Draycote Water  weekly report week ending Sunday 26^th October 2014

Telephone Number 01788 812018

We’ve had a very good season so far and despite the weather at the beginning of this week, Draycote continues to fish well from both boat and bank. Huge winds, in the aftermath of “Hurricane “Gonzalo”, kept the boats off the water on Tuesday. Nevertheless, those who chose to fish from the bank still enjoyed good sport.

The fish are fry feeding, mainly up close to the banks and various structures around the reservoir. Most of the bank anglers are reluctant to wade in, as this tends to push the fish further out into the water. The boat anglers have been doing quite well fishing up close to the dam walls and there are a large number of good quality browns being caught on a daily basis.

Whilst lures and floating fry patterns have accounted for a lot of fish, dry flies such as daddies are still working very well, as are buzzers and diawl bachs.

The water quality is currently excellent.

This week yet again saw the arrival of the McGregor group from Scotland on a 3 day package. The lads achieved a rod average of 5 during their stay, fishing through some quite testing weather conditions.

“Fishability” is a charity run for the benefit of ex-servicemen organised by Tony Hern of Albury Estate Trout Fishery.  We were pleased to welcome a group from the organisation to Draycote on Saturday and were able to introduce some newcomers to the sport for the first time. Nine boats with guides went afloat & sport was enjoyed by all. Some fine browns & rainbows were caught  with the biggest fish, a rainbow of 4lbs, being caught by Mr Jay Mathurin. Congratulations to Jay who is new to the sport with no previous angling experience. A very big thank you also to all the guides, including the Draycote Fly Fishers, who volunteered their services for the day.

 Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:   294          Number Trout Taken:   378            Number Trout Released:   577

Total Catch:     955               Weekly Rod Average:   3.24

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 17:00

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 17:00

Boat Part Day:  AM  08:30 until12:30  /  PM 12:30 until 17:00

Last 4 Hours from:  13:00  until 17:00  (Ticket sales available from 12:45)

All Anglers to be off site by: 17:30

In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure.  If not in the lodge it will be found on the counter in the gutting room next door.

Bank Anglers car passes should be, where possible, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.

Boat anglers are also politely reminded of the ruling that there is no anchoring within 100 yards of any pontoon or aerators. This is especially relevant to the harbour pontoon as its own mooring chains & anchors extend out a considerable distance from the end of the harbour & are easily fouled.

Tight lines.

Alan

Up & coming events

The Fur & Feather event on Sunday 23^rd November is now fully booked.

The season closes on Sunday 30^th November 2014.

Local Club

Draycote Fly Fishers Association is the local angling club to Draycote Water. During the season they organise various club competitions and during the winter they hold six club meetings at a venue in Dunchurch. For further information contact the club secretary Graham Homer 02476 402464

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Draycote Water Mid-week update Thursday 23^rd October 2014

Draycote continues on good form notwithstanding high winds with the aftermath of Hurricane Gonzalo going through on Tuesday. The rod average for the 83 rods fishing the first three days this week stands at 3.9 Bank anglers are enjoying some excellent sport with tactics varying between buzzer &fry feeding. Many good browns still being encountered by boat & bank anglers alike. The boat fleet  is almost booked for Saturday, with some boat availability still on Sunday. Call the lodge for bookings.

Bank anglers also need to book their Car Passes in advance due to the limited we are able to issue.

Tight lines, Kevin

Draycote Water Fishery Lodge Tel: 01788 812018

Draycote Water weekly report week ending Sunday 19^th October 2014

Telephone Number 01788 812018

The past week has seen a very unsettled weather system here at Draycote. A forecast of high winds and heavy rain put paid to some angler’s plans of some good end of season sport. But, those who braved the conditions reaped the rewards of what has been yet another good week on the water. The bank anglers, not for the first time this season, have been catching well into teens and have on occasion, out fished the boats.

The large amount of fry has been helping Draycote maintain its almost relentless good form as both boat and bank anglers report fishing “hot spots” from all areas of the water.   

Draycote member Tony Broadway has braved the elements from the bank on 3 separate occasions this week, catching a large number of fish on buzzers and crunchers.  

Mr Ron Melling caught his first ever brown, a fish of 6lb, on what was a very wet and windy Monday.

Matt Hanlon reported “a superb 4 hours” off the bank on Tuesday with an excellent bag.

Other notables were Mr Gary Darlow, Mr T Tappenden, Mr Peter Elliott and Mr Geoff Allsopp, who all caught well from the bank throughout the week.

The arrival of the Army on Friday for three days for their autumn match put both them and the water to the test recoding a total catch of 238 trout including browns to 6lb₊

Best flies. Humungus,  Minkies, fry patterns. Daddies, Diawl Bachs and olive buzzers

Best bank areas.  Toft, Hensborough, Rainbow Corner, Lin Croft Point and the Cornfield.

Best boat areas. Toft, Rainbow Corner, The Tower, Biggin Bay, Lin Croft Point and the Cornfield.

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:   279          Number Trout Taken:  606           Number Trout Released:   696

Total Catch:  1302                 Weekly Rod Average: 4.66

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 18:15

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 18:15

Boat Part Day:  AM 08:30 until13:00   PM 13:00 until  18:15

Last 4 Hours from:  14:15 until 18:15 (Ticket sales available from 14:00)

All Anglers to be off site by: 18:30

Draycote Closing Day for 2014 falls on 30^th November

In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure. If not in the lodge it will be found on the counter in the gutting room next door.

Bank Anglers car passes should be, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.

Boat anglers may wish to note that we now have a rudder for hire at the daily rate of £7. It can be pre booked at the time you make your boat booking.

Tight lines

Alan

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Draycote Water weekly report week ending Sunday 12th October 2014

Telephone Number 01788 812018

As we go deeper into autumn, weather conditions appear to have been the biggest factor influencing the nature of the sport this week. Bad weather at the start of the week saw anglers monitoring the forecasts & deciding not to venture out. Indeed, I found it most bizarre having the whole fleet of 32 boats booked out on Sunday to then see it reduced to one solitary vessel on Monday! Tuesday was also quiet in terms of angler numbers with a total of 19 on the water from boat & bank .

After weeks of constant pressure I am sure that the fishery benefitted from a couple of quiet days as come Wednesday tremendous sport was being enjoyed by boat & bank anglers alike. Bank regular Geoff Allsop spent a day in Toft alternating his tactics between minkies & appetisers and green buzzers plus various palmers. He ended the day with a total of 29!  Despite awful weather, Kenny Sichi & his party of six anglers also enjoyed fantastic sport out in the boats. Their total catch exceeded 120 fish topped by a 7lbs for Ian Dobbie. Meanwhile, also in the boat, John Fudge netted a. magnificent grown on  rainbow of 7lbs 2oz (see photo on Facebook). His superb specimen came to an olive buzzer fished in Toft Shallows

The action continued into Thursday which saw season rod Tony Broadway back on the bank to take total of 15 whilst Mr Armstrong was glad that he spent an afternoon boat as his catch included a brownie of 6lbs.Tony could not resist coming straight back  on Friday & was rewarded with a twenty plus catch to buzzers. He fished with fellow season rods John Dews & Gordon Slack who both also got into the action with similarly large catches.

Stars of the week were probably the “Paisley Patterns Fly Fishers”, ten of whom spent a three day break with us on Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Their sport progressively improved with every day and they ended their holiday break very pleased with a joint total of 269 trout – equating to an astonishing individual rod average of 11.2 for each of their three days! Amongst the large numbers of browns appearing this week special note should also be made of a wonderful 7lbs specimen taken on Saturday by Vince Aronica off the Tower Bank using a fry imitation. Take a look at a photograph of it as it also appears on our Facebook page.

Notwithstanding the welcome return of buzzer activity this week, (once more the olive & smaller blacks), it is the fry feeding activity which has been the highlight of this period. Best areas have been Toft, Cornfield, Lin Croft & Biggin Bay together with Rainbow Corner. Browns & rainbows have been marauding the shoals of fry tight to the margins. Bank anglers are advised to avoid the temptation to wade unnecessarily and numerous anglers have commented on witnessing  packs of fish on fry bashing forays between them & the bank!

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:   265         Number Trout Taken:   418    Number Trout Released:   1029

Total Catch:      1447            Weekly Rod Average:  5.5

Current Fishing Times:

Bank:  07:30 until 18:30

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 18:30

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

Last 4 Hours from:  14:30 until 18:30 (Ticket sales available from 14:15)

All Anglers to be off site by: 18:45

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.

Boat anglers are also politely reminded of the ruling that there is no anchoring within 100 yards of any pontoon or aerators. This is especially relevant to the harbour pontoon as its own mooring chains & anchors extend out a considerable distance from the end of the harbour & are easily fouled.

Bank Anglers car passes should be, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.

Boat anglers may wish to note that we now have a rudder for hire at the daily rate of £7. It can be pre booked at the time you make your boat booking.

Congratulations to Mr John Hurst of Marlow who is the winner of this week’s Free Boat Draw.

Tight lines

Kevin

Dates for the Diary

2014 Closing Day falls on Sunday 30^th November.

FUR & FEATHER

Sunday 23^rd November 9.00am – 4.00pm fished to fishery rules, 8 fish limit, no entry fee.

                                              !! NOTE: Only FOUR boats remaining!!

Prize for Christmas Hamper 1^st Christmas Wine 2rd and Christmas Wine 3^rd & Bottle Whiskey largest fish everybody brings a raffle prize.      Call the lodge to book your boat

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Draycote Water weekly report week ending Sunday 5th October 2014

Telephone Number 01788 812018

Autumn is clearly with us now & weather conditions this week have, as anticipated, tended to govern the nature & quality of the fishing. It has been an unsettled week with morning temperatures as I have driven to work varying from 4 to 14 degrees centigrade. On Sunday morning I found myself scrapping the first hard frost off the windscreen!  It has also been a week of varying winds & also some sunny flat calms as well as the arrival of some very wet conditions.

Monday was flat calm most of the day making life really hard for the bank anglers. In the boat however, Paul Donegan & Les Shaw had got the measure of things on their final day of a three day holiday package. Paul took sixteen on floating fry patterns whilst Les stuck to dries and netted a dozen. Richard Pelly & Gary Turner shared an evening boat and collectively caught nine to fry patterns off the Hensborough bank. A good evening rise was also reported in Toft.

Tuesday was a tough day although there were some good brownies recorded. Yet again dries & daddies also scored for boat anglers Malcolm Rough, who netted 11 mainly on a red seal’s fur emerger pattern of his own tying, and Kevin Rees (again!), with 14 to his claret bits & fiery brown hopper. Wednesday saw anglers contending with a harder day still and the rod average dipped to 2.2. Nevertheless, season rod Tony Broadway had a good afternoon session on the bank. He took a 3lbs 8oz rainbow together with a 5lbs brown & he returned another brace of brownies.

Mr Eeles enjoyed good sport to daddies on Thursday commenting on “an excellent days sport off the inlet & in Rainbow Corner”. Loren Serrano also described his visit as “fantastic fishing – best session all year”. By Friday things were really picking back up once more, mainly for the boats. While  more anglers are now targeting the fry feeders they are seeing,  we still have many seeking to take advantage of the great dry fly action that has gladly continued. Mr T Evans netted 28 to the dries with boat partner J Bilinski following up with a creditable ten. Meanwhile on the bank, Ian Shobbrook put in a fine performance with browns & rainbows to 4lbs taken in Rainbow Corner on pulled fry patterns.

On Saturday Roger Henderson was pleased to finally make his long awaited return to the venue. He was rewarded with a 4lbs+ brownie off the Hensborough Bank on his second cast of the day! He said he was surprised to still see house martins working over the Draycote Water Dam at Rainbow Corner where he proceeded to make up his bag on buzzer tactics. He said that the rainbows he later gutted were full to the brim with small black buzzer. Kenny Sichi & friends from Scotland also fished on Saturday & netted nearly seventy trout between them. Crunchers fished washing line style on a midge tip accounted for a large proportion of their fish –especially between the Farborough Spit & Toft.

The hard Sunday morning frost followed a clear, cold night and it was some hours before ripple developed & cloud began to break up the sunshine.  This prompted feeding & some good bags were taken. Mr Bonniger fished tubes down the Tower Bank & later in Toft to take 15 rainbows &a caught & released 5lbs+ brown. Lee Henfrey & Nigel Keeber also got in on the action after a slow start. They fished fry patterns on a Di7 & caught 22 between them. The afternoon cloud cover was also what season rod Tony Parker was looking for. Fishing with Andy Axon they searched hard &found rising fish in Rainbow Corner, near the Tower, the Aerators &finally down into Toft. They weighed 16 rainbows for 39lbs with another eight returned.

Finally, Howard Smith had the oddest catch of the week on Sunday. Fishing near the inlet he boated a Greys rod & reel! Ironically, the owner had only phoned in about an hour previously to describe how he had lost the gear over the side the day before. He had put the rod down to pour a coffee from his flask & a trout had hit his fly & pulled the rod over the gunnels & away. Be aware, this happens an awful lot & it is rare for the tackle to be recovered as it fortunately was on this occasion.

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:    339         Number Trout Taken:  527      Number Trout Released:   513

Total Catch:     1040              Weekly Rod Average:  3.1

Current Fishing Times:

Bank:  07:30 until 18:45

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 18:45

Boat Part Day:  AM 08:30 until 13:15 PM 13:15 until  18:45

Last 4 Hours from:  14:45 until 18:45 (Ticket sales available from 14:30)

All Anglers to be off site by: 19:00

In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure.  If not in the lodge it will be found on the counter in the gutting room next door.

Boat anglers are also politely reminded of the ruling that there is no anchoring within 100 yards of any pontoon or aerators. This is especially relevant to the harbour pontoon as its own mooring chains & anchors extend out a considerable distance from the end of the harbour & are easily fouled.

Bank Anglers car passes should be, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.

Boat anglers may wish to note that we now have a rudder for hire at the daily rate of £7. It can be pre booked at the time you make your boat booking.

Congratulations to Mr Ron Beavan of Tenbury Wells who is the winner of this week’s Free Boat Draw.

Tight lines

Kevin

Dates for the Diary

2014 Closing Day falls on Sunday 30^th November.

FUR & FEATHER

Sunday 23^rd November 9.00am – 4.00pm fished to fishery rules, 8 fish limit, no entry fee.

Prize for Christmas Hamper 1^st Christmas Wine 2rd and Christmas Wine 3^rd  & Bottle Whiskey largest fish everybody brings a raffle prize

Call the lodge to book your boat

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Draycote Water weekly report week ending Sunday 28^th September 2014

Telephone Number 01788 812018

As we actually enter into autumn it has been another really good week for Draycote with 461 anglers catching 1721 trout for a weekly rod average of 3.73.  Generally it has been a harder reporting period this week probably – as a result of fluctuations in weather conditions – in particular changing winds.  As I write it is all but flat calm with anglers chasing limited ripple. However, a swing around into WSW & westerly winds at the beginning of last week slowed up catch returns.  At times during mid-week a full blown westerly resulted in periods of white horses with waves breaking over the pontoon!  Nevertheless, overall sport has continued to be good. As before, principal food items on the menu have continued to be midge pupa, daddies (dry & sub-surface) & fry.

As always a few notable catches reflect the quality of the sport being enjoyed by many. On Monday Messrs Ashton & Robertson fished nymphs from their boat bringing a joint total of 33 to the net at the end of a very successful three day holiday package. Stan Hillman continued his run of form on the bank with a brace of rainbows & a brace of brownies having targeted them fry feeding. Tony Broadway & Gordon Slack also did well on the bank on Tuesday with 11 between them including a 4lbs 8oz brownie caught & released by Tony. Meanwhile Norman Perkins made the most of a solo boat session to net a total of 16 fish up to 4lbs, mainly taken from the Toft Shallows. Interestingly, Stan Hillman returned on Wednesday when he wisely responded to changing circumstances, switched to buzzer tactics to take 5 rainbows &1 brownie. The big westerlies brought with them a significant chill factor & Wednesday some of the dry fly boys were having to settle for single figure catches.

It was lovely to welcome Moc Morgan to the water for two days this week – especially listening to him recalling his experiences when he fished Draycote on its first ever opening day! Similarly, it was also good to see Bob Church afloat again when he enjoyed a day with us in the company of his EFFA buddies. Twenty four of them caught 129 fish for a rod average of 5.4. Twelve trout to the dries on Tuesday proved to be a worthwhile warm up session for Peter De Kremer who took top honours on match day with eight rainbows for 22lbs. Congratulations!

Changing tactics at the right time also proved worthwhile for John Clifford on Thursday – admirably demonstrating the trout’s mixed diet right now. John coaxed eight fish from close to the margins in Biggin Bay with half coming to daddies & the remainder on floating fry patterns. By now the whole of our readership seems to be following the exploits of season rod Kevin Rees who has so excelled with dry fly tactics this summer. Well, his tremendous form is not to be diminished… this week’s Friday visit brought another 23 to his net, again on small Bob’s Bits & hoppers! Well done – we can (& should) all take note of your attention to detail, set-up & presentation. John Hoskins also came up trumps with yet another 61/2lbs rainbow to his size 14 black buzzer. What a hatrick- his third rainbow in that size bracket in three visits… and all to the same fly pattern too!

The weather again knocked things back come Saturday when the average slipped  to 2.49 Pressure of angling, especially down in Toft, also saw anglers seeing loads of surface feeding or following fish but having trouble persuading them to take. Nevertheless, things picked up again on Sunday when a big range of tactics produced. Mr Severn stuck to his rudder & tube fly combination to bring 15 fish to net whilst Jim Gamble returned for more action with the fry feeders on the bank. He found himself also having to swop & change tactics – this time catching 7 in total on a mix of buzzer & fry tactics. Tony Parker stuck to his dries from his drifting boat  & was delighted with a rainbow of approx. 61/2lbs – the best of a twelve fish catch.

We all hope for a continuation of the great surface sport that has been experienced. However, given the time of year, much will depend on what happens weather-wise. What is clear though, is that the fry feeding will undoubtedly go on until the end of the season at the end of November.

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:     461        Number Trout Taken:   857          Number Trout Released:   864

Total Catch:       1721           Weekly Rod Average: 3.73

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 19:00

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 19:00

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

Last 4 Hours from:  15:00 until 19:00 (Ticket sales available from 14:45)

All anglers to be off site by: 19:15

Boat anglers are also politely reminded of the ruling that there is no anchoring within 100 yards of any pontoon or aerators. This is especially relevant to the harbour pontoon as its own mooring chains & anchors extend out a considerable distance from the end of the harbour & are easily fouled.

Boat anglers may wish to note that we now have a rudder for hire at the daily rate of £7. It can be pre booked at the time you make your boat booking.

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.

To be guaranteed, Bank Anglers Car Passes need to be booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.

As well as our Boat Angler Loyalty Cards, we are now also running a weekly draw for a free boat. Fill in an entry card in the lodge including your name, address & email contact details for inclusion in the draw. I am pleased to announce that this week’s winner is Mr. G Turner of Blakesley.

Tight lines

Kevin

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

2014 Closing Date Sunday 30^th November

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Come along & see us at the:
Burton On Trent Game Fishing & Fly Tying Festival
At Burton Town Hall Sunday 5^th October 10.00am – 5.00pm
More info visit the show website
www.burton-on-trentgamefishingandflytyingfestival.co.uk

FUR & FEATHER

Sunday 23^rd November  9.00am – 4.00pm fished to fishery rules 8 fish limit no entry fee

Prize for Christmas Hamper 1^st Christmas Wine 2rd and Christmas Wine 3^rd  & Bottle Spirits largest fish Everybody brings a raffle prize

Call the lodge to book your boat

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Draycote Water weekly report week ending Sunday 21st September 2014

Telephone Number 01788 812018

Yet again, another tremendous week for Draycote with a seven day rod average getting very close to five! Rods for the week totalled 391 with a combined catch of 1872!  Plenty of surface sport has been had throughout the week & the boat fleet has been under much pressure. Advance booking right now is an absolute necessity to avoid disappointment. The boats still out fish the banks although both are providing excellent sport. The bank is still generally at its best early & late in the day. Dries & Daddy Long Legs patterns have produced some amazing bags of fish for many. Buzzers, mainly olive & smaller black ones, have also taken lots of fish – especially in Toft Shallows. Fry feeding (primarily roach & perch) also continues, particularly through the margins on the Cornfield, Lin Croft, up through Biggin Bay & the Tower Bank. Having gutted his catch, one angler described the stomach contents to me as being “like a sardine tin crammed full of baby perch!”

From the records & discussions with anglers, it is clear though that with such fun to be had on the dries right now, & with signs that “Autumn proper” is just around the corner, many of our serious anglers are ignoring these fry bashers for the time being in favour of a well presented dry fly set up on lighter outfits. We all hope that such great surface sport continues for another week or two at least.

Of the many exceptional catches during this reporting period I’ll highlight a few: Tony Broadway stuck to buzzer tactics on the bank for eleven rainbows. Jim Gamble got seriously into the fry feeders in Biggin Bay, also from the bank, taking well into double figures on his white Humungus pattern. Paul Liversidge has started to get to know the water & was rewarded with thirteen to the boat on a variety of patterns & tactics. Congratulations have to again go to Kevin Rees & the continuation of his relentless strive to perfect his dry fly technique! In what he called his “best ever catch” Kevin fished a mix of Bob’s Bits & very skinny, small hoppers on drifts out of the Cornfield. Plucking off fish patrolling the edge of a slick his patience & hard work was rewarded with a total of 32 rainbows to the net! John Hoskins also excelled again this week. His seriously good eight fish limit was topped off with a 6lbs 8oz rainbow. His fish all came from Toft to a size 14 black buzzer fished high in the water.

Cheshire Police visited on Thursday & also got in on the surface action. Sixteen anglers caught 104 trout with top honour going to Richard Hunt & Ian Wood. One angler described the Daddy Long Legs literally “launching themselves onto the water from the side of the boat”!  Iver Fly Fishers together with Derby Fly Fishers also visited at the weekend and both clubs enjoyed fine sport. Iver’s Roy Palmer took their top spot with eight rainbows for 20lbs 7oz taken on green buzzers & Diawl Bachs in Toft. Meanwhile, Clive Wilkins showed his Derby FF mates how it was done with a fine 16 fish tally taken on green Shipman’s Buzzers.

It has however, not been a period of big catches for all as some rods have clearly struggled. We all have bad patches at times however, much of the fish population have now become “proper residents” and have long lost their “stocky gullibility”. They are feeding avidly with a multitude of differing food items on their menu. Indeed, I have continually described Draycote as a “Trout’s larder”. Those who ignore this and, despite advice, continue to fish in styles akin to the opening week of the season, are going to suffer in terms of numbers of fish caught. The old adage of “match the hatch” is most appropriate right now. Be mindful of stealth, good imitation and presentation.  “Think trout!”

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:    391         Number Trout Taken:   851          Number Trout Released:  1021

Total Catch:   1872                Weekly Rod Average: 4.78

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 19:30

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 19:30

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

Last 4 Hours from:  15:30 until 19:30 (Ticket sales available from 15:15)

All Anglers to be off site by: 19:45

Unfortunately complaints regarding boat etiquette continue to be received. Please have due regard for your fellow anglers on the water, treating them in a manner in which you would wish to be treated yourself. This is especially important with regard to not “cutting up” other angler’s drifts or encroaching on bank anglers by drifting or anchoring too close to the shoreline.

Boat anglers are also politely reminded of the ruling that there is no anchoring within 100 yards of any pontoon or aerators. This is especially relevant to the harbour pontoon as its own mooring chains & anchors extend out a considerable distance from the end of the harbour & are easily fouled.

Boat anglers may wish to note that we now have a rudder for hire at the daily rate of £7. It can be pre booked at the time you make your boat booking.

In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure.  If not in the lodge it will be found on the counter in the gutting room next door.

Bank Anglers car passes should be booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.

As well as our Boat Angler Loyalty Cards, we are now also running a weekly draw for a free boat. Fill in an entry card in the lodge including your name, address & email contact details for inclusion in the draw. I am pleased to announce that this week’s winner is Mr C. Russell of Burbage.

Tight lines

Kevin

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

2014 Closing Date Sunday 30^th November

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Come along & see us at the:
Burton On Trent Game Fishing & Fly Tying Festival
At Burton Town Hall Sunday 5^th October 10.00am – 5.00pm
More info visit the show website
www.burton-on-trentgamefishingandflytyingfestival.co.uk

Follow Us on

facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

 twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Draycote Water weekly report week ending Sunday 14^th September  2014

Telephone Number 01788 812018

At the beginning of the week the weather consisted of bright sunny days with little or no cloud cover, accompanied by a light to non-existent breeze. It would make you think of mowing the lawn or even giving the car a quick once over, but definitely not fishing. No, the rules are very clear on this matter, on days like this the fish move, ( in an orderly fashion ), to the depths of the reservoir, whereupon they go about grabbing hold of anything moving at high speed which is big and bright and flashy, and proceed to pull hard.

But far from it. It’s obvious, you see, that the fish haven’t read the rule book. In the first few days of the week they were up in the top of the water or hard up against the bank merrily feeding away, totally ignoring the presence of boats or bank anglers or the slap of a poorly cast fly line landing right in front of them. (as I was finding out on Wednesday).

Even with the change in conditions in the latter part of the week the fishing didn’t alter that much, surprise surprise. On Saturday during the AMFC match most of the fish where caught in the top few feet of the water. The fish are still focused on the small fry and are also apt to feed on the hatches of buzzer or other small emergers. The AMFC match had a rod average 7.4

The best of the sport this week has definitely been on either dries, the washing line with either buzzers or dawl bach’s or, floating fry patterns.  Although some anglers have had some good sport on a midge tip or slow intermediate line and small lures.

Some of the more notable catches this week are;

Mr Riches and Mr Kelly, fishing on Monday, brought a good number of fish to the boat mainly on daddies.

Draycote member Mr Graham Homer visited us on two occasions this week, boated a large number of fish, mainly on dries.

Mr Paul Vernon sent us a great photo of a lovely 4lb+ brown which he caught on Monday. Paul visited us again on Wednesday bringing as a boat partner Mr Stuart Stone, who had a great introductory day boating a good number of fish well in excess of the rod average.   

Lord Dayman of Leicestershire and Rutland, brought a large number of fish to the boat on Wednesday down in toft, mainly on crunchers.

Vince Aronica also caught a good number of fish on Wednesday, including a 4lb+ brown.

Phil Over caught well into the teens during his visit this week, mainly on gold head daddies.

Mr Hallam and Mr Booth had as they quoted, “A great day” on Thursday. They fished from Biggin across the shoal and down into toft, catching a large number of fish mainly on a selection of dries including hoppers and culs.  

But the gold star this week must go to Sean (or was it Matt) Hanlon who on Friday caught a beautiful 6lb Brownie. .

Best flies.  Crunchers, dawl bachs, buzzers – Daddies, hoppers, the yellow owl, shipmans buzzer – Pitsford Pea, damsels,cats whisker and humungus.

Best bank areas. Lincroft point, the cornfield and the Tower bank.

Best boat areas. The tower, biggin bay, across Croft shoal and all the way down toft bay.  

Boat anglers are reminded that there is no anchoring within 100yards of the aerators or the pontoons.

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:   377          Number Trout Taken: 840            Number Trout Released:   748

Total Catch:    1588               Weekly Rod Average: 4.2

Current Fishing Time:

Bank:  07:30 until 19:45

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 19:45

Boat Part Day:  AM  08:30 until14:00   PM 14:00 until  19:45

Last 4 Hours from:  15:45 until 19:45  (Ticket sales available from 15:30)

All Anglers to be off site by: 20:15

Numerous complaints regarding boat etiquette have been received. Please have due regard for your fellow anglers on the water, treating them in a manner in which you would wish to be treated yourself. This is especially important with regard to not “cutting up” other angler’s drifts or encroaching on bank anglers by drifting or anchoring too close to the shoreline.

In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure.  If not in the lodge it will be found on the counter in the gutting room next door.

Bank Anglers car passes should be, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have 30 available at any one time.

Boat anglers may wish to note that we now have a rudder for hire at the daily rate of £7. It can be pre booked at the time you make your boat booking.

As well as our Boat Loyalty Cards, we are now also running a weekly draw for a free boat. Fill in an entry card in the lodge including your name, address & email contact details for inclusion in the draw. 

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

2014 Closing Date Sunday 30^th November

Tight lines.

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Draycote Water weekly report week ending Sunday 7^th September 2014

Telephone Number 01788 812018

Weather conditions have varied throughout a week in which wind directions have come from all points of the compass. We have also experienced contrasts from intense rain at the start of the period to clear blue skies with bright sunshine and near flat calms later in the week. Nevertheless, Draycote has continued to produce some excellent sport with those fishing dries still enjoying what is perhaps the best of the action. The olive buzzer hatches have continued throughout the week & have now been joined by a consistent emergence of smaller black buzzer. Anglers should check out the flies trapped inside the lodge each morning as well as the contents of the now dewy autumnal spider’s webs for clues as to fly selection. Fry feeding also continues at many locations around the venue. Whilst Lin Croft & Cornfield continue to be sites of some frenzied action, frequently throughout the whole day, most banks are heavily populated by the fry – mainly roach & perch. Boats have also been involved in the fray with huge shoals of fry being hunted down over open water as well.

Many fine individual performances have been recorded this week but yet again, Kevin Rees deserves a public “pat on the back” for the way that he is perfecting his dry fly techniques. He netted 23 fine trout to 5lbs Monday on drifts out of Toft, following it up with another 20 to the net on Thursday. Carefully presented Bob’s bits & small fiery brown hoppers have been predominant on his cast. Congratulations also to Mike Fessey. At 80 years of age he experienced his first visit to a major stillwater & got straight into the action with a 4lbs+ rainbow off Lin Croft on a fry imitating pattern. Tuesday continued mainly on the dries with Ed Douglas & his boat partner Mr McLellan netting in excess of two dozen. Graham Homer had good dry fly sport too & he also had a double figure catch total. Biggin Bay was the location for Jamie Scott on Wednesday. He deceived 16 rainbows on a mix of both buzzer & dry fly tactics. Matt Hanlon was also out late on Wednesday & described his boat session as “an awesome afternoon” having tempted 12 fry feeders to the net, including a 51/2 lbs brown. Ron Beavan & Peter Giles shared a morning boat on Thursday enjoying excellent early sport to buzzers on Toft Shallows. They followed this up with a hectic session on Bibio Hoppers fished over open water whilst drifting back to the lodge. Between them they netted a total of 20 rainbows. I enjoyed time with a newcomer on the water that afternoon & we tempted numerous fry feeding fish to the net using a variety of small imitations on a slow intermediate over open water. Nearly all takes came to individually covered fish or roving pods of rainbows.

Whilst the boats continue to out fish the bank generally, on Thursday regular bank angler Dennis Jones continued his consistent run of success with an outstanding ten fish catch off the Tower Bank. A size 14 hot head Diawl Bach, on a floating line across the ripple, accounted for most of his fish (which included five good brownies – all of which he released). Once again Peter Elliott caught a huge number of fish, including seven browns, to his dry flies whilst drifting various locations on his Friday visit. John Hoskins however, concentrated on Toft using a mix of fry & buzzer tactics to also catch well. He is to be congratulated on the capture of a 7lbs rainbow which took his size 14 black buzzer.

On Saturday we hosted the Group 5 Round 5 of the Association of Major Fly-fishing Clubs league. Thirty six anglers competed and, despite hot & bright conditions, most made hay using dry fly tactics with Bob’s bits & Shipman’s bringing the best results. Washing line tactics with Crunchers also reportedly took fish consistently. All bar four competitors took their eight fish limit giving them a rod average for the event of 7.5 Best bag of 27lbs 13oz (including time bonus) went to Richard Thorpe of Soldier Palmers “B”. Their team were overall winners followed by Hanningfield & Grafham “B” in third place. Best fish was a four pounder caught by Grafham’s Clive Chatwin.

Surface activity continued into the evening as evidenced by Richard Pelley, who made best use of our Last Four Hour Ticket to take seven rainbows & a brown of 6lbs on dries & small fry imitating patterns presented on his extremely lightweight outfit.  Brighter, calmer conditions greeted anglers on Sunday when, notwithstanding the sighting of numerous surface feeding fish, many found it hard to induce any takes. Quite a few rods did find success by changing to a slow intermediate with nymphs & a variety of damsel patterns retrieved just sub surface. George Leaton was one such rod fishing in Toft. His early morning drive up from West London was rewarded with seven prime rainbows to the net.

The week-end also saw the welcome return of Hywel Morgan who ran beginners courses on both Saturday & Sunday. Both days were a success & it is nice to see new blood of all ages entering into the world of fly fishing. Sunday’s group were astonished by the fry bashing they witnessed on Lin Croft & this will only increase given the vast shoals of roach & perch fry abounding this year. Numerous anecdotes of huge fish being hooked & lost are becoming commonplace. The numbers of brownies featuring in the returns is constantly on the increase & I do not think it will be long before some truly huge specimens are brought to the landing net.

The only real downside of this week’s mainly warm & sunny weather has been the development of a green algal bloom. Three days of a northerly based wind has now pushed the bulk of it into the harbour area which does currently look unpleasant. Fortunately however, open water & the northerly shore marks from the Tower right down into Toft are not adversely affected & this is where most activity has been occurring. Weekend anglers reported that the clarity in Toft was so good that they could actually watch fish following, & most frequently turning away from, their offerings!

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods:     394         Number Trout Taken:     770         Number Trout Released:    902

Total Catch:     1672               Weekly Rod Average:   4.21

Current Fishing Times:

Bank:  07:30 until 20:00

Boat All Day:  08:30 until 20:00

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

Last 4 Hours from:  16:00 (Ticket sales available from 15:45)

All Anglers to be off site by: 20:30

In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure.  If not in the lodge it will be found on the counter in the gutting room next door.

Bank Anglers car passes should be, where possible, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.

Boat anglers are also politely reminded of the ruling that there is no anchoring within 100 yards of any pontoon or aerators. This is especially relevant to the harbour pontoon as its own mooring chains & anchors extend out a considerable distance from the end of the harbour & are easily fouled.

Numerous complaints regarding boat etiquette have also been received. Please have due regard for your fellow anglers on the water, treating them in a manner in which you would wish to be treated yourself. This is especially important with regard to not “cutting up” other angler’s drifts or encroaching on bank anglers by drifting or anchoring too close to the shoreline.

As well as our Boat Angler Loyalty Cards, we are now also running a weekly draw for a free boat. Fill in an entry card in the lodge including your name, address & email contact details for inclusion in the draw. I am pleased to announce that the first winner is Mr. D Elms of Derby.

Tight lines,

Kevin

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DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Come & see us at:

Burton On Trent Game Fishing & Fly Tying Festival

Sunday 5^th October 2014

Further details visit the show website

www.burton-on-trentgamefishingandflytyingfestival.co.uk

Draycote Water weekly report week ending Sunday 31^st August  2014

Telephone Number 01788 812018

As predicted, Draycote has continued to improve week on week as we move towards the back end of the season. The fish are responding well to the cooler water temperatures and whilst the boats are still doing well, a lot of the fish have moved in closer to the shoreline. This has led to a marked improvement in the bank anglers catch returns.

The fish are still occupying the upper reaches of the water with more and more browns  being caught. This seems to be mainly due to their pre occupation with the pin fry.

Thus, this week has seen some exceptional catches.

Ellis Phillips and Rowland Owens did very well, picking fish off the top of the wave in very windy conditions, using foam daddies.

Draycote member Peter Elliott, once again was very successful from a drifting boat, using dries.

Mr M Cox and Mr H Smith, fishing on Monday, caught a large number of fish using floating fry patterns and hoppers.

Other anglers who did very well from the boat this week are, Mr G Preston, Mr Francis, Mr Tony Worley, Mr I tearle, Mr R Morris and Mr M Shields. 

Ray Rouse did very well fishing from the bank on Tuesday, returning a large number of browns off Lincroft point.

Other bank anglers who also got into double figures this week are, Stan Hillman, Ray Cramp, Tony Broadway, Jon Dews, Ray Rouse and Don Roper.

Best flies.  Crunchers, dawl bachs, buzzers – Daddies, hoppers, shipmans buzzer – Pitsford Pea, damsels, humungus.

 Best bank areas. Lincroft point, the cornfield and rainbow corner.

Best boat areas. Hensborough bank, the tower, biggin bay and toft.  

Boat anglers are reminded that there is no anchoring within 100yards of the aerators or the pontoons.

Weekly Stats:

Number Rods: 256             Number Trout Taken:497             Number Trout Released:  817

Total Catch:  1314                 Weekly Rod Average: 5.1

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 14:00 until  20:15

Last 4 Hours from:  16:15 until 20:15  (Ticket sales available from 16:00)

All Anglers to be off site by: 20:45

In order to maintain the accuracy of our records could all anglers please ensure that they fill in the catch return sheet before departure.  If not in the lodge it will be found on the counter in the gutting room next door.

Bank Anglers car passes should be, where possible, booked prior to coming fishing as we only have a limited number available.

Boat anglers may wish to note that we now have a rudder for hire at the daily rate of £7. It can be pre booked at the time you make your boat booking.

Tight lines.

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