Early heavy showers did not deter the fishermen or the fishing on Wednesday. Once again there is some fantastic sport to be had generally over the deeper water using practically any method at the moment. Dries are working well, as are nymphs fished on a floater, midge tip or an intermediate line. Regular visitor Paul Walker used these very tactics to net a grand total of 19 fish.  The bank seems to be fishing quite well of late with young Mick Cronin catching 10 fish in total. Mick has been regularly fishing both in Rainbow Corner and off The Tower Bank over the past couple of weeks and had reasonable success on foam daddies . Fishery staff member Lee Henfrey ventured out for a couple of hours through the middle of the day and caught a dozen fish, on hoppers, boobies and diawl bachs.

Wonderful calm conditions greeted us on Thursday morning here at Draycote, with a good head of fish rising around the pontoon as we were preparing the boats. It proved a busy day with good returns alround. Ed Douglas had a good day on the dries, netting 19 on crippled midge and the F fly. Simon Ringer had 4 fish to the boat using orange foam daddies. Season permit holder Paul Havard used the washing line technique off a floating line, with black nymphs and a tequila booby. Paul plied his trade around the overflow as well as drifting between Y and M buoy . Bob Askew used a slow intermediate line with black crunchers and a blob on the point to net 9 fish whilst drifting over the open water. Peter Elliott netted 14 fish from a drifting boat on bob’s bits in sizes 12 and 14.

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Tuesday 18th July 2023      Rod Av: 6.25           Water Temperature:  17°C

A change of wind Tuesday, with the wind starting very light from the Southeast, though did go to the Northwest in the afternoon teamed with a rain shower. Before finishing the day back in the Southwest. Once again the anglers enjoyed the good sport that Draycote is experiencing, helped by the cooler July temperatures. All water member Andy Lillie landed a dozen fish from a morning session, landing his first 2 from near the Inlet. Commenting that there was fish moving all over Rainbow Corner but they wouldn’t take his dries. He then moved down near J Buoy to take his other 10 in the last hour. Using a washing line with a Ham & Cheese FAB on the point and then nymphs on the droppers. Draycote members Martin Foster & John Vyse boated 17 fish, drifting around A, M & K Buoy. Either fishing dries or a washing line to tempt the fish. Tim Grove starting his first day or a 3 day break landed a dozen fish. Tim, fished around the Farborough Dam to take most of his fish on either Yellow Owls or a washing line.  All water member Norman Perkins fished at Rainbow Corner to land 13 fish in a half day. With an orange daddy and a green suspender buzzer his top pattern. Paul Davison & Tony Baldwin landed over 30 fish to the boat all on dries with Paul on Midas and Tony on a mixture of dries. Kevin Rees also fished dries to land 37 fish, with crippled midge being his best pattern. With his best area being off the exclusion buoys drifting towards M & N Buoy.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26^th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

 Monday 17th July 2023

Rod Av: 5.58  Water Temperature:  17°C

A sunny start to the week, with the cloud rolling in just after lunch with some heavy showers at times. It was a good start to the week, with the good sport continuing. Draycote member John Dickens landed 14 fish all on dries. On a mixture of Daddies and also F Flies, drifting around the Draycote Dam heading towards B Buoy and also Rainbow Corner to A. Another angler who landed 14 fish was Craig Brandson, who also used daddies, however, also found the fish willing to take boobies pulled across the surface. Keeping the dry fly theme going, Kit Doleman landed a dozen fish on daddies and Bob’s Bits. Taking advantage of one of our three day breaks Kevin Levell from Scotland, fished his 2^nd day after fishing Eyebrook the day before. Kevin, fished a washing line to take 7 fish before his last 4 fell to a snake fished on a Di 3 sinking line. David Stott landed 24 fish using dries before changing to small black lures with Viva’s and cormorants taking the majority of his fish.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26^th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     16^th July  2023      Rod Av: 7.1    Water Temperature:  17-18°C

A bright start to the week, however the cloud soon rolled in with the gusty southerly winds, with showers in the afternoon. With the cloud cover once again, dries was the order of the day. With the anglers enjoyed great sport as the fishery averaged 17.11 fish per angler. Draycote members Lee Patten & Peter Elliot enjoyed “another brill day on the dries” landing 49 fish between them. Their best patterns being a bob’s bits and a Big Red. Fellow members Bob Smith & Bob Barfoot also enjoyed “another good day” using a mixture of dries to land their 17 fish which included a number of “lumps” John Dickens found Grunters to be his most productive fly as he went on to land over 25 fish. However, top rod on the day went to dry fly lover Kevin Rees who landed 47 fish. Using crippled midge, drifting from the exclusion zone Buoys to M Buoy and then Rainbow Corner to A Buoy. It’s amazing what a change in the water temperature can do to bring the fish on the feed.

The good sport continued Tuesday, with another double figure rod average. The wind continued from the Southwest and remained gusty at times with showers during the course of the day some very heavy ones in the afternoon. Fishing from the bank Richard Franklin & Paul Smith landed 3 fish all on daddies from Rainbow Corner. However, it was the boats that faired by far the best. Season ticket holder Dave Atkins landed 20 fish all on dries drifting from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy with Bob’s Bits being his best pattern. Brendan Thomas also used dries all day landing 18 fish, with a Grunter proving to be his best pattern and commented “what a brilliant day” Tim Davies fished for just a morning landing 10 on a variety of dries with no one stand out patten. Fishing for their first ever visit to Draycote, Pete Onions & Dave Baldock landed 8 fish between them on dries at A Buoy. All water member Ed Douglas, enjoyed a cricket score day landing an half century all on crippled midge.

Gusty south westerly winds continue at Draycote, alongside some excellent sport. Dave Mason and Louis Butler had a dozen fish to the boat on a washing line and dries.  Season permit holder Mr D Stott caught 9 fish on a mixture of vivas, FAB’s and dries. Young Ed Douglas took to  the water once again fishing dries to net over 20 fish on crippled midge and bob’s bits. Staff member Kevin Jones ventured out,  in between shifts to net half a dozen fish on popper hoppers near N and B buoy. Kevin Hart had over 20 fish to the boat using popper hoppers drifting off the Hensborough Bank and in front of the sailing club.

Thursday started with good cloud cover and a light south westerly breeze, with showers at times during the day. It was a busy day at the fishery with over 70 rods taking to the water looking to enjoy the good sport currently on offer. Once again the fishery fished well with 570 fish caught for a 7.7 fish rod average. On the bank Stan Hillman & Mick Cronin fished in Rainbow Corner and enjoyed great sport, with Mick landing a dozen fish with Stan taking half a dozen. Using various different dries, such as hoppers, Daddies and CDCs. On the boats all water member Andy Lillie fished for a half day landing 14 fish all taken using a single Yellow Owl CDC fishing at Rainbow Corner drifting towards A Buoy. Draycote member Paul Mitchell fished dries all day to land 21 fish to the boat at A Buoy and M Buoy. Steve Owen & Chris Howkins fished around J buoy and the Farborough Dam wall to land 49 fish to the boat using popper hoppers and also daddies. All water member Paul Havard used a washing line set up on a floating line with two nymphs on the droppers and a candy booby on the point, drifting by the Outlet. This set up landed Paul 15 fish and commented on a “lovely day”.

A wet and blustery start to Friday morning still didn’t put a dent in the fishing here at Draycote Water. The rod average is still high, with yesterday coming in at 8.8. Once again most of the fishing is happening at the western end of the reservoir, with a few people catching at J and T buoy.  Mr N Loughrey put 7 fish in the net using Grunters, and hoppers, fishing near A buoy and in Rainbow Corner. Young Kevin Rees once again used the F fly to great effect netting 18 fish on it. Staff member Kevin Jones had 16 fish during a morning session, all on popper hoppers in Rainbow Corner. Sam Edmunds and Alice Edwards had well over 20 fish to the boat between them on a wide variety of patterns.

Very  unpleasant conditions Saturday with wind speeds very close to the limit for letting the boats out teamed with torrential rain showers during the day. As a result of the strong winds we place a restriction for the anglers safety. As a result the boats stayed around Rainbow Corner and around J Buoy. Stan Studdick & Dave Dixon fished in boat together to land 9 fish on dries. Draycote member Jon Crowley landed 5 fish in a short morning session. Using Diawl Bach’s on a midge tip line drifting near N Buoy and Musborough Shoal. Chad & Corey Russel fished in the afternoon ahead of the Greys Pairs match the next day landing 18 fish on a mix of different dries. With he fish coming from the Draycote Dam wall out towards A Buoy and B Buoy.

An improved day Sunday with the winds dropping, although we did have some strong gusts in the afternoon. With the wind dropping the anglers where able to fish all areas of the lake. Fishing from the bank in Rainbow Corner, Stephen Dewhurst landed 6 fish. Amongst Stephen’s catch he also landed a cracking rainbow of 8lbs. Taking 3 of his fish on pheasant tails and the other 3 on daddies. Joining Stephen in Rainbow Corner for a few hours on the bank. Was fellow Draycote member James Alexander who also used pheasant tails to land his 3 fish. On the boats the fishery hosted the final round of the Greys Pairs competition with 16 pairs competing. There was a variety of methods used by the anglers on the day, the first boat in was Graham Willis & Mark Macleod who took their 12 fish by 12.15 using floating lines with daddies. Drifting from the Sailing Club pontoon to J Buoy and then down the Farborough Dam Wall along to the spit. The next boat in was that of Ian Watts & Rob Toptalo who used dries to catch their fish from Rainbow Corner by 12.45. Kevin Richardson & Andy Hoffrock took their 12 from the same area washing lining with nymphs by 13.15. However, they had a small bag meaning they missed out qualification. All water member Jamie Scott fishing with Shaun Devlin landed their 12 by 13.30 using nymphs on a floating line with a FAB on the point drifting along the Farborough Dam. The winning bag on the day came from Sam Edmunds & Alice Davies catching their 12 fish at 14.00pm. While they didn’t catch the quickest bag they went for quality with their 12 fish weighting 31lb 1oz. A fantastic bag of fish with the best tipping the scales at 5lb 9oz. The ladies used Di 3 sinking lines with snakes and sparklers teamed with a roly-poly retrieve. With the best area being drifting past the pontoon towards the wall and then along to the spit. Even though they could see some quicker bags coming to dries, they stuck to their guns and got the reward. Fantastic angling! Outside of the match Ed Douglas landed 16 fish on dries, using a real selection of dries crippled midge, bob’s bits. Big reds, grunters and shipman’s all catching. Drifting just off the pontoon and then around A Buoy and Rainbow Corner.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26^th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 16^th July   Rod Av: 2.8    Water Temperature: 18c+ to 19c

Monday morning in the cooler conditions at 1.10am we received our latest stocking of 2,095 trout from 1lb4oz to 1lb14oz which took our stocking level in Thornton to over 6,000 trout. These size of trout over the past few years has improved our fishing & catches during these warm summer period.

Monday to Wednesday the fishing has started to improve with our current rod average of 2+ Some report fish been caught on booby, small snakes fished on an intermediate to sinking lines with odd fish taking a single dry fly. With this cooler forecast this week, daytime air temperature peaking at 18c – 20c, wind fresh at times with plenty of cloud & light rain we are seeing a few fish moving.

Thursday with the overcast forecast we had all the boats out for the mornings session with the rods returning a 3+ rod average. Mixture of methods caught from a floating line, tip lines, intermediates to fast sinkers catching with dries, damsels, cats whisker, snakes and booby patterns. The deeper water from the main car park, dam to the stones and green bay produced best. Harold Pritchard fished a size #12 black hopper and smaller diawl bach to catch 9 trout with some of the fish grown on to 5lb+. Paul Martindale fished damsel to boat 7 trout with Steve Windram fishing a floating line with diawl bach and hoppers to catch 6.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday we had a change to the weather, with the forecast for rain & strong wind at times with cooler air temperature. It was certainly wet & windy at times with anglers fishing the morning shelter with the shelter from the wind provided by the dam. #12 black hopper, #14 diawl bach were the best patterns with some fish also taking snakes & small hare’s ear. J Bebbington caught 5 for his visit on a diawl bach, R Smith caught the majority of his 6 trout on a dry black hopper with J Reynolds catching 6 on a diawl bach fished on a midge tip and a DI5 with cats booby pattern.

Weather forecast for the next 7 days is excellent with the temperature between 18c & 20c with cloud and average day wind speed 8mph to 12mph most days, use the links below.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report 

Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 16^th July   Rod Av:  5.3         Water Temperature: 18°c

It was a quiet start to the week with only a few anglers venturing out. From a still, cloudy start the weather deteriorated to strong southerly winds with intermittent cloud cover. Most anglers congregated around the Main Basin with the North side of the tower proving to be a consistent area. After the previous day’s successes, Bram Van Der Bos returned for a morning session. Fishing Foam Daddies in the Main Basin, Bram went onto catch well into double figures. Elsewhere, out for the afternoon & into the evening, Mr Cousins had a very productive session landing over 20 fish, pulling lures across the Main Basin. When fishing the Basin it is far more productive to cover as much water as possible, actively searching for fish, rather than sat in one location & waiting for the fish to come to you.

Tuesday brought with it some good, consistent cloud cover & a gentle southerly breeze that developed into a gusty wind by late morning. The reservoir fished well with fish caught throughout the Main Basin high up in the water column with Dries or a Washing Lined floating line proving to be the most productive methods. With the Dries, Foam Daddies featured very high on the catch returns & on the washing line, a more subtle buoyant point fly seemed to be the way to go. On the droppers there was a mixture of imitative patterns, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs, UV Crunchers & small Damsels all caught fish. Locating fish in the open water of the Main Basin can be challenging so covering more water can be critical.  Subsequently, those fishing from a drifting boat were more successful than those fishing on the anchor. Members Roy Swinfield & Lyndsay Bates caught well drifting across the Basin landing well over 20 fish on the washing line & fishing on a day permit, Mr Gee had a great day, landing 21 fish on a washing line, also in the Main Basin. On the banks, Eyebrook regular George Burnham popped down for a last 4 Hour session & was duly rewarded with 4 fish from the Bell.

The weather Wednesday followed the same pattern as the previous day with what was a gentle southerly turning into a strong, gusty southerly by late morning. The fishing also followed a similar pattern to the previous day, with a lot of fish being found in the Main Basin in the upper layers of the water column. Regular visitor Dougie Skedd, started on a Washing Lined floater & caught fish from the off. As the wind strengthened & the waves built, Dougie changed to slow sink tip to dig into the wave & ensure his flies remained just under the surface. Dougie had a great day going on to land 20 fish in total. Others to do particularly well were All Water Members Clive Moore & Ian Jobe who landed well over 30 fish, targeting the fish in the upper layers of the Main Basin. Clive caught very well on a Popper Hopper on the point of his Washing Line. Other fly patterns to feature high on the catch returns were Foam daddies, Diawl Bachs, Crunchers & small FABs.

The moderate southerly wind on Thursday brought with it some unsettled weather which resulted in some periods of extended sunshine & showers. The Main Basin continued to fish very well with some high catch returns recorded. The fish were sat relatively high up in the water column & were caught on Dries, Washing Lined Floaters & Tip Lines. On the washing line it paid dividends having colour either on the point or on the top dropper with a very small FAB proving to be very successful. On the droppers, Crunchers & Diawl Bachs were the preferred choice for many & rightly so as these also featured high on the catch returns. Thinking slightly outside of the box, Eyebrook member Bill Law had a very productive morning session, landing 10 fish on Muddlers, pulled through the wave. All Water Member Ray Jordan also had a good morning session, landing 8 fish on a washing line with a small orange FAB on the point. For those fishing the Dries, they found dries with a larger profile, that sat on the water, such as a Foam Daddy to be more productive than those that sat in the surface film.

Friday saw the weather begin to intensify, with the winds beginning to build & the showers getting heavier. Consequently, it was a quiet day angler wise although it wasn’t a quiet day fish wise as the reservoir fished extremely well with many catching into double figures. Yet again, Foam Daddies seemed to produce some high bags of fish, as did the washing line. Draycote Rio Master team member Martin Rowson had a very productive day with his boat partner, landing well over 30 fish to their boat. All Water Member Ian Leech took a family member out & between them they had 20 fish on the Orange Bodied Foam Daddies.

The wind had really intensified for Saturday, to the point that no boats were allowed out as the mean wind speed surpassed our threshold of 24mph. A few of those who had boats booked, decided to fish the bank where there were a few fish caught from the Dam, on Dries & on the Nymphs, with the southern corner of the Dam being more productive than the north.

The wind had abated slightly by Sunday & the boats were duly allowed out. As the day progressed the wind became gusty & brought with it some very heavy showers & periods of bright sunshine. This unsettled weather seemed to have a detrimental effect on the fishing as anglers struggled to locate fish. First time visitor Sam Jones managed an exceptional bag of fish on the day, landing 8 initially on Foam Daddies & then later small emerging patterns, from various locations around the Main Basin. Eyebrook Member Neil Shilton landed 4 fishing deep with large lures. Targeting overwintered fish, Neil felt there were more fish laying higher in the water column. Also landing 4 was Matt Allen, which was a great return for a Last 4 Hour session. By the late evening, the wind had significantly reduced & Matt targeted moving fish & all his fish came because of him covering moving fish. Great angling Matt, well done.

With a more settled weather forecast for the coming week, the prospects look excellent as the water temperature remains good for this time of year & the fish confidently feeding in the upper layers.

Upcoming Events

22/23 July – 6 x 4 Team Competition, 26 boats each day.

29 July – AMFFC Group 1, 18 boats.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir.

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     9^th July  2023      Rod Av: 8.26   Water Temperature:  17-18°C

A very breezy day to the start the new week, however, we did have this teamed with mostly cloudy skies with the occasional sunny spell. Despite the windy conditions the fishery fished very well producing a double figure rod average, with a variety of methods working. The top boat went to Mick Glover who landed over 35 fish to the boat. Mick drifted from Rainbow Corner out to A Buoy using 2 daddies and Tan & Orange fished 9ft apart on a 18ft leader. Once the wind picked up, Mick swapped to washing lining with a 6ft fast tip with a FAB on the point taking most of his fish. Graham England also fished from a boat using daddies and a washing line to land 10 fish. All water member Andy Lillie used the rudder to great effect fishing for a morning session to land 18 fish. Andy, used a Di 3 or Di 5 sinking line with a tube to take his fish on a Di 3 or Di 5 sinking line and took some cracking fish. Peter Major also fishing in Rainbow Corner landed 10 fish.

Good conditions Tuesday, with overcast skies and winds remaining in the Southwest. As a result the fish responded well producing a rod average of 12.4 fish per angler. With the cooling water temperature Ken Key fished the bank landing 3 fish from Rainbow Corner. However, it was the boats the caught the lion share of the fish. Draycote members Peter Elliot & Lee Patten used dries all day land to boat over 50 fish, with Bob’s Bits being their best pattern drifting from Rainbow Corner to A buoy also off the Flat Stones towards B Buoy. Tim Grove starting the first day of his 3 day break landed 22 fish again all on dries using daddies and shuttlecocks. All water member Ed Douglas found the fish at Rainbow Corner particular keen to eat grunters as he went on to land 31 fish. Another angler fishing at Rainbow Corner was Dan McElligott who used daddies and claret hoppers to finish with 18 fish for the day.

A fantastic day Wednesday with over nearly 500 fish caught, with overcast skies and consistent wind from the Southwest. As with the previous day dries was the best method or flies fish high in the water column. Ed Wilson & Alan Masters enjoyed a good day out in the boat landing between 30-40 fish they lost count. All coming to dries either daddies or Midas. Fishing from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy. Fishery Ranger Lee Henfrey fishing with Kevin Hart landed over 40 fish to the boat. The pair found fish from Rainbow Corner all the way down to M Buoy near the exclusion zone. Using a claret hopper on the dropper and then an orange popper hopper on the dropper. The key was to cast them out then just use a steady figure of eight retrieve, with lots of sport every drift. All water member Ed Douglas headed out again to take advantage of the excellent fishing Draycote is currently experiencing. Yet again it was another great day for Ed who landed 49 fish all on dries using Bob’s Bits and Grunters fishing from the Draycote Dam Wall over the open water. Draycote member John Dickens also used Grunters to great effect landing 21 on the pattern. Pete Eville used CDC Culs and Bob’s Bits to land 30 fish drifting from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy.

A bright and sunny morning greeted us at Draycote Water and these conditions prevailed for most of the day. Once again the fish have provided us with some great sport right throughout the water column, with a good spread of fish across the reservoir. Peter Allen and Tony Broadway had a dozen fish between them using dries, as well as lures on sinking lines. Dave Adkins boated a total of 23 fish using once again, a mixture of dries on a floater, as well as lures on a sinking line. Season permit holder Paul Havard netted 16 fish using a 3ft midge tip and a washing line in Rainbow Corner. Geoff Brooks and David Holding had 16 fish to the  boat on sparkler boobnies fiushed on a floating line near A buoy. Young Kevin Rees had well over 20 fish to the boat using an F fly.

Friday started bright, sunny and warm, and stayed that way all day. Despite these conditions Gordon Byers used dries to net 19 fish from a drifting boat. Craig and Rob Middleton also used dries to net over 30 fish between them. Season permit holder Jamie Scott used a mixture of dries and diawl bachs to net 19 fish in Rainbow Corner. Draycote regular Tim Davies had 7 fish to the boast during a morning session, with the vast majority coming to dries. Don Coe and Mr A Baker had over 20 fish to the boat using hares ears and CDC’s.

Saturday was overcast with the slightest chance of a thunderstorm through the afternoon. This fishing report is virtually writing itself at the moment. We knew we had a good head of fish in Draycote, and these are now showing up all over the reservoir. The rod average is coming out at about 9, and practically all methods are working, with some being more successful than others. Dries seem to be a favourite, but a washing line with diawl bachs will produce, as will twiddling a couple of cormorants on a slow intermediate line. You can also chase the fish down through the water column on sinking lines with lures, if that’s what floats your boat. Draycote regular Jon Crowley had a bakers dozen during a morning session. Jon plied his trade around B buoy using a floating line and hares ears and a sugar cube. Young Ed Douglas has well over 20 fish for the day, all coming to dries. Mr T Fox and Mr M Heritage used cul’s, daddies and bob’s bits to put 40 fish in the net. Season permit holder Martin Hancox ventured out for an evening session to net nearly 20 fish on daddies and big reds.

Sunday started overcast and calm, but brightened up as the day progressed. The overnight rain put a lot of water in the boats, but helped cool the surface temperature to a balmy 17degrees.  Another good day was enjoyed by the anglers visiting the fishery with a rod average of just under 6. Husband and wife, Shaun & Debbie Gilbert landed 9 fish using hoppers and daddies and then a Di 5 and a black humungus when the sun came out. With lots of other pulls and lost fish while on a short morning boat, with the best area being the Hensborough Bank just near the exclusion zone. Fellow member Richard Walker also fished for a morning session landing 10 fish using a foam daddy and a claret hopper and later using a cats whisker on a sink tip. All water member Ed Douglas used dries once again to land over 20 fish, from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy and the around the Flat Stones and B Buoy. Kevin Hart fishing with Dave Pacey also landed 20 fish. With using a washing line with a popper hopper on the point and crunchers on the droppers while Dave used Damsels. Adam Larbalestier & Ben Bayliss drifted from M to N Buoy using dries to land 21 fish. Trevor Moore fished a washing line with Diawl Bachs on a floating line at Rainbow Corner and the saddle bank to boat 22 fish.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

Greys Pairs Draycote Heat Sunday 16^th July – contact Phil Dixon to enter.

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water +

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 9^th July  Rod Av: 1.0    Water Temperature: 19c – 20c

Monday and better weather forecast, lower daytime temperatures, fresher wind which will certainly help the fishing. Our surface temperature is 19c+. Overall, the fishing proved challenging with the few trout taken falling to a fast sinker and booby fished from the main dam across the deep water.

Tuesday and the water temperature has dropped to 19c, forecast is for cloud mid-morning and a fresh at times brisk south westerly. Fishing improved from Monday still challenging but an improvement. Arthur Olding fished an intermediate with a 5ft leader & a white minkie booby on a back drift hooking 6 trout but landing 4, those trout weren’t deep. P Cross also caught 4 with 2 on a dry and the other on a booby. At 5pm Peter Wurm came to fish the evening fishing elk hair sedge patterns and then a daddy he rose around 8 trout successfully hooking and landing 3. Although a few trout were rising he was due to the good water clarity rising fish to his flies.

Similar forecast for Wednesday & Thursday with brighter, warmer conditions on Friday which pushed the surface water temperature from 19c to 19c+. It wasn’t easy fishing we recommended that rods got to the fishery for 7.30am & fished the morning session that currently goes up to 3pm. It was certainly different from the fishing enjoyed on Tuesday with top rod on Friday Colin Chambers with 3 rainbows.

Saturday & Sunday our water temperature was 19c+ we advised anglers to arrive by 7.30am as we would be getting the boat out earlier. Fast sinkers with minkie booby, red or orange booby on a short 5ft to 8ft leader caught with John Reynold catching 4 for his Sunday visit. We had some rain & cooler temperatures Saturday & Sunday late afternoon with some Thunder.

Early hours of Monday 10^th July at 1.10am we received during the cooler conditions a stocking of 2095 trout taking the stock level in the fishery to 6,000+ which follows our trials over the past 3 years. View details on our www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

Lost & Found Rods, Reels & Fly line.

This year anglers have handed in 2 sets of tackle they have found, 10ft rod with a reel & line & a 9ft Rod with a reel & line attached.

Both sets due to their good condition were lost this year. If you call the lodge 01530230807, we will need the following information.

1. Make of the rod
2. Type of reel with the style of fly line loaded.

If their not claimed in the next couple of months we will give them to the anglers who found them

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report 

Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 9^th July   Rod Av: 5.0       Water Temperature: 19°c

Monday, Start of the week & a challenging days fishing with P Polito top rod with 3 trout. Looking at the weeks weather forecast its looking positive, cooler daytime temperatures of 17c to 20c and an average wind speed of 13mph – 16mphm much better for the fishing & with the stocking due on Tuesday it will all be positive as we move into July.

Tuesday with overcast & a brisk westerly wind & a water temperature of 19c had some fish to be seen in the surface. Anglers caught most of the trout to dries with a small daddy being the most successful pattern with anglers generally working the main basin.  We received a stocking of 1845 trout averaging 1lb12oz this stocking & average size over the past few years has ensured our fishing improved during the July the height of the summer temperature.

Wednesday with the overcast conditions, water temperature dropped below 19c and the previous days stocking we saw am excellent improvement to the fishing with the rod average 8+ for the day. Ian Jobe and Clive Moore caught 40+ trout over the deeper water, Mark Hunt fished lunchtime onwards concentrating his efforts to a single fly fished along the weedbeds from the hawthorns down to Sam`s Dyke fishing a single fly which he changed when sport went quiet, CDC owl, dry daddy, dry damsel to boat 14 trout. G Burnham came down at 5pm to fish the bank catching 6 trout to a 3lb+ grown on rainbow using a #16 hares ear.

Thursday another good day with some anglers working the deeper water in front of the dam whilst other went to fish along the weedbeds. Members Roy Swinfield and L Bates fished the morning session catching 21 trout to muskins and yellow owl. Bill Law and Ian Steele fished the morning session from 8.30am to 3pm boating 15 trout. Dean Stilton out in his float tube, concentrated his fishing along the weed beds fishing a daddy to catch 19 trout. M Woolnough fished dries, cdc, dry blue damsel to boat 12 with Eyebrook member S Billesdon boating 14 for his visit.

Friday brought with it some warm, bright & blustery conditions. It was a quiet day angler wise with those venturing out catching well in the Main Basin with some resident fish showing amongst those fresher fish that went in earlier in the week. All Water Member Kev Counihan caught well landing 8 fish, targeting feeding fish around the weedbeds in the Main Basin on the Dries. Fishing on a Last 4 Hour permit, Helen & Tom Haines had a productive session landing 4 fish from as far down as the Willows.

Saturday was a very unsettled day with several heavy showers, thunderstorms, bright intervals & wind direction changes. By early afternoon the storms had passed & conditions remained good for the remainder of the day. Subsequently the reservoir fished very well with fish caught from the boats, Float Tubes & the banks. Eyebrook member Malcolm Thompson enjoyed a brief bank session in the morning, landing 4 fish from the Dam. From the boats & Float Tubes, the Main Basin was the most productive area with good numbers of fish caught on a variety of methods. Those fishing with a bit of colour on their cast, be that a blob or FAB, seemed to be more productive than those that didn’t. Even if fish never came to the colour, they took the nymph nearest to it which proves its effectiveness as an attractor. Eyebrook members Bob Margery & Steve Lawrence had a very productive morning session with 30 to the boat, utilising this method as they caught on Floating Lines & Intermediates. Elsewhere in the Main Basin, there was also a few fish caught on Dries with a Foam Daddy featuring high on the catch returns.

It was a still, damp but dry start to Sunday which saw Eyebrook host the latest Fishery Management UK Interclub fixture with anglers from all 3 of the fisheries; Eyebrook, Draycote & Thornton. Starting the day with a round of Bacon cobs, they fished a morning & afternoon session that was interspersed with Burgers at lunch. The overcast morning gave way to clear, bright skies in the afternoon which made the fishing challenging after lunch. Fish were caught in the Main Basin & around the marginal weedbeds throughout the day, with the most productive periods being before lunch. The most productive method for the open water was 2 bits of colour, FABs or Blobs, with a couple of Nymphs between them on a floating line down to an Intermediate, as the fish were sat high up in the water column in the morning. Around the weedbeds, Dries or Damsel Nymphs proved to be the most productive methods. The reservoir fished well on the day to a respectable rod average of 4.2 & we hope all participants enjoyed the day, it was great to see you all. Elsewhere, day permit angler Bram Van Der Bos enjoyed a very productive day landing 19 fish on Dries from various locations across the Main Basin. Eyebrook member Dean Shilton targeted the Damsel feeding fish around the margins & landed a good number of fish on Damsel Nymphs. From the bank, another Eyebrook member, Malcolm Thompson had another productive morning landing 6 fish from the North end of the Dam.

Upcoming Events

22/23 July – 6 x 4 Team Competition, 26 boats each day.

29 July – AMFFC Group 1, 18 boats.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir.

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     2^nd July  2023      Rod Av: 5.7   Water Temperature:  17°C

Cooler overnight temperature’s Sunday evening, resulted in a drop in the water temperature down to 19°C and a strong Southwest wind. These improvement in conditions and water temperature resulted in a marked improvement in the catch return with the fishery averaging 8.23 fish per angler. However, the best method was still fishing deep. Draycote members Tony Broadway & Pete Allen took a morning boat and landed 33 fish. The pair opted to back-drift with Di7 sinking lines and a variety of different snakes throughout the morning to take their fish. The best areas the pair found the fish was B Buoy out towards Y Buoy and then around H Buoy and Farborough Spit. Fellow member Bob Askew also found back-drifting to be very successful, landing 21 fish. Using either a Di 5 or Di 7 sinking line and olive snakes. Mr Fowler & Mr Attwood landed 19 fish to their boat using either lures fished on a Di 7 or buzzers. With the best area’s being A, B & C Buoy. Peter Flay fished for the afternoon around the Draycote Dam and the Outlet using a Damsel pattern on a sunk line to land 17 fish.

What a great day for fishing Tuesday turned out to be. The forecast was for overcast conditions and a light south westerly breeze, and that’s exactly what we got. There is, once again , a good spread of fish throughout the reservoir, but the best of the sport is to be had coming off the Draycote Dam at the moment, drifting out towards and past A, B and C buoy. Quite a few of the fish are being caught using dry fly tactics with most of the fish coming blind. Another method to try at the moment is to use a DI7 and a snake or a humungus pattern. If you back drift one of these along the bottom of the reservoir at the moment you should catch fish in good numbers. Staff member Mark Braun took to the water to land over 20 fish using black and gold snakes on a DI7 near the Aerators.  Ed Douglas caught over 30 fish yesterday from a boat, with some coming to dries, and the rest to snakes back drifted on a DI7. Eddie Mitchell and Stuart Lee had 14 fish to the boat between them one of which was a cracking 6lb plus rainbow which took a booby hopper out in the open water. James Kelly bank fished the deeper water from the Tower Bank using shrimp patterns on a sinking line to land a brace.

Once again an ideal start to fishing on Wednesday morning saw Draycote return another good rod average. A good head of fish and a good spread of them throughout the reservoir is providing some great sport for our visiting anglers, (and some of the staff as well). Martin  Foster and John Vyse had 14 fish to the boat back drifting on a DI5 with snakes and humungus. Ian Richardson and Bob Barfoot had 16 fish back drifting using DI7’s and snakes from the Draycote Dam out past C buoy. Fishery Manager Tom Bird took to the water for a filming session and took a total of 15 fish using two different methods. He started off in Rainbow Corner using foam daddies on a floating line before shifting down to the Flat Stones and the area in front of the Valve Tower, where he back drifted on a Di7 line with snakes.

A wind change Thursday into the Northwest with bright skies for most of the day. It was a good day to be out on the water with the rod average for the day ending at 7.1 fish per angler. The key method for the day was to fish deep, with a number of fish sitting deeper in the water column due to the warmer water temperature. Fishery Rangers Lee Henfrey & Michael Hanlon took the water on a day off and enjoyed great sport landing over 30 fish. The pair used the rudder to get the flies down deep, using Di 7 sinking lines and Booby Bashers. Casting 45 degrees off the side of the boat and then paying the rest of the line out, until the line was tight. Then a steady roly-poly retrieve was the best tactic, with black and gold humungus, snakes and tubes all featuring well. The best areas being B Buoy, C Buoy or around Y Buoy. Another boat who found the fish deep and used the rudder was Rod Wilson & Jim Dempsey who landed 28 fish. Draycote members Ian Reeve & Colin Granger opted to back drift to get the flies deep landing 43 fish. Using a Di 7 sinking line with a barred olive snake booby or a black and gold snake booby. Andy Ross & Dave Barrett landed 20 fish again on a Di 7 fished out the back of the boat around B Buoy out in the middle.

Friday was overcast for most of the day with once again quite strong Southwesterly winds. The fish seem to be holding in the same areas but  have risen up in the water column as some anglers were using DI3’s and DI5’s to catch their fish. Whilst there are fish being caught in or near the surface of the reservoir the rise in rod averages over the past week or so is due to the more consistent use of sinking lines and lures. Season permit holder Ray Rawlings put 16 fish in the net using a DI7 with black and gold snakes whilst drifting from B buoy to the Aerators. Jamie Scott netted a total of 20 fish using Airflo’s Booby Basher line and black and gold snakes. Mr F Campbell had 17 fish to the boat on the same method fishing up at the western end of the reservoir. Ruth and Tony Kirk used a combination of dries as well as sinking lines and lures to tempt 18 fish to the net between them.  Draycote regular Mick Cronin caught 9 fish during a bank fishing session  from Rainbow Corner.

The wind swung a little more to the West on Saturday, with the cloud cover remaining. Once again the fishery fished well with a rod average of 5.91. Martin Rowson & Neil Deakin fished from a boat landing 22 fish. However, Martin said it should have been double that the amount of fish lost in play. The pair started on dries in Rainbow Corner to take there first fish. Before Martin swapped to washing lining on a floating line or a 12ft slow tip with a booby and hoppers on the droppers. While Neil used a Di 5 sweep sinking line and a snake. Their best area was Rainbow Corner drifting towards A Buoy or drifting from the Valve Tower towards C Buoy. Draycote members Terry Bolderson & Bob Humphries landed 14 fish to their boat also fishing in Rainbow Corner. Fishery Ranger Mark Braun took advantage of a day off heading out in a boat landing 17 fish on a booby snake fished on a sinking line around A, B & C Buoy. Fishery guides Lee Henfrey & Jim Sheehan, both took newcomers out on an experience session. With the clients landing their first ever trout. Both Jim & Lee used fast sinking lines and booby snakes, fished on the rudder or back drifted. To see the pictures please visit www.facebook.com/flyfishstore Currently there certainly seems to be two layers or fish out on the water, those sitting high in the water who seem keen to take dries or nymphs in the first few feet them fish that are sitting 30ft down.

Once again strong westerly winds were blowing across Draycote on Sunday, with thankfully, the best of the fishing to be had at the more sheltered end of the reservoir. Debbie and Sean Gilbert got into quite a few fish by starting on DI7’s and moving up onto DI3’s with dancers. Ed Douglas Had 19 fish to the boat mostly on dries, with a little bit of sunk line work thrown in to bag the remaining few. Mark JJ had 17 fish to the boat using sparklers and diawl bachs. Young Trevor Moore and James Maplethorpe used much the same method to bag over 20 fish between them and remarked on a superb day. Season permit holder Martin Hancox ventured out for an evening session to catch a dozen on a mixture of snakes and cormorants.

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 2^nd July   Rod Av: 1.4    Water Temperature: 19c+ – 20c+

Monday & were forecast for cooler temperatures this week which we will look forward to seeing. Start of the week and a rod average 3.3 with anglers still following our advice and fishing the cooler morning session. A Lilley and Mr England caught 14 for their mornings visit using a 10ft tip line 20ft+leader and buzzer with a few on a sink7 and booby. Keith Cowen & S Fairgrieve caught theirs on a booby and buzzer with A Wilson catching his 5 on buzzer and booby. Good start to the week

Tuesday overcast, cooler, light drizzle, water temperature had dropped by 0.5c surprising that it didn’t match the day before. Without doubt the ones who caught fish a sink7 or sink5 with silver humungus or orange booby patterns working best. They fished the cooler morning session with R Price top rod with 4 landed.

Wednesday, overcast, cooler breeze, water temperature down a degree since the weekend. It proved to be a mixed day, some rods reported seeing fish rising at times while others reported taps and follows to their flies fished deeper. Mixture of flies worked from buzzers, booby, small snakes, fabs to black hopper. Most fished the morning session, Alex White caught 4 as did J Scott. Brian Morris fished the afternoon from 3pm to 8pm when it looked as if a thunderstorm was due. Brian saw a few fish rising and fished a black hopper catching 1 and missing others up to 5pm when that stopped, he then moved to a sinking line catching 1 but again had taps and follows. Water clarity remains good.

Thursday and a fresh north westerly wind. Our water temperature at 7.30am had dropped to 20c+ There were odd fish to be seen rising, but they weren’t easy to tempt. Sink7 & sink5 fast sinking lines with booby patterns or small snakes caught fish but the method that seems to be best is a sink tip line either a 6ft or 10ft model with leaders of 16ft to 25ft depending on the area you’re fishing across the main basin. These fish when spooned are feeding on large bloodworm, at times also have daphnia and small buzzer. D Hussey was top rod he caught 8 on a long leader over 16ft depth with a #14 diawl bach been his best fly.

Friday, cooler start to the day with plenty of cloud, our surface temperature is 20c. Quiet day on the water probably due to the mixed weather forecast. Rods fished the morning session with fish caught on pink snake, olive snake & various booby patterns over the deeper water.

Saturday & similar weather as the day before. Rods reported seeing some fish rising, but the rise happens once as the water temperature is 20c but our water clarity is good. In those conditions the fish will be 3 to 5ft down, if they see a fly they want they will come up take the fly & drop back down to the cooler conditions. J Bebbington fished the cooler morning session saw odd fish rising went back drifting with a floating line & daddy pattern, landing 4 & getting a fair few rises to others. Keith Cowen continues to be having his best season ever catching 4 trout on a cocktail yellow eyed booby. Other flies that caught were damsel patterns & bloodworm.

Sunday and our water temperature is 19c+, bright start to the day with the cloud drifting in & wind picking up from 9am. 16 members of the All Abilities club fished Thornton finding the fishing challenging averaging 1 fish for their visit. Their top rods were Stewart Hume, Ian Bradfield, Horace Wood and Dave Porter who all caught 3 fish each.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report 

Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 02 Jul 23   Rod Av: 1.4      Water Temperature:   20°c – 19c

The week started somewhat cooler than the previous one ended with a westerly wind that become strong to moderate as the day progressed. The cloud cover that was forecast did not materialise & it remained bright throughout the day.  It was a very quiet start to the week angler wise with just a few boats out & those that did catch, caught in the Main Basin with lures fished deep on sinking lines.

Tuesday saw another quiet day with those venturing out catching either in the Main Basin, fishing on the drift with Di 5 or Di 7s or fishing small nymphs & dries around the weed beds. When fishing the open expanse of the Main Basin & searching for fish, you will be far more productive fishing from a drifting boat, be that back drifting or fishing loch style using a drogue. The principle is simple, the more water you cover when searching for fish, the more successful you will be. It is counterproductive to sit in one area too long, unless you know there are fish in that area & even then, the fish need to be catchable.

The cooler weather continued Wednesday which saw anglers finding success both around the marginal weedbeds & over the open water of the Main Basin. Members Mark Hunt & Neil Shilton both had productive days, but they fished different areas & fished different methods. Mark chose to hunt the weedbeds using small Dries to intercept fish that were transiting from the cooler, deeper water into the shallower weedbeds to feed. Mark was duly rewarded with a great bag for the day of 10 fish, with Sam’s Dyke proving to be his most productive area. Whereas, Neil, out in his Float Tube, opted to fish the deeper, cooler water of the Main Basin using Boobies on a Di7. Searching out the deeper areas within the Basin Neil had a great return of 11 fish. Over his last couple of visits, Neil has caught 30 fish in very challenging conditions which is an excellent return. How has he achieved this…? Well, he has fished deep, he has fished slow & he has remained mobile.

There was a cool, damp start to Thursday which had cooled the water temperature to 20°C overnight & a gentle northerly breeze which increased as the day progressed. As the wind built, it brought with it clear, bright skies that made the afternoon, somewhat challenging. Subsequently, the reservoir fished better in the morning as the fish happily fed around the weedbeds for prolonged periods due to the cooler water. There were some good fish caught in Sam’s Dyke & Mucky Bay down to the Chestnut on Dries & Damsel Nymphs fished over the top & around the established beds of weed. Eyebrook member Bill Law had a very productive morning session landing 5 fish from the area of Mucky Bay. Elsewhere, regular visitor Nigel Woolnough also had a productive day dotting around the various weedbeds along the Leicester Bank, picking up fish as he went from various locations. Another Eyebrook member, Stuart Bilsdon also picked up fish throughout the day. Those that fished the Main Basin found fish deeper on Di7s with lures. When fishing deep in the Basin, remember that you can also fish buzzers deep, on a Tip Line with a long leader & on its day, it can be just as effective as the lures.

Friday brought with it a flat calm with plenty of cloud cover, but overall, not an easy days fishing. All water member Mark Hunt was top rod fishing from 10.00am to 8pm landing 9 trout from amongst the weedbeds but then during the evening over the deeper water on a floating line with big red and a cdc owl. Water temperature was 20c.

Saturday and despite the conditions a dry fly hopper pattern caught 4 trout for P Line, following from the day before if there’s cloud a dry seems to be working. Overall, a bit of a challenge Eyebrook member B Margery caught 3 for his mornings visit on a diawl and blob with Sam Edmonds catching 3 for her visit.

Sunday morning and the water temperature has dropped to 19c+ Mixed methods caught from lures on a sinking line to dries. Neil & Dean Shilton fished from their float tubes catching 8 trout between them. Dries certainly caught the largest percentage with Mark Hunt fishing the last 4 hours initially catching fish close to the weeds but as the wind dropped sedges emerged and a rise occurred, he caught fishing a single fly cdc yellow owl and sedge pattern later to catch his 8 trout.

With the cooler water Eyebrook is due a stocking on Tuesday with 2000 trout from 1lb8oz to 1lb14oz the size which from the past 3 years definitely provide better fishing during July & height of the summer.

Events: This coming Sunday 9^th  local angling club Eyebrook Fly Fishers hosts an inter club event with Draycote Fly Fishers & Thornton Fly Fishers attending with a break at lunchtime for a BBQ. If you’re a club member contact the lodge to book your place

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     18^th June  2023      Rod Av: 2.0   Water Temperature:  18°C

A very hot start to the week, with lots of water in the boats after the torrential thunderstorm the night before. However, the thunderstorm did little to cool anything. With such high temperatures and more thunderstorms forecast for later in the day, it was a quite day at the fishery both with rods and number of fish caught. However like the previous day fish could still be caught on the top with fishery ranger Kev Jones going out after his shift catching on daddies.

Another bright and blustery start again on Tuesday. The wind speed rose again about midday, making the western end of the reservoir a bit choppy at times through the afternoon. There are fish right throughout the water column in many areas of the reservoir, being caught on dries, as well as sinking lines. Mr Ian Morris and Mr Brian Hall had a brace between them through the bright sunshine. Mr A Campbell caught 9 fish from a drifting boat using a DI5 sweep line and two sparkler boobies, with the odd fish taking a foam daddy out in the middle of the reservoir.

The weather conditions prevailed through Wednesday. There is a good spread of fish throughout the reservoir and at various depths.   Draycote regular Will Hunt used a mixture of minkies and daddies near the aerators to boat 7 fish. Mr D Howard caught 3 fish on boobies, whilst Chris Reeves and Ian McKenagh caught 4 fish between them.

Another warm day Thursday with a Northeast, which did help to keen a slightly cooler feel to the day for the anglers out on the water. Draycote member John Dickens fished from a boat landing 7 fish all on dries, with a black a crippled midge being his best pattern. Lee Patten a fellow member fishing with Dave Franklin ahead of the Civil Service match on Friday. Enjoyed a good days sport using boobies in the morning on a sunk line before using dries on the afternoon to land 9 fish. Great to see dries working even in the bright sunshine. At the other end of the spectrum Jim Dempsey & Rod Wilson landed 20 fish in a morning session using the Rudder. The pair took their fish deep on a Di 7 sinking line drifting near P Buoy and Middle Shaol and heading down in between Y Buoy and the Aerators. Fishery Manager Tom Bird headed out on a 8 hour guide with friends Nigel Tranter & Gary Brewster. With the help of Tom the pair landed a dozen fish and lost a number of others. The best area was over Musborough Shoal using a Di 5 sinking line with a cormorant booby and sparker. However, in the afternoon Nigel did land 2 fish and lost another on a 6ft fast tip with a booby on the point and nymphs on the droppers. The pair also landed some quality rainbows to see the pictures please visit www.facebook.com/flyfishstore

Friday saw Draycote host the Civil Service National Game Angling Final, with anglers from all over the country fishing for their prospective regions. It was another day of challenging conditions with the continuing east winds and bright hot sunshine. However, the anglers did well in the tough conditions producing a 3.65 rod average. Winning the day was the Midlands Region comprising of Peter Elliott & Lee Patten. Who landed 21 fish between them, using snakes on a Di 7 sinking line. The best area being G Buoy to H Buoy and also around the Valve Tower. Lee, was also top individual on the day, landing 2 cracking fish for  his first 2 which tipped the scales at 6lb 4oz. In second place was the Northern Region of J Heppell & M Bramham who also landed 21 fish, but unfortunately lost out on the weight of the fish brought to the scales. They also found success using fast sinking lines and snakes. Outside of the Civil Service Match, Nigel Tranter & Gary Brewster enjoyed a good day landing 10 fish using a Di 7 sinking line teamed with snakes and humungous. They found the fish drifting from just down from the Valve Tower into the Draycote Dam. With nearly all the fish being grown on fish over 3lb with the best a rainbow of around 5lb taken by Nigel.

Saturday was overcast with a very light easterly breeze. There was a very light shower through the middle of the day which was most welcome in the current conditions. Staff member Mark Braun used a heavy sinking line and snakes up near the aerators to net 17 fish during an afternoon session. Alan Campbell had a brace on small culs down in Toft near G buoy. Draycote regulars Trevor Moore and James Maplethorpe used size 14 olive buzzers to net a bakers dozen between them in several places around the reservoir.  Season permit holder John Dickens used Grunters and crippled midge to net 3 fish during an evening session.

Sunday started much the same as the previous days with the threat of a thunder storm and heavy rain to come later. Staff member Michael Hanlon ventured out for a morning session to net half a dozen fish on black and gold humungus on a DI5. Season permit holder Tim Davies had 4 fish to the boat using a mixture of dries, boobies and snakes. Frazer Duffy, senior and junior, caught a dozen fish between them using snakes on a DI7 up near the aerators. Fishery manager Tom Bird hosted one of our ever popular Fly Fishing Tuition Days here at Draycote with 5 students taking part . The day went very well with all the students getting to grips with the casting and Mr Graham Cox landing two cracking rainbows. We also hosted the Steve Parton memorial match here At Draycote on Sunday organised by the Alex Booth Fly Fishers. The match was cut short for some anglers by the weather conditions later in the afternoon but, results were as follows. Third place was taken by Jack Westbury with 5 fish for 6lbs 12oz, in second place was Colin Marriott with 5 fish for 7lbs 4oz, and in top spot was Baz Street with 3 fish for 11lbs 6oz. Baz’s bag was boosted by a cracking fish of 6lbs 12oz which he caught near the inlet on a small black and gold humungus.  Well done to all those who took part.

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Lodge: 01536 770264 & Mob: 07834581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website:

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership options visit our website www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

Week Ending: 18 Jun 23       Rod Av: 2.14   Water Temperature:  20+°C

It was a warm start to the week with a bright clear sky & a gentle northerly breeze. By late afternoon the cloud had built & we experienced a typical seasonal storm of thunder, lightning & torrential rain. There were a few fish caught by those that did venture out prior the storm. All-Water Member Ian Jobe took to his Float Tube & was rewarded was 5 fish in a relatively short session. Ian concentrated his efforts fishing lures deep around the Main Basin looking for overwintered fish. Another All-Water Member Rob Middleton was out filming for Cadence TV & landed 10 fish from Stoke Dry. Starting on the Dries, Rob later switched to the washing line with 2 Fabs, one on the point & top dropper & 2 small nymphs on the middle droppers.

The searing weather conditions continued Tuesday, although there was a pleasant, slightly cooling northerly breeze by late morning. The bright conditions made for challenging fishing conditions & those who did venture out found the fish not to be very obliging. Fish were still caught however with Stoke Dry remaining productive as the fish up there fed hard on Damsel nymphs subsurface. All Water Member Arthur Olding fished Foam Daddies up Stoke Dry & was duly rewarded with 9 fish in his morning session, which given the conditions was an excellent return. The reservoir fished notably better in the morning than it did in the afternoon before the sun was at its highest & the air temperature it’s warmest.

Wednesday brought the same bright, clear conditions as previous days but these were accompanied with a stiff north easterly wind which slightly cooled the air temperature. Despite the bright conditions, the fish were still feeding hard on Damsels, pin fry & occasional hatching buzzer, in shallower waters of Stoke Dry & up behind the island in Sam’s Dyke. Eyebrook member Dave Shaer was up in Stoke Dry & he caught well on small Buzzers on a Washing Line. Also up in Stoke Dry were Fishery Managers, Tom Bird & Lloyd Thompson who were out conducting some promotional filming. Drifting across Stoke, they caught numerous fish & missed a few others, on a Washing Lined Floaters with a Damsel Booby on the point & various nymph patterns above it & on Foam Daddies. Elsewhere, regular visitor Max Woolnough had a very productive day sat up behind the island on the Dries. Max landed 16 fish on CDC’s earlier on & then Blue Dry Damsels later in the day when the Damsel hatch was in full swing. Given the conditions, that is a great return.

To check how Tom & Lloyd got on targeting the Damsel feeders up at Stoke Dry use the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lna0SBjBeBk

Thursday saw no respite with the weather as it was another hot, bright, clear day with those venturing out finding the fishing extremely challenging, This was not only down to the conditions but also due to the intensity of which the fish seemed to be preoccupied on feeding on Damsels &/or Pin Fry. The most productive areas again seemed to be Sam’s Dyke & Stoke Dry as fish caught appeared to be few & far between. Moving fish could be caught with a well presented & accurately cast emerging pattern.

Friday was another challenging day, for the exact same reasons as previously mentioned. Stoke Dry & Sam’s Dyke continue to hold a very high number of Damsel & Pin Fry feeding fish that are becoming increasingly challenging to tempt. When the fishing is like this it often pays to play the percentages by covering as much water as possible & present flies that will imitate what the trout are feeding on. Brian Frith did just that & was duly rewarded with what was an excellent bag, under the circumstances, of 4 fish in a morning session. Brian fished from a drifting boat & used a Damsel pattern to tempt his fish.

Saturday brought with it a welcome break with the weather; it was still warm but there was some consistent cloud cover over the course of the day. Consequently, the reservoir was a lot more productive than in previous days with fish caught from the both the bank & the boats. A Washing Lined Floater or Dries were the best methods from the banks with both Steve Barlow & Eyebrook Member Malcolm Thompson landing 6 & 5 fish respectively which is a great return for the middle of June from the bank. From the boats, another Eyebrook Member, Bob Margery had a great morning session landing 14 fish & out on a Last 4-hour permit, boat partners Mr Maylin & Gillies landed 10 between them on a variety of methods: Foam Daddies & pulling olive snakes.

The weather Sunday can only be described as changeable with bouts of sunshine, Showers & even Thunder & Lightning. Sunday saw us host a couple of events; firstly it was the Eyebrook Fly Fishers Blind Pairs boat match & secondly, we hosted an Experience Day for a contingent from Uppingham School. A blind pairs match is where anglers are unaware of their partners until the weigh in. Well done to all those that took part & congratulations to the winning pair on the day of Roy Swinfield & Ian Steele. The Uppingham School Experience Day saw 12 attend the day where they all learnt how to cast a fly rod & were judged on accuracy & distance. They then went out & fished from a boat with some of those going on to land their first ever trout on a fly rod. Well done all & we hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed hosting you. Elsewhere, Eyebrook Member Neil Shilton took to his Float Tube & was rewarded with 11 fish coming to the net. Neil concentrated his efforts fishing the deeper water of the Basin & his success indicates that fish could well be starting to search out that deeper, cooler water. Given the increase in the water temperature, this is hardly surprising for this time of year.

It is highly likely that over the coming weeks that the fish will appear in the Basin in greater numbers as they seek cooler & deeper water. If you are planning to fish the Basin, it is important to cover as much water as possible when you are searching for fish in deeper water.

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 18^th June   Rod Av: 2.4    Water Temperature: 20c – 21c

Monday & Tuesday wind over the last few days has generally been easterly but with the longer daylight hours and an increase in the daytime temperatures into the high 20c its certainly had an impact on the fishing. Anglers followed our advice and fished the morning session 8am – 3pm. We are seeing some fish smutting and others on the pin fry and damsels with the best area, opposite the lodge, Markfield arm, stones & green bay. Best method has been the back drift with various booby patterns with K Cowen & S Faigrieve catching 6 trout for their mornings visit.

Wednesday weather was the same as the last few days. Were seeing some fish move during the first few hours opposite the lodge, pontoon, stones and Markfield arm but as the sun gets higher the rises reduce. Sink 7 lines fished in the back drift with booby patterns worked best with the drift from the Markfield arm along the stones and across the main basin to the public car park best. Barry Deeley caught 1 on a floater using a Barons pin fry and 6 on a sink7 and booby patterns. P Hunt and J Thomson caught 6 for their mornings visit again on fast sinkers and booby.

Thursday a booby fished on a sink5 or sink7 produced the best of the sport with anglers reporting missed takes and follows. The drift up the Markfield arm along the stones, across the main basin and in front of the dam fished best. Richard Maycock too his granddaughter out for a morning, they caught 2 fish but lost a further 5 trout. We spooned his 2 fish, one had a few small buzzer the other had been feeding on bloodworm. Ian Leach caught 4 on a sink5 in front of the dam but reported fish lost and plenty of follows. Tut & Bet Miles caught 4 and also reported missed takes and follows. Dave and Henry Mee fished the last 4 hours again the booby on a sink line worked. Mark Cawley opted to fish a tip line or floater catching 3 on a damsel and orange daddy, he also reported missed takes to the daddy. Mark also saw fish feeding on the pin fry against the weedbeds as you go into the Markfield arm. Best booby, silver humungus, cats whisker, damsel, red booby. Rod average was 2 but would have been a lot higher had fish not been lost or the fish follows turned into takes.

Friday, less wind and bright conditions were suited for the morning with the back drifting with a sinking line expected to work best. Most anglers struggled although good to see beginner angler Kenny Henry managing to catch. Chris Sayer caught 8 for his 5 hour visit fishing a sink7 line with a green damsel booby, finding the fish whilst drifting in the Markfield arm.

Saturday, another day of easterly winds from the east to the south east, some cloud cover. Fishing was the best its been for weeks with an overall rod average of 4.25 with most fishing a booby on the back drift although a few were taken on an intermediate or sink3 on damsel nymph patterns. We hosted 6 members of the British Float Tubing Association who had an excellent day with their groups rod average an excellent 5.8, eventual winner Garry Cragg who caught 10 trout. Booby patterns were, olive damsel booby, small black and green booby, small cats whisker booby. We also had Tony Bokenham with his granddaughter for her first trip helping to catch 3 on a silver humungus booby. Member Keith Cowen fished from an anchored boat fishing a Rio Sink7 and tequila booby to catch 5

Sunday overcast conditions, feeling cooler, another day of easterly winds. Anglers too our advice and fished sinking lines and booby patterns to return a mornings rod average of 4.4 Thornton member A Wilson fished a minkie booby catching 9 trout for his visit. Morning rod T Long caught his first fish on a humungus booby pattern, a fly that was given to him by R Smith who was catching on that pattern. Mr Long also caught some fish on a snake. J Reynolds decided to try an intermediate and booby pattern and was rewarded with 4 trout.

The last 3 days of the week saw improving catches which will hopefully carry on into this coming week.

Our latest YouTube Flyfishstore video is available for viewing and has Lloyd and Tom fishing damsel patterns at Eyebrook https://youtu.be/lna0SBjBeBk

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     11^th June  2023      Rod Av:  3.0        Water Temperature:  18°C

A cloudy start to Monday morning with that steady breeze still coming from the north east.  Season permit holder Richard Walker had 3 fish to the boat on cormorants down in Toft Shallows. Young Ian Richardson caught 7 fish on the School Slips and the Tower bank using a DI5 line and the Draycote damsel. Mr Tim Burns had 8 fish to the boat on diawl bachs between the swans nest and the nature reserve buoys. Staff member Kevin Jones nipped out for a couple of hours between shifts and netted 3 fish on mini snakes and a DI3 down in Toft Shallows.

A cloudy start to Tuesday, and a little drizzle in the air, with no change in the wind. Colin Day fished from the Cornfeild off the bank to land a brace of fish leaving just after lunch. Using an intermediate line and a damsel booby. All water member Kevin Hart landed 9 fish, using a washing line with Diawl Bach’s and crunchers with a tequila booby on the point. Taking his fish from Lincroft Point, Cornfield and A Buoy to Rainbow Corner. All water member Ed Douglas used dries all day to land 10 fish with a Shipman’s being his best pattern. Another angler using dries all day to land 10 fish was Draycote member Kevin Rees who found crippled midge to be his best pattern. Jake Munro’s party of anglers fished their 3^rd day on Tuesday, with the anglers landing 60 fish between them. With Jake commenting “if they had landed every fish they have hooked and lost it would have been over 100 fish to their boats” The best tactic was to washing line buzzers with a tequila FAB on the point, with dries also working. The best area being A Buoy to Rainbow and then down in Toft.

A cloudy start with he sun breaking through in the afternoon around 1pm. Draycote members Jim Hall & Tony Broadway fished on a morning boat landing 11 fish using a Di 3 with snakes. With the pair fishing around A Buoy and Rainbow Corner. Fellow member Martin Foster & John Vyse used a washing line to land there fish with buzzers on the droppers and a Tequila FAB on the point. Catching in Toft, Rainbow Corner & Biggin Bay. Brothers T & J Evans landed 15 fish from around the Outlet using buzzers, Diawl Bach’s and Hares ears. Fishing there final day here at Draycote, Jake Munros party once again landed over 60 fish to the their boats. Fishing near the wall in Rainbow Corner, they used a wide variety of methods to land their fish, from washing line, the bung, snakes and dries.

Yet again more Northeast winds and cloud to start the day which later broke giving bright sunshine. All water member Paul Havard landed 6 fish and commented on the “lovely silver” qualities of them with the best being a 4lb 8oz Rainbow. Paul, landed his fish using a small booby snake on a Di 3 sinking line drifting from Y- B Buoy. T Hughes & D Brocklesby landed 15 fish to the boat fishing in Rainbow Corner. With N McCall & T McCall fishing in the same area landing 18 fish. Andy Brown enjoyed a good afternoons sport landing fish on a black and gold humungous. Before changing to a foam daddy as the day progressed into evening.

Friday dawned with that unrelenting sunshine and a cool wind still blowing from the north east. The reservoir can be unforgiving at the moment, unless you are willing to keep on the move and push down onto the fish as the day progresses. Ed Wilson and Alan Masters had 11 fish to the boat between them using buzzers in Toft Shallows and Biggin Bay. Season permit holder Rob Edmunds caught 16 fish using diawl bachs and buzzers, one of which weighed 4 lbs 12 oz, and was caught from Lincroft point. Davis Stott used white lures to net  4 fish on Toft Shallows. Draycote regular Will Hunt used sedge patterns to net 5 fish from the area around G buoy.

The same weather conditions greeted us on Saturday morning but the day turned out completely different. With a good head of fish in the reservoir Draycote really switched on for most anglers, with fish being caught right throughout the water column and in practically all areas. There were fish being taken on small dries through P buoy and Y buoy, as well as 40 seconds down on a DI7 and snakes just off Musborough Shoal. Staff member Mark Braun used damsel boobies fished on a DI5 drifting near M buoy. Chris Bobby and Leanne Frost had 17 fish to the boat on dries through the middle of the reservoir. Mr J Campbell had over a dozen fish to the boat using a DI7 and snakes once again, through the middle part of the reservoir. Des James and Mathew Griffiths of Ospreys Fly Fishers used dries through the morning in the form of CDC’s, to net 7 fish between them up towards Rainbow Corner. After about 11:30 or so the water went very calm and both Anglers switched to DI7’s with olive lures. During the second half of the day, Des and Mathew boated another 11 fish between them.

Very warm flat calm day conditions, however, later in the afternoon/evening we had a very heavy thunderstorm which certainly put some rain down in the couple of hours it was over the lake. Sunday, saw the Draycote Fly Fishers Association hold the annual John Hanlon Senior memorial match. Always a popular event for the club with so many Hanlon family members still fishing here at Draycote. With the conditions it was a challenging day for the anglers fishing. Winning the day was John & Sean Hanlon with 6 fish caught in Toft. In second place Brian Froggatt & Adrian Burton with 4 fish then in 3^rd Place was Michael Hanlon & William Hunt with 3 fish. Another event taking place was the England Ladies mixed pairs with 8 pairs heading out hoping to win the silver salver. Overall the pairs caught 75 fish for a 4.69 rod average a great result in the conditions. With the majority of the anglers fishing and catching on dries, Chris Bobby, England Ladies Manager commented on the number of fish moving. The Winning the match was our very own Lee Henfrey fishing with Gwyneth Mooney. The pair had 14 fish catching at Musborough Shoal near N Buoy using the bung with a blob under it to land their fish. In second place was Sam & Rob Edmounds with 12 fish beating Cherylanne Beasta & Alex Hayward also with 12 fish, by landing their first fish quicker. There was also some cracking fish caught with Gwyneth & Rob both landing fish over 6lb and a large number of 5lb fish also caught.

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Lodge: 01536 770264 & Mob: 07834581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website:

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership options visit our website www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

Week Ending: 11 Jun 23       Rod Av:  7.8    Water Temperature:   18 °C

It was a chilly start to the week with a stiff North Easterly wind & consistent cloud keeping the air temperature down. Subsequently, there was no prolific Damsel hatch as in previous days. The reservoir still fished very well however, with Dries being the most effective method on the day, especially from the boats. For the boats, the general area of Stoke Dry was the most productive area where anglers caught very well on CDC patterns & Foam Daddies. All Water Member Mark Hunt had a great afternoon session, landing well over 20 fish on a single Dry Fly. Regular fishing partners Lyndsay Bates & Roy Swinfield also had a great day landing well over 30 fish on Yellow Owls & CDC Hares Ear. From the bank, Sam’s Dyke continues to fish well with Mr Cownley landing 12 on Damsels, Daddies & Buzzers.

The cold start to the week continued Tuesday with the wind shifting around to the East by early afternoon. There was consistent cloud cover all day & the fish fed confidently high up in the water column. The most productive area was Stoke Dry to the Tern rafts & along the Leicester Bank around the Chestnut to the Cowshed. There was a lot of fish caught on either a Washing Lined floating line or Dries with brown Foam Daddies being one of the most consistent flies, pulled just under the surface. Those fishing the washing line found that smaller nymphs on the droppers worked best with a Damsel booby on the point & some even done well with a small FAB on the point. Paul White had a great day landing 21 fish up at Stoke Dry on Washing lined Crunchers. All Water Members Norman Perkins & Arthur Olding had 18 & 16 respectively. Norman caught on a Washing Line with a Damsel Booby on the point whereas, Arthur caught his on the Foam Daddies pulled under the surface.

Wednesday brought with it lighter winds & solid cloud cover. As the day progressed the cloud broke resulting in some bright intervals. The reservoir fished very well from both the boats & the bank with not only some excellent returns recorded but some cracking fish coming out too. Sam’s Dyke to Cowshed fished well for the bank anglers, this despite the wind blowing onto the Cowshed, with fish feeding close in on the Damsel Nymphs. Mr Jennings had a great day landing well over 20 fish from the general area of Sam’s Dyke. From the boats, Stoke Dry was the most productive area with some very high returns & some good quality, fully finned, 4lb fish showing as they fed hard on the bountiful aquatic life up there. All Water Member Rob Middleton had a very productive day landing over 20 fish on Foam Daddies, as did boat partners Mr Brown & Martin, who caught theirs on Daddy’s & Crunchers. The most productive methods from the boats were Foam Daddies & Nymphs fished just under the surface on either Floaters or a 12ft Slow Tip & Dries with CDC Emerging patterns, Hare’s Ears & Yellow Owls, featuring high on the catch returns.

It was another chilly start to the day on Thursday caused by a moderate Northerly breeze that yet again brought with it plenty of cloud cover. By early afternoon, the cloud cover had disappeared revealing a clear, bright sky for the remainder of the day. The change in conditions did not detract from the excellent, recent form that Eyebrook had been in, as the fishery went on to record a daily rod average of 9.76, the highest of the week. The boat anglers fared better than the bank anglers as the bright conditions in the afternoon pushed the fish out into the slightly deeper water. On the boats the fish were still caught high up in the water column from the first couple of feet to the surface with the most productive methods being a washing lined slow sink tip or floater & Dries. The northern end of the reservoir was still the most productive with Stoke Dry to the Tern rafts being a notable hot spot within that. There were some high catch returns recorded with CDC Emergers, Yellow Owls, Damsel Nymphs, Foam Daddies & small Nymphs all featuring very highly on the catch returns.

After an initial overcast start to the day, the skies did not take long to clear on Friday & coupled with a reduction in the wind, the air temperature felt a few degrees warmer. Despite the bright skies, the reservoir fished very well with fish taken throughout the day on floating lines & dries. Stoke Dry continued its excellent form as it has over previous days, but what seemed to make the difference to anglers catch rate was the size of flies being used. Anglers who fished smaller flies, caught more consistently than those fishing larger flies. Father & son, Nigel & Max Woolnough enjoyed an excellent day fishing dries catching a very high number of fish, initially from the Willows but then later down at Stoke Dry. Eyebrook members Bill Law & Ian Steele also had a great day down at Stoke Dry landing another very high number of fish. There was no great change to productive fly patterns, Dries & Nymphs but the common denominator was that they were small which is hardly surprising given the amount of pressure Stoke Dry has received.

Saturday saw a reduction in the wind & very bright conditions from the off. This driven the air temperature up which would surely mean an increase in Damsel activity around the reservoir.? This proved to be exactly the case as there were a lot of fish caught on Damsel patterns, whether that was Damsel Nymphs or Dry adult Damsel patterns such as the Blue Foam Daddy. Hoppers fished wet also featured on the catch returns as the fish took them sub-surface more than likely as Damsel Nymphs. Eyebrook members & regular fishing partners Bob Margery & Steve Lawrence had a very productive morning session landing over 40 fish between them from the area of Stoke Dry.

Weatherwise, Sunday was very similar to Saturday with clear skies, low winds & high temperatures. Stoke Dry still produced with anglers finding that by scaling down both leader diameters & fly size the fish continued to come, not in the high numbers of earlier in the week but they still came none the less. All Water Member Kev Hart & his regular boat partner Dave Pacey had a great morning session, landing 24 between them from Stoke Dry on small Nymphs & Dries. Eyebrook member & regular Float Tuber, Neil Shilton also had a productive session landing 7 trout adopting a mobile approach. Neil also had the additional bonus of landing a 23lb Pike. Although not his intended target species, this is still a great fish. Sunday also saw us host the Invicta Fly Fishing Club for a Club match which saw 27 anglers take to the water & they caught 183 fish between them which gave them a rod average of 6.7. Given the conditions this was a great return.

At the start of the week, the water temperature was 16°C & by the end of the week it was 18°C, a 2°C increase is a significant rise in temperature, yet the reservoir still produced & fished very well. The forecast for the week ahead indicates that temperatures will continue to rise, so it could be an interesting week ahead.

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 11^th May   Rod Av: 1.9    Water Temperature: 19c

Monday and a quiet start to the week with only a couple of members out. Another day with low cloud and a north easterly wind. Fish were seen feeding on the pin fry out in front of the lodge & pontoon with fish to be seen feeding on the pin fry in front of the main dam, stones but especially in the green bay area.

Tuesday, similar weather to Monday but with more boats out fishing. For the past week we have observed as we opened up fish feeding in the Thornton arm, in front of the lodge & pontoon, we suspect their feeding on the newly hatched pin fry. Anglers are also reporting fish along the stones into green bay & out in front of the main dam. Andy & Christine Warren caught 4 for their mornings, Barry Deeley also caught 4 using a fast sinker with an orange minkie or an intermediate with a silver humungus. Andre Russell float tubed catching 4 on a variety of flies. During the afternoon session a couple of members caught fish feeding on pin fry by fishing a size #14 teal blue silver, an old traditional wet fly pattern which often works when trout are on the fry. Cooler easterly winds have dropped the water temperature to 17c

Wednesday, another morning with low cloud & cool easterly wind. Plenty of trout still to be seen feeding opposite the lodge & pontoon. With the continuous easterly anglers are fishing the morning session 8.30am to 3.00pm as were not getting a great evening rise. During the morning anglers reported fish moving most of the morning but were not easy to hook. Stuart Thompson found fish moving off the stones into green bay landing 3 caught on a #16 diawl bach. P Hunt & J Thompson also reported seeing good numbers of fish moving, but found them difficult to tempt, they both moved to booby patterns boating 5 trout for their mornings visit.

Thursday another low cloud morning & a cool easterly wind. Anglers reported seeing fish move in various areas, opposite the lodge, stones, green bay and corner of the wood. Some fish were taken on small pin fry patterns #14 silver thorax pheasant tail, hares ear, silver invicta, diawl bach while others were caught on a fast sinker with booby and bloodworm patterns. Jamie Scott caught 4 on a small booby, John Foster and Tim Harewood also caught on a booby. Tony Lorrimer fished a yellow rabbit pattern to catch his 5 trout with D Plowman catching 3 for his mornings visit. B Holland hooked 6, landing 3 on a size #16 black buzzer with orange cheeks. Morning session continuous to be the best time to fish 8.00am to 3pm

Friday, strong easterly wind but a bit more blue sky and sun. Wasn’t a great day for the fishing we saw a number of fish moving opposite the lodge, corner of the wood & green bay with the only angler finding a method that worked was Chris Sayer catching 1 from the corner of the wood & picking up a further 3 fish from green bay.

Saturday the wind shifted all day, north easterly to an easterly to a south easterly and back again, it was certainly the warmest day of the year for us. Ironically the best days fishing all week with a rod average of 3.0

All anglers reported seeing fish all day in various areas, in their words, smutting. They saw fish in green bay, stones, corner of the wood, opposite the lodge and down the Markfield arm past the tern rafts in the shallows next to the weed. Most found the fish that were smutting difficult to tempt moving to fish a booby pattern, orange, red or pink on an intermediate, sink 5 or sink 7. The fish they caught were mostly feeding on the daphnia but also had pin fry, damsels & small buzzers in them. The best catch was Ian Brealey who fished a small dry blue damsel pattern catching 5 but reported a number of fish swirling at the fly.

Sunday and the warmest day of the year. Boats that went out early reported seeing fish smutting especially along green bay and corner of the wood. T Long took our advice and headed into green bay catching 3 trout on small buzzer before 9am.

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     4^th June  2023      Rod Av:   2.65       Water Temperature:  14-15°C

It was a bit of a chilly start to Monday morning with good cloud cover. Mr G Whittingham caught 4 fish from the bank using sedges and daddies.  Out on the boats some anglers reported a bit of a slow start to the day, although Lee Henfrey and Nigel Keeber would disagree. The pair could be seen bending into fish out in front of the pontoon almost immediately. The lads used intermediate lines and black and gold humungus to boat over 20 fish in about 3 hours. Mr Raistrick and Mr Purdham caught a dozen apiece on a mixture of buzzers and dries. James Alexander and Alan Sharp boated a bakers dozen between them down in Toft Shallows using a washing line with a FAB on the point. Draycote regular Chris Campbell had 3 to the boat on hot head damsels along the northern shoreline.

More Northeast winds, again making it a chilly start. However thankfully the wind wasn’t as strong as the day before, giving a warmer feel to the day. Mr Finch Noyes fished the bank for the last four hours landing a brace of fish from the Cornfield. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Smith landed 10 fish to the boat. Using a floating line and a small snake or  buzzers on a midge tip. With the best area being the Outlet and the section of the school slips that is outside the exclusion zone. James Foster fishing on his own also landed 10 fish. Taking 4 from Rainbow Corner, 4 in Toft & 2 in Biggin Bay commenting he used a mixture of “lines and flies”. Using the rudder to great effect Alan Guest & Andy Dowell landed 19 fish to the boat on a mixture of snakes.

Exactly the same weather as the previous days in the week cold Northeast winds. Colin Day fished on the bank and landed 2 from Rainbow Corner. On the boats brother Terry & John Evans landed 29 fish from Biggin Bay on buzzers and Diawl Bach’s. Also using buzzer Draycote member John Dickens landed 15 fish. With humungus also working for John in Toft and Biggin Bay. John Kelly & Mr Painter on a 2 day package, split between here and Eyebrook. Using buzzers and also dries they landed 29 fish to the boat. Also part of the 2 day beak in another boat Stephen McLean & Jim used the same tactics to land 20 fish. Fishing for the last four hours Gary Russel land 7 fish including a 5lb Rainbow back drifting black snakes around the Farborough Dam Wall.

A cloud start to the day, however, the sun did make an appearance during the middle section of the day before. The cloud rolled back in for the afternoon. Draycote hosted the RCSL fly event with 17 boats out on the water taking part. It was a mixed day for the anglers. Winning the day using snakes fished on a Di 3 sinking line was Nigel Conlon who fished around J Buoy and the Farborough Dam Wall. Outside of the match Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Smith enjoyed a great day landing 30 fish. Fishing at Rainbow Corner using an intermediate line with a humungous on the point and cormorants on the droppers. Fishing the rudder Jim Demsey & Rod Wilson landed a bakers dozen while out for the morning around B buoy and the Draycote Dam Wall. Peter Elliot used dries in the morning to land 6 fish before swapping to a washing line set up to fish the day with 19 fish. Fishing in Rainbow Corner and the Inlet. All water member Ed Douglas fished for an afternoon landing 9 fish all on dries from Toft.  Fishery ranger Mark Braun took advantage of a day off using an olive snake in Dunn’s Bay on a Di 5 to land 7 fish. #

A challenging day Friday with bright sun and the continuing Northeast wind making it a tricky day. However, a couple of anglers did manage to find the key to catching. Draycote member Tim Davies fished with son Johnathan with the paid landing half a dozen in the morning drifting from A Buoy into Rainbow Corner. However, it was Jason Hermon who really found the way to catch, landing 18 fish. Using a Di 3 sinking line with a black and green snake around Rainbow Corner.

The wind dropped from the day before, however, the sun remained bright. On the boats Ray Wallace & Dave Ward landed 17 fish from Rainbow Corner using a mixture of lures. Such as white & green snakes, boobies and olive snakes. Dave Jinks & Ken Warner also landed 17 fish using the same tactics as Ray & Dave. Jake Munro’s party of anglers with 4 boat started their first day taking advantage of our 5 day package break. They landed over 67 fish between them fishing in Rainbow Corner using black and green snakes on Di 3 and Di 5 sweep sinking lines in the afternoon and crunchers in the morning.

No change in thew weather for Sunday. Fabrice Dockier fishing he final day of a three day break landed 10 fish drifting from A Buoy to Rainbow Corner and around the Outlet. Before having to come off at 12pm to catch the ferry back to Belgium. Debbie & Sean Gilbert, Draycote household members. Fished till just after lunch on a boat landing 5 fish using a Di3 sinking line with a black snake. However, commented that with the amount of interest they got it should have been double that number that graced the net. Richard Walker also fishing for a half day landed 6 fish on a white snake using a 12ft sink tip. Andrew Whelidon fished down in Toft, using a snake and buzzers to land 8 fish. The Jake Munro party of anglers, once again enjoyed good sport landing fish in Rainbow Corner and around the outlet. Fishing for the afternoon Rob Sosbe, landed a dozen fish using a 3ft RIO midge tip with a FAB on the point and buzzers on the droppers. Drifting from K Buoy to the Outlet and also A Buoy to Rainbow Corner.

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Lodge: 01536 770264 & Mob: 07834581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website:

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership options visit our website www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

Week Ending: 04 Jun 23       Rod Av: 6.3     Water Temperature:   17 °C

Eyebrook started the week exactly as it ended the previous week, fishing well. The fish continue to feed on Damsels (Nymphs & Adults) & buzzers, under the surface & during the emerging phase. The most productive methods were Nymphs on a Washing Line & Dries. The fish feeding on Damsel Nymphs have been getting caught relatively close to the margins which is where you would expect to find them. The most productive areas remain from Sam’s Dyke to the Cowshed & Stoke Dry down to the Willows. From the boats, Mr Cowan & his boat partner Mr Smith, had a very productive day landing over 40 fish on Yellow Owls & from the bank Ed Solomons enjoyed a productive Last 4-hour session landing 6 on Hoppers & Hare’s Ears.

Tuesday saw the weather take a turn for the colder, a stiff northerly breeze reduced the air temperature dramatically from previous days which resulted in a significant decline in the Damsel activity that was prevalent over the previous week. With no Damsel hatch occurring, the trout turned their attention to other food items, namely Buzzers & Terrestrials in the form of Crane Flies (Daddies). There were some good returns recorded with those fishing Dries faring better than those fishing below the surface. The most successful patterns were Daddies, Hoppers, CDC’s & Yellow Owls & the most productive area was Stoke Dry. Household Member Albert Coales enjoyed another successful late afternoon session, landing well into double figures on various Hoppers & visiting anglers Mr Purdom & Raistrick landed well over 20 fish, all on Dries. Elsewhere, All Water Member John Duncan landed 12 on the Dries & Eyebrook regular Mark Seabrook landed 10, also on the Dries.

The cool north easterly wind continued Wednesday which again reduced the likelihood of any early afternoon Damsel hatch although fish were still caught on Damsel Nymphs fished sub-surface, particularly by bank anglers. There were some very good returns recorded from the bank with Tony & John Machin landing 21 between them from Sam’s Dyke on Damsels. Sam’s Dyke had been a bit hit & miss of late & just goes to show how close the fish are feeding to the bank. Eyebrook member Keith Johnson also had 10 from the Chestnut to Cowshed area on a Washing Lined Floater. On the boats, the most productive area & method remain Stoke Dry with a good number of fish caught on Dries. A single Yellow Owl has been a great method in catching wary fish.

Thursday brought with it the same cold north-easterly wind as the previous days, but this time it brought some extended periods of sunshine. During these periods, there was some Damsel activity but not as much as there were previously. Despite the conditions, the reservoir fished well with some good returns recorded from both the boats & the banks with the most productive areas being from Sam’s Dyke to the Cowshed on the Leicester Bank & the Willows to Stoke Dry on the Rutland Bank. Method wise, Dries & a Washing Line with either a Foam Daddy or Damsel Booby on the point with Nymphs or small Buzzers on the droppers. On the bank Eyebrook regular, Stewart Normington landed 9 on Green Buzzers & Diawl Bachs which was great angling given the conditions did not really favour the bank angler. From the boats there were many double figures returns with the McLean party, who had spent the previous day on Draycote, landing 57 fish between 4 of them on a mixture of Dries & Buzzers.

There was no change to the weather on Friday, although at times the wind appeared to be stronger which made the fishing somewhat more challenging. There were still some good returns recorded, particularly by those fishing Damsel nymphs & adult Damsel patterns later in the day. All Water Member Andy Lilley & his boat partner Graham England had a productive day landing over 20 fish on Damsel patterns. Regular visitor Tony Barclay also caught well on Damsel patterns, landing 15 fish over the course of the day. Dogwood to the Chestnut remained the most productive area.

Saturday saw us host a Cancer Research UK Competition organised by Steve Owen. The day was a resounding success which saw 28 anglers take to the water catching 327 fish between them, giving an excellent rod average of 11.6. They also managed to raise a significant amount of money for an excellent cause. Well done to all those taking part & a special mention must go to organiser Steve Owen for his hard work & dedication in making the day so successful. Well done, Steve. The most successful methods on the day were Dries down at the Chestnut & Dogwood to Sam’s Dyke on Washing Line. Elsewhere, Sam & Rob Edmunds had a productive day down at Stoke Dry on the Foam Daddies landing well over 20 fish in a relatively short session. David & Jack O’Farrell also landed over 20 on Olive Crunchers & Foam Daddies from Mucky Bay & Stoke Dry.

It was a misty start to Sunday, which soon gave way to bright & clear skies with intermittent cloud cover throughout the day. The air temperature was somewhat warmer which resulted in a prolific Damsel hatch by late morning. Consequently, the reservoir fished very well with the fish intercepting Damsel Nymphs on their migration into the margins to start hatching in the mornings & feeding hard on emerging Damsels in the afternoons. To that end, a Washing lined floater with either a FAB, Damsel Booby or Foam Daddy on the point & Olive coloured Nymphs on the droppers has been a very successful method, particularly in the mornings. Dries have also proved to be very successful, both in the mornings & afternoons. Sunday saw us host the latest round of the All-Abilities Friendly Fly Fishers gathering, which saw 30 anglers take to the water & catch 333 fish between them, giving them a great rod average of 11 for the day. Well done to all who attended & a special mention must go to Mark Goodge for his selfless hard work & dedication in organising these events.

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

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Week Ending: 4^th June   Rod Av: 1.5    Water Temperature: 17c

Monday weather was bright, but we still have the easterly breeze. Fishing was challenging with anglers picking up odd fish from various areas, green bay, main dam, corner wood & opposite the lodge. Methods varied from a floating line to a fast sinker with small #16 olive or black buzzer, orange fab or blob, damsel & various small cats whisker or olive booby.

Tuesday, the warm weather forecast seems to have missed us with an overcast easterly breeze and noticeably cooler start to the day. We could see some fish in the Thornton arm feeding but these proved challenging for the anglers who fished for them. Surprisingly for the time of year a fast sinker continuous to catch some of the better catches. B Deeley fished a Sink7 to catch 7 trout on a booby & small black snake. P Mee caught 4 for his mornings visit on buzzers. Lots of daphnia, pin fry, #16 olive or black buzzer, damsel & a few lake olives on the water.

Wednesday and a cool start to the day, overcast, light rain with the easterly wind. Those fish still to be seen smutting in the Thornton arm in front of the lodge. Mark Hunt decided to fish across the main basin finding a foam daddy and foam damsel nymph, catching 13 trout.

Thursday, similar weather conditions with trout still to be seen smutting out in front of the lodge & pontoon. Most anglers went for a sink 5 or sink 7 with booby patterns, B Foxon & C Memilan caught 7 on booby patterns for their mornings visit. Mark Hunt returned for a mornings visit drifting across the main basin fishing a foam daddy, dry damsel pattern & a single cdc when the wind dropped catching 15 trout.

Friday and the booby pattern caught every angler a fish with Chris Sayer fishing off the stones into green bay catching 13 trout for his mornings visit to a booby. Morning session is definitely fishing best as the continuous cooler northerly / easterly wind seems to be having an impact on our expected evening rise.

Saturday & were seeing an increasing number of pin fry around the margins but in particular around the pontoon. With a similar forecast, a northerly – easterly cool breeze anglers opted to fish the morning session. Top rods were Martin Clay catching 5 with J Bebbington catching 4 mostly on booby patterns. Water clarity is gin clear, cooler winds have dropped the water temperature to 17c

Sunday, bright and warm at 6.00am, by 7.00am cloud had increased with the air temperature dropping. We watched increasing numbers of fish moving in front of the lodge & pontoon which are feeding on this years pin fry, daphnia & small buzzers. Thornton fly fishers fished a morning boat competition with the Winner Martin Vernon with 3 trout beating Simon Thorpe who also caught 3 trout by 3oz Most caught on a variety of booby patterns.

The cooler overcast conditions & the easterly breeze has dropped our surface temperature to 17c Water clarity is, gin clear, we are seeing increasing numbers of pin fry across the water. Still huge numbers of daphnia. As we move further into the summer period our hatching buzzers are olive or black in size #18 #16 #14. Were also starting to see increasing numbers of sedges.

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     28^th May 2023      Rod Av: 3.4  Water Temperature:  12°C

Weekly fishing report

The wind started with a Northwest wind which swung into a straight North as the day progressed. It was quite gusty at times with bright sun from around 10am onwards. Draycote members John Dickens & Lee Patten enjoyed good sport landing 15 fish between them on a real mix of methods. First thing in the morning during the cloud cover, catching on dries. Although once the sun came out they needed to switch to snakes and humungous to keep catching. Steve Winstone used buzzers and Diawl Bachs to land 6 fish also loosing another 6 in Biggin Bay. Starting the first of a 5 day package break Gordon Bramwell & Tim Grove landed 18 fish to the boat. Using CDC dries in the morning then using blobs and buzzers in the afternoon. With Biggin Bay, Toft and Lincroft point being the best areas.

Another Northwest wind to start Tuesday, however, it was much lighter and for long periods the lake was flat calm. With cloud cover to start with but this quickly burned off around mid morning. Despite these challenging conditions from the bank, Draycote member Brian Allwood landed 5 fish. Fellow members Paul Walker & John Faulconbridge fished from a boat landed 20 fish to the boat. With the best area being in Toft Shallows. Using Diawl Bach’s fished on a floating line. Fishing for the morning on a boat Jim Hall and Tony Broadway landed 8 fish all on dries, either CDC pattens or Daddies. Using buzzers to great effect S Jarvis landed 14 fish on buzzers. Fishing there 2^nd day of a 5 day package break Gordon Byers and Tim Grove landed 21 fish to the boat from Biggin Bay & Toft using CDC’s in the morning and evening and buzzers when the sun was out during the middle of the day.

A bright sunny day with the wind in the Northwest and was quite strong at times. All water member Ian Jobe landed 23 fish from Toft using an olive snake on a sunk line. Another boat fishing down in Toft was fishery ranger Kev Jones and Anthony Ashford who fished black and green snakes on a Di 3 sinking line to land 14 fish from near the nature reserve buoys. Andy Ross also fished down in Toft landing 11 fish, using a washing line in the morning and a Di 3 in the afternoon. Gordon Byers & Tim Grove landed 36 fish to their boat fishing up from the Swan’s nest along the dam wall. With buzzers taking the majority of the fish, however, Tim landed 11 fish on a cutthroat cats whisker.

More sunny conditions for the anglers Thursday with Northeast winds. On the bank brothers Roger & Graham Davies landed 3 and a brace fishing from the cornfield. On the boats another brother partnership T & J Evans used buzzers and Diawl Bachs down in Toft to land 31 fish. Tim Coles who travelled up from Essex also fished in Toft landing 10 fish on a black and green snake fished on a Di 3 sinking line. Draycote member John Dickens used humungous on a sinking line to boat a dozen fish. Phil Thomas & Draycote member Paul Mitchell enjoyed a good day in a boat landing 30 fish. Using washing line set ups and taking fish from most areas of the take they tried. Fishery ranger Kev Jones look 8 fish using a black and green lure and a sunburst blob in Toft. Eddie Mitchell & Dave Kennel used buzzers and nymphs on a 12ft slow tip to land 18 fish, again fishing a number of areas around the lake.

Friday, saw basically exactly the same conditions as the day before with bright sun and the wind from the Northeast. With the bright conditions most of the bank anglers opted to leave the middle of the day and fish the last four hours instead. Mr M Rodgers fished at Lincroft point using white snakes to land 3 fish. On the boats Andy Ross & Dave Adams landed 11 fish using buzzers and a floating line in Rainbow Corner first thing in the morning. Before heading to the Draycote Dam in the afternoon and using Damsels on the same line. Draycote member Paul Walker used olive buzzers and Diawl Bach’s fished on a floating line, to land 17 fish from Rainbow Corner and Toft. Martin & Ian fishing out in a boat landed 19 fish, on lures from Toft and also the open water around B Buoy.

A lovely day Saturday with near cloudless skies and light winds once again coming from the Northeast. However, while it was a lovely day to be out on the water it was far from ideal fishing conditions. Draycote member Mike Garner was rewarded for his persistence on the bank landing a fish from Lincroft on a hares ear tadpole. On the boats Chris Pallot & Paul Southgate fished in Rainbow Corner for a half day landing 5 fish using a Di 5 with a black and gold humungus booby. Traveling from London, Bobby also landed 5 fish on buzzers in Toft and Rainbow corner. Keith Gordon also used buzzers in Rainbow Corner to land 3 fish. Draycote also hosted another of its popular beginner tuition days, with Mike Oliver teaching 4 beginners to the sport, with a number of fish caught from the pontoon it was a good day for all participants.

Sunday dawned with good cloud cover and a light north easterly breeze, which brightened up as the day progressed.  Andy Atkinson caught 4 fish from the bank using a variety of patterns along the northern shoreline. James Maplethorpe and his boat partner had over 20 fish to the boat on  olive buzzers and diawl bachs just off Lincroft Point. Debbie and Sean Gilbert used a mixture of buzzers and snakes to boat 5 fish in Toft Shallows and Biggin Bay. Mr C Cowan and Mr C Smith had well over 20 fish to the boat using FAB’s and buzzers.

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Lodge: 01536 770264 & Mob: 07834581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website:

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership options visit our website www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

Week Ending: 28 May 23       Rod Av: 6.1     Water Temperature:   17+ °C

The week started with Eyebrook in great form with the fish feeding hard on Buzzers & Damsels & some great returns being recorded. Fish were caught in good numbers from various locations, Sam’s Dyke, Mucky Bay, Robbo’s to the Willows & in front of the Chestnut. The most productive methods were Dries when the conditions were right & Washing Lined Nymphs & Buzzers with a natural looking buoyant point fly; Booby Cruncher, Booby Hopper or point fly. Paul Cushnie had a great day landing well over 30 fish on Black Shuttlecocks, so to did Paul Jennings on a hired float tube. Gary Owen also had a very productive day landing well over 20 fish on a mixture of Dries & Damsels. From the bank, Eyebrook member Dave Searson landed 12, fishing Diawl Bachs, Muskins in Sam’s Dyke.

Tuesday started with a light Northerly breeze with plenty of cloud cover. As the day progressed, the breeze fluctuated in direction & strength & the cloud cover became sporadic. The fish were very active for most of the day as they primarily fed on buzzers & Damsel Nymphs. By early afternoon, as the air temperature increased, an adult Damsel hatch was in full swing & some fish were now feeding on those as well. Despite very bright conditions during the afternoon, the Reservoir fished well with a lot of fish caught high up in the water column & off the surface, with Washing Lined Floaters & Dries being the most productive methods. The fish were widespread & could be seen feeding all over the reservoir & there were some excellent catch returns. All Water Member Ed Douglas landed 19 fish, all of which came to the Dries. Also fishing Dries, were Max & Nigel Woolnough as they landed a very high number of fish, conducting long drifts across the reservoir. Out on a 4hr Guided session with resident Guide Lloyd Thompson, Geoff Wright had a productive morning fishing in Sam’s Dyke, catching initially on the Washing Line & then on Dries in very shallow water. For more info on our Guided services please use the following below: www.flyfishstore.co.uk/?s=Guiding&s_cs=true  Elsewhere, Household Members Liz & Mike Rawson also had a very productive day on the Dries landing 15 fish. Another to enjoy his day on the Dries was Mr Bissett who took 15 fish on Hoppers.

The weather on Wednesday was very similar to the previous day with the only difference being was that there was even less periods of cloud cover. Both the banks & the boats fished very with yet again Washing Lined floating lines & Dries proving to be the most productive methods. Eyebrook member Keith Johnson had another successful from the bank down by the Cowshed, landing 20 on nymphs, as did Mr Wall who caught his on a Sawyers PTN. From the boats, Household Members Liz & Mike Rawson had an even better day than yesterday, landing over 20 fish on the Washing Line & fishing Yellow Owls, Ian Whitcombe also had a day to remember landing a very high number of fish. Wednesday saw us host an England Disabled Floating Line only match which saw 25 anglers take to the water & between them they caught 141 fish, giving a rod average of 5.6. Prizes went to the biggest fish went to Paul Davison with a Rainbow of 2lb 9oz who pipped Steve Smalley by 1oz, well done Paul. Congratulations to all participating anglers, it was a pleasure to host you. With the fish feeding hard on Damsel nymphs during the morning & then adult Damsels in the afternoon once the hatches were in full swing. The fish are well spread throughout the reservoir, but relatively close in, which is exactly where you would expect to find Damsel feeding fish.

Thursday started with a cool northerly wind & a high degree of cloud cover. By afternoon the air temperature had increased & the cloud cover started to disperse which left bright, clear skies by early evening. The changes in the conditions did not detract from the quality of the top of the water fishing as the reservoir fished consistently well throughout the yielding a daily rod average of 7.3. Fish were caught on Dries & Washing Lined Floaters with Nymphs on the Droppers from both the boats & the bank. Tony & John Machin had a good day from the bank landing 9 fish each on Damsel patterns & Mr Jennings also used Damsels from bank & he landed 15. Damsels also featured heavily from the boats with fish caught from various locations, as did Dries; CDC Emergers, Hoppers, Blue Foam Daddies, etc. The most productive area remains entirety of the both the Leicester & Rutland Banks as the trout are feeding hard on Damsel nymphs that are migrating into the margins to hatch. Once hatched, the fish will also happily take a Blue Foam Daddy.

Friday was bright from the very start with a gentle northerly breeze & It stayed bright for the entirety of the day. Despite the bright conditions Eyebrook, yet again, fished well from both the boats & the bank with some great catch returns recorded. The fish continue to feed well on the prolific Damsel activity here at Eyebrook, taking the Damsel nymphs in the morning & the adult Damsels in the afternoon. If the fish are not feeding on the Damsels, then they are still plenty of buzzers hatching off which the fish will take at all depths. From the bank, the whole Leicester Bank from Sam’s Dyke to the Cowshed has been very productive with plenty of fish being caught along it. Stewart Normanton landing 14 on a mixture of Buzzers & Damsels from Sam’s Dyke. From the boats, the Willows To Stoke Dry has also produced a good number of fish as well the Leicester Bank. The most productive methods from the boats have been Washing Lined Damsels, Buzzers & Nymphs on Floating Lines & also Dries. All-Water Member Andy Lilley & his boat partner had a very productive morning session landing 18 fish from the area of the Willows. Ian McLeod fished Mucky Bay with Buzzers & Blob/FABs 7 was rewarded with 16 fish. Another All-Water Member, Ian Jobe, had 20+ from his Float Tube from various locations. Our very own Eyebrook Fly Fishers held an evening boat match which saw proceedings start with a BBQ & they all went out to catch the Last 4 Hours of fishing. Congratulations goes to the top boat pairing of Jim Wright & Dave Etty, who caught 23 between them on the Washing Line from the area between the Chestnut & the Cowshed.

Saturday was another bright clear day with very light winds. Eyebrook continues to fish well from the banks & the boats. The most productive area from the bank on Saturday was Sam’s Dyke where Household member, Albert Coales fishing with Sam Smith & Ed Hix had a very productive session landing over 30 fish between them on Foam Daddies & Nymphs on Floating Lines. Eyebrook Member also caught very well landing 15 fish, but this time he was over at Stoke Dry. From the boats, another Eyebrook member, Mick Farrell, took his son out to give him a break from the pressure of exams, had a great session landing 19 fish between on Dries & Buzzers. Mr Dobson & Wilkinson also had a great day, landing over 20 fish between them on a mixture of Daddies, Damsels, Dries & Blobs. The reservoir is fishing well with fish getting caught on a variety of Flies & from a variety of areas.

It was a cool start to Sunday with light northerly breeze & hazy cloud cover. The light cloud cover remained for most of the day & subsequently Eyebrook fished well to the Dries. There were some great returns from the banks & the boats with the fish continuing to feed well on Buzzers & Damsels. Eyebrook members, Malcolm Thompson & Dean Shilton both caught well into double figures. Malcolm was from the bank & caught his on Damsel patterns. Whereas Dean took to his Float tube & caught on various Daddies. From the boats All Water Member Mark Hunt had a great session taking his 17 fish all on the Dries with Yellow Owls & Blue Foam Daddies proving to be his most successful patterns. Elsewhere, Luke Key took 6 fish on CDC’s from Stoke Dry in a very short session & enjoying his Last 4 hours permit from the bank, Ed Solomons landed 9 fish. Eyebrook really is fishing well at the moment with most areas proving to be productive, as the fish continue to feed hard on the abundant aquatic life present at Eyebrook.

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

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Week Ending: 28^th May   Rod Av: 1.7    Water Temperature: 17c+

Monday a cool at times northly / easterly wind did little to improve the fishing with few trout to be seen on the surface. The only angler to have any success was A. Wilson who caught 6 for his mornings fishing using a midge tip, 15ft leader with 5 of the 6 fish taking the buzzer on the point. He fished off the corner of the stones into green bay.

Tuesday a milder morning with fish to be seen moving across the reservoir and especially in the Thornton arm opposite the lodge. Most fish caught were off the surface with damsel, bloodworm, blob and buzzer with P Wurm catching 2 during his evenings visit on a black pennell. The bank from the pontoon to the main car park, stones into green bay and the Markfield arm fished best. Ian Brearley caught 8, Martin Hosking caught 5 as did P Wrigley for his mornings visit. We saw the first of the pin fry and damsels on the water.

Wednesday, buzzers fished deep 12ft – 15ft, sink 3,5 & 7 lines with booby, humungus and small snake. Barry Deeley caught 5 for his mornings visit, M Glover caught 9 on a sink 5 off the stones with the fish he caught found to be feeding on bloodworm and daphnia, photo on our facebook page www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore Olive buzzer #16 #14 caught as did damsels, but overall a challenging days fishing.

Thursday and another day of an easterly wind, surprisingly cold at times. Few fish to be seen moving on the surface with most of the fish being caught on sinking lines with booby and small snake patterns fished across the middle. Mr & Mrs Warren were top boat catching 5 for their mornings visit on a booby.

Friday, an easterly breeze yet again. Water clarity is gin clear, pin fry starting to show more around the margins. Out of the easterly breeze its surprisingly warm & were starting to see damsels. Fishing was generally challenging. Chris Sayer went down the Markfield arm & back drifted up along the bank with an intermediate, olive booby & bloodworm patterns, catching 7 during his mornings visit. Dave Skudder towards the end of the morning session found a few fish moving off the dam catching 2 on a red diawl bach.

Saturday, lighter easterly breeze but a warm day overall. Had a couple of rods out with fish finders who reported good numbers of fish from a foot below the surface to 15 feet. Richard Dayman caught 6 for his mornings fishing on his cats whisker variant & buzzer, catching fish from various areas of the reservoir from the bottom of the Markfield arm to green bay & the dam. Martin Clay & B Sibley caught 9 for their visit on fab, booby, bloodworm & buzzer patterns. Water is gin clear lots of daphnia to be seen with increasing numbers of pin fry around the pontoon & certain bank areas.

Sunday, cooler start to the day with cloud & a cooler north wind. All the rods fished the morning session up to 3pm. John Reynolds caught 5 on a small black buzzer, G England & A Lilley found some trout on the pin fry catching 5 with some of the fish caught also feeding on the daphnia.

Overall a challenging weeks fishing. Lots of daphnia about with pin fry numbers increasing as the week went on. Dome damsels showing towards the end of the week with buzzers, olive or black in #16 #14 in the main. This constant northerly to an easterly is having an impact on our evenings sport.