Draycotes opening week exceeded even the wildest of expectations, with the rod average hitting 29 for opening day, and rounding off to 17.4 for the whole week.

A lot of good quality fish were taken too, with reports of an 8lb rainbow and 7lb brown being returned. Season ticket holder Lorenzo Serrano landed several browns over 5lb, two of which came on the same cast. All were returned.

With far to many good bags to list, one that stands out from the crowd was regular angler John Hoskins who weighed in 8 fish for 37lb ! All were taken on a combination of diawl bachs and buzzers.

The best areas have been literally the whole lake, both bank and boat. The pre season stocking has spread well throughout, allowing anglers to catch in all areas.

Best flies – Pitsford Pea, blue flash damsel, goldhead damsels, orange blobs, small boobies and buzzers.

Number of rods 342

Number of fish taken 1073

Number of fish returned 5580

Rod average 19.4

To book a boat please call 01788 812018.

tight lines

Craig Barr www.flashattackflies.com

Draycote 2014 season opens on 4th March

With a pre-season stocking of 7,500 trout it should ensure a cracking start with a good head of trout left over from last season.

Bank anglers will once again be able to drive their cars around the perimeter road, we are limited to 30 cars at any one time, we therefore have 30 bank anglers car passes you can book, we suggest to avoid disappointment you call the lodge and pre book one of the 30 car passes.

Due to demand for 2014 we have introduced a new Part Day 1 Rod boat rate £13.50

To book a boat, bank anglers car pass call the lodge 01788 812018 or email lodge@flyfishdraycote.co.uk.

We will be stocking Greys fly fishing tackle for this coming season.

Our membership packages for 2014 are all sold.

As we near to the end of the season, Draycote produced a fantastic days fishing for those that fished the year end Fur and Feather match. A cold start was soon put right for many as the fish were in a taking mood, reflected by the 3.9 rod average for 38 anglers taking part !!

Fish were very soon being caught along the Farborough dam wall (in front of lodge) on sinking lines and fry patterns. This area has been fishing well for weeks now, mainly due to the congregation of fry along the dam. Yvonne Webb and her boat partner took their 16 fish limit to the boat along this dam.

Rainbow Corner also produced a 16 fish boat limit for Bill Pugh and Lee Williams. They fished a combination of sinking lines and fry patterns. Sean Hanlon, who came 2^nd on the day, also had his 8 fish bag limit from this area.

Fishery manager Craig Barr took 5 of his 7 fish on a midge tip line, just feet from the Cornfields bank in no less than 3’ of water !! Fish were feeding on tiny midge and snails off the surface and Craig tempted them, including the biggest fish of the competition, a 5lb 11oz rainbow, with a midge tip line, Pitsford pea on the point and 2 diawl bachs on the droppers !

The last week has produced some excellent quality fish, ranging from 3lb to 6lb. Boats have done well with fry patterns fished on lines as deep as a di-5, however those who have fished close to the shores with nymphs have also tempted some excellent quality fish.

We close this coming Saturday, so If you would like to catch some superb quality fish then Draycote is the place to try. There are plenty of fish around, so move around until you come across them, you won’t be disappointed !!! The warmest part of the day has definitely been the best from the bank, 11.30 am 1-30pm as fish have responded to even the smallest of hatches.

Number of Rods 125

Number of fish caught 252

Number of fish returned 70

Rod average 2.5

FUR AND FEATHER RESULTS

1)    Bill Pugh 8 fish for 25lb 15

2)    Sean Hanlon 8 fish 25lb 12oz

3)    Lee Patten 8 fish 23lb 12oz

4)    Craig Barr 7 fish 23lb 7oz

5)    Yvonne Webb 8 fish 22lb 14oz

Biggest Fish – Craig Barr 5lb 11oz

Match rod average 3.9

A limited number of season tickets are available for 2014, starting from only £375. They are expected to sell fast so if you are interested in purchasing one then please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018. Bookings are now also being taken for the 2014 season. So if you are planning a day out by yourself, or would like to hold a club competition, or a bigger event then please call the fishing lodge to book. If you cannot reach us by phone you can book by emailing  draycotefishery@btconnect.com –  we will confirm that we have received your email.

If you are wanting that last minute Christmas present remember you can shop on line with us at www.flyfishstore.co.uk

From all the staff at Draycote Water we hope you have enjoyed your fishing here, and we look forward to seeing you all again next season.

Tight Lines

Craig Barr  www.flashattackflies.com

Finally we have our first taste of winter, and arctic blast from the North. With this in mind I would think it will only encourage the trout’s desire to pack on fat for the winter ahead, and start feeding hard on what food is around.

Iain Barr and Mark Rooney found it a breeze on Saturday with 26 fish to the boat, the majority of which fell to minky patterns fished on floating lines. My father didn’t quite reach those realms managing 4 fish for the day, again on floating lines.

Boat fishing generally has been pretty good, though one prominent feature is the fish have moved much close to the shores in search of snails, shrimp and fry, therefore fishing closer to the shores has generally brought the better results.

The bank has been improving week on week of late, with some good quality fish being caught. One angler earlier in the week took four fish for 17lb on buzzers, fished on a floating line in Toft Shallows.

The Cornfields and Toft Shallows have been by far the best two areas, though this could be down to most anglers only fishing these two spots ! Floating lines and intermediates have been the best tactics, minkies and nymphs being the focus for the flies.

Our Christmas Fur and Feather match is now full this coming Sunday. The match starts at 10am and finishes at 3.30pm. All entrants are reminded to bring a small prize with them so everyone can take something home.

Number of rods 132

Number of fish caught 167

Number of fish released 161

Rod average 2.48

Bookings are now being taken for 2014 season. To book, whether it is a day’s boat fishing, a club competition or any other event please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018.

Why not try one of our fantastic 3 day package deals. 3 days fishing including boats and permits for 2 anglers, 1 fish catch and release, only £145, or 3 days fishing including boats and permits and 8 fish per day per angler, catch and release only £185. Our prices for the 2014 season will remain the same as the 2013 season.

If you are struggling for ideas for Christmas presents, remember you can shop on line at www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Tight Lines

Craig Barr www.flashattackflies.com

This week has seen some fantastic fish coming out of Draycote from both the bank and boats. No less than 60 fish over 6lb have been taken this week, with 3 fish over 8lb being recorded, the best a fantastic 9lb 8oz fish taken by Mr K Wilkinson, followed by S Peck with a rainbow of 9lb 5oz.

Jude Tuffs took a superb bag of fish from at Toft Shallows, 8 fish weighing 33lb 6oz !! Jude was fishing a floating line with a combination of nymphs and minkies. Tom Gamble and his father recorded 8 fish, also from the bank, weighing 32lb !

The boats have fished well too, with some bonanza bags appearing. Regular visitor John Hoskins took 13 fish on a Flash Attack Coral mini bite size 14 booby, fished on a di-3. He said “ they hit it like a rocket. At one point I almost lost my rod as I put it down to light a cigarette, it frightened me to death!” John’s friend Peter Elliot, also fishing from a boat, winning the SKB tackle match on Saturday, with 8 fish for 26lb 7oz.

The best bank areas have been, Toft Shallows, Rainbow Corner and Lincroft Point to the Cornfields. Minkies, minky boobies, diawl bachs, crunchers, and buzzers have taken most fish, fished on floating lines.

The boats have had the best of the fishing also in Toft Shallows, and the tower dam wall has also produced some big fish, especially browns ! The dam wall in front of the fishing lodge has had a good head of fish over the last week or so, with fish moving into the dam on the fry lined along its margins.

Fry lures have been the best flies from the boats, fished on floating lines to di-5’s. The bigger fish have tended to come deeper down.

Only 3 boats remain for our popular Christmas Fur and Feather match this year, Sunday 24^th Nov, So if you would like to fish this friendly, fun and free to enter event(except normal fishing fees), then please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018. All anglers are reminded to bring along a token gift on the day, so all anglers go home with something. E.G, bottle of wine, tin of biscuits, fly lines, ect ect ect. There will be superb hampers for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places.

This week catches –

Number of rods 191

Number of fish caught 309

Number of fish returned 371

Rod average 3.5

Bookings are now being taken for our 2014 season, opening on March the 4^th. There are now limited boats available for opening day. Club days, competition events, corporate days, are all catered for with our fleet of 29 boats (We can cater for more boats upon reasonable notice).

Tight lines to all

Craig Barr www.flashattackflies.com

Draycote weekly update 20/10/2013

Draycote Closing Day 2013:-  NOVEMBER 30^th 2013

Wet & windy conditions have not put a dampener on continuing good sport.

Throughout this week it has remained warm & mild with great action coming from both boat & bank alike.

Fry feeding is firmly on the agenda with Minkies, particularly white ones, topping the list of favoured patterns.

Diawl Bachs, crunchers & corixa patterns have nevertheless also proved effective – especially for the bank anglers, whilst dries have still featured when conditions have allowed.

Larger fish, both browns & rainbows in the 4-6lbs bracket have featured daily in this weeks catch returns. Browns to 9lbs have also been recorded.

Rainbow Corner has produced well, especially for the bank anglers, however the Farborough Dam and Toft have probably been this week’s overall hot spots.

At the start of the week Kevin Rees showed the way with a 13 fish catch from the bank,  which he followed up two days later with a catch of 29 to 5lbs.

In the boat Mr Dar weighed in three rainbows for 15lbs 2oz with a further ten released.

Regular visitors from Scotland, the McGregor party, spent their last weekend of this season with us & were not to be disappointed .Over the two days they caught in excess of 60 rainbows & browns to 6lbs 4oz  for a collective rod average of 6.6 each. Their fish came mainly to floating fry tactics.

Derby Fly Fishers enjoyed a bank match on Sunday with the Wilkins brothers taking 24 between them including a returned rainbow estimated at 10lbs to a White Minkie in Toft.

In the same event, Keith Smith commented that his 30lbs+ eight fish limit had been his “best days fishing all year” with fellow club member Ray Jeffrey also recording a 30lbs+ eight fish limit, including rainbows to 7lbs, all taken on hoppers.

While Di 3s & 5s have scored, particularly in the higher wins, those using floating line tactics have had the edge this week.

Number of rods: 213   Number of fish Taken: 395   Number Released: 501  Total: 896 Rod Average:  4.20

Opening day for 2015 is March the 4^th. Bookings for groups, competitions, and individuals are now being taken.

Bank Clearing:- Fishery Staff with assistance from the Severn Trent Rangers are busy bank clearing the overgrown willows this will ensure plenty of open bank fishing areas for bank anglers as we move into the backend and the fry feeding time.

Bookings are now being taken for our 2014 season, opening on Tuesday 4th of March. If you wish to hold a competition in 2014 please call Craig Barr on 01788 812018, or email draycotefishery@btconnect.co.uk Group discounts apply. Please ask for details.

Opening Hours

Full Day Boats 8.30am – 6.00pm

Part Day Boats 8.30am – 1.00pm / 1.00pm – 6.00pm

Last 4 Hour 2.00pm – 6.00pm

All anglers offsite by 6.30pm

Tight Lines

Craig Barr

Visit our online store  www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Purchase Craig flies at www.flashattackflies.com

Visit us on facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

Visit us on twitter  www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

Draycote is continuing in good form though there are one or two signs of things slowing, just a little. With a rod average of four, it is hard to knock, however the fish are getting into transition mode from freely rising on the surface to starting to nail the fry, that has now appeared in there tens of thousands. Slightly cooler nights of late have sent a signal to the fish winter is only just around the corner, whereas only a week ago we were in temperatures of the early twenties !

With cooling water temperatures, the fly hatches have somewhat slowed, and the daddy longlegs bonanza we experienced has slowed dramatically too! However it’s out with the dry, and in with the fry ! Mark Harrison may argue with that though as he had 15 fish to the boat yesterday (Monday) on dry orange hoppers, and plenty of bag limits this week have been taken on dries !

Toft Shallows has been the dominant area on the lake, though this is probably due to most boats all of the time heading that way. Rainbow Corner is holding  a lot of fish and this is where Mark Harrison took 15 on the dry hopper. Holec landed 11 fish from the bank at Rainbow Corner on pheasant tail nymphs on Tuesday.

Reports have been coming in this week of fish spewing out fry when landed in the boat, roach and perch. One angler landed a 4lb brown off the spit and it had over 11 small 2” perch fry in its mouth ! The fry have reappeared around the pontoon this week and one or two fish have been seen chasing them. This week’s forecast drop in temperature will only encourage this even more.

Bank anglers have had steady sport this week, with one or two anglers not doing as well as others. The tower bank has been a favoured spot as has Rainbow Corner. Dave Hoppe fished the bank on Sunday(6^th) and had 10 fish including a 5lb brown !

Number rods this week 290

Number of fish caught 397

Number of fish returned 830

Rod average 4.2

COMPETITION NEWS

This Sunday is our £1000 boat pairs match. There are still a couple of boats left for this match. Competition starts at 10am and finished at 6.00pm. Fished to reservoir rules(NO RUDDERS). Entry fee £25.00 + fishing fees.

CHRISTMAS FUR AND FEATHER match Sunday 24^{th NOVEMBER} is filling fast with only a handful of boats left. This fun event will be fished from 10.am til 3.30. Fishery rules. There is NO entry fee, though we ask ALL anglers to bring a small prize along so everyone goes home with something. There will be fantastic hamper prizes for 1^st 2^nd and 3^rd places. CALL THE FISHING LODGE ON 01788 812018.

Opening day for 2015 is March the 4^th. Bookings for groups, competitions, and individuals are now being taken.

Tight Lines

Craig Barr www.flashattackflies.com

Draycote weekly update 30/09/2013

Draycote Closing Day 2013:-  NOVEMBER 30th

This week has seen a continuation of excellent fishing with much surface activity and many anglers reporting fabulous sport on dries – particularly Daddy patterns & hoppers.

Mr Roberts spent Monday & Tuesday afloat & boated 23 on small dries. Craig gave Kevin Rees a daddy pattern on Tuesday with which he proceeded to catch 24!

Dave Heseltine returned for more sport on Wednesday to find 14, up to 4lbs,  on a sparkler pattern fished in conjunction with a Kelly Green Intermediate.

Season rod Julius Holec demonstrated that it was not to be all down to the boats. He  recorded an 11 fish catch from the bank at Rainbow Corner, mainly on crunchers.

On Thursday the English Fly Fishing Association averaged 4.65 with John Mees topping their chart recording an eight fish limit for 25lbs 5oz. His bag included  a 5lbs 2oz rainbow. Meanwhile, regular Paul Beasley took 5 fish from the bank on claret buzzer during a morning session.

Friday saw exceptional sport, again, particularly to the daddies. Mr Broadway took 10 from the bank whilst Mr Eaton made best use of his evening boat to take 15 fish on CDC dries.

Surface activity, particularly from the Farborough Spit & down into Toft, continued into the weekend although the shift of the wind into the east made things a little trickier by Sunday. Nevertheless, Paul Morris & friends, visiting from North Wales for the weekend, totalled 107 between them for a 6+ rod average on a mixture of dries & fry patterns.

Rods for the week: 418   Total Fish caught: 1492   Rod Average  3.56
Bank Clearing:- Fishery Staff with assistance from the Severn Trent Rangers are busy bank clearing the overgrown willows, Toft Shallows & Cornfield already done; they are this week moving onto Lincroft. Our aim is to have the bank clear by early October.
This will ensure plenty of bank fishing when the trout move in onto the fry during October & November!

Our £1000 boat pairs match on Sunday 13th of October is nearly full, with few boats remaining. Entry fee is £25 plus normal fishing fees. Fished to reservoir rules, the heaviest pairs overall bag weight wins the £1000 cash (Less than 20 pairs prize fund value will be adjusted down)

Our Christmas fur and feather match is Sunday 24th November. This match is fished from the boat, and normal fishing fees apply. Entry is free. Please call the fishing lodge to book your place. All anglers are reminded to bring a small prize along with them, so everyone taking part take something home. Contact tel. number 01788 812018
Bookings are now being taken for our 2014 season, opening on Tuesday 4th of March. If you wish to hold a competition in 2014 please call Craig Barr on 01788 812018, or email draycotefishery@btconnect.co.uk Group discounts apply, catering facilities available upon request. We have teamed up with the Draycote Golf Hotel (5 mins) to offer our anglers excellent accommodation at excellent rates. Please ask for details.

Opening Hours

Full Day Boats 8.30am – 6.45pm

Part Day Boats 8.30am – 1.30pm / 1.30pm – 6.45pm

Last 4 Hour 2.45pm – 6.45pm

All anglers offsite by 7.15pm

Tight Lines Craig Barr

Visit our online store  www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Purchase Craig flies at www.flashattackflies.com

Visit us on facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

Visit us on twitter  www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore

SEE US AT THE BURTON ON TRENT GAME FISHING & FLY TYING FESTIVAL
SUNDAY 6th OCTOBER 10am – 5pm

Draycote is really offering some exceptional fishing at the moment. All this week to date the fishing has been exceptional, with the fish remaining very high in the water and taking dry flies very readily, all through the day !

Mr Dobby has just walked in having caught 25 fish on daddies and said “in 25 years of fishing here, he has never seen so many daddies on the water. Today it was too easy !!!”

Mr Stewart from Scotland had a whale of a time landing over 50 fish on dries on Saturday. Mr Lewis visiting from Wales also had a cracking 2 days here taking over 30 fish. Dave Heseltine had fantastic fishing on Wednesday landing in excess of 12 fish. He commented” The fish fought so well, at one stage I thought I had a monster on, yet when I landed it was around 3.5lb!”  Dave has booked to come again this Wednesday ! The water has now cooled off which has sparked the lake to life, with fish showing everywhere. Conditions this week have played a big part in this bonanza with most days having cloud cover and light winds.

Tosh Storrar, a regular visitor from Scotland (Tosh’s Adventures) and his colleagues landed in excess of 70 fish, averaging over 11 a man! They took their haul on dries, fabs, the biscuit (they wouldn’t show me it!!) and various nymphs.

The best boat fishing has been anywhere from Lincroft point to the very bottom of Toft Shallows. With the cloudy conditions this past week, the fish have been seen on the surface all day, therefore giving some good target fishing.

Floating lines have been the best by far, keeping the flies high in the water. Dry flies have been the best method, especially daddies, along with Shipmans buzzers and yellow owls. Diawl bachs and crunchers have also taken good bags of fish.

The bank too has remained in good form. The Cornfields area is still the best bank area, using floating lines and nymphs and daddies.

Our £1000 boat pairs match on Sunday 13^th of October is nearly full, with few boats remaining. Entry fee is £25 plus normal fishing fees. Fished to reservoir rules, the heaviest pairs overall bag weight wins the £1000 cash !

Our Christmas fur and feather match is Sunday 24^th November. This match is fished from the boat, and normal fishing fees apply. Entry is free. Please call the fishing lodge to book your place. All anglers are reminded to bring a small prize along with them, so everyone taking part take something home. Contact tel. number 01788 812018

Number of rods 259

Fish caught 467

Number of fish released 789

Rod average 4.8

Bookings are now being taken for our 2014 season, opening onTuesday 4^th of March. If you wish to hold a competition in 2014 please call Craig Barr on 01788 812018, or email draycotefishery@btconnect.co.uk Group discounts apply, catering facilities available upon request. We have teamed up with the Draycote Golf Hotel (5 mins) to offer our anglers excellent accommodation at excellent rates. Please ask for details.

Tight Lines

Craig Barr www.flashattackflies.com

After the dip in form last week, Draycote bounced back this week, after some cooler weather , with some great catches, both from the bank and the boat. 7 browns between 6 and 10lb were recorded this week !  Mr J. Pointing when fishing from a boat landed 2 browns  estimated between 8-10lb on a big orange fritz lure. Paul Beasley landed 4 browns over 6lb with the biggest weighing 7lb 10, and Mr J Sleeth also netted a brown of 10lb. All these fish were safely returned.

Daddy longlegs have featured heavily on the catch returns this week, as the fresher winds have blown them onto the water on a frequent basis. Mike Williams and his patner fished daddies all day and between them boated 30 fish ! The fish have remained high in the water and are frequently found cruising through the wind lanes feeding on small buzzers and midge stuck in the film.

The best areas from a boat have been Toft Shallows, G and F buoys, Rainbow Corner and the Cornfileds area, though fish are now well spread throughout the whole lake.

The bank has started to produce some good bags this week, with season ticket holders John Dews and Tony Broadway netting 10 apiece from Lincroft point.

The best flies for the week have been Daddy longlegs, both on the surface and fished wet, crunchers, red nemos, hares ears, small black buzzers, sedge patterns, cormorants, blobs and boobies.

Sunday October the 13^th  is our £1000 boat pairs match. Fish with your partner to reservoir rules. Entry fee £25.00 plus fishing fees. (Prize fund is subject to number of entrants)

Sunday 24^th of November is our Christmas fur and feather match – this is fished from a boat, and boat numbers will be limited to 18, so booking early is strongly advised !! All entrants to bring a small prize so every angler wins something. Fantastic Christmas hampers will go to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places. FREE ENTRY. Normal fishing fees apply on the day

Number of rods 224

Fish killed 441

Fish returned 452

Rod average 3.9

Tight lines

Craig Barr www.flashattackflies.com