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
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| Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session | |
| Lodge & Bank Open: | 7.30am – 6.00pm |
| Full Day Boat: | 8.30am – 6.00pm |
| Morning Boat: | 8.30am – 1.00pm |
| Afternoon Boat: | 1.00pm – 6.00pm |
| Last 4 Hr: | 2.00pm – 6.00pm |
| All Anglers Off Site: | 6.15pm |
Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report
Lodge – 01536 770264 & Fishery Mobile 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/
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: 22nd October Rod Av: 1.0 Water Temperature: 14°c
It was a quiet start to week with few anglers out. The weather was a vast improvement from the previous day, with light overcast skies all day & a gentle easterly breeze. Subsequently, the reservoir fished better than in previous days with a lot of fish moving across the middle of the reservoir, from the island to Robbo’s, up to the Chestnut & across to the Willows. Mr Sanderson & his boat partner had a productive day landing into double figures between them, catching mainly on the Dries, Foam Daddies. Fishing slightly deeper in his Float Tube was All Water Member Ian Jobe, who went onto land 7 fish, fishing lures on sinking lines. Today just went to show how important the weather & conditions can be at this time of year.
Tuesday brought with it a stiff Easterly wind which chilled the air & made the fishing challenging as the fish adjusted to the new conditions. There was a good degree of cloud cover all day but because the drop in air temperature the fish remained slightly deeper in the water column. A few anglers ventured out, but they fish hard to come by with those fishing Intermediates & sinking lines with lures proving to be more productive than those fishing higher up in the water column.
The weather forecast had looked horrendous earlier in the week for Wednesday; however the heavy rain did not materialise until early evening. Subsequently, very few anglers ventured out & those that were out caught on medium sinking lines & lures, drifting the open water of the Main Basin.
It was a damp start to Thursday following the heavy rain of the previous evening & there was a light drizzle that filled the morning air. The recent rainfall had not yet affected the water clarity, but it would only be a matter of days. All Water Member Mark Hunt ventured out & opted to target the fry feeders, on the surface & under it. For his endeavours, Mark landed 4 fish, catching 2 on sinking lines & 2 off the surface, including a cracking Rainbow over 4lb.
Friday was a complete washout, with torrential rain lasting all day, no anglers ventured out.
Saturday saw the rain abate, but the water clarity had started to deteriorate with few clear areas remaining. One area that was clear was the Willows where Thomas Long enjoyed a very productive day on the Popper Fry, landing 7 fish which was a great return under the circumstances.
By Sunday, the full extent of the recent rainfall was starting to be felt as the Reservoir began to colour up in its entirety, consequently, there were very few fish caught. Sunday also saw us host the Thornton Fly Fishers annual Single Fly Competition which saw 6 anglers take to the water in what can at best, be described, as challenging conditions. Congratulations to Ray Jordan who took the spoils for the day, well done Ray.
With settled weather forecast for the forthcoming week, the water clarity should improve dramatically as the sediment drops through the water. Subsequently, the margins will begin to clear first as the sediment has less distance to fall. For updates on the water clarity please call the Lodge, 01536 770264.
Upcoming Events.
29th October – Eyebrook Fur & Feather – All Boats.
2023 Winter Restrictions.
From the 01 November, we will be operating a reduced number of boats, 10, so pre-booking will be important. Also, the bank fishing will see some winter restrictions, with Banking Fishing limited from the Chestnut, down the Leicester Bank, to the Lodge & along the Dam, around to Robbo’s Cabin. These winter bank restrictions have been increased since last year.
2023 Eyebrook Closing Date.
The last day of fishing on Eyebrook is Monday 20th November.
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.
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Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807
Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk
2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton are explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/
2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For 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: 22nd October Rod Av: 0.3 Water Temperature:14c
The heavy rainfall has bought the level of Thornton to the highest level it’s been for several years. Its starting to drop back to its usual level and the water clarity is also starting to improve but it’s likely to be Wednesday or Thursday before its worth visiting Thornton.
My advice speak to the Thornton lodge for latest update and advice, if required we can advise you visit either Eyebrook or Draycote, with Draycote currently averaging close to 4.
As we always advise contact the lodge for latest advice and information.
Thornton 2023 last day of the fishing season Thursday 30th November
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
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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: Sunday 15th October 2023 Rod Av: 3.7 Water Temperature: 14°C
Another cold day Monday with a very light frost first thing in the morning with the wind coming from the East. Beginner member Andrew Tasker landed a brace from the bank using a mini minkie at the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay. On the boats Draycote members Peter Elliot & Lee Patten enjoyed a good day landing 30 fish to the boat. Finding the fish high in the water willing to either take dries or using a washing line with a booby on the point. Another boat finding the fish high in the water was that of Andy Lilley and Graham England who landed 24 fish to their boat. With Andy using a washing line while Graham used minkies, taking their fish from E & J Buoy. Draycote member Dave Atkins landed 8 fish from E Buoy using a snake on a Di 3 sinking line. Fishing at the Tower Bank, Ian Richardson & Bob Smith boated 21 fish. Using a minkie booby on the point with cormorants on the droppers using an intermediate line.
A bright day Tuesday with the wind coming from the Northeast and was quite gusty at times. With the wind in the North it was an ideal day for the bank anglers to get out. This proved to be the place to be as the bank anglers enjoyed the lion share of the sport. Tony Broadway fished at Lincroft using popper minkies landing 4 fish. Then moving to the Willow Tree in Toft once the wind picked up taking another fish on a washing lined buzzer. Norman Perkins fished at the Cornfield using a FAB on the point, a black buzzer and then a natural cruncher landing 7 fish. Fishing at Lincroft Point, Gary Russel landed 6 fish from the bank with them all falling to an orange blob fished on the top dropper. Draycote member Dennis Tidmarsh fished at the Cornfield and the Willow Tree in Toft. Using a humungus fished on a sink tip line to land 9 fish. The fishing on the boats was a little trickier. John Jones drifted from the Farborough Dam landing 5 fish on small snakes fished on a fast glass. The best boat catch came to Kevin Hart who landed 9 fish, from Croft Shoal and the Farborough Dam. Using a floating line and a popper minkie or a Di 3 sinking line.
A blustery day with he wind coming from the East resulting in a chilly feel to the day, with showers arriving later in the afternoon. As a result it was a quite day at the Reservoir with most anglers opting to head out later in the week once the winds had dropped. All water member John Kirk fished from a boat landing 6 fish. From the Tower bank using a white lure on a Di 3 sinking line. Graham Homer fished with Chris Howkins with the pair boating 15 fish. Fishing from around Farborough Spit and the Dam wall, with Chris using a snake and Graham opting for a minkie. Mr Gregory from America landed 4 fish and lost about 3 at the net. Fishing from G Buoy in Toft drifting towards H Buoy using a Di 3 sinking line and a white snake.
The wind dropped Thursday, with some rain in the afternoon. However, overall it was a better day than the forecast. On the bank both Alan Grant landed a brace from Lincroft on a minkie fished on an intermediate. Draycote members Bob Barfoot & Bob Smith landed 14 fish to their boat. With Bob Barfoot using boobies on an intermediate. While Bob Smith using a small minkie booby and black hoppers. With the best area being the Tower bank and drifting from S Buoy to E Bouy. Fellow member Ian Richardson fished with his brother from a boat landing 15 to the boat. They used a slow sinking midge tip with a washing line, with a booby on the point and cormorants on the droppers. Their best drift was Farborough Spit to Lincroft point. Mr Greogory on his last day of a 4 day break landed 11 fish, using a Di 3 and a white snake. With a fast retrieve being the key going to H Buoy to S Buoy.
Despite a very worrying forecast Friday turned out to be a day of easterly breezes and light showers. Only a few anglers took to the water but all of them seemed to produce good returns. Mr A Campbell fished white minkies on an intermediate line off the Tower Bank to net 3 fish during an afternoon session. Draycote stalwart Will Hunt netted 8 good fish from a drifting boat using silver humungus. Will plied his trade off the Farborough Dam and around T buoy. Season permit holder Craig Middleton caught a total of 9 fish using dries such as flat daddies.
Saturday dawned overcast with a light northerly breeze. The rod average turned out to be 4.5, and what a great day to be out on the water. There were some good returns from all 4 corners of the reservoir and on a wide variety of methods and patterns. Young Mike Garner had a brace from the bank during a morning session on cormorants at Lincroft Point. Mark Hunt caught 8 fish from the bank on dries such as daddies and big reds, from various points along the northern shoreline. Ed Douglas used white minkies off the Farborough Dam early in the day, before fishing a washing line and crunchers through the afternoon to net a dozen fish from a drifting boat. Jon Crowley caught 7 fish on cormorants fished on a slow intermediate line. Jons’ best drift was from D to Y buoy across the line of the aerators. Visiting anglers Tim Grove and John Smith used a mixture of dries and lures to net 18 fish between them. Tim commented that one of the best drifts was from the old pipe out across Biggin Bay.
Sunday was a beautiful morning here at Draycote Water, with a light south westerly breeze and a clear blue sky. On the bank Draycote member Richard Walker landed 5 fish from Dunn’s Bay using perch fry patterns. Fellow member Paul Walley landed 4 from the bank from the Cornfield and the Swans nest using minkie and foam daddies. Also on the bank Mr M Hodgekinson fished at Lincroft point landing 5 fish using a booby on the point and a daddy on the dropper. Out on the boats Draycote member Martyn Hancox enjoyed a great day landing 25 fish to the boat using sparkler boobies. Tim Burn and Paul Mitchell enjoyed a good day landing 13 fish using a washing line with cormorants on the droppers and a FAB on the point. Richard Shaw landed 9 while fishing along the Farborough Dam Wall along to the Swan’s Nest using a floating line. With a Cruncher Booby on the point, then a small orange FAB on the dropper. With daddies also working fished on the surface.
Upcoming Events.
26th November- Fur & Feather
Draycote’s closing date
The closing date for Draycote for this season will be Thursday 30th November 2023.
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