Draycote has been in fantastic form this past week with a rod average of over 10. The fishing has improved remarkably, partly down to the now crystal clear water.

The bank fishing remains in hot form, with fish being caught on all banks. Buzzers have been the main menu for the fish, although a lure on the point has been very productive too. The tower bank has been producing some of the lakes biggest fish recently, many of which have been over wintered. Lorenzo Serrano, a season ticket holder, has had fish up to 7lb off the tower bank, using damsels and buzzers on a sink tip line.

Draycote Fly fishers club member Brian Froggat landed his biggest fish of the season, a cracking 9lb 12 oz rainbow. He also landed a 7lb rainbow in his haul of 19 fish !! Mr G Hunter had a fish of 8lb.Andy ball stole the show with the weeks best of 10lb. The rainbow was taken off the bank at Toft Shallows.

The boats too have been in excellent form, with many anglers landing in excess of 20 fish.After the long spell of cold weather, the previously stocked fish have finally come to life and are feeding and making up for lost time. Mr T West landed 13 fish, 2 of which were over 6lb.

Sinking lines have still been the first line choice from a boat, however on calmer days buzzers have out fished the lures.Draycotes  renowned buzzer hatches are now here, and the fish are feeding hard on them, especially at Rainbow Corner and Toft Shallows. The buzzers are still small, so make sure you have some size 12’s and 14’s to hand !

Spaces are still available for our boat pairs matches on Draycote –

Rio Pairs match – international rules, floating line only. Entry pp £25 + fishing fees on the day. 1^st place £1000 tackle. Prizes to 10^th place.

£1000 cash pairs match – August 4^th – floating line only. Entry £25pp + fishing fees

£1000 cash Autumn pairs match 13^th Oct – reservoir rules. Entry £25pp + fishing fees

Total number of fish killed 516

Total number of fish released 1416

Total number of anglers 182

Rod average 10.61

Why not take advantage of our last 4 hour ticket at only £10 !! 1 fish then catch and release

Car access to the pontoon and car parking around the reservoir  is allowed.

Water clarity – very clear

Tight Lines

Craig Barr www.flashattackflies.com

Draycote has remained in good form, and at last the fish are switching to buzzers more and more each day.  The water clarity is improving too, encouraging more and more fish to move on or near the surface.

The bank fishing is still very good with a good number of fish still hugging the shores. The tower bank has noticeably provided the best sport from the bank with some good over wintered fish being caught, mainly on buzzers.

The boats have also been doing well, and more reports are coming in with buzzers being the favoured fly choice of the fish. The fish have still on average remained deep, however in more sheltered areas the fish have readily been seen moving.

The best flies from the bank have been black and red buzzers, gold head damsels and the Pitsford Pea lure fished on a floating line. The boats are still doing best with sinking lines boobies,  blobs and buzzers(under the right conditions).

The restauraunt at Draycote Water will be open for business from this coming weekend. It is opening at 10am.

Competition dates for your diary

13^th July Rio Masters boat pairs match – floating line only, international rules – £25 entry pp + fishing fees. Winners will win £1000 worth of Rio tackle, prizes to 10^th place.

27^th & 28^th July Lexus Individual boat match – winners to proceed to the international final at Chew Valley and the overall winner will win a Lexus 4×4 for 12 months.

4^th August – £1000 boat pairs match – Floating line only. £25 entry pp + fishing fees on the day. The winning pairs combined weight wins £1000 CASH. (The prize fund WILL be subject to number of entrants)

To book into any of the above competitions then please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018

Total number of fish caught 476

Total  number of fish returned 734

Total number of rods 232

Rod average 5.2

Tight Lines

Craig Barr www.flashattackflies.com

Draycote report week ending 01/04/2013

Despite the cold weather Draycote has continued to produce top quality fishing. The relentless east to north east winds has certainly taken the edge off the temperature, yet the fish are still in the mood to chase.

Kevin Appleton from Oakham fished with England International Sheena Goode, his first time at Draycote. Between them they managed 38 fish to the boat, with the best fish weighing approx 4.5lb. They took their haul on Di-5 lines and fab blobs and a pitsford pea lure.

Ellerdine’s Ed and his brother also visited Draycote. They too had in excess of 20 fish between them.  Mr M Nicol recorded the best fish of the week, an 8lb rainbow.

Plenty of anglers recorded fish weighing over 4lb, most of which were over wintered fish. Worcestershire’s David Hoppe landed a cracking over wintered fish on Friday weighing around 5.5lb. This was taken off the cornfields on a midge tip line and buzzer.

Sunday saw the Airflo world masters bank competition. David Hoppe was the overall winner, with 12 fish from the bank, the biggest about 4lb(all but 1 fish returned). North East’s Peter Appleby took the 2^nd qualifying spot with 9 fish. Peter landed some cracking over wintered fish, the biggest nearing 5lb.

As for areas, it has to be said the whole lake is producing, both bank and boat. Whilst aiding a beginner yesterday, I managed myself 8 fish in under 30 minutes from a boat along the dam wall in front of the lodge – an area anglers rarely stop to fish !!

The best flies are Gold head damsels, cats whiskers, Orange Fabs, Tequila blobs and small boobies.

The best lines have been intermediates from the bank and di-5 and di-7 from the boats, with short leaders allowing the flies to get down.

With the weather forecast to break for the better in 8 days time, the forthcoming weeks promise to be fantastic !!

Draycote Competition Dates

Rio masters boat pairs – Saturday 13^th July – floating line only- entry fee £50 per pair.

£1000 PAIRS MATCH – Sunday August 4^th   – Floating line only

£1000 pairs match – Sunday 13^th October – Reservoir rules

To reserve a boat for the above competitions please call the fishing lodge  on 01788 812018

Number of fish killed 315     Fish returned 913     Number of anglers 115      Rod average 10.67

Bank fishing from 7.30am

Boats from 8.30am till 7.15pm

Morning boats 8.30am till 1.45pm / afternoon Boats 1.45 till 7.15pm

Last 4hr Boats 3.15pm till 7.15pm

All Anglers Offsite by 7.45pm

Tight Lines

Craig Barr  visit our online store www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Purchase Craig top winning patterns at  www.flashattackflies.com

Draycote Water remains in hot form, despite the cold weather. With a rod average still over 10, the lake continues to fish all over. The banks have produced some outstanding catches, with many over wintered fish being caught. Peter Elliot has today had in excess of 40 fish off the bank – I even managed one with 1 cast of his rod !!

The boats, those that have braved the extreme conditions, have also done exceptionally well. John Hoskins, accustomed to the cold, has today been out and taken over 30 fish, 9 of which he said were over wintered “beauties”. John was fishing a sinking line and a hot coral Mini Bite booby(flash attack flies). His partner, fishery staff member, Kevin Hart had 16 fish on nymphs.

With the weather now looking more favourable this weekend, albeit still below the seasonal norm, the Easter breaks weather looks promising for a good days fishing.

Best areas have been all parts of the lake, and the best flies have been gold head damsels, Pitsford Peas, boobies, and blobs.

To book a boat please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018

Tight lines

Craig Barr

Draycote weekly report 24/03/2013

I am sure the saying for March is “comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb”. I think this phrase needs to be re-written after the last few day’s weather. Bitterly cold winds and driving snow has certainly put a dampener on the fishing, however those that did venture out had a bounty of fish as the rod average hit a staggering 17 fish per angler !!

Welsh International angler David Hoppe managed 25 + fish to the bank on the 23^rd, whilst Keith Eastbury also managed 17 fish, whilst fishing A damsel, buzzer and hares ear on his cast.

John Hoskins managed the best fish of the week, a fin perfect bar of silver rainbow. John took the fish on a dancer booby from the Flash Attack range of flies. His 8 fish went a fantastic 33lb !

Reports are coming in of periods of times during the day when over wintered fish are going on the feed and are moving close to the shores. Loren Serrano from Leicester has had numerous over wintered fish this week from the bank, including several to 5lb’s.

The bank remains in outstanding form, as fish continue to be caught at every fishable point on the banks. Floating lines have worked well with a gold head lure and a team of nymphs on the same cast. Intermediate lines have also produced plenty of fish, mainly using such lures as blobs, boobies and gold heads.

Boats have also produced amazing catches. J.H Hurst caught 37 in a day’s fishing, drifting along the Biggin Bay, using sinking lines and lures.

Today(25^th-March) the snow and the freezing conditions have forced us to stop boat fishing for the day, although we predict all things to resume as normal tomorrow. The perimeter road is totally clear of snow, and access is perfectly ok around the lake.

We now have the dates for our competitions on Draycote Water. Our matches are held on a fun and friendly basis, and everyone is welcomed to enter.

JULY 13^TH IS THE RIO MASTERS BOAT PAIRS COMPETITION. Prizes will run down to 10^th place, with the winners winning a £1000 worth of Rio tackle. Entry is £50 per pair + normal fishing costs. A deposit will be needed at point of booking . You will fish with your chosen partner in this event.

AUGUST 4^TH £1000 cash boat pairs match. This match will be FLOATING LINE only. The best pairs combined bag weights will win £1000 cash (subject to number of entrants) Entry fee per pair will be £50 + normal fishing fees. Boat pairings will be drawn the evening before.

OCTOBER 13^th the 2^nd £1000(subject to number of entrants) boat pairs match. This competition will be fished to reservoir rules, and you will fish with your chosen partner. Entry fee will be £50 per pair + normal fishing fees.

If you have ever wanted to enter a competition but feel scared to, then these are the events to enter to get a feel for why so many people compete in this sport. A friendly, yet competitive atmosphere awaits, but a lot of fun along the way too.

To book a boat in any of the above competitions then please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018. A deposit will be required at the point of booking.

Total fish caught 233          Total fish returned 1056           Total rods 75          Rod average 17

Tight lines

Craig Barr

Purchase Craig’s winning patterns at www.flashattackflies.com

Draycote has continued in great form despite the arctic weather we recently experienced. Those that did brave the cold caught exceptionally well. Mr S Smith had in excess of 20 from the bank on a floating line, amidst several snow storms! Staff member Kevin Hart also landed a hatful fishing nymphs on a floating line.

The reservoir remains at full capacity and the water clarity is brilliant. The fish literally are all over the reservoir with all areas still producing.

Lures are still the anglers top choice, though buzzers are starting to work their magic too! Di-7 to Di-3 lines have been best from the boats, though If anchored an intermediate has been just as effective. The best boat areas have been from the tower right to the bottom of Toft Shallows, though other areas have been excellent as well.

The bank has been scintillating as fish have been caught at every available bank space around the lake. The predominant North to Northeast wind has seen most anglers fishing the North bank, however on days with lighter winds anglers have fished Toft and Rainbow Corner and caught very well. Gold head damsels, orange blobs, black and green lures, and buzzers have been the best flies from the bank.
Anglers have reported some good over wintered fish being caught, with two rainbows over 6lb been recorded this week.

A further recent stocking of fish will boost things for the weekend. If you want to catch fish then Draycote Water is the place to be with a rod average still above 10 !

To book a boat and bank car pass please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018.
Check out our new online Fly Fish Store – Buy Fishing Tackle, Clothing and Accessories shop for all your fishing needs, or brush up on your casting skills by booking onto one of 3 casting classes by world casting champion Hywel Morgan.

Tight Lines
Craig Barr
Fishery Management(UK)Ltd

Opening week report 10/03/2013

Draycote’s open week got off to a spectacular start, with the majority of anglers reporting superb sport. Fish had been stocked all over the lake pre-season and this showed as anglers caught all around the 600 acre lake.

Opening day’s weather was warmer than the Balearics, as some anglers wore only t-shirts, a far cry from this precise moment as we have blizzard conditions and temperatures of 0 degrees!

Fish were caught on the usual early season suspects, black and green lures, orange blobs and boobies, however those anglers who chose to buck the trend caught well on buzzers.

Andy Axon had the best recorded bag on opening day, with his 8 fish weighing 26lb. Bob Church who fished with Andy also managed 6 fish to the boat.

Local angler Tom Morris stole the show with a cracking brown trout of an estimated 13-14lb. He caught the brown towards the middle of the lake and it fell to a Flash Attack Tube Fly, fished on a DI-3 line. After catching plenty of stockies he chose to fish the middle of the lake in search of a bigger fish – he certainly got that right !! The fish was safely returned to the lake.

Both bank and boats have fished tremendously during the first week. Mr G Owen returned a brown estimated at 7lb, James Cameron landed a personal best of 6lb, and one angler returned a brown measuring 28” long.

Total rods for the week 253  Total number of fish killed 897    Total number of fish released 2599

Rod average for the week – 13.8

The lake is at 100% level and visibility is excellent.

Boats can be booked in advance by calling the fishing lodge on 01788 812018.

Bank anglers can drive around the reservoir but we are restricted to 30 bank angler cars, we suggest therefore to save a long walk you call the lodge & book one of the 30 bank angler car passes. Bank anglers are required to park in the car park areas provided & not on the grass verge, STW tankers require a clear access at all times.

Go to our new website to see all the fishing reports and latest news, including our online shop www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk

Tight Lines

Craig Barr

Purchase Craigs flies www.flashattackflies.com

Opening Day got off to a flying start here at Draycote Water as we experienced the warmest day of the year, a far cry from the same time last year !!

The bank was fishable from all areas as the light wind enabled anglers to spread all around. The fish had been stocked at several locations and it was good to see the fish being caught almost everywhere.

107 anglers took to the water, with a rod average recorded at 14.7. The highlight of the day was a brown trout caught by local season ticket holder Tom Morris, estimated between 12-13lb. After catching stock fish, he decided he wanted something bigger so ventured into the centre of the lake armed with his DI-3 and a Flash Attack tube fly. Within minutes he hooked the fish, and landed it 10 minutes later. The fish was returned safely to fight another day.

Another angler returned a brown trout measuring 28”, and estimated it around 8lb.

With lake at full height and the water clarity excellent, the forecast is very good indeed.

If you are planning to fish from a boat we advise you call in advance to book. You can call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018.

Bank anglers wanting to drive their cars around the reservoir are advised to call the lodge & book one of the 30 available car passes, please when bank fishing you park your car in one of the available car parking areas & not on the grass or along the grass verge.

Fishery website has been updated with competition dates also dates on the tuition page for Hywel Morgan tuition dates.

The restaurant above the tackle shop will be opening on the 24^th of April, and will be open for business from 10am.

Tight Lines

Craig Barr

Tel Lodge 01788 812018

Fishery web site www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk  &  www.flyfishstore.co.uk

Purchase Craig Barr flies visit

www.flashattackflies.com

Draycote Opens on Tuesday 5th March

Bank Anglers: We are allowed 30 bank angler cars to drive around the reservoir road at any one time, to ensure you can take your car around the reservoir call the lodge & Book One Of The 30 Bank Anglers Car Pass

For opening day all boats are booked and all the bank car passes are also booked

Draycote water level is Full with water clarity excellent.

Lodge is open every day