Draycote Water Fishing Report w/e Sunday 4^th October 2015  Tel: 01788 812018

Another week in which we have experienced more “Indian Summer” type weather. As pleasant as it has often been, it also brought challenges in the form of very misty mornings with flat calms followed by clear blue skies & bright sunshine. Many anglers continued to employ dry fly tactics which, although not as successful as the previous week, still produced some terrific fish & individual bags. A total of 1226 trout were caught by 369 anglers during the period for an overall weekly rod average of 3.3 compared to 4.3 the previous week.

As always, some special mentions are needed. Monday saw Mr Reeve take seven fish in a catch that included a 5lbs 12oz rainbow which took a daddy pattern. Kevin Rees stuck to his dries & put 15 in the net. Ray Rouse fished the bank on Tuesday and four of his five fish total were brown trout. Percy & Alan Walker fished from the boat and both took 4lbs+ brownies. Dennis Jones was to be found on the banks as usual on Wednesday & totalled ten fish to small Diawl Bachs fished on a washing line. Season ticket holder Roly Hill was also the proud captor of a 5 1/2lbs brownie from the bank whilst Mr Joyce netted a 6lbs rainbow in the boat. Mr Owen & his boat partner enjoyed good sport by switching tactics between small nymphs fished as a washing line, and dries (size 12 & 14 bits) to take a total of 19. Friday was especially productive for the bank anglers. Thirteen of our regulars, all season ticket rods, were on the banks using a variety of small fly methods. Collectively they caught 90 trout for a rod average of 6.9!! Nick Louka also caught 9 on the bank using a black hopper. Meanwhile Vince Aronica went afloat & ended his session with 11 fish including a rainbow of 5lbs 5oz for the pot. On Saturday John Mills had a “Good day on dries” with four superbly conditioned rainbows on a black parachute dry. John fished the Hensborough Bank side of the Sailing Club. Nick Mead & boat partner Ian Tearle rounded the week off well with a thirty plus fish total from the shallows in Toft. They caught consistently through mid-morning until early afternoon on buzzer in very shallow water followed by an afternoon session on dries. Brian Parry & Colin Jones also did well managing 26 to daddy patterns & dries. Steve Cullen took a tremendous grown on rainbow using a size 14 Claret Bits. Take a look at the picture posted up on our Facebook page.

Although we are in mild air conditions currently, it is noticeable how the temperatures drop rapidly as soon as the sun dips and, given the change in the weather patterns now coming through, it is anticipated that the best of the summer/early autumn dry fly action has been seen. More fish are likely to now succumb to fry based patterns as we move well into the backend of what has proved to be a very good season. We do not close until 30^th November so there are many more potential fry bashing visits still to be had.

!!  Please be aware that we currently have low water levels. Bank anglers should take special care and be mindful that some areas are liable to soft mud underfoot. !!

Weekly Boat Draw

The free weekly boat draw has been won by Mr David East of Coventry

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:    369    Number Trout Taken:  453        Number Trout Released:  773

Total Catch: 1226   Rod Average 3.3

.Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 18:45

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 18:45

Boat Part Day:  AM 08:30 until13:00   PM 13:00 until 18:45

Last 4 Hours from:  14:45 until   18:45

All Anglers to be off site by: 1915

Date For Your Diaries:

“Fur & Feather” Match – Sunday 22^nd November

Call the Lodge on 01788 812018 to reserve your places.

The Ultimate “Try Before You Buy”:

Not sure which Sage Rod or Rio Fly line to purchase? Then take the guesswork out of your decision making. We now have an extensive range of demonstration Sage Rods, Reels & Rio lines which you are able to try before you buy. Have a cast or take them for a fish – the ultimate “Try before you buy” to help take the guesswork out of your next Sage or Rio purchase.

Tight Lines,

Kevin

Follow Us on;

facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Non Native Shrimp – A reminder:

The Environment Agency has now confirmed the presence in Draycote Water of the non-native shrimp called Dikerogammarus Haemobaphes (DH)

To stop the spread of the species we will continue to follow the recommended Check – Clean – Dry procedures for bank & boat anglers & have set up a hose down area in front of the lodge

• Check – All clothing and equipment, WADERS, WADING BOOTS, NETS, DROGUE, ETC should be thoroughly inspected and any visible debris (mud, plant or animal matter) should be removed and left at the water body where it was found. Particular attention must be paid to the seams and seals of boots and waders. Any pockets of pooled water should be emptied.

• Clean – Equipment should be hosed down or pressure-washed on site. Equipment should be carefully contained, e.g. in plastic bags, if they are being transported to a wash down point. Washings should be left at the water body where the equipment was used. Do not wash down any equipment off site as it would potentially contaminate other water courses.

• Dry – Thoroughly drying is the best method for disinfecting clothing and equipment. Boots and nets should be hung-up to dry. Equipment should be thoroughly dry for 48 hours before it is used elsewhere. Some non-native species can survive for as many as 15 days in damp conditions and up to 2 days in dry conditions, so the drying process must be thorough.

If you have any questions contact the Draycote Fishery Staff

Draycote Water Fishing Report w/e Sunday 27^th September 2015

Autumnal weather is clearly with us now with many misty or foggy mornings followed by blue skies & bright sunshine. Nevertheless, this has not held back the surface sport that has continued to be enjoyed by many here this week. Most of the action throughout the period has been to dry fly tactics, with daddy longlegs patterns proving to be the most productive. Indeed, there have been some extremely large examples bumbling over the water surface & at times flying into the lodge. Evidence of fry feeding is also on the increase. Whilst some good sport has been enjoyed by bank anglers, those in boats continue to get better results. Similarly, those boat anglers enjoying the best of the late season dry fly action have been doing better this week than those deploying the rudder. With some large fish beginning to forage & herd fry in the margins, best advice to bank anglers is to “think before you wade”. Many good opportunities are being missed by fish being spooked & forced offshore before the fly line has even been pulled off the reel….

Andy Birkett & Brent Vinall returned for a Monday to Wednesday break afloat and  managed a collective total of 46 caught & released. Their fish came to hoppers & daddy long legs patterns despite them finding the bright conditions “challenging”  at times. Whilst many struggled on the bank on Wednesday, the patience of Draycote regular Dennis Jones paid off with a round dozen to the net on his small Diawl Bachs fished across the ripple on a washing line. Kevin Rees fished on Monday & Thursday this week & continues to pull fish to his dries, netting 14 &15 respectively. Tony Parker & boat partner Pete Walsh also stayed with dry fly tactics during their Thursday visit netting 16 between them. Friday saw some fantastic surface sport with T&J Evans boating 21, Simon Peck & Tony Smith with 20 and Stephen & Stuart Conway on 19.

Rich Hyde fished the bank in Biggin Bay on Saturday & took an 8 fish limit on Zonkers. Mick Cronin also found fry feeders on the bank netting 4 including 3 brownies. Saturday was however the day for the Association of Major Fly Fishing Clubs. A total of 76 anglers went afloat in 38 boats in extremely bright, sunny conditions on a flat calm. A ripple did eventually develop for them together with some wispy cloud. The venue nevertheless performed magnificently for them with a total of 375 trout recorded. Eighteen teams competed in three groups. Group 1 winners were Bewl Bridge FC “A” with a rod average of 6.3. Group 2 was headed up by Bewl Bridge FC “B” with a rod average of 5.4 Group 3 was won by the Greylags. Mike Laycock caught the largest fish of the match – a beautiful full finned grown on rainbow at 5lbs 10oz. Congratulations Mike!  Most of their fish came to dries – especially daddy patterns.

 Sunday proved to be a more difficult day following Saturday’s pressure on the water  together with continuing bright conditions. However, although a bit “picky”, fish still succumbed to dry fly tactics & by the end of the day sixty one anglers had netted 220 fish representing  a rod average of 3.6. Whilst taking numerous fish to dry fly tactics, the Paton/Elliott boat partnership searched across most of the reservoir during the course of the day & also caught many good rainbows & browns on Minkie patterns – indicative again of the move towards more consistent fry feeding. We should hopefully be experiencing this right through to the seasons end. What has been very clear this week  though,  is the broad spread of fish population throughout the fishery as a whole.

Weekly Boat Draw

The free weekly boat draw has been won by Mr James Shortland of Hinckley

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:    466    Number Trout Taken:  892        Number Trout Released:  573

Total Catch: 1465   Rod Average 3.14

.Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 19:00

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 19:00

Boat Part Day:  AM 08:30 until13:00   PM 13:00 until 19:00

Last 4 Hours from:  15:00 until   19:00

All Anglers to be off site by: 19:30

Date For Your Diaries:

“Fur & Feather” Match – Sunday 22^nd November

Call the Lodge on 01788 812018 to reserve your places.

The Ultimate “Try Before You Buy”:

Not sure which Sage Rod or Rio Fly line to purchase? Then take the guesswork out of your decision making. We now have an extensive range of demonstration Sage Rods, Reels & Rio lines which you are able to try before you buy. Have a cast or take them for a fish – the ultimate “Try before you buy” to help take the guesswork out of your next Sage or Rio purchase.

Tight Lines,

Kevin

Follow Us on;

facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Draycote Water Fishing Report w/e Subnday 20^th September 2015

As of this last week we are now feeling a bit of a chill in the air in the mornings here at Draycote water. The colder night time temperatures are giving us some foggy starts to the day, and reasonably low daily wind speeds are giving over too some sunny spells in the afternoons. Early Autumn has arrived

To say that Draycote was fishing well would be a drastic understatement. There are fish being caught in all 4 corners of the reservoir, on nearly every method under the sun. Size 14 buzzers and diawl bachs are still accounting for some good bags of fish from the bank as well as the boats. But the dries are proving so popular at the moment; I’m not sure who likes them more, the fish, or the anglers! This is the first week in the season that we have seen a good hatch of daddies on the water, but hoppers and a claret bob’s bits seem to be working just as well. Sporadic fry feeding is occurring from time to time and indeed some anglers are successfully targeting some of the big browns off the tower bank on floating fry patterns. But It will probably be at least a couple of weeks before the fish are hard on the fry, giving us all some excellent sport.

Peter Biewenaki during two visits caught 4 good browns this week including one estimated at 6lb

On Tuesday the usual suspects of Gordon Slack, Keith Hughes and Colin Grainger where seen to be loitering with intent around the cornfield area. They were found to be bagging up on a mixture of Diawl Bachs, size 14 buzzers and dries.

We welcomed back Mr McGregor and his party from Scotland this week, who fished on one of our 3 day packages. They caught a total of 79 fish between them on a mixture of dries and minkies.

Dennis Jones did well from the bank on Tuesday, netting a total of 13 fish. Sean and Michael Hanlon had 25 fish to the boat on Friday, all on dries.

It was good to see Roger Kerrison back fishing again after a long spell off. Roger caught 4 fish in Biggin bay, all on dries.

This week we hosted the Barclays Bank FFC v Royal Bank Of Scotland AC the competition was totally fished to catch & release with anglers logging the trout’s measurement’s, with the fishery providing measuring devices.  The competition was hailed a success.

On Saturday we hosted the wheelie boat fundraiser competition the day was a great success with meaning that we are now over half way to raising the finds needed. A huge thank you must be given to Draycote Fly Fishers who organised the event, with a special mention to Shaun Hanlon and Graham Homer. The anglers enjoyed good sport in tricky conditions to a wide range of methods from dries to tubes on a Di 5 sinking line. Winner on the day was Lee Henfry who fished tubes on a Di 5 down in the toft shallows; Lee wins a season ticket for Draycote for the 2016 season.  The biggest fish was caught by regular Ray Rouse weighting 5lb 1oz. Finally having a great day was Derek Moore who walked away first prize in the raffle a brand new Sage Accel 10ft #7 rod.

Sunday Leicester Disabled Fly Fishers enjoyed a good day out on the boats with three of their members catching big fish, F Kettle with one at 4lb 8oz, M Goodge at 5lb 2oz and Mr I Bradfield with a cracking fish at 7lb 2oz.

Mr T Burn also enjoyed a good days sport on Sunday with 17 fish to the boat all being taken on dries. Another boat who enjoyed a good days sport on the dries was Mr K Harding & Mr M Clarke who had 15 fish to the boat with Mr Harding returning a beautiful 7lb brown.  

Weekly Boat Draw

The free weekly boat draw has been won by:- Mr M Severn

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:    402    Number Trout Taken:  479        Number Trout Released:  759

Total Catch:        1238           Weekly Rod Average:    3.1

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 19:30

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 19:15

Boat Part Day:  AM 08:30 until14:00   PM 14:00 until 19:15

Last 4 Hours from:  15:15 until   19:15

All Anglers to be off site by: 19:45

The Ultimate “Try Before You Buy”:

Not sure which Sage Rod or Rio Fly line to purchase? Then take the guesswork out of your decision making. We now have an extensive range of demonstration Sage Rods, Reels & Rio lines which you are able to try before you buy. Have a cast or take them for a fish – the ultimate “Try before you buy” to help take the guesswork out of your next Sage or Rio purchase.

Reminder regarding Non Native Shrimp

The Environment Agency has now confirmed the presence in Draycote Water of the non-native shrimp called Dikerogammarus Haemobaphes (DH)

To stop the spread of the species we will continue to follow the recommended Check – Clean – Dry procedures for bank & boat anglers & have set up a hose down area in front of the lodge

• Check – All clothing and equipment, WADERS, WADING BOOTS, NETS, DROGUE, ETC should be thoroughly inspected and any visible debris (mud, plant or animal matter) should be removed and left at the water body where it was found. Particular attention must be paid to the seams and seals of boots and waders. Any pockets of pooled water should be emptied.

• Clean – Equipment should be hosed down or pressure-washed on site. Equipment should be carefully contained, e.g. in plastic bags, if they are being transported to a wash down point. Washings should be left at the water body where the equipment was used. Do not wash down any equipment off site as it would potentially contaminate other water courses.

• Dry – Thoroughly drying is the best method for disinfecting clothing and equipment. Boots and nets should be hung-up to dry. Equipment should be thoroughly dry for 48 hours before it is used elsewhere. Some non-native species can survive for as many as 15 days in damp conditions and up to 2 days in dry conditions, so the drying process must be thorough.

If you have any questions contact the Draycote Fishery Staff

Tight Lines,

The Draycote Team

Follow Us on;

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twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Draycote Fishing Report w/e Sunday 13^th  September 2015

This has been a really special week for anglers on the dries with the overall weekly rod average up to 4.24  Although there was a mix of weather conditions during the week, the bulk of the fish remained high in the water column  & some of the results to those on dry fly tactics have been tremendous. Whilst many bank anglers enjoyed good sport, the best results this week were clearly experienced by those in boats. Evidence of fry feeding is also on the increase.

Monday saw Ed Douglas yet again proving the benefits of careful presentation with 29 rainbows to 5lbs coming to his dries fished from the boat. Meanwhile Peter Biernacki on the bank managed a brown of 5lbs from Biggin Bay on a fry pattern. Tuesday saw difficult conditions for the bank anglers but boat anglers Tony Parker & Pete Walsh stayed on the dries for a combined tally of 35 – again with fish into the 5lbs bracket. Colin England & Tony Plummer, also in a boat, concentrated on the nymphs & managed twenty fish between them. Wednesday saw an improvement for the bank anglers with regular Dennis Jones catching 7 on nymphs. Back out on the water for yet more of the action, Ed Douglas continued his purple patch with another 33 fish tally on the dries. On the bank on Thursday  regulars Brian Allwood & Steve Robinson caught 8 apiece mainly to nymphs whilst Alex Urquhart was enjoying fine dry fly action in the boat & took a four rainbow bag for 14lbs with many more returned. I managed a morning on the water too with a newcomer to fly fishing. We both enjoyed great surface sport with plenty of action to detached foam bodied daddy patterns in drifts along Biggin Bay.

Great bank action was had on Friday with Tony Broadway taking 14 his size 14 buzzers. Nigel Wain took 16 to 4lbs on the Cornfield whilst Trevor Astley fished buzzer in Toft for a 17 fish total. In the boat Martyn Moore used the description “Fantastic sport!” when commenting on his 20 fish total which he caught on a combination of nymphs & dries. Fry feeders were targeted during the weekend with Melvin Severn taking a ten fish total to his rudder fished lures & Steve Rainbow enjoying a “Brilliant Day on tubes on an intermediate” for his 17 fish tally. Rob Edmunds & friends also experienced fine sport including a Brown of 6lbs plus. Mick Cronin fished for fry feeders on the bank & caught nine. On Sunday it was fast & furious on the dries again with our own Tom Bird going afloat on a day off with boat partner Ryan Feber. They caught on both dries & floating fry patterns with over twenty apiece to the net. Most of their fish came  from Toft.

Best flies: Daddies, Bob’s Bits, CDC Hoppers, Buzzers + Fry Patterns. Small Cunchers & Diawl Bachs still producing especially when fished on a washing line .

Best areas; Tofts, Cornfield, Lin Croft, Biggin & Dunn’s Bay.

Weekly Boat Draw

The free weekly boat draw has been won by Mr T Evans from Kirkby In Ashfield.

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods: 390        Number Trout Taken:  623        Number Trout Released:  1031

Total Catch:   1654                Weekly Rod Average:    4.24

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 19:30

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 19:30

Boat Part Day:  AM 08:30 until14:00   PM 14:00 until 19:30

Last 4 Hours from:  15:30 until   19:30

All Anglers to be off site by: 20:00

Date for your diary:           !! PLACES STILL AVAILABLE !!

Wheelie Boat Charity Competition Saturday 19th September 2015   10:00 until 18:00

To raise funds towards placing a Wheelie Boat at Draycote Water. Organised by the local angling club, Draycote Fly Fishers & supported by Fishery Management (UK) Ltd and Guide Fly Fishing.  Individual competition Cost: £52.50 per person . Fished to an eight fish limit, reservoir rules but NO RUDDERS. First prize Draycote Water 2016 Season Ticket AND every entrant qualifies for a draw ticket to win a Sage Rod which will be drawn on the day. Please support this worthy cause. Contact the lodge on 01788 812018 to book your place. Entry fee required to secure booking. The restaurant here at Draycote will be open at 07:30hrs for breakfast on the day.

The Ultimate “Try Before You Buy”:

Not sure which Sage Rod or Rio Fly line to purchase? Then take the guesswork out of your decision making. We now have an extensive range of demonstration Sage Rods, Reels & Rio lines which you are able to try before you buy. Have a cast or take them for a fish – the ultimate “Try before you buy” to help take the guesswork out of your next Sage or Rio purchase.

Reminder regarding Non Native Shrimp

The Environment Agency has now confirmed the presence in Draycote Water of the non-native shrimp called Dikerogammarus Haemobaphes (DH)

To stop the spread of the species we will continue to follow the recommended Check – Clean – Dry procedures for bank & boat anglers & have set up a hose down area in front of the lodge

• Check – All clothing and equipment, WADERS, WADING BOOTS, NETS, DROGUE, ETC should be thoroughly inspected and any visible debris (mud, plant or animal matter) should be removed and left at the water body where it was found. Particular attention must be paid to the seams and seals of boots and waders. Any pockets of pooled water should be emptied.

• Clean – Equipment should be hosed down or pressure-washed on site. Equipment should be carefully contained, e.g. in plastic bags, if they are being transported to a wash down point. Washings should be left at the water body where the equipment was used. Do not wash down any equipment off site as it would potentially contaminate other water courses.

• Dry – Thoroughly drying is the best method for disinfecting clothing and equipment. Boots and nets should be hung-up to dry. Equipment should be thoroughly dry for 48 hours before it is used elsewhere. Some non-native species can survive for as many as 15 days in damp conditions and up to 2 days in dry conditions, so the drying process must be thorough.

If you have any questions contact the Draycote Fishery Staff

Tight Lines,

Kevin

Follow Us on;

facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Draycote Fishing Report w/e Sunday 6^th September 2015

Well the evening temperatures look like they have finally dropped a bit, and this will hopefully lead us into a cracking end to the season. Fish have already been spotted feeding on the fry and indeed are already being caught on fry patterns. Although this is a bit sporadic at the moment, it is a sign of things to come. There are already thousands of fry holding over the shoals, and it won’t be too long before  those floating fry patterns come into their own.  

Despite the  weather being all over the place again this week,  the backbone of the fishing here is still dries, buzzers and diawl bachs, in the top few feet of the water. (No change there then) Even as I sit and write this report, I’m looking out at a very bright and breezy day, with anglers coming in and telling me that the sport is fantastic down in Toft,  on hoppers. The fish obviously aren’t following the rules, again.

The rod average this week is a steady 3.3,  with Draycote again producing a stream of 3 to 4 pounders ,and the returns sheets full of very positive comments  But I have to say that in the past couple of days the water clarity has not been great. By mid morning the northern half of the reservoir is clear, with the algae having blown into rainbow corner and around the pontoon area.

Best flies; Hoppers, bob’s bits, Buzzers, crunchers, diawl bachs and damsels.

Best areas; Toft shallows, the cornfield, biggin bay, dunns bay, the aerators, the tower bank and rainbow corner.

Weekly Boat Draw

The free weekly boat draw has been won by Mr T Mills  from Tenbury Wells.

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods: 372        Number Trout Taken:   470       Number Trout Released:   747

Total Catch:  1217                 Weekly Rod Average:    3.2

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 19:45

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 19:45

Boat Part Day:  AM 08:30 until13:45   PM 13:45 until 19:45

Last 4 Hours from:  15:45 until   19:45

All Anglers to be off site by: 20:15

Date for your diary:

Wheelie Boat Charity Competition Saturday 19th September 2015   10:00 until 18:00

To raise funds towards placing a Wheelie Boat at Draycote Water. Organised by the local angling club, Draycote Fly Fishers & supported by Fishery Management (UK) Ltd and Guide Fly Fishing.  Individual competition Cost: £52.50 per person . Fished to an eight fish limit, reservoir rules but NO RUDDERS. First prize Draycote Water 2016 Season Ticket AND every entrant qualifies for a draw ticket to win a Sage Rod which will be drawn on the day. Please support this worthy cause. Contact the lodge on 01788 812018 to book your place. Entry fee required to secure booking. The restaurant here at Draycote will be open at 07:30hrs for breakfast on the day.

The Ultimate “Try Before You Buy”:

Not sure which Sage Rod or Rio Fly line to purchase? Then take the guesswork out of your decision making. We now have an extensive range of demonstration Sage Rods, Reels & Rio lines which you are able to try before you buy. Have a cast or take them for a fish – the ultimate “Try before you buy” to help take the guesswork out of your next Sage or Rio purchase.

Confirmation of Non Native Shrimp

The Environment Agency has now confirmed the presence in Draycote Water of the non-native shrimp called Dikerogammarus Haemobaphes (DH)

To stop the spread of the species we will continue to follow the recommended Check – Clean – Dry procedures for bank & boat anglers & have set up a hose down area in front of the lodge

• Check – All clothing and equipment, WADERS, WADING BOOTS, NETS, DROGUE, ETC should be thoroughly inspected and any visible debris (mud, plant or animal matter) should be removed and left at the water body where it was found. Particular attention must be paid to the seams and seals of boots and waders. Any pockets of pooled water should be emptied.

• Clean – Equipment should be hosed down or pressure-washed on site. Equipment should be carefully contained, e.g. in plastic bags, if they are being transported to a wash down point. Washings should be left at the water body where the equipment was used. Do not wash down any equipment off site as it would potentially contaminate other water courses.

• Dry – Thoroughly drying is the best method for disinfecting clothing and equipment. Boots and nets should be hung-up to dry. Equipment should be thoroughly dry for 48 hours before it is used elsewhere. Some non-native species can survive for as many as 15 days in damp conditions and up to 2 days in dry conditions, so the drying process must be thorough.

If you have any questions contact the Draycote Fishery Staff

Tight Lines,

Follow Us on;

facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

.

Draycote Fishing Report w/e Sunday 30^th August 2015

Draycote continues on in excellent form through the ups and downs of some very inclement weather. It’s hard to imagine a weekly rod average of 3.5 after some of the days we’ve had this week, but there it is. The fish coming out at the moment are “Absolute Stonkers” as one of our Scottish visitors put it, and I have to agree. So I think would John Dews, with a cracking Brown of 6lbs 7 ozs, which he caught from the bank in toft on Friday,on a Nemo Cruncher .

The water clarity is still good, with some algae build up from time to time. But as I’ve said in the past, this doesn’t dampen the trout’s enthusiasm too much and generally seems to blow into one corner of the water come mid morning. Nor did it dampen John Hanlon’s day, as he fished teams of dries or diawl bachs through the algae up in Rainbow corner, to boat 8 fish on Sunday morning  

The best of the fishing is still to be found in the top couple of feet of the water, with most of the trout falling to either dries, or a mixture of buzzers, crunchers and diawl bachs. Although season permit holder Paul Beasley proved me wrong on Friday, by catching 7 fish on damsels on a slow intermediate line, again in Rainbow corner.

Other anglers who are well worth a mention are;

Season permit holder Ed Douglas, who had a large number of fish to the boat on Monday on dries, one of which weighed 5lbs.

Jamie Scott boated 13 fish on Tuesday, fishing a team of buzzers over the Aerators.

Mr K Harding and Mr P Davidson made some excellent comments on the catch return after boating a large number of fish on Saturday, all on dries.

Best flies; Buzzers, crunchers, diawl bachs, damsels, hoppers and bob’s bits.

Best areas; Toft shallows, the cornfield, biggin bay, dunns bay, the aerators, rainbow corner and the Hensborough bank.

Weekly Boat Draw

The free weekly boat draw has been won by Mr Howard Rutter from Amersham .

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods: 241        Number Trout Taken:   361       Number Trout Released:   494

Total Catch:  855                 Weekly Rod Average:    3.5

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 20:00

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 20:00

Boat Part Day:  AM 08:30 until13:45   PM 13:45 until 20:00

Last 4 Hours from:  16:00 until   20:00

All Anglers to be off site by: 20:30

Date for your diary:

Wheelie Boat Charity Competition Saturday 19th September 2015   10:00 until 18:00

To raise funds towards placing a Wheelie Boat at Draycote Water. Organised by the local angling club, Draycote Fly Fishers & supported by Fishery Management (UK) Ltd and Guide Fly Fishing.  Individual competition Cost: £52.50 per person . Fished to an eight fish limit, reservoir rules but NO RUDDERS. First prize Draycote Water 2016 Season Ticket AND every entrant qualifies for a draw ticket to win a Sage Rod which will be drawn on the day. Please support this worthy cause. Contact the lodge on 01788 812018 to book your place. Entry fee required to secure booking.

The Ultimate “Try Before You Buy”:

Not sure which Sage Rod or Rio Fly line to purchase? Then take the guesswork out of your decision making. We now have an extensive range of demonstration Sage Rods, Reels & Rio lines which you are able to try before you buy. Have a cast or take them for a fish – the ultimate “Try before you buy” to help take the guesswork out of your next Sage or Rio purchase.

Confirmation of Non Native Shrimp

The Environment Agency has now confirmed the presence in Draycote Water of the non-native shrimp called Dikerogammarus Haemobaphes (DH)

To stop the spread of the species we will continue to follow the recommended Check – Clean – Dry procedures for bank & boat anglers & have set up a hose down area in front of the lodge

• Check – All clothing and equipment, WADERS, WADING BOOTS, NETS, DROGUE, ETC should be thoroughly inspected and any visible debris (mud, plant or animal matter) should be removed and left at the water body where it was found. Particular attention must be paid to the seams and seals of boots and waders. Any pockets of pooled water should be emptied.

• Clean – Equipment should be hosed down or pressure-washed on site. Equipment should be carefully contained, e.g. in plastic bags, if they are being transported to a wash down point. Washings should be left at the water body where the equipment was used. Do not wash down any equipment off site as it would potentially contaminate other water courses.

• Dry – Thoroughly drying is the best method for disinfecting clothing and equipment. Boots and nets should be hung-up to dry. Equipment should be thoroughly dry for 48 hours before it is used elsewhere. Some non-native species can survive for as many as 15 days in damp conditions and up to 2 days in dry conditions, so the drying process must be thorough.

If you have any questions contact the Draycote Fishery Staff

Draycote Water Weekly Report w/e Sunday 23rd August 2015.

The Environment Agency has now confirmed the presence in Draycote Water of the non-native shrimp called Dikerogammarus Haemobaphes (DH)

To stop the spread of the species we will continue to follow the recommended Check – Clean – Dry procedures for bank & boat anglers & have set up a hose down area in front of the lodge

• Check – All clothing and equipment, WADERS, WADING BOOTS, NETS,DROGUE, ETC should be thoroughly inspected and any visible debris (mud, plant or animal matter) should be removed and left at the water body where it was found. Particular attention must be paid to the seams and seals of boots and waders. Any pockets of pooled water should be emptied.

• Clean – Equipment should be hosed down or pressure-washed on site. Equipment should be carefully contained, e.g. in plastic bags, if they are being transported to a wash down point. Washings should be left at the water body where the equipment was used. Do not wash down any equipment off site as it would potentially contaminate other water courses.

• Dry – Thoroughly drying is the best method for disinfecting clothing and equipment. Boots and nets should be hung-up to dry. Equipment should be thoroughly dry for 48 hours before it is used elsewhere. Some non-native species can survive for as many as 15 days in damp conditions and up to 2 days in dry conditions, so the drying process must be thorough.

If you have any questions contact the Draycote Fishery Staff

Fishing Report

Draycote has continued to fish well this week & again some spectacular sport has been experienced by many. The fish are still very high in the water  and for the most part, dry fly tactics have brought the best of the action for the boat anglers. Probably due to a drop in water temperatures, this week also saw a big increase in action for the bank anglers with many regulars in particular doing well on small buzzer patterns.

Monday saw the week off to a good start with a 4.6 rod average. Ed Douglas had a wonderful boat session with 29 to his net. His catch included six rainbows over 4lbs & two over 5lbs.  It was on Tuesday when the bank came alive & our top seven season ticket rods had a field day together, mainly on The Cornfield, using skinny size 14 black buzzers. The seven anglers caught a total of 79 with Brian Warwick netting the best rainbow at 6lbs! On Wednesday Neil Cohen was again rewarded for making the long journey up from London as his eight fish bag included a Brown at 7lbs 2oz. Mick Cartlidge & boat partner Chris Roden also netted over thirty between them using Claret Hoppers & Bob’s Bits in Toft Shallows. Ed Douglas couldn’t keep away & on Thursday brought another 21 to net including a 6lbs+ rainbow. Tactical switches of small buzzer to dries & vice versa kept them coming for him. Meanwhile Sean Hanlon took to the water again to keep up his high rod average with a 19 fish tally in the boat on size 16 Bob’s Bits. Achievement of the day has to go to 9 year old Matthew Cooper who did battle with an angry 3lbs 8oz Rainbow and won! Well done to Matthew. Tony Broadway also made a repeat visit to the banks on Friday looking to capitalise on the great day he had experienced on Tuesday. Sure enough, his size 14 buzzers again scored well with another 13 to the net from the bank. Paul Beasley went afloat for a morning session & stuck to Gold Head & Blue Flash Damsels for an eight fish total. Saturday saw David Hoppe on the water exploring the Aerators for most of his session. He had a great day netting a total of twenty, the best being a Rainbow of 6lbs. Martin Cottis decided to leave Chew behind for a while & we were pleased to see him on the water for three days of frantic action to his dries. He demonstrated his usual expertise & consistency with a trip total of 48 to the net. Sunday saw the conclusion of an excellent week and a 4.6 rod average for the day with boat anglers finding action on dries and small nymphs mainly presented high in the water column. Bank rods still found fish coming to small black buzzers and, as I write, birds are still working the water hard, particularly in Toft & along The Cornfield bank.

As always however, some anglers continue to struggle. Best advice at this time of year, with higher water temperatures & many grown on fish that have “seen it all”, is to concentrate especially on leader set up &fly size – scaling down is often required but ensure the tackle is balanced. Constantly searching water to seek out concentrations of fish is also all important. Always remember too that all our staff endeavour to provide the best & most up to date information possible to help you so never be afraid to ask if assistance is needed.

Best flies; Buzzers, Diawl Bachs, Crunchers, Shipman’s Buzzers, Daddies (especially detached foam bodied) & Hoppers.

Best lines; Floating line, Midge Tip and a Slow Intermediate.

Best areas; Toft, Cornfield, Lincroft Point, Biggin Bay and Dunns Bay, H and G Buoy. The Aerators also still hold a significant population of fish.

Weekly Boat Draw

The free weekly boat draw has been won by Mr J. Hall from Hinckley.

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods: 273           Number Trout Taken:   354            Number Trout Released:   595

Total Catch:  949                 Weekly Rod Average:    3.48

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 20:15

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 20:15

Boat Part Day:  AM 08:30 until14:00   PM 14:15 until 20:15

Last 4 Hours from:  16:15 until   20:15

All Anglers to be off site by: 20:45

Date for your diary:

Wheelie Boat Charity Competition Saturday 19th September 2015   10:00 until 18:00

To raise funds towards placing a Wheelie Boat at Draycote Water. Organised by the local angling club, Draycote Fly Fishers & supported by Fishery Management (UK) Ltd and Guide Fly Fishing.  Individual competition Cost: £52.50 per person . Fished to an eight fish limit, reservoir rules but NO RUDDERS. First prize Draycote Water 2016 Season Ticket AND every entrant qualifies for a draw ticket to win a Sage Rod which will be drawn on the day. Please support this worthy cause. Contact the lodge on 01788 812018 to book your place. Entry fee required to secure booking.

The Ultimate “Try Before You Buy”:

Not sure which Sage Rod or Rio Fly line to purchase? Then take the guesswork out of your decision making. We now have an extensive range of demonstration Sage Rods, Reels & Rio lines which you are able to try before you buy. Have a cast or take them for a fish – the ultimate “Try before you buy” to help take the guesswork out of your next Sage or Rio purchase.

Tight Lines,

Kevin

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Draycote Weekly Fishing Report w/eSunday 9th August  2015

Telephone Number 01788 812018

Some tremendous action has been experienced by many anglers this week, during which period we have seen a continuation of excellent surface sport. Some very fit fish in the 3-5lbs bracket have been encountered. More & more anglers are taking to dry fly tactics with many fish coming blind to teams of flies presented delicately over the front of a drifting boat. Patterns such as Bob’s Bits, Shipman’s Buzzers, Hoppers & Daddies have all been producing – mainly in reds, oranges & claret. There has also been some more falls of flying ants, which although spasmodic, have caused some frantic action for those lucky enough to find themselves amongst it. One such angler did especially well during one of the ant falls using a Bibio, but black coloured Bob’s Bits have been effective too.

Whilst many rods have again got into double figure catches, others have struggled. Key to success at this time of year is clearly well balanced tackle and with additional attention paid to presentation.

Monday started really well with a rod average of 5.4 for the day. Sean Hanlon excelled with a 15 fish tally on a mix of dries & washing line tactics using small Diawl Bachs. Newcomer to the world of fly fishing, Peter Biernacki also did well to tempt 6 to his daddies fished from the bank.

Tuesday & Wednesday were both harder days for boat & bank alike. However, Sean Hanlon was back on the water & put ten fish into the net on both days. His boat partner, Jamie Nairn also landed nine on Wednesday – all on dries. Despite more challenging conditions it also came as no surprise to see regular Dennis Jones also record a ten fish total from the bank with his fish coming to small diawl bachs. The Mead/Tearle pairing also showed the way with another 30 plus weekly tally to dry fly tactics over the front of their drifting boat. Thursday & Friday saw many anglers practising for the Lexus & we were pleased to play hosts to them for the final heats of this season’s series on both Saturday & Sunday.

The dry fly theme continued with Neil Cohen being rewarded for his long traffic ridden drive up from London. His eight fish bag included four rainbows over 4lbs. Season ticket holder John Dickens also enjoyed fine sport netting fifteen on dries followed by Clive Wilkins who boated eleven to a red sugar cube dry fly. Many of his fish were also in excess of 4lbs. On the bank Tony Broadway found feeding fish in Biggin Bay & managed a grand total of 17 to a team of straight lined buzzers. He also caught a beautiful roach of about a pound & a half.  Don Roper enjoyed the whole of Lin Croft to himself on the bank during his Friday visit & was rewarded with four rainbows which were also all over 4lbs. Open water drifts were the order of the day for Graham Pearson & Rob Sosbe whose combined catch to Red Bits totalled twenty four.

Although virtually all the anglers were afloat on Saturday, some terrific sport was being enjoyed from the bank in Toft shallows by Henk Van Der Eshoff. He netted a total of 17 rainbows with many in the 3-4lbs bracket & all coming to small black buzzer. Meanwhile, in the first of the weekend Lexus heats, Craig Barr led the way with a 23 fish total. Tom Bird followed him into second place catching 19 with Lee Henfrey in third with 18. The events were fished to a four fish bag followed by catch & release. At the conclusion of an eventful competition 30 anglers had netted 228 fish for a rod average of 7.6.

The Sunday heat was a floating line only competition from which Ronnie Gent came out victorious with 16 to his net. Peter Edge, (who had travelled down from Scotland for four days with us), took second spot with a 12 fish tally. He was followed into third spot by Ryan Feber with11. Our own season rod Tony Parker landed the largest fish of the two days with a rainbow of 6lbs 9oz. Twenty seven anglers on day two caught 135 representing a rod average of 5. Congratulations to John Horsey on such a well organised & administered event together with all those who qualified through to the final.

Sunday also saw the capture of the week’s largest fish. Mr Tim Burn netted a fabulous rainbow of 8lbs 3oz as part of his 12 fish tally. Tim presented a size 12 Claret Hopper in slicks & his bag also included another at 4lbs 2oz.

Best Bank areas; Rainbow Corner, Biggin Bay, Lin Croft and Toft.

Best Flies: Bobs Bits, Shipman’s, Hoppers & Daddies. Small buzzers &Diawl Bachs (especially as a washing line)        

Weekly Boat Draw.

This week’s free boat draw has been won by Mr Viv Davies from Carmarthen.

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:     346        Number Trout Taken:    608         Number Trout Released:   700

Total Catch:     1308              Weekly Rod Average: 3.78

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 20:45

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 20:45

Boat Part Day:  AM  08:30 until 14:30   PM 14:30 until  20:45

Last 4 Hours from:  16:45 until 20:45 

All Anglers to be off site by: 21:15

Boat anglers are reminded that there is no anchoring within 150yards of the aerators or the pontoons.

Boat Angler Safety Issue: Please all note that the requirement to wear a life jacket at all times whilst on the pontoon & in boats is for your own safety. Please do not under any circumstances tamper with the buoyancy aids supplied. This week an angler tampered with his life jacket removing the gas cylinder from within. It was later found discarded in the boat & appeared to have been extracted for makeshift use as a priest! Thanks to our regime of daily safety checks the jacket was quickly brought back into safe service.

Records: 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.

And finally! You’ll all enjoy this little video produced by Fishing TV featuring Steve Cullen on Draycote at the height of the buzzer back in April. It will be free to view for about another six weeks:

  http://www.onlinefishing.tv/channel/game/preview/buzzers-on-big-waters

Tight lines,

 Kevin

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Draycote Water Fishing Report w/e Sunday 16^th August 2015.

We are waiting for the EA to confirm that a non native shrimp has been found in Draycote Reservoir.

In the meantime & as a precaution we will be following the recommended Check – Clean – Dry procedures for bank & boat anglers & have set up a hose down area in front of the lodge

• Check – All clothing and equipment, WADERS, WADING BOOTS, NETS,DROGUE, ETC should be thoroughly inspected and any visible debris (mud, plant or animal matter) should be removed and left at the water body where it was found. Particular attention must be paid to the seams and seals of boots and waders. Any pockets of pooled water should be emptied.

• Clean – Equipment should be hosed down or pressure-washed on site. Equipment should be carefully contained, e.g. in plastic bags, if they are being transported to a wash down point. Washings should be left at the water body where the equipment was used. Do not wash down any equipment off site as it would potentially contaminate other water courses.

• Dry – Thoroughly drying is the best method for disinfecting clothing and equipment. Boots and nets should be hung-up to dry. Equipment should be thoroughly dry for 48 hours before it is used elsewhere. Some non-native species can survive for as many as 15 days in damp conditions and up to 2 days in dry conditions, so the drying process must be thorough.

If you have any questions contact the Draycote Fishery Staff

Fishing Report

Draycote has continued to fish well despite the warm weather of late, though some anglers have found it a bit tricky at times. There are absolutely stacks of fish out there, it’s just that they get pre occupied on very small terrestrials this time of year, and for that reason it becomes a bit more difficult to knock them off their perch . However, with a weekly rod average of 2.5, we seem to be doing pretty well in the current climate Despite a slight algae, I would describe the water quality as good.

Some of the more experienced anglers have done very well this week, fishing closer to the banks first thing, and then drifting over open water during the middle part of the day.

The fish have remained very high in the water, and this has been critical to cracking the code to catching them. Your flies have needed to be within the top couple of feet of the surface to stand a chance. Both boat and bank anglers have done very well fishing the smaller patterns such as size 14 black buzzers and size 16 claret Bobs Bits.

The bank, in comparison to the boats, tends to be a bit slower through July and August, however the Cornfield  has  produced some good catches The mornings and  evenings have proved to be the best times to fish the bank as once the sun gets up a bit, the fish push out further into the deeper water.

Horwich and District Fly Fishers had a good day out with us here on Sunday with the majority of anglers catching on Dawsons olive and cats whiskers.

Thornton Fly Fishers also fished a small match on Sunday, with the overall winner being Richard Damon

Best flies; buzzers, diawl bachs, crunchers, the yellow owl, claret shipmans buzzers, daddies, hoppers,  and the dreaded blob in various guises.

Best lines; Floating line, midge tip and a slow intermediate.

Best areas; Toft, Cornfield, Lincroft point, Biggin Bay and Dunns Bay, A and B Buoy.

Weekly Boat Draw

The free weekly boat draw has been won by Mr M Bradbury  from Stoney Stanton .

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods: 282            Number Trout Taken:   355            Number Trout Released:   369

Total Catch:  724                 Weekly Rod Average:    2.5

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 20:30

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 20:30

Boat Part Day:  AM  08:30 until14:15   PM 14:15 until 20:30

Last 4 Hours from:  16:30  until   20:30

All Anglers to be off site by: 21:00

Date for your diary

Draycote Fly Fishers are organizing a charity match on 19^th September 2015, in order to raise money for a Wheelie boat here at Draycote Water. Full details and how to enter will be published later this week.

Tight Lines.

The Draycote Team.

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Draycote Weekly Fishing Report w/eSunday 2nd August  2015

Telephone Number 01788 812018

As I’m sure you are all aware, the weather has been very changeable this week.  The fishing was a bit slow to start with, but picked up nicely as the week progressed. This I believe, was partly helped by the rain and cooler breezes helping to lower that surface temperature. There are still plenty of fish between the 3- 5lb mark being caught, particularly from drifting boats, working the wind lanes across the middle of the reservoir. At no stage of the game this season, have we seen the pea soup which has troubled Draycote in the past, indeed, despite a very slight algae bloom, the water quality can be described as very good.

The fish, yet again, haven’t read the rule book, and remain in the top few feet of the water. Dries are now working extremely well, with many anglers getting well into double figures on them. But Diawl Bachs, Buzzers and crunchers on a floating line are also producing some good catches.

I would like to add that the bank fishing has slowed up a bit, but neither Brian Allwood, Mike Garner or Tony Broadway would agree with me. All of them fish on Wednesday and Thursday and easily got into double figures on a variety of flies such as Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Dries.

Other notables who did well fishing from a boat this week were;

Peter Elliott and Lee Patten fishing on Thursday had over 46 fish to the boat, the best of which was 5lbs.

Jude Tuffs, reported a large shoal of fish “going mad” on a swarm of flying ants in Biggin Bay on Friday, where she boated over 14 good fish.

Mr I Tearle and Mr N Mead boated over 30 fish on Saturday, all on dries.

Mr V Davies, Mr V Gwilliam, Mr E Phillips and Mr R Owen, travelled from Wales for two days fishing here at Draycote. On Friday they caught over 40 fish between them and they too reported the clouds of flying ants in Biggin Bay.  On their second a day they caught over 50 fish and reported “ A Cracking two days of dry fly fishing” all on hoppers and daddies.

Best boat areas; Rainbow Corner, The Aerators, Biggin Bay and Toft Shallows. The shoals at this time of year are also worth a try.

Best Bank areas; Rainbow Corner, The Tower Bank, Biggin Bay, and Toft.

Best Flies, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs, Crunchers, Daddies, Hoppers and Bobs Bits.        

Weekly Boat Draw.

This weeks free boat draw has been won by Mr Chris Brindley from Crick.

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:  243           Number Trout Taken:  365           Number Trout Released:   527

Total Catch:    892               Weekly Rod Average: 3.6

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 21:00

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 21:00

Boat Part Day:  AM  08:30 until14:45   PM 14:45 until  21:00

Last 4 Hours from:  17:00 until 21:00 

All Anglers to be off site by: 21:30

Boat anglers are reminded that there is no anchoring within 150yards of the aerators or the pontoons.

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.

Tight lines.

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