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 – 7.00pm |
| Full Day Boat: | 8.30am – 7.00pm |
| Morning Boat: | 8.30am – 2.00pm |
| Afternoon Boat: | 2.00pm – 7.00pm |
| Last 4 Hr: | 3.00pm – 7.00pm |
| All Anglers Off Site: | 7.15pm |
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: 24th September Rod Av: 2.2 Water Temperature: 16°c
There was a bright, clear start to the week with a gentle southerly that developed into a strong southerly by late morning, which then swung round to a Westerly. Very few anglers ventured out due to the previously forecast weather, but for those that did catch, caught along the weedbeds of the Hawthorns & through the Main Basin.
Tuesday & Wednesday saw all boats cancelled due to the expected windspeeds that exceeded our safety mean limit of 25mph. On Wednesday, local angler, Max Woolnough ventured out from the bank & was rewarded with 3 fish. Max caught along the Leicester Bank, from the Lodge to Sam’s Dyke, targeting feeding fish along the weed beds.
Thursday brought with it a lot calmer conditions. The recent strong winds & heavy had brought the water temperature back down to 16°c, which is lowest it has been for a long time. It is often the case that after weather front has passed through, there can be a period of adjustment when the fish take a while to settle down to the new conditions. This proved to be the case today with fish proving difficult to tempt. On the boats, Eyebrook member Stuart Bilsdon & his regular boat partner Tony Tibbett had a productive day landing 10 fish between them which was a great return on the day. Thursday, also saw us host the annual police pairs match, organised by the hard working, Steve Owen who ensures that the day always runs smoothly. Well done to all anglers taking part, between them they caught 53 fish, which was good under the circumstances. Congratulations to all the prize winners on the day, it was great to see you all again. Elsewhere, another Eyebrook Member, Dave Searson took to the bank & fished the weedbeds, down at the Hawthorns & landed 3 fish. Targeting fish in the shallow water of Stoke Dry, All Water Member Mark Hunt found a single CDC the most productive method & caught 4 well-earned fish.
Friday saw the cooler weather continue with the water temperature continuing to drop & the fish in a similar mood to the previous days. Finding fish isn’t the issue but tempting them is. With the fish occupying the upper layers of the water column, those that caught better, caught using a washing line on floaters down to intermediates. Fish were caught from various locations around the Reservoir, with Robbo’s Cabin, The Main Basin & the Willows all proving to be consistently productive. Foam Daddies, Sparkler Boobies, Cormorants, FABs & Diawl Bachs all featured on the catch returns as their seemed to be no standout, patterns.
Saturday started clear & bright with a gentle southerly wind that built as the day progressed & slowly swung round to a westerly. The reservoir fished better than in previous days as the fish began to acclimatise to the new conditions & feed. There appeared to be some fish sat at midwater, but these fish were difficult to catch at this depth, but they could be caught as they rose in the water column to feed. The bright sunlight put paid to any prolific surface action, so those fishing under the surface by the means of a washing lined tip line or intermediate, were more successful. The most productive fly patterns were Sparkler Boobies, Cormorants, Foam Daddies, FAB’s, Diawl Bach, Dabblers & Snakes. Whereas, the most productive areas were the North Side of the Dam, Willows, Robbo’s Cabin, the Hawthorns & off the Island. The bank also fished well with fished still getting caught down by Hawthorns with regular angler & Eyebrook member, Roy Swinfield landing 9 fish on a washing line presented just above the weedbeds.
It was a blustery & damp start to Sunday with a moderate Southerly bringing in some light showers. By mid-morning the rain had disappeared, the cloud remained & the once moderate wind was now strong & gusty. Sunday saw us host the Midlands Counties Cup, with 32 anglers taking to the water from the Alex Booth, Foremark, Kirby & Colwick Fly Fishers. Between them, they caught 63 fish for a rod average of 1.9, which given the conditions was a great effort. Congratulations goes to the Colwick Fly Fishers who were the winners on day with an overall bag of 25 fish. With the wind limiting anglers to the Main Basin, fish were caught from various locations within that, with once again, the North side of the Dam proving to be productive. Long, open water drifts also produced some good bags of fish due to anglers fishing clear water in front of them & simply sat behind another boat.
Upcoming Events.
01st October – AMFC Group 3 – 15 Boats.
08th October – Alex Booth Fly Fishers – 13 Boats.
11th October – England Disabled Fly Fishers Fur & Feather – 15 Boats + 2 Wheely Boats.
15th October – All Abilities Friendly Fly Fishers – 14 Boats + 2 Wheely Boats.
21st October – Greylags – 10 Boats.
29th October – Eyebrook Fur & Feather – All Boats.
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: 24th September Rod Av: 0.5 Water Temperature:17c – 18c
Fishing has certainly been challenging due to the weather & algae. Quiet days at the fishery to start the week due to the weather with gale force winds on Tuesday & Wednesday. Thursday to Saturday better forecast with the algae continuing to reduce, currently we have 2ft clarity. By Sunday we had another windy day.
The most successful method on Saturday was fished by J Bebbington catching 3 trout during his mornings visit using a fast sinking fly lines with booby patterns 150yds in front of the willows towards the Markfield arm.
Sunday John Reynolds also caught 3 trout during his mornings visit again using a fast sinking line and cats whisker booby fishing 40 to 60yd off the bank down the Markfield arm.
On the plus side towards the end of the week our water temperature was 17c hopefully our sport will pick up as the cooler weather takes us into the autumn. Currently we have 5,900+ trout in the reservoir.
Contact the lodge for latest information 01530230807
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
Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote are explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.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.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 24th September 2023 Rod Av: 3.78 Water Temperature: 16°C
Monday gave a good indication of what the weather would be like for the next couple of days, with strong gusty winds and some heavy showers at times. Those brave souls who ventured out against the elements did quite well, returning a rod average of 3.5 for the day. Mr G Quigley and Mr D McGuigan had 10 fish to the boat between them on CDC’s and cormorants. Young Andy Lilley used sinking lines and lures on the rudder to boat 4 fish, one of which weighed in at a touch over 4 lbs. Draycote stalwart Kevin Rees persisted with dry flies such as bob’s bits and the F fly to net 3 fish in very difficult conditions. Mr Kevin Hart plied his trade near the Inlet in Rainbow Corner to net a brace on floating fry patterns.
The first strong winds as we enter into Autumn arrived Tuesday resulting in the boats being cancelled. As a result of the strong winds we only had a couple of bank anglers out. All water member Ken Key enjoyed a good morning’s sport, landing 4 fish. Taking them from the Swan’s nest and also Rainbow Corner on cormorants.
After the strong wind and heavy rain of Wednesday, which resulted in no anglers fishing. It was good to see a strong turn out Thursday enjoying the much improved weather. On the bank Draycote member Tony Broadway fished at the Swan’s nest landing 8 fish. Included in Tony’s 8 fish catch were some cracking rainbows of 5lb,4lb & 3lb which can be seen here www.facebook.com/flyfishstore Tony used a washing line set up with a FAB on the point and size 12 crunchers on the droppers with all of his fish taking the crunchers. Fishing alongside Tony was Pete Allen who landed 3 fish. On the boats all water members Ged O’Donoghue & Steve Orton landed 20 fish to the boat. They fished in Biggin Bay near Alberts Bottom using washing lining tactics with hares ears on the droppers on Daiwl Bachs. With the majority of the fish coming on the hang, and commented they could have landed over 30 if they landed everything they hooked. Lee Tones fished on his own landing 11 fish moving all round the lake to land them, catching at P Buoy, Lincroft Point, Valve Tower, Boils and Rainbow Corner. Using either a midge tip or slow intermediate with a black and green booby and then cormorants. All water member Ed Douglas landed 10 fish 4 of them taking dries with the other 6 coming to washing lining. Draycote member Eddie Mitchell & Dave Kennel landed 15 fish to the boat. Using a midge tip line with 2 boobies on the point and the top dropper with 2 black daddies in the middle.
A foggy start to the day, which burnt off around 9.30 in the morning leaving a bright day, with some rain showers arriving on the afternoon. It was a great day for the bank anglers with great catches. Stan Hillman landed 7 fish from the bank fishing at the Tower Bank and the Old Pipe. Fellow bank angler Mick Cronin also fished the bank landing a dozen fish from the same areas. Colin Day fished in Biggin Bay near the Old Pipe in Biggin to land 9 fish using a midge tip line. With a booby on the point and then crunchers on the droppers. On the boats Draycote member Ray Rawlings landed 10 fish drifting from A Buoy to M Buoy using a RIO hover line. With a snake on the point and cormorants on the droppers. Alan Master & Ed Wilson fished in Toft landing 14 fish to their boat using a washing line with buzzers on the droppers and a booby on the point. Kevin Hart landed 14 fish while out in a boat using a midge tip line with a nemo cruncher on the top dropper, Diawl Bach in the middle then a sparkler booby on the point. Catching fish at Y Buoy, N Buoy, S Buoy, Swan’s Nest and also Biggin Bay.
There was certainly an Autumnal feel to Saturday, which warmed later in the day. On the bank Draycote member Paul Walker landed 4 fish fishing from Lincroft point on Diawl Bachs. Also landing 4 fish from Lincroft was Mike Garner who used fry patterns and a Kate McLaren. Fellow member Paul Walley fished the bank for the afternoon landing 5 fish on foam daddies fished at the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay and also the Swan’s Nest. On the boats fishery ranger Mark Braun landed 9 fish using a slow sinking intermediate with a black and green lure, cormorant and a blob. Taking his first fish at Y Buoy before moving to drift along from C to B buoy. Jon Crowley fished for the morning landing 13 fish on a Dawsons olive variant on an intermediate line. Drifting from M Buoy all the wat through to the Farnborough Dam Wall. All water member Roger Kerrison landed 10 fish while out on the boat all on daddies. Father and son team David & Gary Turner fished in a boat for the morning landing 16 fish to the boat. Drifting from A Buoy to M Buoy using a washing line set up with a FAB on the point and nymphs on the droppers using a midge tip. Stephen Peart fished in a boat landing 14 fish with his best method being a Di 3 sinking line with sparklers.
A drizzly start to Sunday, with gusty winds arriving around lunch, however, the inclement weather didn’t seem to put the fish off as the fishery produced a 4.2 fish rod average. On the boats Thomas Long enjoyed a great day landing 17 fish. Using a FAB on the point and then a red Diawl Bach and a black and red buzzer. With the strong wind Thomas opted to just back drift the flies and let the wind do the work. He landed his fish at E Buoy, M Buoy and then around in Toft. Dalwyn Leddington & Wander Santos enjoyed a good day fishing around Rainbow Corner and M Buoy landing 19 fish to the boat. Draycote member Mark Thistleton used snakes on an intermediate to land 14 fish drifting from X Buoy to S Buoy being his most productive area. James Alexander fished with father-in-law Sharpy with the pair landing 10 fish. All taken on Yellow Daddies fished at M Buoy.
Upcoming Events.
7th October – AMFC Group Autumn Match – 32 Boats.
8th October- Troutmasters Bank Only (BANK CLOSED)
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