Draycote weekly update week ending 16^th September

Draycote has certainly picked up with this last weekend (15th & 16th) seeing a rod average of 7 as Draycote reached great form. After several days of cooling nights, the warmth has been lifted off the surface water of the lake, sparking life back into the trout. The trout have responded well to daddy long legs being blown onto the surface, and finally, some of the trout have now switched attention to the fry around the pontoon, which are now up to 4″ in length!

Rob Wilson has again demonstrated his skills on the rudder by taking 8 trout weighing in excess of 30lb, whilst two other rudder regulars, Mr Dempsey and Mr Jones, also took 16 fish for 53lb! Mr J. Rodgers landed 13 trout, fishing buzzers in Toft Shallows. Mr T Davies an his partner took 16 fish for 39lb, with the biggest weighing 5lb 9oz. Paul Love landed the best fish of the week, a fin perfect rainbow of 6lb 2oz. Best boat areas have been, Rainbow Corner, the centre of Toft Shallows(G buoy), and the shoals.

The bank fishing has been nothing short of excellent recently with some fantastic trout being caught. Many anglers have had their limits as fish are feeding close in on the weeds, taking snails, corixa and small shrimps. The best areas have been Toft Shallows, The Cornfields, Rainbow Corner and the Tower Bank.

Best flies have been, Traffic Light Diawl Bachs, crunchers, buzzers, daddy longlegs, black and green lures, blobs and boobies.

Best lines have been floating lines, midge tip, intermediate lines and the Di-3.

Draycote will again be open until the end of November for the 2nd year running, allowing anglers to capitalise on the potential fry feeding bonanza.

Number of rods 224 Fish caught 1067  Fish released 503 Rod average 4.7

The Draycote Open boat pairs match on Sunday the 14th of October is almost fully subscribed, with only 5 boats remaining. To book one of the last boats please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018. The pair with the heaviest bag weight will win £1000 !

Boat bookings are high for the rest of September and going into October. It is recommended that you call the lodge in advance to check availability if you are planning a days fishing.

Tight Lines

Craig Barr

Draycote weekly report week ending 09/09/2012

This week has probably been the trickiest to date as the rod average reflects. Though plenty of fish have been moving, the majority anglers have struggled to connect with them. I managed an hour or so on Friday late afternoon, and took 5 fish, two of which weighed over 5lb ! Depth is proving critical on its day, as the fish are full of light coloured olive daphnia. When the fish feed on daphnia they will follow the food source to whatever depth it goes to, so changing leader lengths and lines is important if you are not taking fish in the upper layers.

Mr K Jones had a good day on Thursday, as he landed 10 trout, the biggest being a brown trout of around 6lb, which was safely returned to fight another day. Andy Axon and Mr K Watts had 8 fish between them, the biggest weighing 4lb 12oz. Mr G Davies of Scotland had the biggest fish of the week, a cracking 8lb rainbow, with 2 of his colleagues weighing in fish over 5lb.

A recent stocking boosted some catches on Friday as the newly stocked fish worked their way around the banks. Don Roper, a regular bank angler, caught 9 fish from the bank at Rainbow Corner, and Nigel Wan also took 8 fish from the bank. The fish have at times been very close to the shores feeding on snails, corixa and native fresh water shrimp in the weeds. Fry have also appeared in some areas, however the fish have not yet focussed on these !! Daphnia is very abundant at the moment and the fish are feeding heavily on it. If fishing from a boat do be prepared to drop onto sinking lines to reach these daphnia feeding trout. Us anglers may think the fish should be at or near the surface, however quite often the fish will have their own agenda !!

Number of rods 262    Number of fish caught 540    Number of fish returned 262     Rod average 2.06

Our Autumn pairs boat match is filling quickly, so for your chance to win £1000 cash then please call the fishing lodge to book your space. Only 8 boats remain !! Reservoir rules, however NO rudder is allowed.

 Contact the lodge 01788 812018

Tight Lines   Craig Barr

This weekend’s weather is a fisherman’s nightmare – or is it? Today (Friday) at Draycote the bright sunshine made things tricky for most. Just recently many fish that have been caught were stuffed full of dapnia, and with the bright conditions can only mean one thing, the fish have gone deep to feed on this tiny crustacean!

A friend of mine had been fishing for over 5 hours, with nothing to show for his efforts. After some gently persuasion he talked me into going out with him on the boat. Armed with a rod, reel and line, and just 4 flies (buzzers) I set on my way.

We set anchor 50 yards off the bank in rainbow corner and proceeded to fish. After an hour and a half I had landed 5 fish, and my friend two, on the Flash Attack Traffic Light buzzer and Bag up buzzer.

The key to the success was a long leader 23’, floating line, four flies (buzzers), and fishing the flies STATIC!! Quite literally.

The combination of a warming water, bright sunshine, and typical early September blues, the trout are not really yet in a chasing mood.

With autumn now only just around the corner, the huge shoals of coarse fry are now staking their claim to the pontoon area, so brace yourselves for some hot action very soon in this particular area of the lake!

Need any advice please ask.

Tight Lines and keep it slow!

Craig Barr

Draycote weekly report week ending 02/09/2012

This last week has seen an improvement on the fishing as more settled, as us anglers would say “perfect weather conditions” have prevailed.

Rod Wilson took the best bag of fish this last week with 8 fish for 29lb, the biggest 5lb 1oz. Tom Stoney also had an impressive bag of fish, weighing in 4 fish for 16lb 2oz, the best weighing 4lb 12oz. There has been a rise in bigger fish coming out this last week with 6 recorded over 6lb and 47 recorded over 4lb. The fish are still feeding very high in the surface, in particular on overcast days. I myself managed a few hours out this last week with new Game fishing shop owner Ben Bangham. We managed 11 fish between us on a mixture of size 12 traffic light Diawl Bachs and the yellow owl dry fly. The trick for us was to fish the flies as static as you dare.

The middle of the lake has a high concentration of fish, yet these are not often fished for apart from the rudder fishermen. Armed with this knowledge Iain Barr and his partner fished through the middle of the lake and between them managed 15 fish to the boat in 4 hours, again on a mixture of nymphs and dries fished almost static.

As I write this report we are basking in hot sunshine accompanied by a flat calm. Saying that, with a major clubs match being held on Draycote on Tuesday 4th Sept those practicing today have already had bags of up to 4 fish ! The best fishing is when it is overcast, and a little trickier when it is sunny.

The best lines have been a floating line, midge tip, and intermediates

The best flies have been Flash Attack dark olive buzzers, traffic light Diawl Bachs, UV crunchers, red bits, big reds, yellow owls, and orange fab blobs.

Rainbow Corner is holding a lot of fish, as is the middle deeper parts. The fish are feeding on very small midge so small flies at times are critical to catch the rising fish.

Boats are filling fast for our next £1000 boat pairs match on Sunday October the 14th. Entry fee is £25pp + fishing fees -the match is fished to fishery rules, except the use of a rudder. To book one of the last places please call the fishing lodge on 01788812018

Number of fish caught 747 Number of fish released 366  number of rods 212  rod average 3.5

If you are planning to fish from the bank, please call the fishing lodge in advance to reserve a FREE parking ticket for your car.

Tight Lines  Craig Barr

Draycote Fishing Report week ending 19/08/2012

The recent hot weather has inevitably taken its toll on the fishing this last seven days. Despite huge numbers of fish moving on the calmer days, they have not been the easiest to catch. Having said that, the Draycote Open boat pairs match fished Sunday 19th produced a stunning bag of fish for the winners, 16 fish for 53lb 15oz. Julian Hubbard and Ronnie Gent fished the same place when won the first £1000 pairs match last year, drifting from the dam near the Tower onto D buoy. Fishing deep, they tempted their haul on Tube flies. Peter Elliot and Lee Patten took 2nd place with 16 fish for 40lb. They caught their fish predominantly in Rainbow Corner, using floating and midge tip lines and black buzzers. 34 anglers took part with a rod average of 2.8 – quite reasonable for a hot sunny still day !

Earlier in the week fished better as demonstrated by Mt J Maplethorpe who took 8 fish for 23lb, the biggest weighing 5lb 13oz. He took all these fish on a floating line using buzzers and diawl bachs. Regular visitor Tony Broadway landed 7 fish the biggest weighing 5lb 5oz.

Wednesday proved to be the best day of this last week with a rod average of 5.1. Mr G Dawkins caught the biggest fish this day, and for the week, a nice 6lb 2oz rainbow. Mr Tait recorded 2 fish weighing 4.5lb and 5.5lb ! Mr Trotman landed 14 fish with his best weighing 4.8lb.

The bank fishing, as to be expected has slowed somewhat, however the minute I say this a good bag comes from the bank. The best times currently from the bank are the mornings and the evenings as the fish move closer in to feed on snails and fresh water shrimps in the weeds.

With so much natural food in the water, buzzers, dapnia, snails, and now fry, the trout appeared to gone off chasing lures, so floating lines and almost static nymphing has produced the best results.

Number of Rods 213  Number of fish caught 626   Number of fish released 213   Rod average 2.9

Sunday October the 14th is our next £1000 boat pairs match – to book a place call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018. A £25 deposit will be required at point of booking.

The Christmas Fur and Feather boat match will be fished Sunday 25th of November -NO ENTRY FEE. To book, please call the fishing lodge.

If you are planning to fish from the bank please call in advance to the fishing lodge to book a bank car pass.

Tight Lines

Craig Barr

Draycote report week ending 12^th August 2012

Despite the recent hot weather Draycote has still overall fished well. The recent Lexus heat was won my ladies International Joan Russell. Joan was using a midge tip line and buzzers with a small booby on the point, and netted the only 8 fish limit of the day.

The fishing took a distinct dive when the hot weather arrived, however you could argue it was still good, as the weekly rod average still hit a satisfying 3.4 ! One angler who certainly was satisfied was regular angler Rod Wilson who netted the biggest fish so far this season, a cracking 10lb 8oz brown trout. Rod was fishing near the boils when the monster seized his 2″ tube fly fished on a DI-7. The fish took 20 minutes to land !!

Saturday was a day for the brown trout, as not only was the record fish caught, Dave Pacey netted one for 6lb 2oz, and Mr Dempsey returned one of 6lb plus. Seth Severn from Leicester took an 8 fish limit for 37lb whilst fishing near the boils with a rudder, the biggest 5lb 11oz !

The bank fishing has been tricky, however today as I write this report, two bank anglers have had their bag limits from Rainbow Corner on Buzzers ! That’s Fishing !!!

The fish have not been in a chasing frame of mind recently during the heat, yet they have been happily responding to static buzzers fished on long leaders, midge tip and floating lines. The fish have been patrolling the margins as they are feeding hard on small shrimp and snails, stuffed full of them on many occasions when anglers have been using the gutting room to clean their fish.The fish have been showing all over the lake in the evenings, especially when the wind drops off.

Number of rods 239 Number of fish caught 813  Number of fish returned 429

Rod average 3.4

Best methods, black buzzers, olive buzzers, red and green holographic Diawl Bachs, Crunchers, small boobies

Best lines – Floating, Midge Tip, and intermediates( faster sinking lines when its sunny)

When planning a day from the bank please call in advance to the fishing lodge to book a bank pass 01788 812018

Boats are from 8.30am – 8.45pm

Bank fishing from 7.30am – 9pm

Our popular last 4 hour boat ticket starts at 4.30pm at a cost of only £10 . 1 fish C&R permit is also only £10. An evenings boat fishing for just £20 !!

Tight Lines

Craig Barr

Draycote week ending 5th August 2012

Draycote Water is now widely being talked about as being back to its best. This Midlands based reservoir holds its reputation for its vast food source enabling the fish to grow on quick, and put up a fight as described by many visitors as the best they have found!

This week has seen some exceptional catches as the fish are feeding well on buzzers and snails. A recent competition with 30 anglers taking part, reported a rod average of 7.5 per man! The majority of these fish were taken on floating or midge tip lines, in many different areas of the lake.

Early last week we were hit by an algae bloom, however this lasted only 36 hours and as I write this report, the water is, and has been for the last 5 days, very clear with excellent visibility all over.

The fish are well spread throughout the lake now, and the bigger ones are now starting to show in good numbers, especially in the middle areas, around the shoals. An angler fishing from the pontoon returned a brown estimated around 9-10lb, after it took 80 yards of line, not to mention the launch of a boat to go after it, before it finally succumb to the net!!

Father and son J & T Gamble recorded a good day landing 20 fish between them from a boat, with their 8 fish weighing 27lb, the biggest 5lb 5oz. Mr M Clarke also enjoyed a good day with 14 fish to the boat, the biggest being 5lb 4oz. Mr B Bonniger weighed in the best recorded fish for the week, a cracking 6lb rainbow. Plenty of fish between the 3 and 5lb mark are coming out, pretty much on a daily basis. This is exceptional fishing for considering it is August!

It was reported the editor of Trout & Salmon magazine, Andrew Flitcroft, was taking some good fish on dry flies, down to size 14, whilst drifting out in the middle areas of the lake. Fish have been moving ok during the day, when cloudy, however during the evenings, weather permitting, the fish have been coming up in vast numbers. Sedges, bobs bits, and daddies are among some of the best flies for this last week. Boat and bank anglers using floating and midge tip lines have had some excellent sport, with the best flies being, red or green holographic diawl bachs, crunchers, black or olive buzzers,hoppers, red or black bits, and fab blobs. Competition angler Lee Henfrey took 8 fish for 28lb on Sunday, and when gutting the fish several were full to the brim with snails, big ones too! Lee was fishing over the top of a shoal in 3′ of water where there was a lot of weed, and obviously a lot of snails!!

This coming Friday (10th) sees the last chance match to reach the Lexus Individual final to be held at Chew Valley, Bristol. If you would like to take part please call the Draycote fishing lodge to book a place. Entry fee is £30 + usual fishing fees. The biggest prize fund competition in the UK.

Sunday 19th of August is the Draycote Open Pairs match fished to fishery rules. There are a few remaining boats left to win yourself £1000!!! The heaviest 16 fish (if anyone gets there limits!!) wins. You fish with your partner and the competition is from 10am – 6pm. To book one of the remaining boats please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018

Total number of fish caught 893 Total number of fish returned 477
Total number of rods 225 Rod weekly average 3.9

Access is available for bank anglers around the lakes perimeter, however on planning a day please call the fishing lodge to book a FREE car permit to display in your car. This is available when you purchase your ticket. Our phone is manned from 7.30am til 9pm so if you wish to book a boat please feel free to call between these times. 01788 812018

Tight Lines

Craig Barr

The fishing has again overall been very good and consistent over this last week, with many bag limits being taken. Floating lines and nymphs have taken the vast majority of fish.

The fish are at times, still lying deeper than you would expect in the water for this time of the year. On my day off I fished Toft Shallows with a beginner and between us we landed over 2o fish, all taken on buzzers between 8-12 feet down, using a midge tip line.

Rainbow Corner fished very well last Sunday with a 21 rod match taking a rod average of 3.7, several of then taking their bag limits on buzzers, both straight lined and on the bung.

A short lasting spell of green algae this week, very thick in places, quelled the fishing for a short while, however once dispersed, the fishing hit top form again very quickly. The water clarity is now back to being very good.

A noticeable catch this last week was regular angler and buzzer fisherman John Hoskins. John was alongside me in Toft Shallows and his 8 fish went 31lb 6oz.

Eugene Hughes from London enjoyed some great sport whilst fishing a DI-5 sweep line through the middle of the lake, around D buoy. Eugene landed 26 fish, many of which he claims were between 3.5 -4.5lb. He fished with a black and green gold head on the point and a black and green blob on the dropper.

Eugene Hughes and Mike Williams shared the spoils for this weeks biggest fish, with them both catching and releasing a fish estimated at 6.5lb. Mike commented “It looked like a salmon”! I’ll not mention the one I lost on a size 14 Diawl Bach estimated at 7lb!!!

We still have places available for the boat pairs match on Sunday the 17th of August. It is fished to fishery rules and you can fish with your partner. The two anglers with the heaviest combined weight wins £1000. To book please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018

The final heat for the Lexus individual is held at Draycote Water on Friday the 10th of August. To book for this please call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018

Number of fish caught 489
Number of fish returned 510
Number of rods 241
Rod average 4.1

Best flies, black buzzers, red and green holographic rib Diawl Bachs, crunchers, UV crunchers, hares ears fab blobs, boobies, and dries in the right conditions.

Best lines have been floating lines, midge tips, slow intermediates, and DI-5 sweep has worked well from the boats when looking out for the bigger fish in the deeper waters.

Boat bookings are high at the moment so booking is advised. If you are planning to fish from the bank please call ahead to the fishing lodge to reserve a bank parking permit – this gets you access around the lake. Access is available to the boat pontoon, however is restricted to the less busier times of the day. Barriers can consequently be opened if requested, by asking a member of staff at the fishing lodge.

Tight Lines
Craig Barr

As I write this report we are finally seeing the back of the horrendous weather (I hope!!) and now we have clear blue skies and soaring temperatures, albeit temporarily I hear!!

Despite the shift to hotter weather the fishing has continued to be very good. Yesterday saw an inter counties club match with 28 anglers taking 212 fish, an excellent rod average of 7.5.

Some days the fishing has been slightly more challenging however, as a green algae bloom slowed things down for 2 days, however 2 days of a fresh breeze has dispersed this and the fishing has picked up once more. Should you arrive to find an algae bloom the best approach would be an intermediate line, this would help drop the flies to the fish that do tend to drop in the water when alga is around.

Kev Warner and David Jinks both enjoyed DOUBLE 8 fish limits fishing on buzzers, with the biggest weighing 4lb 2oz. Mr G Preston landed 4 fish for 17lb 3oz whilst fishing on the boils. The best fish weighed in this week was a lovely 6lb 9oz brown, and rainbow was 5lb 9oz.

The best areas have been, the Hensbrough bank, Rainbow Corner(Inlet) the tower bank, Biggin Bay and Lincroft Point.

The bank is still fishing well, especially later in the evenings on dries. The best bank areas have been Hensbrough bank, tower bank and Rainbow Corner.

Best flies have been – Black buzzers, Diawl Bachs, daddies, crunchers, hares ears, dry sedge, hot head damsels, blobs, fab blobs and boobies.

A full range of Flash Attack Flies are available at the fishing lodge.

Best Lines, Floating Lines, Midge Tip, Intermediates

Number of Fish caught 705
Number of fish released 580
Number of rods 267
Rod average 4.8

Competition News – Friday August the 10th is the Lexus individual heat on Draycote (The last qualifying heat!!) To book you can call the fishing lodge on 01788 812018

Sunday August the 17th is the Draycote Water boat pairs match, open all anglers of all abilities. The match is fished to reservoir rules so all methods and sizes of flies are allowed. Entry fee is £25pp. The winners will win £1000 cash on the day! To book one of the few remaining places please call Craig Barr on 01788 812018

Remember, if you are planning a day on the bank at Draycote please call the fishing lodge in advance to book a car permit, to permit the vehicle to drive around the lake. You pick this up on the day at the fishing lodge.

Tight Lines

Craig Barr