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

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: 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.

——————————————————————————————————————————

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: 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

——————————————————————————————————————————

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.

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

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

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

——————————————————————————————————————————

Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.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.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.

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 – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/CV23_8AB 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 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: 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

 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

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 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: 25 Jun 23       Rod Av:   1.3    Water Temperature:   22+ °C

The slightly cooler weather that ended last week began this, as Monday brought with it some warm air temperatures, overcast skies & the occasional light shower. The reservoir fished well to Dries & small nymphs on a washing line with Foam Daddies or CDC emergers proving to be the most productive Dry Fly patterns. The most productive areas were Stoke Dry, Sam’s Dyke & some isolated areas of the Main Basin. As the water temperature continues to steadily rise the fish will continue to seek out cooler, deeper water & will eventually find their way to the general area of the Main Basin.

It was a damp start to Tuesday with moderate rain & no wind which later developed into a moderate southerly wind & bright sunshine. The unsettled weather seemed to affect the fishing as anglers found it challenging to locate fish. There were a few fish caught out of Sam’s Dyke with Dries & Washing Lined Damsel patterns proving to be the most productive. There were also reports of a lot of fish feeding on Damsels up along the Leicester Bank between the Black Hut & the Chestnut. The fish are clearly in a period of adjustment where they are relocating to areas that are more comfortable for them to feed in. Where they will eventually end up is in the deeper, cooler water of the Main Basin.

Wednesday brought with it a gentle southerly breeze, intermittent cloud cover & a warm air temperature. Damsels were hatching off by midmorning & the blue adult damsels soon filled the air. Those targeting Damsel feeders around the marginal weedbeds fared slightly better those searching for fish in open water. Down on a 3-day short break, Tim Grove worked hard for his 7 fish, catching on Foam daddies in Sam’s Dyke which was a good return given the conditions. Meanwhile down between the Chestnut & Cowshed Dougie Skedd worked the margins with Crunchers on a floating & was duly rewarded with an excellent bag of 11 fish. Fish that were spooned were found to be full of Damsel nymphs & Blue Adults.

Thursday started with a flat calm & bright, clear sky. Later in the day there was a gentle North Easterly breeze that initially brought with it some periods of cloud before unleashing a thunderstorm late afternoon. The fish continue to feed well on small emerging buzzers & Damsels, Nymphs & adults. Up the shallower northern end of the reservoir the fish are becoming increasingly more difficult to locate as they seek out cooler water. There are still a few fish up by the Cowshed feeding relatively close to the bank & further down to the Chestnut. There are still a good number of fish in Sam’s Dyke, feeding hard on Damsels & anglers catching them fishing Dries just above the weedbeds. Fishing the last day of his 3-day short break, Tim Grove had a productive day landing 9 fish on small dries & damsel nymphs. Over the 3 days Tim had landed 19 fish which given the conditions, was a great return. Well done Tim.

Friday was another bright, clear, warm day although there a was a strong & gusty wind from the west. Bright, warm, weather with a strong wind is never a good condition & as a consequent Friday was a very challenging day. There was still fish caught however, but not in huge numbers. There are fish still feeding in & around the marginal weedbeds on the abundant Damsel nymphs & adults, Corixa & Fry. However, they are not spending a great deal of time in the warmer, shallower water. They appear to be holding in the deeper water, moving in to feed, before returning to the more comfortable water. The most productive areas were the weedbeds along the Hawthorns to Sam’s Dyke, around the Island & in front of the chestnut with the most productive methods being Dries & Washing Lined Floating Lines.

Saturday was another bright, clear, warm day. It has become increasingly noticeable that the Reservoir has generally become more productive in the cooler mornings than it has in the afternoons & evenings. The reservoir fished slightly better today than on previous days in conditions that can only be described as challenging. Eyebrook member Bob Margery had a productive morning session landing 6 fish fishing the deeper, cooler water of the Main Basin. There were a few fish caught in the Main Basin with some anglers exploring the deeper water, catching on lures on sinking lines & Buzzers fished deep on long leaders. The productivity of the weed beds was somewhat sporadic with some anglers catching on Dries & Damsels fished in & around the weed beds. Saturday also saw Eyebrook host a tuition course for father & son duo of Tom & Tony Sinclair. After spending time learning the basic overhead cast, they took to the water. Under the watchful eye of resident instructor Jim Sheehan, they hooked plenty of fish & despite only landing one they had a great time. Jim found fish out in the open water of the Main Basin & got all the interest on Snakes. Please us the following link for further information on our Tuition/Guiding services: https://www.flyfishtuition.co.uk/prices/

Sunday was extremely warm from the very start & as the day progressed it got warmer & warmer which made the fishing extremely challenging. It was good to see anglers fishing the deeper water of the Main Basin which has begun to be more & more productive as the water & air temperature has increased. Deep & slow seemed to be the order of the day as Eyebrook Member Neil Shilton landed an excellent 19 fish from his Float Tube. Neil fished a Di8 with Minkies & his most productive area was in the deeper water around the Tower. Saturday also saw us host the Mid Northants Fly Fishers which saw 22 anglers take to the water & catching 31 fish between them, giving a rod average of 1.4. Congratulations goes to Hank Needham who took the spoils on the day.

Given the rise water temperature, exploring the depths of the Main Basin will begin to pay dividends as the fish search out the cooler water. Fishing Lures on Fast Sinkers isn’t the only method open to us as anglers, we can also fish at depth using heavy Buzzers on Tip Lines with long leaders. When searching the open water of the Main Basin it is important to remember to adopt a mobile approach. Drifting using a Drogue will allow us to cover more water more effectively when locating deep lying fish. During cooler days, fish can still be found around the weed beds feeding on Damsels, Corixa & Fry.

—————————————————————————————————————————-

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: 25^th June   Rod Av: 2.8    Water Temperature: 20c – 21c

Monday & Tuesday, anglers took our advice and fished the morning session, we are currently trying to get the boats out as early after 7.30am to ensure were fishing the cooler conditions. We had thunderstorms & heavy rainfall which has had no impact on reservoir, water quality remains clear.

A Sink7 & at times a Sink5 with booby patterns such as a tequila booby, damsel booby, red booby, cats whisker booby, orange booby has taken fish either fished on the back drift or from an anchored boat. If your fishing these sinking lines from an anchored boat you need to be able to cast a full fly line, then wait a good minute, possibly longer to ensure the lines and booby patterns are on the bottom. The fish were spooning are feeding on daphnia, bloodworm & small buzzers.

Another method has been to fish a floating line from an anchored boat, 20ft to 25ft+ leader, point fly #12 epoxy buzzer, weighted bloodworm pattern, fist dropper 2 to 3ft from point fly, second dropper 2 to 3ft from first dropper, overall, all 3 flies are on the lower 5 or 6ft of the leader. Fish it static under an indicator if not watch the end of the floating line, on occasion slow retrieve a few feet then let it settle. Last few mornings all anglers who caught fish reported plenty of missed takes and follows.

Wednesday, first time in weeks we have a south westerly breeze. All the rods fished the cooler part of the day, the morning session. Stuart Thompson fished up to 1pm catching 2 on a booby but missing a few other takes. Tom Hutchinson took our advice fished a floating line 20ft leader bloodworm pattern on the point, a small diawl bach on the first dropper & small buzzer on the top dropper, all flies in the lower 6ft. He landed 4 and missed other takes for his mornings fishing. Water clarity remains good.

Thursday and a hot daytime temperature. Anglers followed the advice and concentrated their fishing over the deeper water. Sink 7 and Sink5 lines worked best with small snakes and various booby patterns, humungus booby, damsel booby, cats whisker booby. Paul Martindale caught 6 on a sink5 12ft leader and single damsel booby, when that stopped working a single small snake.

Friday, overcast day with a north westerly morning breeze. A few fish moving first thing, but as the water temperature is 21c they rise once before dropping back to cooler conditions. Water clarity is excellent. Anglers followed the advice, got out as early as possible and fished the morning session. Steve Fairgrieve and K Cowen fished a sink3 15ft leader and single tequila booby catching 12 trout by midday. Colin Chambers fished a sink 7 catching 4 on a booby pattern with C Bond catching his 5 trout on bloodworm and damsel booby patterns.

Saturday, bright humid start to the day, cloud moved in from 9am. Anglers followed our advice, taking advantage of the boats going out before 8am and fishing the morning session up to 3pm due to the warm conditions. Anglers fished the deeper water with a variety of methods from a 6ft tip with a 20ft leader, sink3 with a 15ft leader, snk5 with a 12ft leader & sink7 with a 6 to 8ft leader. Patterns were varied from #16 #14 buzzers on the dropper or #10 or #8 buzzer on the point to ensure the 20ft+ leader gets to the required depth, #14 diawl bach, #10 or #12 bloodworm, small snakes, damsel nymph, tequila booby, damsel booby, orange booby, red booby. Mark Hunt, Dave Hussey & Keith Cowen all caught double figures. An excellent days fishing with a 7.1 rod average.

Sunday and probably the hottest day of the week. All rods followed our advice and fished the morning session.  Rods generally fished deep with fast sinking lines and booby patterns. P Hunt & J Thomson caught 9 on booby patterns. Thornton fly fishers fished their blind pairs competition with P Birdsall and M Vernon winning that morning session you can view their report and activities on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/troutfishingclub

We also hosted Kirby Fly Fishers the winner of their event was Russ Jackson who caught 5 on a booby basher and 4ft leader.

This coming week its forecast to be cooler, we expect the cooler morning session which fishes up to 3pm to be the best, we will try every day to get our boats out earlier than 8.30am, they will be available as soon as we have finished cleaning the pontoon & boats, probably any time after 7.45am

Water clarity is good.

——————————————————————————————————————————

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 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:     25^th June 2023      Rod Av: 2.4 Water Temperature:  20-21°C

Overcast conditions Monday, with a very light breeze. With the sun making an appearance for the later part of the day. As a result of the conditions several anglers opted to use dry flies. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Smith fished Crippled Midge and Yellow Owl CDC to good effect. Drifting from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy landing 9 fish, as the fishery has the first Southwest winds in weeks. Another boat finding success with dries was that of Bryan Brown & Ed Greenwood who used CDCs drifting from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy also landing 9 fish. Ken Perris & B Prior fished on a morning boat landing 10 fish but didn’t leave any comments as to how. Fellow morning boat Peter Evans fished down in Toft using a sink 6 line with a cormorant to land 4 fish on the morning.

Tuesday started with some heavy cloud cover and showers which had filled the boats overnight. There were several fish caught on dries through the early part of the day with other methods such as sinking lines and snakes producing good catches as well. Martin Blakeston and Lindsay Bates put half a dozen fish in the boat using CDC’s , the best of which was 4lbs. Kevin Rees also boated half a dozen fish on dries such as the crippled midge. Leading up to the competition on Thursday other anglers are playing their cards very close to their chest, but it was good to see that Mr M Hock had a brace off the Tower Bank on snakes through the afternoon.

A warm day Wednesday, sunny with cloud arriving later in the day with the wind from the Southwest. All water member Graham Davies fishing with brother Roger, the pair landed 10 fish to the boat using a Di 3 sinking line and an olive snake, utilising the rudder. The best area being a drift from B Buoy out across the lake towards Y Buoy. Draycote member Jim Hall also found snakes to be a successful pattern landing 8 fish on snakes. E Bannister & P Bannister landed 10 fish using a Di 5 sinking line with a black and gold humungus.  Draycote members Martin Foster & John Vyse landed 11 fish to their boat fishing around C Buoy. Gary How fishing with Chris McCloud also landed 11 fish with Gary taking most of them on Diawl Bach’s. Mark Seale & David Moore landed 7 fish to the boat, but landed 2 cracking fish over 5lb which can be seen on here www.facebook.com/flyfishstore

There was hardly a breath of air through Thursday, as the 36^th annual Alex Booth Charity match took to the water here at Draycote. It was a great turn out with 58 anglers taking part, unfortunately under very challenging conditions. The day was won by Mr Pete Millward with a total of 7 fish to the boat. Pete caught his fish on a DI7 line and boobies, around T, X and Y buoy. A big well done to all those who braved the conditions to support this very worthwhile charity competition.

Thursday was overcast through the early part of the morning and started to brighten up about 11 o’clock or so. Some anglers caught on dries in the first couple of hours, but things quickly moved on to sinking lines over the deeper parts of the reservoir, using snakes, boobies or humungus. Jim Dempsey and Rod Wilson has 25 fish to the boat using lures on DI7 lines through A and B buoy, as well near the Valve Tower and over Middle Shoal . Season permit holder Andy Lilley had 8 fish to the boat during a morning session using black and gold humungus on a DI7 near C buoy. Young Bob Smith had a total of 5 fish, one on a cdc, two on a damsel booby, one on a humungus and one on a snake on a DI7. Peter Allen and Tony Broadway used DI3’s and snakes to net 16 fish between them, once again over the deeper water at the western end of the reservoir.  Tom Gay used “Hueys” to deadly effect near C buoy on a DI7 to net half a dozen fish during a morning session.

Once again it was an overcast start on Saturday morning, and whilst there was high cloud cover for most of the day, it became very muggy and warm from 11 o’clock onwards. With the competition looming on the Sunday, a lot of the anglers were reluctant to give anything away about how or were they caught their fish. Draycote regular Will Hunt had a dozen to the boat on snakes on a DI7 sinking line fishing in the deeper water at the western end of the reservoir. Debbie and Sean Gilbert had a very successful morning session using cormorants and black and gold humungus. The pair used DI7 lines to net half a dozen fish out in front of the overflow.

Sunday was another warm day thankfully with a nice Southerly breeze which helped to give a slightly cooler feel for the anglers out on the water. With the Angling Trust Loch Style Team Championships being cancelled. Draycote put on the FlyFishStore Loch Style match for the teams who had already entered. Which saw 5 teams competing in a winner takes all £700 catch and release competition. With the warmer weather, the match was fished on a timed basis. With the time of the fish being recorded in the case of a draw on fish numbers. The lowest aggregate team time would win. Overall the 30 anglers caught 104 fish for a rod average of 3.6, however due to a couple of late boats we had to not count 17 of the fish towards the results. Winning the day was Team Elinor who used Di 7 and Booby Basher fishing deep around A, B, & C Buoy with a mix of boobies and cormorants with black being the best colour. Which is often the way when fishing deep. Top individual on the day was Tom Davis with a fantastic bag landing 11 fish using a Di 7 sinking line with cormorants and a small booby drifting from B to C Buoy. To see the full results please visit www.facebook.com/flyfishstore Outside of the competition Howard Lambert & Mr D Robson landed 8 fish to the boat using a Sink 6 sinking line with Cormorants and Humungus on the lines. Draycote member Richard Walker fished for a morning around the Outlet to land 4 fish deep on black and green snakes. Fishing for the afternoon was Mark Kayne a fly-fishing newcomer. Mark, after some pointers from fishery ranger/guide, Jim Sheehan. On how to effectively back drift landed his first ever trout followed by another 3 including a 5lb rainbow. All taken on a sink 6 and a olive snake booby.

 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

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

——————————————————————————————————————————

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.

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

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 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: 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.

——————————————————————————————————————————

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.

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

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

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: 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.

——————————————————————————————————————————

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:     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.

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

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 now, with most areas proving to be productive, as the fish continue to feed hard on the abundant aquatic life present at Eyebrook.

—————————————————————————————————————————–

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: 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.

——————————————————————————————————————————

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:   Water Temperature:  °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.

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

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: 21 May 23       Rod Av: 4.7     Water Temperature:   16°C+

The week started with a stiff northerly wind that brought a distinct chill to the air. The wind remained blustery all day & coupled with it some extended periods of sunshine, this would make for some challenging conditions. When there was sufficient cloud cover the Dries fished very well with some very high catch returns recorded on the usual suspects, Yellow Owls, Big Reds & Foam Daddies. Down on a short break, Billy McGranaghan & his boat partner Alan Martin had a great day on the Dries landing a very high number of fish. Billy & Alan targeted the fish that were feeding on the abundant Hawthorn Flies here at Eyebrook by using small black Hoppers.  For further information on our Short Break Options please use the following link: https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/short-break-packages/.  During the brighter the spells, the fish sat a little deeper where they were caught on the Washing Line with Red Ribbed Diawl Bachs on the Droppers, which was duly demonstrated by Mr P Nesbitt who landed 11 fish from the general area of Sam’s Dyke. Monday saw us host the Phillips Championship, which is a pairs competition fish to a 12 fish boat limit, with the heaviest bag of fish winning. Everyone caught fish & congratulations goes to, with an excellent bag weight of 25lb 3oz, the winning pair of Mr Chewter & Ormiston. Well done to all participants &we look forward to seeing you all again.

Tuesday brought with it clear skies, bright sunlight & a moderate north westerly breeze. The initial lack of cloud cover meant for a challenging start today which improved as the day wore on & the cloud cover built. The boats & the banks fished well, with some good bank returns being recorded from the area of the Chestnut down to the Cowshed. Buzzers, Daddies & Damsels fished on Floating lines were the order of the day from the bank with All Water Member Jim Greasley & regular visitor Stewart Normington landing 13 & 11 fish respectively. Another All-Water Member, Ed Douglas had a very successful day on the boats, landing over 30 fish from various locations, 20 of which came to the Dries. Washing Lined floating lines & Dries remain the percentage methods from the boats & there are still a good number of fish in the vicinity of Sam’s Dyke. Other areas that have been producing are Mucky Bay, The Island & over at Stoke Dry as the fish continue to feed well on the abundant aquatic life in Eyebrook. Terrestrials have also featured high on the fish’s menu of late with an early season hatch of Daddies & the Hawthorn flies becoming more & more prevalent.

Wednesday started with a light mist, which gave way to extended periods of sunshine with some patches of cloud cover appearing by mid-afternoon. There was also a light changeable wind which changed direction numerous times during the day which proved to make finding fish somewhat challenging. One area that has consistently held fish over the last few weeks has been Sam’s Dyke & Wednesday proved to be no different as some very good returns came from that area once again. The fish there were caught on Dries, Orange Foam Daddies & Yellow Owls, & Washing Lined Buzzers in as little as 4ft of water. Greg Meech enjoyed an 8hr Guided session with our resident Guide & fishery manager Lloyd Thompson. Targeting fish in top 12inches, Greg fished size 12 buzzers on short droppers on a Washing Lined Floating Line with a very buoyant fly on the point, to land a very high number of fish. For more information on our Guided Sessions, please use the following link. www.flyfishstore.co.uk/?s=Guiding&s_cs=true . It was obvious there was a lot of fish in Sam’s Dyke that were feeding hard on buzzers, taking them just under the surface. What else was blatantly obvious was there were also some fish in Sam’s Dyke that had turned their attentions to Damsel Nymphs with the amount of water that was being disturbed & moved as they fed.

Thursday was a warm, bright day with very little wind which resulted in the reservoir being flat calm for large portions of the day. Bright sunshine & a flat calm always make for challemging conditions. There was still a good number of fish caught in Sam’s Dyke on Dries & Buzzers from the boats fishing in shallow water. However, Eyebrook member Malcolm Thompson had a great day off the bank up by the Chestnut. Malcolm landed 14 fish in a relatively short session, all of which fell to Damsel Patterns. Yesterday’s hunch of the fish feeding hard on Damsels was indeed true. When fishing for Damsel Feeders there are a few key points that we must remember. The first point is an obvious one, Match the Hatch. Ensure that your Damsel Nymph patterns match the size & colour of the Damsel Nymphs that are swimming in the water. The other key point is that you need to be fishing where the Damsel Nymphs are, that is, close to the banks & around the weedbeds. The adult Damsel Hatches are not yet happening in full swing, but what is obvious is the Damsel Nymphs, driven by an increase in water temperature, are clearly starting to migrate to the areas from where they are going to hatch.

Friday’s weather was a very similar to yesterday except for more breeze which resulted in a healthy, inviting ripple. The reservoir fished well consequently with some good returns recorded from both the banks & the boats. Fish were caught on Buzzers, Damsels, Dries, FABs & Nymphs on floating lines. The Leicester Bank from the Lodge to Sam’s was the most productive bank area & from the boats it was Sam’s Dyke. Regular angler Garry Mickley had a great day off the bank landing a very high number of fish from Sam’s Dyke on the Nymphs. Whereas, from the boats John Cowell & his boat partner Ali Tait caught very well on a mixture of FABs, Damsels & Buzzers.

There was a misty start to Saturday caused by the low air temperature overnight. The early mist soon cleared, burnt away by the rising sun, to reveal a bright, clear sky that remained all day. These bright conditions & the moderate North Easterly wind made for challenging conditions. The bank anglers fared better early on before the sun got high in the sky with Eyebrook Member Roy Swinfield landing 13 fish from Sam’s Dyke on Buzzers. Another Eyebrook Member Malcolm Thompson also caught well from the bank, landing 6 from the Chestnut area. From the boats the most productive was 150m out from the Chestnut where All Water Member Kev Counihan & his boat partner landed well over 20 fish on Hare’s Ears out in the open water. Other successful patterns from the boats included Damsels & Red Ribbed Diawl Bachs. Saturday also saw us host another Tuition Course here at Eyebrook where we took 4 complete novices through the various elements of Fly Fishing, including knots, fly lines, rods, reels, tippets, flies & Fly Casting. Although conditions were far from ideal, they all had a great day culminating in a few hours fishing where plenty of fish were hooked but unfortunately none were landed. Thank you to Trevor, Oliver, Alan & Holly, it was great to see you & we look forward to seeing you again.

Sunday saw the weather conditions improve slightly; it was still bright & breezy but there were some periods of extended cloud cover. It was also more apparent on Sunday that the fish were beginning to on the Damsels in earnest with a few fish caught on Adult Damsel Patterns as well as on Damsel Nymphs. Eyebrook members Dean & Neil Shilton both enjoyed productive days in their Float Tubes landing 15 & 12 fish respectively. Dean caught most of his fish on Blue Foam Daddies over by the Willows. From the bank regular visitor Bill Livingstone & another Eyebrook Member, Dave Etty both caught very well in Sam’s Dyke on Buzzers & Nymphs, with Bill landing 20 & Dave 12. On the boats we hosted the latest round of the Alex Booth, Colwick & Foremark Fly Fishers competition which saw 19 anglers take to the water & catch 110 fish between. Which given the conditions, gave them a very respectable rod average of 5.8. Well done to all. There was a lot of fish caught today between the 2-3lb+ bracket which shows just how the fish are currently feeding.

With the weather for the week ahead forecasting lighter winds & some decent cloud cover, watch for the damsel feeding to really kick into gear….!!!

—————————————————————————————————————————–

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: 21^st May 2023   Rod Av: 2.4    Water Temperature: 16c+

Monday and a cold start to the week with a fresh northerly wind which blows directly into green bay & the stones. To get out of the cold wind anglers fished the shelter offered by the Markfield arm. Everyone caught 1 to 3 trout for their mornings visit but Norman Perkins found the method a blob &  black buzzers fished from the farm bank down to the tern rafts catching 10 trout

Tuesday and a warmer start to the day which didn’t last, by mid-morning a cooler fresher north wind arrived. Some rods fished green bay before the cooler north wind moved them to the shelter of the corner of the wood & down the Markfield arm. Martin Hosking caught 6 for his mornings visit on diawl bach & nemo patterns, P Cox caught 7 for his mornings visit with S Fairgrieve & K Cowen for their mornings visit catching 9 on cats whiskers & cormorant patterns on a variety of lines from a fast sinker to a floater.

Wednesday & milder conditions greeted the anglers with some heading towards green bay while others went towards the corner of the wood and down. Proved to be a trickier days fishing than expected Scot Wilson was top rod with 9 trout caught from green bay, Howard Davies caught 4 for his mornings fishing on olive buzzer with Rosemary Gunn & Rob Anderson catching 6 for their visit. J Foxall fished buzzer patterns to catch his 4 trout with some being caught close to the bank.

Thursday a warmer day but with little wind at times. Paul Havard fished buzzer patterns to catch his 6 trout, T Evans & J Evans fished buzzers & diawls to boat their 8 trout with Dave Slesser fishing his buzzers deep to catch his 5 trout.

Friday, the water clarity is excellent. Mark Hunt fished a single cdc pattern to catch his 13 trout, often the case a single fly will work better when the water clarity is good. Proved to be a mixed day for the other rods, John Bebbington caught 4 for his mornings visit with Mr Stringer fishing a black midge to catch 4 trout.

Saturday & bright day, warm in the sun out of the wind, but in the strong easterly wind it was surprisingly cold. It didn’t help that the wind direction changed a few times during the day. The fishing, challenging is a good description for the day. S Swinfield & S Zeleny fished a morning session catching 6 trout on a fast sinking line & booby with most coming within the shelter offered by the wood & Thornton arm. Tim Price fished a midge tip with cats whisker and small olive buzzer to catch 5 again out of the cold easterly wind.

It was certainly a mixed end to the week as the chilly north easterly, easterly wind persisted. Few fish to be seen on the surface with most been caught down in the water. Dave Skudder caught 4 for his mornings visit with them all taking a buzzer deep at around 15ft fishing out of green bay. Boobies on fast sinkers also caught with the drift out of the Thornton arm to the main car park being the most productive area.

——————————————————————————————————————————

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:     21^st May 2023      Rod Av: 5.3   Water Temperature:  14°C

Weekly fishing report

A cold start to the week with a strong North wind, this teamed with sun certainly make the fishing more challenging that the exceptional fishing we had seen over the weekend. Draycote member Ian Richardson & Bob Smith enjoyed a good day landing 36 fish. The pair fished at the Tower bank using a Midge Tip line with a washing line of buzzers and FABS. Commenting on the “lovely silver fish” Fishing for the morning Tony Broadway & Jim Hall landed 11 fish to the boat using a floating line and team of buzzers. Ray Rawlings landed 17, using a DI 5 sinking line and snakes. In the morning landing his fish from Toft before heading to Rainbow Corner in the afternoon. Monday also saw the first of the teams arriving ahead of the international here at Draycote on Friday. As you would expect specifics were being a closely guarded secret. However, all the anglers seemed to enjoy a good days sport.

The North winds remained for Tuesday, with a little more west in it that the previous day. However, there was still the same chill in the air. On the bank Tim Davies landed a brace of fish from Lincroft point using buzzers. Out on the boats we had all 4 home nations team out on the water practicing ahead of Friday. From speaking to some of the team members, it was quite tricky due to the cold wind and the while they were catching. They felt that once the chill had dropped out of the wind towards the end of the week that the fishing would improve.

Wednesday was a much improved weather day with overcast skies and a drop in the wind. Although it did remain in the same direction, with some sun around mid day and early afternoon. On the bank Draycote season ticket holder Paul Walker landed 4 fish. Out on the boats the 4 teams fished the first of the official practice days ahead of Friday. With the improved the conditions, there was a number of fish on the top and feeding on small buzzers and small beetles. However, while there was lots of fish up on the top, the provided challenging to tempt on dries. With the best flies for the job being small olive CDC shuttlecocks. Other successful tactics from speaking to the teams was the bung, washing lining Diawl Bachs and buzzers and also Straight lining. With fish coming out from all over the lake but the hotspots seemed to be the School Slips, Draycote Dam Wall, Toft & Biggin Bay.

A very different day on the final practice day ahead of the match. With flat calm conditions, and very warm bright sunshine for most of the day, although some cloud did roll in later on the afternoon. As a result of this warm bright conditions we saw the first algal bloom of the season. With these challenging conditions it was expected to be a very tough day. However, while it wasn’t as productive as the day before, all the teams still caught and actually caught quite well. There was a variety of methods on display with the Bung featuring heavily given the flat conditions. However, washing lining also features as to did dries. With the fish getting caught in Rainbow Corner, Biggin Bay, Toft & N Buoy out over Musborough Shoal. On the bank Neil Butler landed a brace of fish on a Goldhead Hares Ear from Rainbow Corner.

Friday dawned calm and overcast with the promise of sunny spells later in the day. The international teams were on site early, preparing boats and tackle for todays match. After the briefings everyone lined up, and the piper played the teams onto the reservoir. A loud hooter sounded at 10:00 o;clock and 28 competition boats headed off in different directions across Draycote Water do battle for their respective countries. There was a variety of different methods, with straight lining buzzers working for the Scottish Team in Biggin Bay so too did buzzers either under a bung. However, washing lining of 6ft midge tips with Nymphs, Buzzers and a FAB on the point was used by most competitors. Although, dries produced a few fish for others. There was 3 distinctive areas on the match day Toft, Biggin Bay & Y to B Buoy. The largest fish of the day was caught by Darren Maguire from Ireland, which measured 68 cm’s, and was weighted at an impressive 7lb 9oz taken on a size 14 CDC. The winner of the Brown Bowl was Richard Hooper of Wales, with a total of 15 fish. The winning team was England with a total of 139 fish caught a very impressive team performance, Second was Scotland with 94, Ireland in third with 63 fish and final Wales with 54 fish. The bank proved very quiet for the DFF’S evening match, with the winner being Draycote staff member Michael Hanlon , who used size 16 culs on a 4 weight outfit, to net a brace from the parsons arms. We would like to thank all the volunteer boatmen who helped out on the day, without whom competitions like this cannot go ahead.

Saturdays weather was just an extension of the previous few days, with light breezes which strengthened through the middle of the day. Tougher fishing conditions with sunshine through the afternoon seemed to push the fish down in the water column. On the bank buzzers were the order of the day with Mike Garner and Tom Rochford netting a brace each from Lincroft Point. Out on the boats Julian Hubbard and Rick Gray boated 26 fish between them using DI7’s and tube flies out over Y and N buoy. Mr Blythe and Mr Pete Taylor also used DI7’s up near Y buoy with boobies to net 5 fish.  Frazer Duffy and son had 11 fish on buzzers and a FAB up I n Rainbow Corner. Mr P Tanner had 9 fish to the boat on a humungus at various points around the reservoir.

Another warm sunny day Sunday, with the wind remained quite blustery at times. On the bank Luke & Dave Orton landed 7 fish between them fishing on the North shore. On the boats John Dunbar & George Leaton, landed 28 fish between them using Damsels and buzzers in Biggin Bay. Draycote member Richard Walker landed a dozen fish on a green snake on a 12ft sink tip, from Biggin Bay, Toft and the Farnborough Dam Wall. Also using snakes Mr W Parkes landed 9 fish on a white snakes fished on a Di 3 sinking line. James Maplethorpe and Trevor Moore used Olive Buzzer landing 14 with there best fish weighting 8lb 2oz. All water member Ed Doulgas landed 10 fish with 6 of them coming to dries, and the other 4 taking buzzers.

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

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: 14 May 23       Rod Av:  7.7       Water Temperature:    14-15°C

After a very busy previous week, Eyebrook started the new week in excellent form with a great rod average for the day of 9.8. Fish were caught all over on Nymphs, Buzzers & Dries. From the banks, Eyebrook Member Dave Etty had a very productive day landing 18 fish on Diawl Bachs, Crunchers & Buzzers & regular visitor Tim Shepherd had a great late afternoon session landing 9 fish from Mucky Bay. From the boats, Mr Bland & Cobb enjoyed a very productive day landing over 30 fish on CDC Buzzer emergers & Mr Barns & Robinson also landed well over 30 fish on Straight Lined & Washing Lined Diawl Bachs. The most productive areas remain the entirety of the Leicester Bank from the Lodge to the Cowshed & the Seat area to Stoke Dry. Spring Craneflies are becoming increasingly prevalent here at Eyebrook, so a Foam daddy is worth a shot, especially if you are looking for a less conspicuous point fly on the Washing Line. Diawl Bachs, Crunchers & Buzzers continue to take a lot of fish whether that is under an indicator, on a Washing Line or Straight Lined. With regards to Dries, any CDC emerging pattern has been doing well; Grunters, Yellow Owls, CDC Shuttlecocks, etc…..

Tuesday saw the reservoir continue to fish very well despite some very heavy showers & episodes of thunder & lightning. For the second consecutive day Eyebrook has yielded a rod average of over 9 with fish caught from both the banks & the boats from various locations. Eyebrook member Keith Johnson landed 20 from the Cowshed on a small black Foam Hopper which the fish were undoubtably taking it as a Hawthorn. Keith caught consistently throughout his short session, sometimes taking fish in very shallow water. Elsewhere from the bank, another Eyebrook member Dave Searson, caught very well down by the Chestnut on Hares Ears & Diawl Bachs & Sam’s Dyke also produced some good returns. All Water Member Ian Jobe took to his Float Tube & was duly rewarded with a great return of 18 from various locations around the reservoir. Ian caught fishing Nymphs on a Di3 & found the fish to feeding at 2 depths with the larger fish feeding slightly deeper. From the boats fish were caught from the Willows to Stoke Dry & all along the Leicester Bank up to the Cowshed. The percentage method from the boats seemed to be Washing Lining a Floating Line with Nymphs on the droppers, which is exactly what Mr Solomons & Tetley were doing as they produced an excellent return of nearly 40 fish.

It was a bright, clear start to Wednesday with a gentle westerly breeze. By the afternoon, the bright sunshine was interrupted by intermittent cloud cover & early evening there was a heavy downpour. The warm air temperature ensured that there was a prolific hatch off very small flies which the trout fed on consistently all day. This preoccupation with an abundant food source, coupled with the changeable conditions, meant the fish did not surrender themselves as readily as previous days. Fishery staff member Andy Dermott dropped into the Cowshed on his way into work & landed a quickfire 5 from the bank on a washing line with a FAB on the point & Diawl Bachs above it. Regular visitor Jonathon Holmes had a very productive afternoon session landing 17 fish using a sunken Daddy with Nymphs above it. From the boats fish were generally caught high up in the water column on either a Washing Lined Floating Line or on the Dries. All Water Member Ed Douglas landed 15 fish, most of which came to the dries. Tony Gill & his boat partner Mark Marsden had a productive day landing 20 fish between them, as did Mr Seeber & his boat partner Mr Archbald. All along the Leicester bank remains a very productive area, as does the Seat to Stoke Dry.

Thursday began overcast with a light south westerly breeze. As the day progressed, the wind swing round to the north that brought with it some very heavy showers with occasional thunder & lightning. The fish continued to feed on buzzers & were caught throughout the day on Buzzers, Nymphs & Dries when the conditions were favourable. From the bank, All Water Member John Greasley had a productive session landing 10 fish from Sam’s Dyke on the Dries, landing all his fish on small F Flies. Thursday saw us host a Police Regional Qualifier for 2 regions on the same day. Congratulations to all those that qualified for their final & a special mention must go to the 2 winners from their respective regions: Mark Mathieson & Bob Seeber. Both caught their 14 fish limits relatively early in the proceedings. Well done to both. What made the difference when fishing over pressurised fish was scaling down fly sizes. Those that fished smaller flies caught better than those fishing larger ones.

Friday brought with a cold, blustery northerly wind which meant for a chilly start to the day, curtailing an early insect hatch. The wind remained consistent throughout the day before abating by early evening. Consequently there was a slow start to the day with the fishing improving as the day progressed. The one exception to this was All Water Member Mark Hunt who fished Dries in the sheltered water behind the Island in Sam’s Dyke. Mark had a very productive morning session landing 15 fish on CDC’s & Daddies in very shallow water. Another angler who had a great day in Sam’s Dyke on the Dries was Paul Ledbrook, who landed 28 over the course of the day on Big Reds & Olives & a few on the nymphs. Enjoying their second day of a short break was Alan McGuire & Eric Neal who fished Diawl Bachs & Crunchers to land a very high number of fish between them. We hosted an early evening BBQ for the Eyebrook Fly Fishers which would with them taking to banks for the last few hours. By then the wind was lighter & therefore not as cold as it had previously been. Those that attended were not disappointed with a very productive evening session. Dave Etty got into double figures & Mark Goodge & Shaun Higgins also got amongst a high number of fish.

Saturday provided some great fishing conditions; warm air temperature, overcast skies & a gentle breeze. Subsequently, the dry flies fished very well with some great returns recorded from both the boats & the banks. If the dries proved to be unsuccessful, a washing lined floater didn’t. Paul Ledbrook followed his previous day’s exploits with another exceptional day today. Sticking with the same formula that had served him so well previously, Paul landed well over 30 fish on Big Reds, CDC’s & Grunters. During the spells that weren’t conducive to fishing Dries, Paul continued to catch on Buzzers & Nymphs on a floating line. Another angler enjoying his 2^nd consecutive day on the Dries was Mark Hunt, who this time, brought with a novice to the Dries. Under Mark’s tutelage they went on to have a great day, landing nearly 30 fish between them. Concentrating on the use of a single fly, which is a great way to start fishing Dries, they found their most successful patterns to be Big Reds & Foam Daddies. From the banks, Dave Etty was a yet another angling enjoying his 2^nd consecutive day going on to take 15 fish all on Nymphs. Eyebrook member Mr Dickson, also enjoyed his bank session, being another to land 15. With once again Nymphs & Buzzers being the most successful patterns. The most productive areas remain the entirety of the Leicester Bank; Sam’s Dyke, Mucky Bay, Chestnut, etc…. & up at Stoke Dry.

The conditions Sunday was much the same as the previous day, although there were some prolonged periods of sunshine, particularly by early afternoon. By late evening, there was a gentle ripple with a good level of cloud cover. Eyebrook continued to fish very well wish fish caught on Washing Lined Floating Lines with Nymphs on the droppers & a Foam Daddy on the point & also on the Dries, with Yellow Owls, CDC’s & Suspended Buzzers all taking more than a few fish. Fish were caught all over the reservoir with the most productive areas being Sam’s Dyke, Chestnut, Stoke Dry & the Willows. From the banks, Mr Mickley landed 9 in a morning session & local angler Dale Birch had a productive Last 4-hour session landing 5. The boats produced some very high returns with a lot of anglers getting well into double figures & there was some very good fish caught. What was a notable, was that the older, larger fish were getting caught more on the Dries, as they fed very hard near the surface throughout the day.

—————————————————————————————————————————–

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: 14^th May   Rod Av: 5.3   Water Temperature: 15c

Monday an extra bank holiday due to the coronation, wasn’t a particular busy due with rain forecast and people away. However, the fishing was good with the washing line leading the way with #16 #14 #12 black buzzer, black buzzer red cheeks, Robs UV buzzer and diawl bach best patterns. Bob Menhams fished 3 hours in the morning catching 14 on washing line off the corner of the wood. K Hart & D Pacey caught 50+ to the boat for their days visit on washing line from in front of the wood in the morning and green bay in the afternoon. Overall average for the day an excellent 15+ Lots of daphnia in the water.

Tuesday and probably the warmest day of the year, although rain was forecast, we didn’t get any until a thunderstorm rolled through for an hour in the afternoon. Majority of fish were caught on a washing line or midge tip line with #14 green diawl bach, #14 #16 #12 black buzzer, olive buzzer & standard diwal bach with some fish falling to dries. Norman Perkins & Steve Orton caught 22 on blobs & buzzer, Dave Coote caught 8 on green diawl, Mark Cowley caught 7 on an orange daddy, standard daddy & diawl bach. Water clarity is good with large numbers of daphnia to be seen.

Wednesday rain at times was heavy but it didn’t put the fish down with most catching on floating lines and intermediate lines. Fish are moving around the reservoir with the dam into green bay starting to fish well with fish at times to be seen moving across the main basin. P Hunt and J Thomson caught 7 for their mornings visit on a fab and a Kate Mclaren a little used but great traditional pattern. John Hall also fished a morning session with a damsel nymph catching 5 trout for him. Despite the rainwater clarity remains good.

Thursday boats & float tubes split themselves into three areas, Green Bay, wood bank and corner or the wood into the Markfield arm. Intermediate, tip lines & floaters fished best with a variety of patterns #14 #12 olive or black buzzer, green or standard diawl, damsel, cats whisker, cormorants & dries. Andre Russell, Richard Dunnett & Garry Cragg fished from their float tubes collectively catching 55. Martin Hosking fished an intermediate with Diawl Bach, buzzer & fabs to catch 15. Jamie Scott fished buzzers & diawls to catch his 17 trout. Peter Mcormich, Jim Thorley, Derek & Tom Brady travelled from Scotland to fish a 3 day break at Thornton catching 112 fish for their visit with the Ally McCoist damsel fished on an intermediate catching a good percentage of their catch. Good evening rise, probably the best of the season so far.

Friday, cooler conditions greeted the anglers with the wind having swung into the north. Scott Wilson & Ricky Cotteril caught 18 for their visit, Bill Holland bought Kenny Henry a beginner for his second time out with Kenny catching 4 trout, well done. Thornton Fly Fishers fished their last 4 hour floating line competition fishing from 5pm to 9pm. Prior to going out they enjoyed burgers in a roll provided by the club. 15 members took to the water catching 36 trout for a rod average of 2.4 Eventual winner was Mark Cowley catching his 4 trout on cdc patterns and daddies. All anglers reported a good evening rise despite the cold northerly wind.

Saturday the strong northerly wind persisted, and it felt cold. It proved to be a challenging day with Stuart Thompson fishing the morning session catching 7 trout. Jan Webber caught 5, T Polito & P Polito boated 6 with Richard Smith fishing quill buzzers to boat his 4 trout during a mornings visit.

Sunday and a misty start with the mist not rising until 10.00am. As the mist rose the trout started to rise with anglers reporting fish moving off and on all day. Green bay, corner of the wood and down the Markfield arm past the end of the wood fished best to dries, buzzers, diawls and fabs. John Reynolds caught 14 for his mornings visit on black buzzer fished on a midge tip, Andy Lilley caught 8 for his mornings visit fishing a washing line with daddies and buzzers along the stone bank. Kevin Hart and Dave Pacey caught 21 on floaters and intermediate lines with fab, diawl bach and booby patterns.

Water clarity is good, increasing buzzer hatches and improving evening rise, lots of daphnia in the water.

——————————————————————————————————————————

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:     14^th May 2023      Rod Av: 7.2    Water Temperature:  13°C

Weekly fishing report

Another calm and overcast start on Monday saw the good sport continue here at Draycote Water. It’s an absolute buzzer fest down in Toft Shallows by the Swans Nest, and that sport continues through Lincroft Point and into Biggin Bay. There is also some good fishing to be had up in Rainbow Corner with a good stamp of over wintered fish sitting along the Flat Stones. Season permit holder Stephen Dewhurst fished from the bank to net 20 fish on buzzers from Toft Shallows. Mr Ross Davies had 15 fish to net from the bank  by the Swans Nest. All water season permit holder Lorenzo Serrano had over 30 fish from the bank in Biggin, Dunns Bay and Rainbow Corner.  Bill Brown and Ross Wilson had well over 30 fish to the boat during the final day of their 3 day break with us. The lads used buzzers and FAB’s in Biggin Bay and Rainbow Corner. Staff member Michael Hanlon caught a bakers dozen off the Farborough Dam using buzzers and a FAB on an Airflo 12 foot slow tip.

A warm start to Tuesday, with overcast conditions and a light breeze it was near perfect. However early afternoon we experienced some very heavy thundery downpours with lighting. Which brought all the boats back to the pontoon to wait out the bad weather. On the bank all water Lorenzo, enjoyed “his best day of the year” landing lots of fish from Toft at the Swan’s nest on a variety of flies. On the boats Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Smith landed 44 fish to the boat from Toft. The pair used a midge tip with buzzers on a washing line with a FAB on the point to take their fish. Fellow Draycote member bob Barfoot used the same tactics along the Farborough Dam Wall to land 19 fish. Peter Elliot & Lee Patten landed over 60 fish with the majority of them coming to washing lined buzzer. Although 6 of them did come to dry flies.

The wind increased in strength Wednesday, with overcast conditions for the most part. However, we did have some heavy showers later on the afternoon and then off and on again showers through the early evening. On the bank Draycote member John Dickens landed 6 fish using Damsels and buzzers on a floating line. John Pearson & Grant Ashby also fished from the bank landing 9 & 3 from the Swan’s Nest and further down the bank in Toft. On the boats Craig Middleton enjoyed a good days sport landing over 25 fish. On a variety of methods such as single blob on a Di 5 sinking line, washing lining buzzers and also dries. Dave Reynolds & Ron Howard enjoyed a good days sport down in Toft using superglue buzzers fished on floating and midge tip lines. John Tootell landed 9 fish from Toft and commented that he caught on a variety of flies. Alan Mcguire landed 34 fish using Diawl Bach’s on a washing line with FAB’s and Boobies on the point fishing down in Toft.

A changeable day with regards to the weather, the wind started in Southwest with rain showers before bright skies arrived in the afternoon and the wind swung into the North. On the bank Roger Davies landed 5 fish from Lincroft point on blue flash damsel. Draycote member Paul Walley fished on the bank in the afternoon to land 8 fish. Paul used a washing line to land his fish at the Cornfield with Daiwl Bach’s on the droppers being his best flies. Out on the boats Jim Dempsey & Rod Wilson used the rudder to land 16 fish in half a day across the middle. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Barfoot landed 25 fish to the boat. Fishing in Rainbow Corner and also the Tower Bank using Midge tip with nymphs, also landing 5 “overwintered lumps” in the catch. Thursday also saw the fishery host the Barclays Bank fly fishing match with competitors from all over the country fishing. It was a momentous day for the competition, being the 50 year. A great day was had by all competitors as the fishery produced a 4.3 fish rod average. Winning the day was the Thames & Solent region with all 4 anglers taking their 6 fish limit. Top individual on the day was Neil O’Shea who landed 6 fish for 13lb 1oz using the bung at the Tower bank with a beaded green nymphs being his best pattern.

A cold North wind for the anglers out Friday with overcast skies and some showers in the morning. It certainly didn’t feel like spring was in the air. Draycote  member Tim Davies landed 11 fish from Lincroft on buzzers. Stan Hillman fished from the bank also at Lincroft with a booby and then cormorants on the droppers to land 15 fish. Fishing alongside Stan, Mick Cronin landed 18 fish also from Lincroft Point. Draycote member Mark Smith used Cat’s Whiskers to land 9 fish from the Cornfield. Kev Hart fished with John Hoskins with the pair landing 35 fish. Using a washing line with buzzers and Daiwl Bachs on either a floating line or a midge tip. The majority of the boats out on the water Friday were practicing for the Airflo Open the following day. As a result exact methods and areas were kept quite, however it was clear from speaking to the anglers coming off all had enjoyed good sport.

Another cool start to the day as the wind blew from the Northeast. However it did drop around 10 and later in the day warmed with the afternoon the sun came out. On the bank Draycote member Tony Broadway landed 7 fish using a floating line with buzzers and hares ear. Husband & Wife team Tony & Ruth Kirk also fished the bank landing 5 fish on buzzers, green pea and also a daddy. On the boats Draycote hosted the Airflo open qualifying round with 9 teams looking to qualify for the International final in October at Rutland and the Open Shield Final here at Draycote in September. The teams enjoyed some fantastic sport with the 54 anglers landed 532 fish for a rod average of 9.85. Winning the day was the Reservoir dogs with all 6 members landed their 12 fish limit. In second Elinor also had all 6 members land the 12 fish limit but where beaten on weight to 1^st place. Taking the final spot to the international final was the Osprey’s who had 5 team members landing the limit and the other falling just one fish short on 11. Then qualifying for the shield final was the Soldier Palmers and Orvis Team Rutland. There was a wide variety of tactics used and fish caught from most areas of the lake. Top rod on the day was Ed Foster who drifted from Toft along the Cornfield and had his 12 fish limit in 1 ½ hours. Ed, used a floating line with 3 buzzers and a nemo on the top dropper. With the fish taking deep to start with in the first 45 mins then came up with he last 5 fish all taking the top dropper. Other productive methods being the Bung in Dunn’s Bay and the Tower Bank. As the day progressed the fish came up in the water and a washing line off a 6ft slow tip caught well. A number of competitors commented on the large number of fish moving throughout the day, and on the quality of fishing they had enjoyed whilst practicing and on the competition day. Outside of the match Bob Askew landed 15 fish from the Saddle Bank on a floating line with buzzers on a washing line between 2 boobies. The Duffy’s also enjoyed a good day landing 23 fish on buzzers.

Sunday was a foggy start with very little breeze. This all soon burned off to leave us in bright sunshine and patchy cloud for the rest of the day. Although bright most of the time, Draycote fished well on Sunday. Once again the rod average was up there with the best of them, (7.7)  with good returns coming from several different points of the compass. Mr Colin Day caught 4 fish from the bank in Rainbow Corner on buzzers and remarked that the  boats out in front of him seemed to be doing very well. Paul Walley had 5 fish from the bank on diawl bachs. Paul caught his fish from The Tower Bank , Lincroft Point and the Swans Nest. Out on the boats Richard Walker caught 10 fish on a fast sinking line and olive snakes in Rainbow Corner and along the Draycote Dam. Season permit holder Graham Homer had 11 fish to the boat on buzzers along the Corn field and Toft Shallows. Simon Enstock used buzzers and diawl bachs on a 12 foot slow tip to boat a bakers dozen down in Toft, one of which was a lovely perch.

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

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – 01536 770264

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: 07 May 23       Rod Av: 7.6   Water Temperature: 14+°C

The week started with a warm spring day, light winds & consistent cloud cover. The Olives & Hawthorns have finally made an appearance & the first Mayfly of the season had been seen. Fish could be seen moving across the reservoir & consequently, there was some excellent returns from both the banks & the boats. From the banks, Eyebrook members Roy Swinfield & Keith Johnson landed 18 & 16 fish respectively from Sam’s Dyke on Straight Lined Nymphs & Buzzers. From the boats the most productive areas remain the shallower, warmer waters of the northern end of the reservoir with the fish well spread throughout. Eyebrook member Dave Etty had a very productive day landing 20 fish on Nymphs & Sam & Rob Edmunds also had a great day on Olive Buzzers straight lined. Dries have also been producing with Mark Hunt having a good day on Ginger Hoppers.

Tuesday brought with it a gentle north easterly breeze & plenty of cloud cover. The reservoir continued to fish well from both the boats & the banks with Sam’s Dyke & the middle of Stoke Dry proving to be very productive yet again. From the bank, All Water Member had 10 fish from Sam’s Dyke on CDC Yellow Owls & from his Float Tube Ian Jobe also landed 10 from various locations. On the boats, Stoke Dry continued to produce fish with the percentage methods being Straight Lined Nymphs or Dries. Tuesday also saw us host the first of four days of the RAF’s 2023 Festival Of Angling (FoA). With the onus on future squad developed we delivered a morning of casting tuition for those that required it, whilst other got out on the water to familiarise themselves with the water. By the afternoon, all anglers had taken to the water with experienced anglers being paired up with the less experience. With 19 anglers fishing, everyone caught & they produced a healthy rod average of 4.1.

Weather wise, Wednesday was a very similar day to the previous day with the exception that by late afternoon the overcast sky gave way to bright sunshine. The weather, on this occasion, did not impact the fishing as the reservoir fished extremely well with fish caught all over the reservoir. The whole of the Leicester bank fished very with fish caught from Dogwood Bay up to the Chestnut & everywhere in between with some very high catch returns being recorded. From the bank, washing lined floating lines with a FAB on the point & Nymphs above it fished well, as did straight lined Nymphs & Buzzers. It was a very similar story from the boats, with the additional method of pulling Boobies on medium sinking lines also taking a lot of fish. Day 2 of the RAF FoA saw 24 anglers taking to the water & producing a great rod average between them of 9.3. More importantly, all of them got into fish, which is not only great given the number of lesser experienced anglers fishing but it is also great for development.

Thursday started with a cooling north easterly breeze that fluctuated in wind speed during the day. The overcast early morning skies became intermittent with some periods of prolonged sunshine. The reservoir continued to fish very well with a lot of fish caught on Buzzers & Nymphs from the bank & the boats. Regular visitor, Dale Birch had a very productive last 4hr bank session landing 6 fish from the area of Sam’s Dyke. From the boats, All Water Member, Lynsay Bates & his boat partner, Rob Keeber, had a very productive day landing a very high number of fish all on Buzzers & small Muskins. Albert Coales popped down just for a few hours & caught well over 20 fish on a Fast Glass from the area of Sam’s Dyke. The fish are well spread & another productive area proved to be from the Seat, all the way down to Stoke Dry with fish caught all the way through. The most productive methods are fishing Buzzers & Nymphs either on the Bung, Washing Line or Straight Line. When the conditions are right, the fish do not need much encouragement to take flies off the surface or sat in the surface film.

Friday started with a light southerly wind & plenty of cloud cover. As it progressed, the day brought with it some isolated showers which were heavy at times. The reservoir continued to fish very well with plenty of fish caught from the bank & the boats. With the fish continuing to feed well on the Buzzers there were some excellent returns recorded. From the bank, Garry Mickley landed 30 fish on Buzzers from Sam’s Dyke which is an excellent return. Eyebrook members Keith Johnson & Dave Searson had 10 & 11 respectively from the bank, fishing Buzzers & Nymphs on Floating Lines & Dale Birch had 6 on a last 4-hour bank permit. From the boats, the fish were well spread getting caught all along the Leicester Bank, the Willows to the Tern Rafts & out in the middle also. The most productive methods from the boats have been Buzzers; Straight lined, on the Bung or Washing Lined & Nymphs on the Washing Line. Friday was the final day of the RAF’s FoA where 22 anglers caught 243 fish, giving a great rod average of 11. Everyone caught, including the novices & a special congratulations must go to the prize winners; Dave Eames was the top rod for the day & Dean Baker who was the top novice. Well done to all, it was great to host you.

Saturday was a very damp day, with a light southerly breeze. The England ladies enjoyed a training day where they caught 160 fish between 12 of them with fish getting caught on various methods, including Dries, from various locations around the Reservoir. All Water Member Lorenzo Serrano & his boat partner Eli enjoyed a very productive morning session landing well over 20 fish from Sam’s Dyke on Nymphs & Buzzers. Mr McLeod also caught well in Sam’s Dyke on Buzzers, Nymphs & on the Dries, landing 15 fish. Eyebrook member, Bob Margery, caught well from the bank down at the Hawthorns landing 11 in a very productive morning session. The most productive methods remain the Washing Line, Straight Line & with the right conditions, Dries. There has a been a few early season Daddies making an appear so when fishing the Washing Line, consider a Foam Daddy on the point rather than a FAB or Blob Booby.

There was a damp & overcast start to Sunday which gave way later to clear skies & extended periods of sunshine with the occasional spell of cloud cover. The conditions made the fishing somewhat more challenging than in previous days. Fish were still caught however from the banks & the boats. Due to the conditions the banks were a little slower to kick into gear but there were still excellent returns. Phil Caress landed 7 & Davis Eales landed 9, both caught on Nymphs & Buzzers, fished very slow, letting them naturally drift around. On the boats, the England Ladies had another very productive day, landing 128 fish between them & the Seabrook’s had a great day, landing over 40 fish between them. Chris Martin & his boat partner Neil Cohen also had a productive day with over 20 fish to the boat. The best methods from both the banks & the boats is to fish buzzers & nymphs on a Washing Line, Straight Lined or the Bung. The best areas remain the entirety of the Leicester Bank from the Lodge to the Cowshed & the Seat to Stoke Dry.

—————————————————————————————————————————–

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 Membership details Visit   www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/ for details of our 2023 membership options

Week Ending: 7^th May   Rod Av: 5.8    Water Temperature: 13c+

Monday 1^st May and noticeably the majority of the trout were caught on floating and intermediate lines as the fish start to move higher in the water. David Skudder fished a morning session catching 8 trout, Dave Rowbotham also fished a morning session catching 10 on an intermediate and cats whisker. Andy Lilley & G England fished the morning catching 20 trout to a washing line with fab on the point & buzzer on the dropper. Kevin Hart & Dave Pacey fished intermediate lines with buzzer, cruncher & booby to catch their 32 trout for their visit. Fish are starting to move across the reservoir with green bay starting to hold some fish.

Tuesday and similar weather conditions to Monday with black buzzer patterns in a #16 #12 working best fished on a washing line, under a bung or straight lined. Howard Davies caught 12 for his mornings visit on a #16 buzzer, Barry Deeley caught 11 some on a booby with others on a buzzer same patterns used by P Hunt who caught 7, P Cox caught 7 for his mornings visit on buzzer with George Jackson fishing buzzers to catch his 6 trout.

Wednesday and an easterly wind direction that increased during the day which saw most of the boats fish in the shelter of the wood bank. All water member D Skudder on seeing the east wind headed down to the bottom of the Markfield arm to get some shelter finding good numbers of trout along the farm bank catching 11. Jim Carrier & Bradbury caught 11 with P Hunt & John Thomson on their first mornings visit of the year catching 11 on a washing line. Bob Jones fished a washing line to catch his 6 trout

Thursday fresh easterly wind with a noticeable chill to it compared to the previous few days. Anglers opted for the shelter offered by the wood or down the bottom of the Markfield by the farm bank. Richard Price fished a morning session catching 7 down by the farm bank on a floating line and cats whisker. Phil Cross & Steve Windram caught 13 for their mornings visit on cats whisker and diawl bach with Tony Lorrimer catching 13 for his visit on his yellow bunny. Anglers reported increasing numbers of fish in Green Bay and once the wind dropped late in the evening fish were moving from Green Bay across the middle.

Friday, light southerly breeze with milder conditions greeting the anglers. Lots of daphnia to be seen with fish that were spooned from March onwards showing that daphnia was a major food item for them. Buzzers in a size #14 #12 in black & olive are still working well fished on a washing line, under a bung or straight lined. A small daddy on the point worked well for Jackson & Middleton who caught 7 all on the daddy. C Sayer caught 11 on buzzers with P Mee catching 7 for his mornings visit. Some fish still coming to booby & fry patterns with J Bebbington for his mornings visit catching 14 on a cats whisker with a white minkie catching 6 for R Bowers. Best area Green Bay, wood, corner wood down the Markfield arm to the farm bank.

Saturday with milder if at times damp conditions provided an excellent days fishing with a rod average 7+ Majority caught on #14 #12 black or olive buzzer fished under a bung, washing line. Mark Hunt went for the dries, bobs bits & Big reds to catch his 20+. Martin Clay fished a traditional #12 black pennell to catch his 16 fish. Anglers fished in front of the wood, corner of the wood down the Markfield arm. Clarity is good with large numbers of daphnia to be seen.

Sunday milder day with a south westerly breeze, perfect for a spot of fly fishing with the fishery returning a rod average of 7 for the day. Buzzers #16 #14 #12 in black or olive produced the majority of the catch fished under a bung or washing line. John Reynolds fished a washing line catching 12 to 4lb+ on a black buzzer, Richard Smith caught 8 for his mornings fishing on buzzer under a bung, J Mackay & D Mackay fished buzzer and an orange fab to catch 19 with Ian Leach & Jack Gascon opting for a DI3 & DI5 with damsel patterns to catch 17.

——————————————————————————————————————————

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/

Week Ending:     7^th May 2023      Rod Av:  8.0    Water Temperature: 12 c

Event – Boatmen / Boatwomen required.

Draycote 19^th May hosts the seniors International with teams from England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland. We require boatmen / women for the event. You will receive £30.00 & a Draycote or Eyebrook boat voucher. If your interested or require further information contact Tom Bird at the Draycote Lodge 01788 812018

Weekly fishing report

——————————————————————————————————————————

It was a nice start to the day on Monday morning with the wind blowing a little harder than was forecast. This, coupled with a change in direction, made for more challenging conditions than we had over the previous couple of days. Once again the bank here at Draycote is fishing well with season permit holder Richard Walker netting 5 fish from the Cornfield on damsels. Mr M Hock caught 3 fish from the bank in Rainbow Corner on “tiny black buzzers.”  Out on the boats Debbie and Sean Gilbert had a dozen fish along the Draycote Dam on white humungus, tequila blobs and a black dancer. Season permit holder Simon Enstock caught 10 fish off Lincroft Point and the Cornfield. Simon was straight lining buzzers and diawl bachs to catch his fish.

Fantastic conditions Tuesday with light southeast winds and warm overcast skies. As a result the fish responded well with a rod average of over 10 fish per angler. On the bank beginner member Andrew Tasker enjoyed a great morning landing 6 fish from Lincroft point. On the boats john Hoskins fished with Kevin Hart with the pair landing 33 fish to the boat. Finding the majority of fish at Dougie’s Gap along the Cornfield and in Toft first thing in the morning. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Smith enjoyed a great day landing over 50 fish to the boat. Using muskins on the droppers and either a booby or a FAB on the point in Rainbow Corner. Another angler using similar tactics was Brendan Thomas who used an Airflo 12ft slow tip, with Muskins, cruncher & FAB. Who boated 44 fish catching at everywhere he fished, Cornfield, Lincroft Point, Biggin Bay & Rainbow Corner. All water member Ed Douglas landed over 40 fish fishing with buzzers on a floater and also taking fish on CDC’s in the middle around X Buoy.

The wind remained in the same direction Wednesday, but was stronger than the previous day. With a clear night on Tuesday there was a definite chill in the air. However this didn’t seem to deter the fish with the anglers once again enjoying good sport. On the bank Colin Day landed a dozen fish using a floating lines in Rainbow Corner with Buzzers and Diawl Bach’s to land his fish. On the boats Jeff Ide landed 17 fish on a half day using red buzzers in Rainbow Corner. Commenting that the majority of the fish came on the hang. John Jones also fished for a half day in Rainbow Corner and the Draycote Dam landing 23 fish. Taking these on a floating line with traffic light buzzers or using a Di sinking line and a sunburst FAB. Draycote members Martin Foster & John Vyse used a washing line to great effect landing 22 fish with the majority taking the FAB on the point but the buzzers did also catch. Peter Elliot lost count of the number of fish he had using buzzers all day. Starting off in Rainbow Corner before heading down to Toft to finish the day and found the fish had risen slightly in the water and washing lining worked best. John Dickens also used buzzers to land 27 fish, however, found the fish also willing to eat a Damsel. Overall a great day with the rod average sitting just below 2 for the day.

Strong Southeast winds Thursday, with bright sunshine for the middle part of the day. As a result of these conditions the bank anglers struggled although a the best areas for the members out fishing was Toft using Damsels. On the boats the hotspot was certainly Toft, fishing further of the bank than the previous days as the fish pushed out into the slight deeper water. Down from Scotland Alex Borthwick & Ian Mackie landed 48 fish to the boat using the bung and black buzzers in Toft. While Grey Borthwick & Jim Malcolm fishing nearby landed 40 fish to the same tactics. Mark Close also fishing in Toft landed 17 fish with all of the fish falling to buzzers. All water member Paul Havard used a washing line to land a dozen fish with small Diawl Bach’s and buzzers taking his fish. Fishing at Lincroft Point, near E Buoy. Ronan Cusack & Richard Cameron from Ireland landed 63 fish all in buzzers. In Biggin bay Fraser Duffy Snr & Jnr fished on a half day to land 26 fish on blob and buzzers. Utilising the rudder Jim Dempsey & Rod Wilson landed 14 fish on snakes and tubes. With the best area being Y Buoy and Musborough Shoal, catching on Di 3, 5 and Di 7 sinking lines. With the majority of the fish being overwintered up to 5lb in weight.

A big swing in the wind, as it headed into the South, Southwest bringing much warmed conditions. It was a dry day in the most part, however we did experience some very heavy rain showers and thunder in the afternoon. The favourable change in conditions certainly got the fish feeding and some of the catches proved to be fantastic. Mr Taylor enjoyed a great day off the bank landing over 30 fish from Toft using Damsels to land his fish. All water member Paul Walker also enjoyed a great days sport lading a cricket score on Diawl Bach’s. Muskins and Damsel from Toft. Tim Davies fished at the Swan’s Nest using Damsels and various nymphs to land 13 trout. In the evening we saw the Draycote Fly Fishers fish the first evening match of the year. With the members enjoying great sport landing 62 fish between them. On buzzers and Damsels in Toft from the Willow Tree all the way to the Swan’s Nest. On the boats Richard Cameron & Ronan Cusack enjoyed a great day landing 37 fish on buzzers fishing in either Rainbow Corner or Biggin Bay. William Brown & Ross Wilson started their 4 day break in style landing 42 fish to the boat in Toft using black buzzers and FABs on a washing line. Draycote fishery guide and ranger Lee Henfrey fished with fellow member of staff Michael Hanlon. The pair landed over 30 fish using a 12ft slow tip with a washing line. The best area being the Farborough Dam wall and also fish coming from Rainbow Corner. All water members Craig & Rob Middleton landed over 40 fish to the boat, but kept the method quite due to fishing in the England qualifier on Sunday.

Light winds coming from the east Saturday, with drizzle forecast. Draycote member Mike Garner fished from the bank at Lincroft point landing 9 fish using fry patten based lures. Alec Thwaites also fished the bank for a short 4 hour session landing a dozen fish. Using a black tadpole on the point and buzzers on the droppers, taking 6 on each. On the boats there was some fantastic catches, all water member Rob Edmunds fished with Sam Smith with the pair landing 40 fish. The pair fished all over the lake with the best lines being either a Di 3 or Di 5 sweep line with a mix of cormorants, blobs and boobies. G Borthwick & A Borthwick fished buzzers in Toft landing 37 to the boat by 2pm before coming off and heading back up to Scotland. Ross Wilson & William Brown fished on their 2^nd of a 4 day break, landing 58 fish using a washing line with a FAB on the point and buzzers on the droppers from Toft. We also had a number of anglers practicing ahead of the England Qualifier the next day on Draycote. The anglers kept specifics on how they caught their fish quiet until after the match, but it was clear that good fishing was had by all. With the hotspots being Toft, Lincroft Point Biggin Bay and Farborough Dam wall.

A cracking start to Sunday morning with what looked like perfect fishing conditions for all the anglers heading out on a busy day here at Draycote Water. The rod average once again proved to be holding it’s own from both boat and bank with some great returns coming from all over the reservoir. Paul Walley caught 14 fish from the bank near the Swans Nest using diawl bachs on a washing line. Ian Western also fished from the bank down in Toft to land 7 fish on buzzers and flash back diawl bachs. Draycote Regular Lee Cheshire caught 4 fish from the bank near the Valve Tower, once again on buzzers and diawls. Out on the boats The father and son pairing of Frazer Duffy senior and junior, used a mixture of boobies and black buzzers to net nearly 40 fish between them. Bill Brown and Ross Wilson had over 40 fish to the boat straight lining buzzers through various spots such as Rainbow Corner and Biggin Bay. We also hosted the Angling Trust Loch Style England Team qualifier on Sunday with 26 anglers taking part. 18 of the anglers “bagged up” with a total of 362 fish caught, giving a competition rod average of 13.9. Top rod for the day was Stephen Smalley with a total bag weight of 42lbs 9oz, in second place was Mike Laycock with 42lbs 5oz, and third spot was taken by Pete Eville,  with a bag weight of 42lbs 3oz.  There was a variety of methods used in the competition, from pulling a Di 5 sweep all the way to nymphs on a floating line. However the best method was a washing line with buzzers, Diawl Bach’s or muskins on various midge tips with a FAB on the point. The hotspots for the day were Toft Shallows from the Swan’s Nest to the Nature Reserve, then the Farborough Dam wall and near J buoy.