Eyebrook Reservoir; Weekly report week ending 28th July 2019
Telephone Number: 01536 770264
The fishing at the Eyebrook this week has been difficult as the full force of summer finally reared its head. As the temperatures soared in the early part of the week to record levels, so did the water temperature, which rose steadily from 19 degrees on Monday to 23 degrees on Friday morning. Thursday saw the mini heatwave peak with air temperatures rising way above 30 degrees. Combining with the heat were thunderstorms, especially on Tuesday evening and Friday morning. The rain on Friday though was a welcome relief for the anglers who enjoyed more comfortable conditions whilst the heavier rain over the weekend resulted in the water temperatures dropping to 20 degrees.
Not surprisingly given the conditions, the trout remained difficult to catch for those anglers who braved the conditions especially in the middle and end of the week. On Monday with the water cooled to 19 degrees by the previous weekend rain, the “brook” fished reasonably well with a daily rod average of just under 4. Ollie Mills took nine fish on dries fishing in and around the weed beds near the Bell, whilst Mr Rees, fishing near the casting platforms had seven. Season ticket holders Lindsay Bates and Roy Swinfield also took 6 fish during their morning session
As the temperatures climbed from Tuesday to Thursday, so the fishing became harder. The nine anglers fishing on Tuesday only landed five fish whilst Wednesday was slightly better, with Ian Jobe, using a deep lure in the main basin, catching a nice 4lb brownie amongst a catch of eight that he shared with boat partner Clive Moore. Thursday was very quiet as nobody fished due to the very hot conditions but Friday saw anglers again on the water. It was a case, though, of watching out for the thunderstorms, with two electrical storms passing through. All of the boats did catch fish although it was very hard. Saturday and Sunday saw heavy and persistent rain which put off some anglers, although Mr McLeod braved the conditions on Saturday and took four fish in his morning session, fishing small boobies on a fast sinking line. Neil Shilton fished the float tube on Sunday morning and took a brace whilst Bob Margery found moving fish on the bank near the chestnut.
The most successful tactic remains deep fished lures such as tubes, snakes or blobs, fished in conjunction with a fast sinking line such as a DI7 or Airflo booby basher, counted down for anything up to 40-50 seconds before retrieving. This retrieve should also include a period when the fly is hung, to tempt fish that have followed the fly up from the deep. Another successful method has been to utilise a floating line or midge tip to target fish lying in and around the marginal weed beds in areas such as Sam’s Dyke, Hawthorn or the Bell. Successful flies have included buzzers, diawl, bachs and crunchers, fished either on a washing line, straight lined or under a bung. Dries such as CDC’s, big reds, daddies or hoppers have also worked well when conditions were favorable. Finally, naturals such as buzzers, diawl, bachs and crunchers fished deep on a long leader with either a floating or intermediate line in the main basin has caught fish.
Water temperature as of 7.30am Tuesday 30th July has dropped back to 20c & is likely to continue to fall with the current forecast
Pike Fishing
With the water temperature rising to 23 degrees this week, the Pike fishing was curtailed but will continue (water temperatures permitting) until we close the fishery on the 31st October. Pike fishing is fly only, limited to a maximum of 5 boats per day. Visiting pike anglers should also check the specific pike fishing regulations which can be found on the fishery website. This year we will also be offering guided pike fishing with our in-house guides. Further details are available on our guiding and Tuition website ( http://www.flyfishtuition.co.uk) or by contacting our guiding manager Tom Bird on 01788 812018.
Fishing Buddy Required
Novice fisherman requires a boat buddy for midweek fishing trips to Eyebrook two to three times a month between the hours 10am and 6pm. Contact John on 07811138274.
Don’t forget to pick up your loyalty card from the lodge, once you have purchased 10 of the same permits, your next visit of that permit option is FREE valid at all three fisheries, Thornton, Draycote and Eyebrook
Weekly Stats:
Number Rods: 34 Number Trout Taken: 15 Number Trout Released; 37
Total Catch:52 Weekly Rod Average: 1.5
Current Fishing Time:
Bank: 07:30am till 21.15pm, Boat All Day: 08:30 to 21.15pm
Morning Boats: 08:30 until 15.00pm, Afternoon Boats: 15:00pm until 21.15pm
Last 4 Hours from: 17.15pm until 21.15pm (Tickets on sale from 17.00pm)
All anglers to be off site by 21.30pm
Tight lines
The Eyebrook Fishery team