Hardly a Toil

With not too much holiday left for this year i didn't think i would have another trip to the River Arrow but after working flat out in October i decided to take a TOIL day (Time Off In Lieu).

A few conference calls and e-mails from the banks of the river couldn't stop me relaxing and enjoying a lovely day on the Court of Noke beat of the River Arrow.

When we arrived it was a cloudy but still quite warm. The river was running well not at all coloured but as autumn has been late this year there were a lot of leaves in the water that had not rotted down yet. We walked down to the start of the beat and dissapointly didn't see a fish rise but we did pick out loads of pools and likely fishing spots.

As we started fishing the farmer turned up and had a good chat to Phil giving us some good tips to handle the electric fence and good spot to try. I tackled up with a gold head hares ear and a black buzzer under a site indicator and trotted down the edges on both the near and far bank with good optimism.

I had a conference call at 11 and just as i was sat on the bank listening, Phil shouted out that he was in so i walked over hoping to christen my new net. Wow what a fish! Phil was stillplaying it when i got there and as it came up to the surface and turned over it was cracking. Precariosly balanced part way down a steep bank with Phil talking me through it in one ear and the team discussing key activities in the other I could just imagine a slip and i would be swimming. However the fish just managed to tip into the net and it was on the bank.
It was the largest grayling i had seen and at the time we were sure it must be close to 2lb. It was taken just in the spot the farmer had pointed out on a pink goldhead trotted up the inside line.

We continued upstream but the fishing didn't really pick up. Phil saw only 2 fish rise but i didn't see any and it felt that with no food and the leaves hiding the food on the bottom the fish had just gone to sleep for a while.

With my interest waning a little i went for a wander to see what wildlife was about. A sparrowhawk came down the tree line and wizzed through the trees, a great spotted woodpecker perched on a dead tree, a kingfisher sped up the river at low level and as i was crossing the river a dipper came down stream and at the site of me stopped in mid air, turned and headed back upstream almost in slow motion, magic!

Phil managed to pick some field mushrooms and at that point i could wait for my tea - Mushroom sandwiches.

we managed to mark the fish on the rod and Phil confrmed it was 42cm in length and just over two pounds confirmed. good enough to make a nice day out.

BOS Barclays match

Once again another great event as Barclays took on the BOS at Grafham.

This time favouring the Scots who managed to fish in a number of different conditions and also found an apricot blob that consistently pulled fish. The Scots won convincingly - what could be called a hammering!

Practice day was very enjoyable with fish feeding on naturals especially red daiwl bachs and crunchers on a midge tip or slow glass. For some it was more laid back than others!
It was a warm day with extremely light winds and at times flat calm. The fish were mainly around the dam and down past the willows. They were a little unpredictable but if you were in the right place at the right depth there were plenty to be caught. We tried everything we could and kept away from the main areas building a plan for the next day.
On the day the weather had changed and it was now overcast, decent wave and blowing off the dam hopefully this would make them feed better.

The first hour was team orders and the lures were on - primarily cormerants - and being pulled on a fast glass. This proved to be the correct order of the day but i couldn't buy a take. I was fishing with Ronnie who by contrast was on the Di5 and had a blob that was not only attracting fish in but taking them too. As we went through fish he consistently picked up and 6 fish fish for the day was a great result.

I however kept up my confidence but could tell i didn't have the fly even after trying many variations. A last ditch effort at the end with a gold head on the point of the midge tip and I managed a consolation. 1st fish on your last cast shows it has not been a great day.

Unfortunately it was a similar result across most of the team with perhaps their consistent tactics making the difference. The only bright light in the day and Mike had managed to wake up at the right time and catch 7 fish for an honourable draw in the boat with Derek Purves. These managed to win him best bag, heaviest fish and the best boat trophy!

At long last

Yes at long last i have been out again. I seem to have lost interest for a while but i really enjoyed a nice evening boat on Pitsford this week.

I was meeting Matt at half past 5 and turned up early before the lodge closed and to get the boat kitted out ready so we could use the most time available fishing. The water was a little low but coming up i believe as I had a walk around I quite liked this photo of the iconic dragonfly.

As Matt arrived we headed straight for the pines and the rods had been set up with golden Graham tubes and di7's - nothing subtle then. I turned the boat in and faffed about get the boat set up while Matt cast out. It wasn't a minute and bang he was in.

After a tough fight behind the boat he landed great fit 3 and a half pond peak condition rainbow. What a start!

I managed a fish on the next drift and then Matt another on the following one. However from here it went quiet. The wind calmed down and a shower of rain seemed to divert the fish to something else. We came up in the water a little but as we motored home I saw 8/10 fish boil on the top so maybe not as high up as we needed to.

However with a few cracking fish, great company, a awesome sunset in the background and a pint in the swan after it was was summer evenings were made for!

Must do that again soon!

River Lugg, Eyton beat

Thought we would give the reservoirs a miss today and see if we could get some dry fly fishing on the river for a change.

As the stinging nettles and overgrown parts of the countryside are are their height at the moment, Phil had chosen great with this beat in that most of it was running through pasture land with Cows and Sheep and there was very easy access to perhaps two thirds of the water.
It was another untouched area of Herefordshire. No mass production, plenty of hedges still in place, loads of over grown areas and the trees left to rot where they fell. However amongst this the gates were well maintained and there was a bridge over the river that opened up both banks.

We decided to walk to the lower end of the beat and work up but we were nearly there but got held up watching grayling rise. Fortunately as impatient as I am I had set up while walking and just had to tie a fly on and give it a try. After a few casts with a hares ear klink and nothing so I changed to a black one and almost immediately I was into a small grayling, a very nice start!

It then went a bit quiet and I thought perhaps I needed fresh fish so continued my walk to the bottom of the beat and back. The river had many bends and gave it great character but also some gravelly runs with easy wading but also some very deep pools that you didn't seem to be able to get past. I am a bit of a novice when it comes to getting in the water so with open grassy banks I stuck to crouching and sitting. It seems to be more relaxed sitting and on one occasion i could see a fish rising on the far bank causing heavy ripples so I inched a bit closer making a couple of casts to check the distance. I was about 10ft short of where he had rose last and I cast to the far bank letting the line and fly float back into the main current when suddenly the water exploded and I was into a good fish. It looked like a brownie of over a pound but on my 4 weight rod it was giving a great fight. After a couple of minutes it headed up stream and then into the slack water when my line also went slack and he was off. Dammit!

When I got back Phil was still there and had had 3 grayling from the same spot on small black wets.

In the afternoon we explored further upstream and I managed another small grayling and Phil a small brownie. I had a really good grayling on for about 30 secs, I saw the flash of silver come up from the dark water, grab my fly and head back down again. It swam into what may have been a sunken branch and that was it. In need of consolation I went back to the Grayling shoal we found and had another small one there. There were fish still rising but they had slowed down a little.

It was now that we started to appreciate the wildlife around, Buzzards screaming up high, a kingfisher darting up river and Spotted Flycatchers amongst the tangled willows catching flies for their fledglings I presumed. No otters today though although we did see what we thought were spraints so they may be around.

As the evening came the hatching fly intensity increased. Midges were hovering above the water all day but their numbers started to grow.

Mayflies (Ephemera danica) had been hatching all day but again the numbers increased now. In addition to this this there were more upwinged flies coming off as well as a good number of different types of sedges brown, black and mottled. The fish however didn't seem to be feeding on anything other than tiny midge so they didn't get any easier to tempt. As a late flurry though Phil again found some rising grayling and managed another couple but on a dry klink this time.

Around 8 we didn't see any signs of it getting better so a quick reminder of the superb setting and we headed off home. What a really relaxing enjoyable day, and fish too!

Wet fly and windy

A Pitsford morning boat today and I was convinced it was going to be a wet fly day and tackled up accordingly. Overcast, the rain missing us, loads of fish around, Phil with 2 already, feeding well in the evenings, it was all set up for a disaster.

We decided to head away from the fish we new off north farm and go and find those of the dam and creek. I had forgotten how long it takes to get there! First drift off the tower and it felt horrible. Windy, cold, very gusty and it seemed to get stronger as the morning went on. We drifted all around the creek, the pines and the dam and didn't have a single offer. They were not on top then!!

Ahh well I had better change then and out came the Di5 and blobs and boobies. I managed to move a couple of fish but they weren't really interested. Perhaps they had been feeding so well at night that they didn't need too. I could feel a repeat of Grafham coming on so we thought we would see if we could salvage the day and and anchored in North farm bay on nymphs including green buzzers, crunchers and daiwl bachs.

It wasn't long and Mike had the first on a green buzzer deep, whew, that feels better. Just as my negativity was showing through my line went tight and I was into a nice 3 pounder. Mike then had a second which was a brownie nearly 4 pound. Smiling like cheshire cats we had rescued a rough day.

Weather watching

Fishing over at Ravensthorpe today on a morning boat and I spent all the time watching the clouds. As the sun went behind up came the fish and when it came out down they went. It was frustrating but as you can see there was plenty of cloud around, in patches.

I was fishing a size 16 hares ear klinkhammer on the point and size 14 hares ear and black and peacock spide on the dropper. It was great dry fly fishing when the fish were up. I managed 4 fish and a number of other takes including this nice rainbow.

Perhaps i am lacking a little patience, but it's strange how you go for ages and then the sun goes behind the cloud, a fresh cast and bang your into a fish. There were a number of buzzers coming off but they were a bit small hense the small flies.

Very pleasant and good practice for the river later in the week.

A quick chuck before it chucked down

It was chucking it down in Coventry as I left work so I rung phil and left it open as to whether i would be on Pitsford this evening although he was keen. When i got home though it had brightened up. With a warm gentle wind - why not!

As I arrived on North Farm Shore Phil was into one already and my confidence shot up. It's surprising how long it takes you to set up when you want to get fishing quick.

Phil didn't help either with "just had another take", "ooh just had another" "yeah got one on". I decided to to go along to the next point as I don't like fishing in peoples pockets and settled into nymphing a team of hares ears and buzzers. It must have been 15 minutes without a take when i changes to a hares ear booby on the point and just that lifting the depth made a difference and I was into a nice stockie on the sugar cube hares ear.

Another couple followed in half hour and it was good sport, Phil was still catching well too. For me they were on flashy buzzers but i was convinced it was the booby on the point as a washing line that was the key.

Over my shoulder we could see the big black cloud arriving. Would it miss us? No unfortunately not and it chucked down. After a good natter sitting on the back of the car sheltering under the boot, it looked as though it was settling in for a while so it was off home for an early night.

Back to normality after Grafham. Very pleasant!!

Not a single pull

I am sure that is Powie crying into a hanky after reading the results!

After Thursdays sublime evening today was ridiculous! I cannot remember another day that I fished for 8 hours and didn't even have a pull.

The day started with Mike forgetting his waistcoat so we went back for it. We didn't think we were behind but I felt so rushed that as we motored off I still hadn't tied my last dropper or tied on my flies.

My partner for the day was Sheena Goode who had just won the Brown Bowl and Gold medal in the ladies international last week on Bewl and was great company on a difficult day.

The wind was extremely strong and as usual upsets your rhythm. You would sort a tangle and you were in another and if you pulled your flies in they would catch anywhere. The boat was drifting awkward too as there was a current running left to right and the wind coming across right to left. The motor was again either fast or stop and I didn't seem to be able to set the drift right and together with not using my own drogue made it feel as though I didn't know what I was doing. There - its out now!

I still really don't know what I did wrong though as I seemed to be using the Di5 and Di7 in the morning and then the fast glass and nymphs in the afternoon. I think that I was poor at controlling my line and I hadn't practiced. I guess there's two good reasons.

Trying to console myself I asked around. Mike hadn't caught either and Ash and Powie were struggling too. Feeling better I looked around and there was Haskey sitting on his seat having bagged up - Great! Well done to Team frog hair and the boys who were top on the day with Gareth in second place.

We got back to the lodge and it was very mixed although it seems that the fish did come on in the afternoon to hares ears, daiwl bachs and the bung. Damm, the bung would have allowed me to get control of my flies.

The team had done rubbish with the winners on 41 fish and a rod average of 4.1. . Michael and Powie had three and ash two. Mick also managed to blank with me and Mike but not through poor fishing. His partner kept wrapping him a number of times and then had stuck a fly just under his eye and spent the afternoon in casualty. You can see the red mark on the day but when the anaesthetic wears off bet it hurts.

Never mind another day another fish!!

Fishing not drinking

What a lovely evening.

There were buzzer hatching, caenis around and loads of sedges fluttering in the sky. The fish were here too and although not going mad they were feeding, well at least for a while. I arrived after a very busy day at work at about half seven and ahhhhhhhhhhh - yes it was very relaxing.

With a few anglers already around i settled into the bay on Duffers with a midge tip, green and red daiwl bachs and a hares ear. They definitely wanted the hares ear on the point and i kept having loads of takes but unfortunately they wouldn't stick. Great sport! I did manage to catch a couple though before the sun set properly and they went quiet.

Mike arrived just after me and managed to talk his way onto the point somehow. Here there were probably the same number of fish but when they took they stuck and he had some great sport with 5 fish in a couple of hours on the daiwl bach and hares ear magic! This is Mike having evicted the guy, then goes and catches one!

A pint in the George afterwards and the day was complete - I must do more of that! Fishing not drinking that is.

Praying for the wind to drop

Yes we fishing into Normanton Church on Rutland today and if only the wind had dropped i am sure we would have caught loads.

As it was there was plenty of action but they just weren't holding on. Our first drift of the day went from just outside the lodge all the way up Normanton to Fantasy Island. There were pockets of fish all the way. The wind was a pain though. My leader didn't last long and i perhaps made a mistake by adding a shorter one. The decision to change from the Di5 to Di7 was a good one and at last i could really control my flies properly. On the drop with a cormerant and I was into my first fish.

Derek Purves had invited me to a regular Scots gathering and it was good to catch up after the last Barclays match. I am sure Derek was contemplating the conditions as he changed his top dropper though.

It was a shame that that drift ended though with loads of action and for Martin and Stevie behind it was very similar. Travelling upwind though was like being on the North sea. I put my back to it and shut out my mind, however it seemed as though there was someone behind me chucking buckets of water at Derek at will. The bilge pump didn't work and we soon started to fill up - i knew that bailer was to be used for something useful!! We got to Yellowstone and Derek then had time to do his coat up properly.

A few drifts later we turned into the point of Old hall and after Derek took a fish I was into a nice brownie and suddenly had flashbacks to the Classic. However it was catch and release today and after a great fight it was very welcome to the net.

After a number of drifts later we felt as though we were on auto pilot so headed back to the Church. While it wasn't quite as good as earlier we chased the shoals around and managed to catch a few more. I ended with 3 and Derek 6 however he had a few more that could be counted as they were shook off before the net.We had been carved up a number of times during the day but when the Rutland Belle came too close, I was definitely intimidated!

All in all a great day, great company, good fishing and a football match later. Come on United!!

A Passion for Trout

Mick o'farrell was at the pioneer last night having a few beers and selling and signing his new book.

I would definitely recommend it whether it be for the annecdotes, techniques or fly patterns. Mick has a great wit and this shines in the book, it is also very personal and the essence of his fishing comes out as well as a load of secrets.

The flies and techniques are brilliant, very natural and through his writing in the trout mags he is bringing wet and dry fly fishing back to life on the midlands reservoirs.

Just a quick review but if you want to buy it go direct to his website at http://apassionfortrout.com/index.html and e-mail him.

Toft Shallows

I thought I would have my first outing over Draycote since it re-opened and see for myself what was going on.

There are a few changes, but if I am honest they didn't detract from the fishing and perhaps we were just used to being looked after by Keith and having easy fishing that we may have been spoilt.

Yes the lodge is closed but the new little office is functional and does the job. The parking is further away but it is only recently that you didn't have to walk from the sailing club car park. We dropped our kit off and then parked in the country park - take £2.50 in change with you. When we had finished we just walked the kit across the road through the gate and into the car park, no further than if you carry your kit from the boats to the back car park at Grafham.

You can only pay for the fishing by cash at the moment which is a pain if you didn’t know it should only be short term. I had heard there was only 9 boats and there may have been but there was only over 20 on the pontoon, however I would suggest you book as they were all taken on our day.

The bank fishing is natural bank only and restricted car access so after you have paid a fortune for a season ticket I would expect that it is a real nuisance in the wrong winds or when the fish are in a particular spot.

From a boat it was no difference and we could choose where we wanted. We started over the shoal strait out from the lodge where there were loads of fish taking adult buzzers. We tried to imitate but I think they were preoccupied so we left them alone and headed for Toft Shallows.

As we drifted the boat next to us was in, then again so as we headed closer to the shore and I had a couple of follows we dropped the pick and made camp for the day. I was getting quite a few follows but none of them would stick.

The fish were here and they were cruising in a shoal down the bank and across the bay and we patiently relaxed into it. It was going to be key that we found the right flies and Phil was first off as a fish took his cruncher and stuck. There were a few boats drifting around and those catching I noticed that they had a blob on the top dropper. With this it took me back to Pitsford and I set up with a damsel on the point, cruncher on the middle and a tequilla fab on the top.

It wasn't long before I was into my first fish on the top dropper and another followed not long after. I was still getting a good number of takes without them sticking so I started to vary my retrieve to entice them on and it worked. Before we left for the day I managed another 6 and while it didn't set the world alight it was a very pleasant relaxed days fishing.

Talbot Butler match was FAB

I was looking forward to this match as always to support Arnold but I was going to be fishing with James for the first time for a number of years. Unfortunately though his kids were down with chicken pox so I set out for a great day with Geraldine.

It was a cold wind with powerful gusts and I would normally go drifting and pulling in the heavy water but with some hot info that the day before they were catching on green daiwl bachs chucking up the bank in bog bay, that was where we were heading.

The anchor struggled to hold, a combination of the wind and weed on the bottom but it made a big difference. After we went around 6 times it finaly held, a bit far out but we were grateful. Later we were reluctant to move too. I had a few takes but on retrospect we were 20 yards off the best bit and this made a big difference.

A series of spots down pig stream, gorse bank and the cliffs provided nothing and we were back where we started. Mike and Ash by now had anchored and were catching well. They had a spot just off duffers but it was close to a point and they were fishing right on the edge of the coloured water with Damsels and FAB's.

We took the hints, anchored closer in off the bog bay point and put a Tequilla FAB on the top dropper. A faster retreive and in no time I was into a fish, It wasn't easy but another two followed. The fish were here but all geraldines fish came off, also any fish that I took on the damsel, daiwl bachs or buzzers also came off or took short. It must have been the way they took in the wind or current, whatever, it was frustrating!

Mike and Ash took best boat on the day with 16 fish very impressive and second place were on 6. A nice meal, chat and bantor at the Royal Oak capped of a really FAB day

Barclays Fly Fishing National 2011

A fry up in the hotel and a couple of cups of tea and I was ready for anything. As the organiser it was all a rush. New people arriving, packed lunches sorted, boats arranged and I still had to get set up and do a briefing.

At 10am though it was all sorted and we were off. As everyone rushed over to Sam's Dyke and Mucky Bay to sit tight all day, Powie and I followed behind and headed off with Mike and Ash to the willows with no other boats in tow.

Drogue out, drift set and as we drifted towards a bank of coloured water it all went tight and the orange booby had struck my first fish. Another on the next drift, then one for Powie, another for me and we thought the decision was right.

Unfortunately though as the cloud came over it got tough and we struggled most of the afternoon. Around 3pm though the sun shone again and we started to get takes again. Powie was getting more than me but unfortunately his luck was out and they were dropping off.

While we were struggling, Mike and Ash joined us at just the right time and started catching immediately. I then pinched a yellow eyed tequila booby out of his extensive collection and started to catch myself. 15 minutes to go one needed to bag up and I could feel the adrenaline running again.

As our time was up we had 25 fish between us and knew not many teams would have beaten that on a tough day.

The rest of the crowd had had a good day too. We ended up with an average of 4 fish a rod which was very impressive.

The results were:
Radbroke A 25 fish for 60lbs 6oz
Barclaycard 25 fish for 44lbs 13oz
North East 16 fish for 39lbs 15oz
London Southern 16 fish for 37lbs 9oz
London Northern 15 fish for 29lbs
Radbroke B 13 fish for 28lbs 2oz
Clearing 13 fish for 24lbs 10oz
Thames valley 12 fish for 21lbs 8oz
Reading 3 fish for 6lbs

Congratulations to Kevin Walmsley who took the best bag of the day 8 fish for 20lbs 15oz and Ralph Painter who took 2nd with 8 fish for 20lbs 5oz. Dave kilburn had the best fish a 4lbs 10oz rainbow.

Unfortunately for us all the bigger fish had shown in Sam's Dyke and Radbroke had managed to find most of them. Well done guys.

Barclays practice

It was practice day today for the Barclay's Bank nationals and we were back on Eyebrook. Last year there were big fish on small flies from the lea shore and I am sure it won't be too different again.

We started at anchor and while the fish came around every now and again and we were having takes, it didn't seem to set the world alight, no in fact Mike and I were both bored. Do we chop and change to get the right flies, move to another spot or go searching out fish on the drift? No brainer for Mike, the drift it was.

There must be fish on the windward shore even though no one was fishing it.

We took short drifts from the road corner through the willows and up to Robo's cabin. As Mike stayed on the floater I decided to swap to a Di5 and some lures as these are easier to control in the wind. We were into fish straight away taking a fish or having takes on each short drift we took.

There was a bigger concentration of fish by the willows and holding just off shore but in clear shallow water. I was buzzing now and even managed to have 3 fish on at once at one stage. The Cat booby was taking most fish although the orange blob upped the catch rate and the damsel in the middle a few too.

We continued round and then over to Mucky Bay and Sam's Dyke. It appeared that some had done well but others poorly. By this time though it was heaving with anchored boats and bank anglers so we headed over to finish off in the corner of the dam.

We were concerned that as it was me giving the briefing we wouldn't be in the fight for the best spots, together with the anchoring giving in consistent results we decided to start off drifting into the willows and take better consistency for the team.

Plan in place it was off to the hotel for a few beers!

Bob Church Classic

I was lucky enough top get an invite to the Bob Church Classic yesterday and it was great to see Bob in good form. Yes he is looking a bit older and taking a few more tablets but at least they seem to be working a little better than a couple of years ago. He is still the fishing force of old though and this year has managed to catch his 50th Pike over 20 pounds. very impressive!

I drew Clive Morgan on the day and even though he was from London he fished there more frequently than me on the midlands reservoirs. It was great to fish with someone very experienced and he started in impatient form. We both agreed that we had the flies and techniques to catch if there were fish which allowed us to have a short drift and if nothing then keep moving. With this we worked from Whitwell, monument, sykes, fantasy, three trees sailing club, gibbets and old hall. Nothing! Unfortunately Clives 3lb zander wouldn't count. Off to the North then and don't spare the petrol!


We were just heading across to Barnesdale and Clive had a great spot that there were boats in Dickinsons Bay and they are only ever there if the fish are there. From here I could only think of Grant Gibsons tips from last week that the fish were close in on a damsel and cats whisker and it was to stand me in good stead.

The first drift we hugged the bank and out across the point. the fish had been stocked in here and were still hanging about. Clive had interest on the first drift and the boat had two infront of us - were in! Second drift round and Clive had a nice fish in the boat fishing a di7 and a couple of boobies. I changed over to a Di5 with a small cat boobie on the point, a small cormorant booby on the top and a damsel in the middle. As I hung them a little longer all went tight and I was into my first. It was a brownie of about a pound and a quarter and all fish were welcome.

Once we had found a few fish we were determined to keep with them as long as we could and fortunately for us that was all afternoon as other boats came and went.

Clive was catching rainbows and managed 4 with the odd brown where as unfortunately I was catching browns. As my third fish came it was heartbreaking to have to return it and not for it to count and i did the same with another two as well as shaking another off in disgust. I did manage to catch one rainbow and ended with 3 but if only i could have weighed in the other 3 a top ten would have been beckoning.

I was closer in to the bank and I think the brownies were occupying the lies around the rocks and shelf whereas the rainbows may have been shoaling a little further out.

They have recently changed the restaurant in the lodge to be a posh Italian. I am sure wuith views over the lake it will take off but not great for the hungry fisherman. they looked after us well though and with a few speeches to help the evening Clive finished 13th and i was 45th but with one more fish for him and brownies to count for me it was all about what could have been.

Any way we had a great day look forward to when my stroke of luck does eventually come.

Royal Wedding escape

As much as people keep saying Pitsford is better off the bank at this time of year I really fancied a morning afloat. If nothing else I have a few competitions coming up and needed to get my boat box organised.

It was the Royal Wedding today and while I don't have any great aversions it all seems so commercialised and sensationalised through the media that I thought the highlights would suit me fine. When we arrived the water was heaving with "grumpy old men" just like me. Well, some of them were a bit older!

We started in the small half as a few fish had been stocked there last week, Phil on the nymphs and me on the lures. I had a take and the fly was clean off - must have been a Pike! and Phil managed a cracking fish of around three pound with a lovely tail and must have been overwintered. His orange cheeked black buzzer doing the damage. We persevered for a while without further success and then started off on a site seeing trip around the water.

In a cold wind we struggled to find any more fish and settled at anchor on Sailing club bank. There were a number of bankies bagging up on the point into the bay on what seemed to be a tight shoal of stockies. Well they must have been tight as they didn't come out to us!

The cobwebs blown off, drogue wet and my box organised, I was ready to face the wedding highlights on the telly. How nice it was that they managed to do it exactly how they wanted and keep a few secrets too.

Not sure where their honeymoon is but if there planning on Pitsford i would recommend leaving it for a couple of weeks until the fish start feeding again!

Draycote opens today

I did this week hear that Draycote was re-opening again but have now managed to find what appears to be a press release- Thanks to rutland gilles website:

Draycote Water
Tel 01788 812018 Fax 01788 815711

Manager: Ifor Jones Fishery Manager: Craig Barr

Opens Thursday 21st April - Close 30th November 2011

Fishery Open 7.30am Boats available from 8.30am

Bookings will be taken from Monday 18th April.

Permits: Choice of three all with a catch & release option.

6 Fish Limit + Catch & Release £24.00
6 Fish Limit + Catch & Release OAP / Disabled £22.00

3 Fish Limit + Catch & Release £20.00
3 Fish Limit + Catch & Release OAP / Disabled £18.00

1 Fish Limit + Catch & Release £16.00
1 Fish Limit + Catch & Release OAP / Disabled £15.00

Last Four Hours Ticket 1 Fish + Catch & Release £10.00
Last Four Hours Ticket 1 Fish + Catch & Release Oap / Disabled £ 9.50

Boats:Full Day Boat 2 Anglers £22
Full Day Boat 1 Angler £19

Part Day Boat Morning / Afternoon 1 or 2 Rods £15.00

Last Four Hours Boat £10.00

3 Day Pass Fishing Draycote or Foremark:
2 Anglers + Boat + 6 Fish Limit + Catch & Release £175.00
2 Anglers + Boat + 1 Fish Limit + Catch & Release £145.00

Season Permits:100 Fish Season Permit (Kill maximum 6 fish / Day) + Member Discounts on Boat Hire £575.00

Permitted bank areas are:
The grassed area both sides of Toft Shallows
All the bank from:- Toft Shallows, Cornfield, Biggin Bay, Dunns Bay to where the grass bank meets the stones of the Draycote Bank

No Bank Fishing Areas:
No bank fishing on any of the Dams / Stoned banks.

Bank Angler Car Access:
Perimeter road access for bank anglers is restricted to 30 vehicles at any one time. We recommend bank anglers call the lodge & book a car pass to avoid disappointment. Access to the perimeter road will be controlled via a gated system, bank anglers will be required to ensure that gates are kept closed & they park in the parking areas provided.

General public will not be allowed to drive around the reservoir, except for blue badge holders, STW will also control number of blue badge holder who have access.

Boat Anglers:
Boat anglers will have the same fishing areas as they did in the past. Boat anglers will be able to drive to the boat pontoon to unload their tackle, but will in future be required to park in the car park.

Facilities:
Are unfortunately going to be pretty basic, we will be operating out of the garage / store room situated in front of the pontoon, we are busy turning this building into a temporary lodge. We are in this building due to the building work STW are preparing to carry out on the site during the next few months.

Due to this & problems getting a temporary secondary phone line we will not have access to a credit card machine, therefore payment will need to be made by Cheque or Cash.

I can confirm Draycote is to open for trout fishing for the 2011season

Its been a bit of a rollercoaster ride to get us to this point, however with negotiations finally completed last week & paperwork been exchanged, this is the proper time to inform you that Draycote will open for fishing.

I currently have contractors repairing the pontoon, bringing it back to a safe operating condition, I hope they will have all their work completed by the end of this week.

I will be managing the fishery with Craig Barr joining us to become fishery manager.

We are aiming for an Easter opening, I will confirm our opening date shortly.


Ifor Jones

Pitsford litter pick

A bit later this year and what a fantastic morning, bright skies, warming up and the paths around pitsford full of cyclists and walkers making the best of the weather.

We did the responsible thing and were pleasantly surprised there wasn't more litter around but we still manged to fill 10 sacks. Found a few bailers, lager cans, drinks bottles, etc. oh and a flip flop on each side of the water - interesting!

Graham was full of his stories about his 5 pounder which was nice to hear - photo below.

The big black buzzers were in clouds around the bushes waiting for evening i expect to lay their eggs. The fish however did not seem to be too intersted with this. I fished off Bog bay for an hour or so but unfortunately didn't have any joy. The tales at the moment about the fish being on in the morning or later afternoon and when they do come on there is some good sport to be had, unfortunately not by us today

We were joined by Mick from Roade who hadn't done much fishing before so mike gave him a half hour lesson in front of the lodge before fishing. His casting seemed to come on and hopefully he caught after I left - Go on the SAINTS!!!

A score draw

Not that we were discussing the United vs Chelsea or counting the fish we caught but we ended at Ravensthorpe today with an honourable 2 a piece.

The fish had definitely switched off and generally were not interested. This could be due to the sun, although it clouded over in the early afternoon, it could be that there was no great hatch or that they had been gorging themselves last night and they were stuffed, who knows!

We moved all over the various marks and settled near the causeway. There were probably more fish elsewhere but the ones here seemed a little more interested in our nymphs.

I was using a damsel on the point and a few buzzers. I thought that if the fish were off the feed they would take the damsel and if on then the buzzers. I was 2-0 up and phil and they had both taken the damsel.

Phil changes to a bung but cleverly put a blood worm on the point and hard on the bottom. The produced a few takes and 2 fish before we left. I assumed the fish were stillaround but sulking on the bottom.

At 2 each at 2 o'clock with nothing else happening we decided to call it an honourable draw and headed home. It may not have been as good as we had hoped but still an enjoyable morning.

Rowley rolly polly

It was Pitsford today and it came with some hot info from Mike who was off stone barn yesterday and had half a dozen quickly.

As Phil and i arrived on Stone Barn it was blowing very strongly left to right and in a little bit. It was going to need some hard work but i was sure there was fish here. It was a bit strong for Phil so he headed off to the new gorse while I set up with a Di5, an orange blob and an orange booby.

3rd cast and it all went tight and i felt it was going to be worth the effort. A nice 3 pounder was returned safely. Another three returned and my phone went, it was Phil, "I've had one and lost one so i suppose you will be over in a minute" - "and I've had 4 so i suppose not for a while!"

I persevered but although the fish kept coming i felt as though they were shoaling and i had to wait for one to come past and then if i was smart i would catch a couple before it went. I also needed a long cast and took my time to have the line in my line tray neatly so it shot out well. I was also trying to shoot it out under the wind and keep it close to the water. The angle was difficult too, as I was using a 40+ if you cast these into the wind then they have a tendency to block but across and down slightly and they go out well. The retrieve was also critical and while using a rolly polly retrieve I mixed it up going quicker, faster and stopping. Many of the fish took just before the shelf when you stopped and started again, bang!

After a couple of hours it was getting a bit lonely so i headed over to find Phil but unfortunately he hadn't had any more. I set up a floater and nymphs but it was a bit early as Phil caught later in the afternoon.

For me i had had my fish and left them too it with the afternoon spare.

Spring migrant banquet

I had a very pleasant half day boat at Ravensthorpe today and it was great to see so many flies hatching so early in the season. There were loads of small black midges and a few small green ones but the best was a massive dark green buzzer that were hatching in great numbers.


Some of the spring migrant birds have started to arrive now. I could hear chiffchaff, chiffchaff, chiff from the shrubs and Sand Martins were buzzing the surface feeding on the banquet of buzzers. A welcome treat after the log trip from Africa I assume.

I started off between the island and the causeway and stuck the pick down. The wind was off the trees and therefore fairly sheltered. I set up a green pea and a couple of buzzers on a floater, cast out and then put the rod down while i organised my kit. It was only a minute when I felt the rod move and with an instinctive reaction I picked up the rod and I was in to a very nice 3 and a half pound rainbow - great start!

the fish were feeding and there were the occasional rises but I seemed to struggle to find what they wanted. I did have another fish on a black buzzer but it wasn't a method. As the hatch gained in numbers, so did the numbers of fish rising. I chopped and changed flies and methods and while i felt they were on dry it wasn't working for me.

After lunch the boat next to me had a fish on a dry and i thought that's it, there must be some easier fish somewhere. I headed up to cotton end and when I arrived there were no fish rising but there was fly hatching, hopefully they are feeding on nymph rather than dry so i put on a damsel and a black buzzer and cast toward the wall.

It was only third cast and and all went tight - yes! I had found a few fish and for the next hour I couldn't go wrong catching and returning 7 fish. They took the buzzer to start and then switched to the damsel as the hatch wore off.

After 15 minutes without a fish (inpatient!) I thought i would head off home and save myself for another day.

Barclays National at Eyebrook

I had been holding out for Draycote to be confirmed as we were all looking forward to gathering back in Dunchurch this year but while it must be close to getting finalised it is too late for us now.

Therefore I have now booked Friday 13th May at Eyebrook and I am sure it will be lucky for one team.

Apologies if I had mis led over the date but unfortunately I couldn't get the one I wanted. I will get all the formal invites out next week but if you would like to join us and/or you were not on the e-mail list then e-mail me or comment on this and i will send you an invite.

MNTFA AGM

Last week was my first AGM as Chairman and all seemed to go well.

Thanks to Nathan Clayton the Pitsford fishery manager for taking questions on pitsford this year. They are going to be charging for parking this year at Holcot and Pitsford car parks. Your parking permit with your season ticket still allows you free parking. They are also going to be putting some bollards on the causeway so this doesn't get churned up and parked on. Additionally there will be a speed limit on the causeway of 40 miles an hour shortly, after a few accidents. It is not always the fast driver that causes the accident but with so many cars doing silly things the speed makes it worse.

We also voted to join the Angling Trust this year as they are the single voice of angling and excerting their authority with the england set up - the CEFF is no more.

I gave a short speech and have attached my slides here if you are interested.

If you want to know more you can visit us at www.mntfa.co.uk

Sunrise again

Today was another early start and it was great to see the sunrise over Kingsthorpe and bright skies but on the down side it did mean a frost and the car was showing minus 4 as i drove over to Pitsford.

Steve, Mike and Phil all joined the early start from the Pines this morning but the fish weren't feeding quite the same. There were a few rising but they were further out. I was casting out as far as I could and also slowed down the retrieve down to try and entice them on. Just after 7 it worked and my first rainbow was in the net. There seemed to be a shoal coming past but it seemed a little lethargic and not quite as big as it was.

I persevered and managed another 3 before 8am but it was then very quiet for me. Mike continued with his intermediate and orange booby and seemed to find the depth for a while and caught a nice few fish. I headed off for a cup of tea at my dads with all good intentions to return.

I sat on the causeway and the wind had changed and was coming of North farm shore and blowing into bog bay. With a load of cars off Stone barn I decided not to join the crowd and headed off for a lazy afternoon watching the cricket.

Fingers and thumbs

I was planning to go to Ravensthorpe today but the poor weather meant I didn't get going as early as I wanted too so I ended up with an hour before the beginners course at Pitsford so opted to try Bog Bay.

The wind was nice and was coming more off the bank than it was going right to left. I started on Stilton point but it was blowing down the reservoir and a bit coloured here. I worked my way into the bay without success so decided on a walk to the other side of the bay at the end of Duffers Reach. The black and green was not working too well so with about 10 minutes to go I put on the orange still on the Di3 and slowed it down with a slow figure of 8. I didn't take long for my fingers to be hurting and obviously needed to get some practice in and build them up again.

It was just what was needed though and the takes started, I thought they were bottom at first but then when a fish was on I realised differently. A nice 2 pounder was safely returned but unfortunately I had run out of time and headed back to the lodge.

While thinking about my fingers hurting my thumb is painful today as you can see.

I never thought yesterday but this is the damage one of the brownies did to my thumb as I was un hooking it. I did feel the needle sharp teeth and took a second look to see if it was a Ferrox but no just a mean predator getting it's own back!

A bagfull before breakfast

An early start this morning and i was at Pitsford for 6.30. It really paid off and i definitely made up for yesterday.

At this time the bird life was well awake before me with the robins and blackbirds giving their all for the dawn chorus. As I walked along the creek 2 great crested grebes were dancing beak to beak, green woodpeckers screeching from the car park and great spotted woodpeckers drumming in the trees. As I approached the pines I even disturbed a cormorant close in, there had to be fish here!

I was not the first to arrive and another guy was on the first point which was fine because I wanted the second. It was only my second cast when the line went tight and for a moment i was sure it was the top of the shelf but when it started pulling back realisation set in and my first of the season, a big shouldered 2lb stockie was very welcome.

I recon everyone said "I'll be out the house by 7" because at 10 past there were 6 cars rolling around the roads of sailing club and infront of the car park. That was it though and no one arrived before I left.

After a couple of fish I then started to hone the depth and retrieve and leading up to 8am had a great purple patch as the fish must have been shoaling in front of me. There did seem to be a hatch. There were good numbers of small midge with a few bigger ones. I also saw three uprights as well maybe a dark olive. There were a few fish feeding on top for 20 minutes but not many.

The method was a Black and Green booby on a Di3 with a 12ft leader. I would cast out, let the line settle, maybe a figure of 8 to keep in touch and then long slow pulls. The fish seemed to come off the shelves and I had some great pulls fairly close in. It went a little slow after 8.30 and I swapped to an orange booby and let it sink for longer and managed 3 further fish this way including 2 lovely brownies one at a pound and half and the other at two and a half.

Excellent sport and I headed off for a good breakfast and a gentle introduction to the Rugby this afternoon.

Opening day casting practice

It was pitsford opening day today and as I turned up on the Pines this morning hopes were running high. I worked my way from Rigby's point towards table bay and the wind was light as just pushing off the bank, it felt great. As I got closer to Table bay a few people had caught fish, 5 here 4 there and one guy with 6 so I settled in here.

We were using the usual stuff with black and green or orange boobies on a di 3 and medium retrieve. Unfortunately the wind started to pick up and the fish switched off, I persevered till around 11 and then gave up. After a drive along the gravels and North Farm Bay it was the same story as others had failed to catch. Hopefully they switched on in the afternoon.

I managed some good casting practice so decided to call it a day, bank the knowledge and come back tomorrow.

First grayling on the fly

Before the trout season gets underway we thought we would get a bit of practice on the rivers and see if i can catch one of those elusive grayling. The plan was for a two day trip fishing on the River Lugg near Leominster. We had booked the Mortimers Cross beat on the first day and Lypole on the second.

When we arrived the water was high and running a little coloured however not bad enough to stop us though. There was a great meadow with some easy fishing and then it headed into the woods where it was a little shallower and running a little faster. The snowdrops were out and provided some great early spring colour. Set in a steep sided wooded valley it was very picturesque and there was wildlife everywhere with the buzzard calling most of the day, siskins in the Alders and then a steak of blue over the river as the kingfisher flashed by.

We persevered all morning without success working our way along all of the water, searching out any shoals but the going was hard. Early afternoon and Phil managed to catch one just inside the trees and a gold head hares ear. After he had shown me the photo of a lovely half ponder I knew a bit of spot nicking was in order and we both walked up to the spot.

I got myself comfortable on the high bank between the trees by kneeling at first and then sitting down. There was a branch infront of me half submerged and I trotted my hares ear from just upstream and about 5ft out in between the faster current and the branch. Mending the line a few times allow a nice trot down to the next tree trunk in the water. There was a small back eddie which helped slow the fly down.

I had what i thought were a few takes and was feeling very upbeat but when it then snagged on the bottom that confidence subdued. After about 15 mins Phil said he was going for a walk and just as he started off the blimp went under and I was connected to a fish. It was a short fight but i could feel my heart beating. I then realised that we wouldn't be able to get a net in the water so just did what i had done with many roach before and I eased up the rod tip and swung the fish in slowely.

YES! YES! YES! it was only about 6oz but I had finally overcome that hurdle and very pleased to land my first grayling on a fly.

Phil had just landed his second and Vasy came walking along the road. We settled him in the same spot. The fish had gone quiet now but just before we left he came to the gate with a tiny little grayling where the fly almost looked bigger and he too had caught his first grayling.

The second day on Lypole and the water was running faster a little more coloured. We worked all day to find the fish without success even though their was a small dark olive hatch early afternoon but I never saw a fish rise.

The wildlife was even better here and made the day with owls, woodpeckers, Dippers, Nuthatch, siskins etc. etc. The highlight of the day for Phil and Vasy was when they arrived at the weir to see a mother and 2 cub otters playing on the island. Fantastic!

I'll definitely be going back again.