of 3lb 8oz. However, the best boat on the day with fish numbers went to Rebecca & David from the Rangers fishing with Andy Dermot from Eyebrook. Andy set the pair up on the new RIO Fathom Deep 6 line with two boobies and caught the fish back drifting around P Buoy over middle shoal. On the bank season ticket holder Ian Richardson enjoyed great sport, from the Swan’s Nest in Toft. Using a midge tip line with a Minkie & Mrs Simpson, Ian landed 7 quality Rainbows. Another angler who landed 7 fish was Jim Hall who used Crunchers to land his fish.

Freezing overnight temperatures on Monday, resulted in a very hard frost Tuesday morning with ice on the pontoon and boats. This sudden drop in temperature meant the fish dropped off the feed slightly with lots of reports of pulls and knocks but not lock ups. After a slightly delayed start to the day for the boat anglers Jude Tuffs & Dave East enjoyed a good day’s sport. The pair boated 9 fish from the shoals both Musborough & Middle using boobies on sinking lines. Jude landed a fantastic fish which weighted in at 6lb 4oz taken on an olive booby at middle shoal near P buoy. Fishery Manager Tom Bird fished with Ed Douglas with the pair landing 15 fish. The best area was in Toft using a Di 5 forty plus teamed with a white snake booby.

A slightly warm start on Wednesday, however, as the day wore on it certainly didn’t feel like it, as the gusty winds from the South East added a real chill to the day. This cold wind did once again knock the fish off the feed, and the best sport was to be found in the first hour before the wind chill took hold. The boat of Martin Foster & John Vyse landed 6 fish and lost 4 all on snakes including a fantastic 4lb rainbow. Dave Bailey and Alan Cooke used boobies and hares’ ears fished tight against the overflow to land 7 fish taking most of them in the morning. Once again Fishery Manager Tom Bird & Ed Douglas took to the water in a boat this time landing 8 between them, with Toft once again being the hotspot with lots more pulls and interest. The best catch of the day came from the bank to season ticket holder John Dickens, John fished on Lincroft point to land 8 fish. It was a Di 3 sinking line with a black Minkie on the point and a FAB on the top dropper that caught John his fish with 6 of them taking the Minkie.

The wind remained in the East, Thursday with once again a cold feel to the day although thankfully the rained stayed off. Season ticket holder Ian Richardson used a midge tip line and a Minkie to land 8 fish from the corner of the Hensborough bank. Fellow season ticket holder Bob Smith used the same tactic as Ian to also land 8. Although Bob, started at the Swan’s Nest to take 3 of his fish before moving up to the Hensborough bank to join Ian. Out on the boats Eddie Mitchell enjoyed a great day’s sport landing 12 fish, Eddie opted to drift along the North shore picking up all day. Eddie used a Di 5 sinking line with snakes to catch his fish with the Cornfield and Lincroft being the main hotspots. Top fishery guide Lee Henfrey spent his day off out on a boat with season ticket holder Jude Tuffs. The pair landed 15 fish using Di 7 & Di 8 sinking lines with Olive snakes. They found the fish at various points around the Lake, but it was over the shoals they found the best sport.

It was a warmer start to the day Friday, until the cold rain arrived later in the day. On the bank Ifor Bullock landed 7 fish all on a bloodworm pattern fished on the point around the Swan’s Nest. Season ticket holder Colin Granger also fished the Swan’s nest to lake 4 fish. On the boats all water season ticket holder Dave Smith boated 4 fish from Toft using foam daddies on a sinking line. Chris Sayer landed 7 fish on the boats using a Di 7 sinking line and snakes. Chris found the fish around P buoy and the Hensborough bank. Another, angler who found a DI 7 the key to success was Mark Hunt who boated 7 fish using a grey minkies. The best spot for Mark was in Toft, then along the Farnborough Dam wall. Fishery staff member Kevin Hart & season ticket holder Rodger Kerrison, also, found the Farnborough Dam wall to be the hotspot landing 5 of their 8 fish along it.

Lighter winds greeted the anglers Saturday and as a result of the improved conditions the rod average jumped up to just under 4. On the bank N & M Hollingshead landed 5 fish using Minkies and snakes in Biggin Bay and at Lincroft point. On the boats M Lewandowski and his boat partner enjoyed a great day on the boat landing 15 fish with a big white lure including a fantastic fish of 6lb 5oz. Chris Discombe landed 10 fish on a white snakes fishing around M Buoy off the Hensborough Bank. Lee Henfrey once again took to the water on his day off this time with Michael Hanlon with the pair landing 7 fish. They found the fish in Toft, Hensborough and Lincroft point with a Di 7 sinking line and a mix of different coloured snakes.

On Sunday, the fishery hosted its annual Fur & Feather competition with boat pairings fishing to a 12 fish kill limit with the heaviest bag winning a fantastic Christmas Hamper. With very light, in fact a flat calm for most of the morning and a rise in air temperature it promised to be a good day. The event was very well supported with 64 anglers in the match and 1 pleasure boat on the water. At the start of the match most of the boats headed down towards Toft and around Farnborough spit with the rest heading up towards the outlet and Hensborough bank. At the end of the match there were two bag limits caught, one from fishery guide Lee Henfrey & boat partner Cameron and the other from Rob Edmunds & son Albert. After the weight in it was Lee & Cameron who had the heaviest bag of fish tipping the scales at 30lb 8oz, a great bag of fish. However, as Lee is a member of staff, we don’t allow him to take the prizes so taking home the great Christmas hampers was Rob Edmunds & Albert. Their 12 fish weighted 29lb 6oz, so it was a close weight between the two boats. Rob and his son Albert in an act of sportsmanship give one of the hampers that the pair had won to Lee & Cameron, which was greatly appreciated by all the staff here at Draycote Water and just shows the atmosphere at these great end of season matches. Both boats fished in Toft near the Swan’s Nest to find the fish with Rob & Albert using olive snake boobies fished on either a Di 3 or Di 8. While Lee & Cameron used Olive snake boobies and white snake boobies on Di 7 40+ lines and caught fish at all depths. In second place and taking home two bottle of wine each with 11 fish for 28lb 13oz was Derek Moore and Felicity Appleton who also fished in Toft using White Minkie boobies on Di 5 sinking lines. In third winning the Quality Street was the father and son duo of John & Sean Hanlon beating a number of pairs who had caught more fish with a cracking bag of 9 fish for 24lb 9oz. Their best fish was a 4lb 12oz rainbow. John & Sean moved around the lake a lot, fishing Middle Shoal, Toft, Farnborough Dam & Cornfield, they too opted for sinking lines and snakes. The biggest fish of the match went to John Parnham who landed a cracking brown of 4lb 15oz. John took home a lovely bottle of Port for his capture. Overall the day was a great success with no boat pair blanking, overall the 32 boats caught 169 fish for a rod average of 2.6. The quality of some of the fish that came to the scales was amazing with lots of high 3lb fish and a number of 4lb. Outside of the match Mark Hunt landed some 4 cracking fish from the bank at the Swan’s nest using a washing line on a RIO midge tip with he majority of the fish taking the FAB on the point.

As we enter our final week of the season, we expect the great fishing to continue with the mild forecast for the week. Why not get out one final time and try and sample for yourselves the amazing quality fish coming out of Draycote water at the moment.

2020 MEMBERSHIPS

For anyone who is interested we do have some availability for season tickets for the 2020 season both at Draycote and also on our popular all water season ticket. Here is the link to the prices www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/prices/season-permits/   and to register your interest please email lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Fishery Tackle Shop & Online Shop at www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking SAGE, RIO, VISION, REDINGTON, WYCHWOOD, GREYS, SNOWBEE, FULLING MILL, FARIO, LOON, FISHPOND and STREAMWORKS

Demo SAGE, Vision & Redington rods & RIO fly lines for you to take out and try. Call the Draycote lodge for details

Disabled Anglers

Draycote has a wheelie boat for hire, which includes a ramp and hydraulic lift for wheelchair access. To book the wheelie boat, call the lodge on 01788 812018.

Weekly Boat draw

Congratulations to Mr Tony Kirk from Tamworth the winner of this week’s free boat draw.

Weekly Stats:  

Number Rods: 214 Number Trout Taken:  303    Number Trout Released: 289

Total Catch: 592   Rod Average: 2.8          

Current Fishing Times:

Bank: 07:30 until 15:30

Boat All Day: 08:30 until 15:30

Boat Part Day: AM 08:30 until 13:00  

Last 4 Hours from: 11:30 until 15:30 (Ticket sales available from 11:15)

Gutting Room Closes: 15:00

All Anglers to be off site by: 16:00

Tight lines,

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