Eyebrook 2023 Season opens 3rd March

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2023 Season

With a little over a week to go before we start the 2023 season at Thornton, if you’ve booked a boat can you call the Thornton lodge 01530230807 to arrange the required pre payment.

Lodges are open at 7.30am. Boats available from 8.30am but could be out sooner if the fishery staff have finished their early morning pontoon & boat checks earlier than expected.

Opening dates 2023
Thornton 1st February to book call the lodge 01530 230807
Visit the website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk and click on the “About Us” tab to see our 2023 stocking policy & permits.

Draycote 1st March to book call the lodge 01788 812018
Visit the website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk and click on the “About Us” tab to see our 2023 stocking policy & permits.
Also for Draycote if your fishing the bank we recommend you call & book one of the 30 car passes which allow bank anglers, members & day permits to take their car around Draycote perimeter road. We will require your car registration & contact number.

Eyebrook 3rd March to book call the lodge 01536 770264
Visit the website www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk and click on the “About Us” tab to see our 2023 stocking policy & permits.

During 2023 we will be producing a range of YouTube video, from general fishing videos at Draycote, Eyebrook & Thornton to instructional & tackle reviews & if organisers of competitions require we can video their events, all will be posted on our channel YouTube Flyfishstore
The latest video https://youtu.be/VncwnC8yNM0 gives you a short insight to some of the work fishery staff need to do once the season closes to ensure were ready for the next one.
Sale Items
On our online shop we have some sale items reduced by 60% click on the link and hopefully grab a bargain https://www.flyfishstore.co.uk/shop/category/sale-items/
Date for your diary
British Fly Fair International www.bffi.co.uk on the 11th & 12th February, we will have our usual stand in Hall 2 with, Snowbee, RIO, SAGE, Vision, Loon, Greys tackle, with some show deals.

Eyebrook 5th December 2022

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Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

The 2022 season is completed, boats are off the water for their winter maintenance, engines away for the winter overhaul.

Following 2020 & 2021 covid impacted seasons it was great to get back to a full season without any restrictions.

All three waters enjoyed an excellent year’s fishing despite a long dry spell, lack of rain & a hot summer. We must thank our suppliers, Ex, Rainbow Valley, Torre & Westacre for their hard work keeping us supplied with trout during difficult conditions they experienced on the farms due to lack of rain, low summer water flows & high temperatures.

The change to our stocking policy at Thornton & Eyebrook back in 2020 has been vindicated with both fisheries annual rod average increasing despite the hot summer. Thornton averaged 3.9 for the year with Eyebrook returning an excellent annual rod average of 5.2

Thornton being the smallest of the 3 waters at 70acres is the first to open, opening on the 1st February. Following a couple of seasons of low water while work to upgrade the overflow took place enjoyed a 2020 season with water levels at full for most of the season. Concerns that the low water levels would affect our buzzer hatches didn’t materialise with buzzer hatches, especially the smaller olive buzzer hatches during the summer keeping the fish high in the water.

Eyebrook with its extended season to the 20th November was our best performing fishery with its impressive 5.2 rod average. As in past years it did produce large grown on browns & rainbows with our anglers fly fishing for the pike recording pike to 28lb. Huge damsel hatches provided superb dry fly sport to the blue damsel with the long awaited rain early September ensuring great daddy sport. It was interesting to see during our extended fishing into November that anglers were still catching on cdc patterns especially the yellow owl

Draycote has always been a consistent fishery returning a 4+ rod average every season with 2022 season rod average a respectable 4.4

Draycote hosted a number of high profile competitions, England Eliminator, John Horsey Anglers World, Airflo, 6×4 comp & the Angling Trust Team Loch Style.

For us however the superb fishing during October & November was outstanding with 3lb+, 4lb+ & 5lb+ rainbows been taken by boat & bank anglers in good numbers

Id like to thank our fisheries team, Alan, Tom, Lloyd, Lee, Andy M, Jim S, Michael, Derek, Martin, Steve, Andy D, Jason & Mark for their hard work during the year.

In 8 weekends it all starts again, the 2023 season at Thornton on the 1st February, followed by Draycote 1st March & Eyebrook 3rd March

Permit prices, package prices & membership details for 2023 can be found by clicking the “About Us” tab located on the fisheries website home page

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/

We wish you all a very happy festive period and look forward to seeing you in 2023

 

Ifor

iforjones@gmail.com    Tel: 01530230807

Eyebrook Fishing Report; Week Ending Sunday 20 Nov 22

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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

Follow Us on our social media
       Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
       Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore
       Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/
   
Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: N/A
Full Day Boat: N/A
Morning Boat: N/A
Afternoon Boat: N/A
Last 4 Hr: N/A
All Anglers Off Site: N/A

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: Sunday 20 Nov 2022       Rod Av:   0.8     Water Temperature: 9°C

It was a quiet start to the week with only a few boats venturing out. Of those taking to the boats, fishing the upper layers with Blobs & FAB’s, Jude Tuff landed 3 fish from the Basin area. All Water Member John Duncan took to the bank, concentrating on the Dam area John went looking for Fry feeding fish. Fishing Floating fry around weed beds & the margins John landed 3 hard fighting fish & had many other offers.

Tuesday’s autumnal weather got the better of the anglers & none ventured out.

Wednesday saw fish getting caught from the boats at various locations of the Main Basin. Eyebrook member Keith Johnson caught 3 fry feeding trout on Pearly Pheasant Tail on a Washing line. All Water Member Ray Jordan had 2 fish on a Cat’s Whisker & Clive Moore, also an All-Water Member, also had 2 on Minky Boobies. Clive looked for large concentrations of fry before deciding to fish an area, which proved to be a sound decision

Thursday was another very quiet day with Eyebrook Member Neil Shilton in his Float Tube being the only one to brave the wind & the rain. Neil spent his day targeting the deeper lying fishing with fast sinking lines & Minkies. Neil landed a nice Rainbow, lost another & had a good Perch by the end of the day.

Friday’s weather was far more attractive to anglers as consequently it was a busy day. The recent rainfall had not only risen the Reservoir over a foot, but it had also coloured the water somewhat & those that found clear water benefited most. Fish were caught on Fry patterns as this seems to be the trout’s main concentration of a food source. The banks fished well where Eyebrook Member Dave Etty fished the southern corner of the Dam & landed 3 cracking fish for a total bag weight 8lb 10oz, which is a great bag weight off the bank. The Pike anglers have also been getting a few fish with a lot of mid-high doubles getting caught. The bait fish have moved out of the old stream bed & the Pike have duly followed.

Saturday brought with it a light to moderate West-North Westerly breeze with plenty of cloud cover & light showers. The water clarity remained an issue & visibility was down to 1ft in the worse affected areas so finding clear water was critical to anglers’ potential success. Those who did find clear water, caught predominately on the Dries or a Washing Lined floater as the fish could be seen moving subsurface. All Water Members Ed Douglas & Mark Hunt caught 6 & 5 fish respectively on what was a very challenging day. Both fished their Dries effectively & found small patterns to be more successful.

Sunday saw the water clarity decrease even further which had a detrimental impact on the trout anglers who found the fishing extremely challenging. The Pike anglers fared slightly better with a few Jacks coming to the net.

Well, as the season here at Eyebrook draws to a close, I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has visited & spent time with us this season. It has been an absolute pleasure to have you here & we look forward to seeing you all next season. In the meantime, we would just like you to be aware that there will be someone in the lodge most Sundays through December from 9.00am to 2.00pm to assist with any queries you may have, give us a call beforehand to confirm we are there.  Additionally, we will be hosting some Eyebrook Fly Fishers events on 11 Dec, 08 Jan 23, 29 Jan 23 & 19 Feb 23. More details to follow.

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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:  20th October   Rod Av: 1.8      Water Temperature: 11C+

Monday a foggy start to the day with little breeze. Fry patterns and lures on sink 3, 5 or 7 worked best. P Mee caught 4 with Howard Davies fishing a cats whisker booby to catch his trout. P Hunt fished a Dawsons olive which has caught a number of fish for him these past few weeks along with a white snake booby on this occasion catching 5 trout. Our water level is nearly full, despite the rain water clarity remains good.

Tuesday no rod out due to the wind and rain. Wednesday 4 boats out returning a rod average 2.0 with most fishing the morning session. Barry Deeley fished a DI7 with a green & white booby to catch 4 trout. John Reynolds fished a DI5 with a green baby doll, now there’s an old pattern you no longer see fished very often, but it worked for John catching 3 trout.

Thursday another wet, very wet day with no rods out. Friday anglers arrived to find the reservoir full following the rain, thankfully our water clarity in the main was good. Chris Sayer caught 6 on his home tied Minkie booby a pattern he gave to Richard Price who went on to catch 3.

Saturday a bit more colour in the water but that didn’t stop Jan Webber catching 5 on a tequila fab & orange booby on a DI7 along the wood bank

Sunday a quiet day due to the poor forecast with only the 1 rod, John Reynolds who fished a fast sinker with a Fire Cat (similar to a cut throat cat) catching 4 trout

Thornton 2022 season will close on Wednesday 30th November

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre payment policy for 2022. Details are on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

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: 20th November 2022              Rod Av:  3.4   Water Temperature:  °C

The works on the new overflow at the Hensborough Bank are due to start this Monday 24th October. While the works are being completed there will be no access through to Rainbow Corner from the Sailing Club side.  We ask that all anglers enter and exit via the

A foggy start to Monday with light winds, when the fog did clear it left a very mild day with light winds coming from the South. Draycote member Tony Broadway fished off the bank to land 4 fish using a Snowbee buzzer tip and a Grey Minkie. Colin Day fished the corner of the Hensborough Bank to land 4 using a black and white snake using a roly-poly retrieve. On the boats the fishery team took out various staff members from the Rangers, New leaf catering and the Sailing club for our annual fishing day. A great day was had by all with some fantastic fish caught. Lee Henfrey fishing with Sarah (New Leaf) landed the most fish to the boat with 11 fish. Fishing at M Buoy near the Hensborough Bank on a Di 5 sinking line and various booby fry patterns. Jason from Eyebrook fished with Ellie (ranger) who landed 4 fish for a cracking 12lb 13oz the best bag weight and also the largest fish of the day with a 5lb 2oz Rainbow. Andy Miller out with Tilley (New Leaf) landed 7 fish with Tilley landing a cracking 4lb 9oz Rainbow. The big fish continued with Paul (Ranger) landing a 4lb 11oz fish. Overall it was a fantastic day and a great way for the fishery to thank all the staff for their help over the season. Outside of this there were also a number of other great catches. Kevin Hart fished with John Hoskins who boated 21 fish at Y Buoy. Using DI 5 sinking lines and fast intermediates with minkies and snakes. Draycote member Lee Patton fished with Alex Urquhart landing 26 fish to the boat using olive snakes on intermediates and Di 5 sinking lines at the Hensborough Bank, Y Buoy and Lincroft point. Mick Nicols landed a cracking fish while out in the boat of 7lb 5oz taken on a white lure fished at the Draycote Dam. To see pictures of this fish and the staff fishing day please visit www.facebook.com/flyfishstore

What a difference a day makes, after the lovely day Monday, Tuesday saw a very wet and windy day. As a result there was only season ticket holder Ray Rawlings who opted to head out on the water. Ray landed a brace of fish using a Di 5 sinking line and a white and green snake. A nice reward for persisting in some very challenging conditions, for both angler and waterproofs.

The winds came from the Southeast Wednesday with blue skies in the morning before cloud arrived later in the day. On the bank all water member Paul Walker landed 6 trout fishing at the Overflow including one between 5lb 8oz and 6lb in weight. Fishing along side Paul, John Falconbridge used minkies to also land 6. Richard Walker fishing from the Outlet using a white minkies landed 5 fish including a cracking rainbow of 4lb 4oz. On the boats Draycote member John Dickens landed 7 fish using a Di 5 sinking line and a minkie booby with the best area being the Hensborough Bank towards M Buoy. Julian Hubbard fishing with son Chris landed 12 fish using various lures and fry patterns fished on a Di 3 & Di 5 sinking line. Kevin Hart fishing with childhood friend Steve Burns landed 15 fish to the boat using minkies and zonkers on DI 5 and fast intermediate. With the best areas being around Y & N Buoy.

A horrible day Thursday with strong winds and heavy rain for nearly the whole day. Once again it was a quite day with only 8 anglers venturing out in the wind and rain. On the boats all water members Phil Cross & Steve Windram landed 5 fish drifting from the top dam wall towards B Buoy including a cracking fish of 5lb in weight. Draycote members Ian Richardson and Bob Barfoot enjoyed “good fishing, rubbish weather” while out in a boat landing 13 fish to the boat. The pair used Di 5 sinking lines with snakes and humungus at the Hensborough Bank to land their fish.

After the wet windy,  we had much more settled weather Friday with overcast skies and a westerly wind. On the bank Tony Broadway landed 4 fish using hares ears fished on a Snowbee buzzer tip at Lincroft point and the Cornfield. Dave Kennell fished from the boats landing 6 fish using a 6ft Airflo fast tip with a sparkler booby and a FAB landing some cracking fish the best being a 4lb 11oz Rainbow. All water member Peter Harris landed 5 fish from P Buoy using a black booby snake on a Di 7 sinking line. Beginner member Simon Enstock to his new Di 7 sinking line to great effect landing 4 fish including a new personal best. A rainbow of over 5lb taken on a booby humungus at A Buoy. Fishery ranger and guide Lee Henfrey fished with Kevin Hart landing over 20 fish to the boat using a DI 7 sinking line with boobies and snakes fished with a very slow figure of eight retrieve. The pair finding the fish at the Hensborough Bank, M buoy and N Buoy. Andy Miller out fishing with Trout & Salmon editor Andrew Flitcroft for an article on Draycote fry feeders. Landed 14 fish to the boat using snakes and suspender minkies. Mr Lowe also found suspender minkies a good pattern landing 9 fish.

Saturday turned out to be a reasonably good day here at Draycote despite the forecast. Although the wind was blustery at times, it was blowing from the west, giving anglers some respite whilst fishing under the Draycote Dam. There are some good fish being caught at the moment, with both boat and bank anglers regularly returning fish of 4,5, and 6lbs in weight. The bank is currently producing some good catches with Mick Cronin landing 4 on minkies from the Tower Bank. Jim and Richard Hall had 11 fish between them from the bank using lures on intermediate lines. Mr Adam Vicary used much the same method to take a brace from Toft Shallows and the Tower Bank. Out on the boats James Alexander bagged 4 on black boobies around C buoy. Mark Braun caught a grand total of 17 fish for the day utilizing a DI5 sweep line and a white humungus. Mark plied his trade in Biggin Bay, around the Valve Tower and C buoy. Draycote stalwart Mark Johnson  Jones and his boat partner Dale had 5 fish to the boat around M buoy. Both anglers were using intermediate line and minkies.

Sunday started dry and overcast but brightened up as the morning progressed.  Season ticket holder Paul Walley fished from the bank to land a brace of fish on a natural snake fished at the overflow. On the boats Jon Crowley fished his regular half day boating 7 fish. Landing his fish from Biggin Bay and also Rainbow Corner towards A Buoy. Using a Di 5 with a minkie booby on the point and cormorants on the droppers. Ian Reeve landed 8 fish using a white booby snake on a Di 5 around the Outlet landing fish to 4lb 8oz. Martin Rowson fished with Neil Deakin with the pair landing 19 fish to the boat on various fry patters fished on sunk lines around Biggin Bay, Musborough Shoal and the Hensborough Bank. Kasidit Leoviriyakit fishing with Neil Lyons boated a dozen fish. Landing their fish high in the water with slow or fast intermediate and boobies fished across the surface.

Week ending 13th November

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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

Follow Us on our social media
       Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
       Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore
       Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/
   
Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 4.15pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 4.15pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 1.30pm
Afternoon Boat:
Last 4 Hr: 12.15pm – 4.15pm
All Anglers Off Site: 4.30pm

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: Sunday 13 Nov 2022       Rod Av: 3.1        Water Temperature: 10c+

Eyebrook Season extended to 20th November 2022 – The Eyebrook season has been extended to Sunday 20th November. We are operating a reduced boat fleet, of 10 boats & wheely boat, bank anglers are limited to the Dam Wall, Harrison’s corner, netted bank down to Robbo`s Cabin. We recommend you call the lodge & prebook.

The week started with a moderate southerly, that brought with it an increase in air temperature & consistent cloud-cover all day; a perfect day for fishing dries one would assume. And so it proved, with All Water Member John Duncan having a very productive day fishing CDC Emergers. John started his drifts from either the line of buoys outside the harbour or Dogwood Bay & drifted into the Middle of the Main Basin. John went on to land 13 fish, all of which came to the Dries which is a great return for the day. The Pike at Eyebrook are really starting to move with double figure fish getting caught daily & fish of 20lb plus are appearing with increased regularity. The Pike in Eyebrook are in fantastic shape, very fit & strong & give an excellent account for themselves on a fly rod.

The inclement weather that was previously forecasted for Tuesday had deterred the boat anglers. Eyebrook member Keith Johnson ventured out of the bank & found success in the southern corner of the Dam. Keith caught 3 fry feeding, resident trout on a white, pearly lure fished on an intermediate line.

Wednesday saw Eyebrook’s fine form continue yielding a rod average for the trout anglers of 4.6 which is excellent for this time of year. Catching on washing lined floaters with small nymphs & Intermediate with Snakes & Minkie Boobies, the most productive area was the main basin, particularly around the Tower & Buoy Line outside of the harbour. All Water Members Clive Moore & Ian Jobe had a very productive day landing 15 fish between them, as to did Eyebrook Members Ian Steele & Bill Law who had 11 to their boat. It has been noticeable of late that the fish have been becoming more & more focussed in on the abundant fry that is occupying the Main Basin. The Pike anglers have also been doing very well with Pike to 20lb coming out on what seems to be a daily basis with plenty of hard fighting, very fit mid-upper doubles. The area of the old stream bed seems to be a key feature when it comes to locating & targeting these fish with anglers working the axis of the stream bed hard.

Thursday brought with it a moderate to strong gusty, southerly wind & plenty of cloud cover. The reservoir continued to fish well for both trout & pike with the trout anglers producing a great rod average for this time of year of 6.7 & the reservoir producing yet another fly caught 20lb+ pike. The Main Basin was the most productive trout area with fish getting caught up in the upper layers on imitative fry patterns & small nymphs; Crunchers & Diawls. All Water Member Paul Walker caught 12 from the area of the Dam & Tower & Dale Birch had a great afternoon session landing 8 from the weedbeds just outside the harbour. The old stream bed remains prominent in locating fish amongst the pike anglers with plenty of fish being found along its course. The many micro features of the reservoirs bed are also proving to be very productive in the search of old Esox Lucius.

Friday despite the wind a good day for the trout anglers who averaged 4 with the anglers fly fishing for the pike reporting fish to 23lb. Noticeably more trout smashing into the fry especially from the tower towards Harrison’s. For the trout some fish still taking cdc patterns during this mild weather although the popper minkie, snakes & fry patterns are starting to take the lion’s share of the catch. Water clarity is excellent you will often find a long leader & single fly will work best this time of year

Saturday and a beautiful autumn day, little wind & sun, it was probably too nice for the fishing with a rod average 2.5 for the day. Members Bob Margery & S Lawrence caught 7 for their mornings visit with Pete Line & B McMullan catching 6 for their visit. Tim & Paul Polito fished CDC & pearly pheasant tail to catch their 11 trout. Most anglers fished the main basin around the valve tower, dam wall towards Harrison. Water clarity is good.

Eyebrook continued to fish well for the Pike on Saturday, with one angler having very much a red-letter day landing 3 fish over 20lbs, which is an excellent return. It surely is only a matter of time before one of Eyebrook big girls makes an appearance. Trout wise, it was a challenging day where getting the right method proved to be critical. Those fishing deeper found fish harder to come by, whereas those fishing higher up had greater success. All Water Member Mark Hunt had another great day on the Dries. Fishing a single size 14 Yellow Owl, Mark caught consistently through the day landing 10 fish from the area of the Main Basin. There are still plenty of fish in the Main Basin but how they can be caught is very much weather dependant. The weather plays an important role in where & how trout can be caught, even more so in winter.  With the right conditions they can still be taken on small dries & if the cloud cover is intermittent or even absent, drop down to an intermediate & fish white fry patterns & you will catch.

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

Week Ending: 13th November 2022              Rod Av: 3.6   Water Temperature:  11°C

The works on the new overflow at the Hensborough Bank are due to start this Monday 24th October. While the works are being completed there will be no access through to Rainbow Corner from the Sailing Club side.  We ask that all anglers enter and exit via the Farborough Dam barrier.

A very bracing start to Monday morning with strong southerlies blowing across Draycote Water. Luckily enough The Hensborough Bank and Rainbow Corner are fishing well for those seeking shelter from the wind, whilst other brave souls ventured over to the northern shore to also catch some good fish. In house guide Lee Henfrey and Nigel Keeber had well over 20 fish to the boat during a morning session. Lee and Nigel were using DI7’s and minkie boobies out over the open water and on Musborough Shoal near N buoy. Season permit holders Bob Barfoot and Ian Richardson again had well over 20 fish to the boat on midge tip lines with snakes and cormorants. Bob and Ian concentrated their efforts along the Hensborough Bank and remarked on the quality of the fishing, having netted some fish over 5lbs in weight. Michael Ravenscroft fished the bank from the Swans Nest, netting 7 fish using snakes, the best of which was about 4lbs. Norman Perkins also took to the bank in Rainbow Corner to catch a brace on minkies.

A windy day with heavy showers at various points across the day Tuesday. Draycote member Ray Rowlings landed 4 fish using snakes on a fast glass with a slow roly-poly retrieve. Mark Goodge fished with all water member Phil Mee with he pair landing 5 fish from around the outlet including some cracking fish of 4 & 5lb. Draycote member James Alexander fished at the Hensborough bank from a boat landing 6 fish all on popper fry patterns. Mr A Lafferty & P Edwards also fished in the same area using popper fry and also snakes to land 9 fish including some cracking fish of up to 4lb.

Wednesday saw the wind coming from the Southwest with sunny intervals throughout the day. Draycote member Pete Allen fished in Biggin Bay out the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay to land 3 fish on suspender Minkies. Fishing just up from Pete was Tony Broadway who landed 5 fish. Just line Pete, Tony opted for suspender Minkies fished on a floating line to land his fish. On the boats John Mills fished Mr S Halliday with the pair landing 9 fish using a slow intermediate and a white humungus fished in the top couple of feet at the Hensborough Bank. Draycote member Joh Dickens used Minkies boobies to land 8 fish from the Hensbrough Bank and also Rainbow Corner.

Another gusty day with the win remaining in the same direction Thursday. Bank regulars Mick Cronin and Stan Hillman fished suspender minkies at the Old Pipe in Biggin Bay and the outlet to land 7 fish between them. Another angler who enjoyed good sport on the bank was Alex Thwaites who landed 4 fish with all of his fish being between 3 & 4lb. Draycote member Bob Smith fishing on the boats enjoyed a good day landing 13 fish using white and silver humungus boobies. Fishing around the Outlet and Hensborough Bank commenting on “the lovely fish up to 5lb”. All water member Paul Havard landed 7 fish also commenting on the “lovely fish”. Paul used a mix of flies taking some of suspender minkies, olive barred snakes and also white and silver humungus. Landing his fish from the Outlet and also Musborough Shoal. Dave Kennel used a 12ft fast tip with a sparkler booby on the point with cormorants to land 10 fish. With his best areas being the Outlet, Hensborough Bank and then N Buoy drifting towards Y Buoy. Fishery ranger and guide Lee Henfrey fished with former manager Kevin Hart taking over 20 fish to the boat. They found the best line to be a Di 7 with 2 boobies and searched the water taking them on anything from a 10 second count to a 30 second count with a figure of eight retrieve.

Friday was yet another windy day on Draycote Water. Andrew Tasker Ventured out onto the bank to net 4 fish on snakes and minkies from Rainbow Corner and Biggin Bay. Draycote regular Alan Grant fished a morning session from the bank and netted a brace. Out on the boats Dave Adkins and Richard Hanlon had 14 fish between them using floating lines and popper fry patterns. Dave and Richard concentrated their efforts around the Valve Tower and along the Draycote Dam. Mr J Beecon had 18 fish to the boat using cats whiskers and a large viva. Mr Clive Wilkins had 8 fish to the boat on a DI7 line and white minkie boobies.

A busy day Saturday with a number of boats out taking advantage of the unseasonably mild weather, which provided warm sunny conditions with light winds. Also out on the day we had a number of boats practicing for the 6X4s competition the next day. On the bank also taking advantage of the nice weather, was Alan Smith. Alan used various fry type lures to land 7 fish. Mick Cronin fished from the bank using popper fry to land 6 fish from Tower Bank and the Outlet. Fishing from the Outlet Stan Hillman landed 10 fish using hares ears on a floating line. On the boats Mark Braun landed 23 fish using a grey snake using a Di 7 sinking line around the Valve Tower. Draycote member Ian Reeve enjoyed a good day landing 17 fish, Ian found his fish drifting from the Outlet going across to the Inlet. Using a Di 5 sinking line with a black and green snake booby, including a number of cracking fish up to 4lb. The anglers practicing for the 6X4s also enjoyed a good days practice catching at various point across the lake with the best flies seeming to be popper fry or sparkler boobies.

Once again a busy day Sunday with all the boats taking to the water. With the 6×4 round 5 taking place with 13, 4 man teams competing. The match is fished to international rules, so all the flies must measure 15/16th of an inch. A slightly issue when the majority of the fish are eating 2-3 inch long fry. However, the anglers got the smaller flies working to great effect with the 52 anglers producing a rod average of 5.3 fish per angler. Speaking to the anglers the fish moved up and down throughout the day with Di 7 & Di 5 lines working as well as slow intermediates and midge tips. The best flies throughout the day being cormorants, sparkler boobies, cat boobies, and small popper fry. Around Y Buoy, N Buoy, K Buoy and Farborough Spit. Draycote member Paul Walley used a natural snake and the Tower Bank and the Overflow to land 7 fish including some cracking fish of 4lb 8oz and 5lbs. Jon Crowley fished for a half day landing 5 fish using a Di 5 sweep and cormorants drifting from B Buoy to the Draycote Dam.

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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:  13th November   Rod Av: 2.3      Water Temperature: 12c+

Monday & Tuesday we had a brisk to strong at times wind from the southwest which blew down the Markfield arm. Anglers on sinking lines with booby, snakes and fry patterns. Andrew Wilson caught 3 on orange booby with P Cox fishing down the windy Markfield arm catching 3 but reporting a good number of fish down there. Arthur Olding caught 6 concentrating his efforts across the main basin to the wood.

Wednesday and another breezy day. Sink 3, 5 & 7 lines we the most popular with sparkler booby, minkie booby, humongous & cutthroat cat. J Reynolds caught 10 for his mornings visit fishing a DI5 & cutthroat cat with fish up to 4lb+. Jack Hives caught 5 with D Slessor catching fish to 3lb+ Water level is back up to normal, clarity remains good.

Thursday & Friday with a strong south westerly forecast rod numbers were low. Chris Sayer was top rod with 9 fish during a morning session

Better weather Saturday with snakes, booby, cats whiskers catching best. J Webber caught 6 for his visit on a cats whisker booby and uv black booby. B Sibley caught 9 with his boat partner M Clay catching 7. Another Thornton member P Wrigley caught 6

Sunday only a few rod out with Karen Thompson on her first full season fishing the last 4hr session catching 2 on what proved to be a challenging day for the other rods.

This coming Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th from 10.30am to 2.30pm Ifor will be at the Thornton lodge to discuss our plans for the 2023 season. Day Permit prices, 2023 membership options and our stocking policy. Hot drinks and mince pies provided.

 

 

Eyebrook Fishing Report; Week Ending Sunday 06 Nov 2022.

Posted by & filed under Reports.

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

Follow Us on our social media
       Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
       Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore
       Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/
   
Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 4.30pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 1.30pm
Afternoon Boat:
Last 4 Hr: 12.30pm – 4.30pm
All Anglers Off Site: 4.45pm

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: Sunday 06 Nov 2022       Rod Av: 1.4       Water Temperature: 10-11°

Eyebrook Season extended to 20th November 2022 – The Eyebrook season will be extended to 20th November. We will be operating a reduced boat fleet, only 10 boats & wheely boat with bank anglers limited to the Dam Wall, Harrison’s corner, netted bank down to Robbo`s Cabin. We recommend you call the lodge & prebook.

Monday bought with it some favourable conditions, good cloud cover & a moderate south westerly breeze. Only a few boats ventured out & found the fish in the Main Basin somewhat finicky. There were a few fish caught on the Dries but there was a lot more opportunities missed. There were also a few pike anglers venturing out who were rewarded with fish went into double figures. They also reported that the bigger fish are starting to be more active, following flies with some intent but not quite committing.

There was a strong & blustery southerly wind on Tuesday which made fishing somewhat challenging. A few boats ventured out with all the anglers catching. Max Woolnough had the most productive day, landing 5 fish on a variety of methods from the area of the main basin. He caught on a White Snake & when fish started to move. he caught on the Dries. This demonstrates the importance of fishing what is in front of you & being flexible in your approach; changing when the situation dictates. This can often make all the difference when it comes to catching consistently.

Due to excessive wind expected, all boats were cancelled on Wednesday.

Thursday started with a flat calm which built to a gentle southerly as the day progressed. The Main Basin is still holding plenty of fish & these could be seen moving in large pods throughout the day. These fish proved once again to be tricky to catch. All Water Member John Duncan & his boat partner Rich Beddar had a productive day, landing 7 fish between them from the area of the Main Basin. They fished a variety of methods to find one that would work for the fish in front of them, which is an excellent approach for this time of year. It is so important to maintain a flexible approach & sometimes it will pay dividends if you change or tweak a method to ensure you continue to catch. A method that works in one part of reservoir may not work in another & if you add in variables such as the weather, it becomes even more important to ring the changes to find what is working in the area you are fishing. Those who have ventured out in search of the Pike have been rewarded with some good hard fighting fish well above 20lb.  As the cooler weather continues, as we advance further into November, Eyebrook’s renowned, bigger specimens will undoubtably begin to feed in earnest & become more active.

Friday & a more difficult day compared to Thursday, with few fish moving unlike the day before. Eyebrook member Keith Johnson was one of the few anglers who caught catching 4 on an olive minkie in Dogwood Bay.

Saturday and our rollercoaster of a fishing week continues with Saturday producing a rod average 4.2. Neil Shilton fished from his float tube catching 7 trout on white fry patterns, Eyebrook members Steve Lawrence & Bob Margery fished a morning boat catching 13 on snakes & buzzers. Mick Glover took his boat to the other side of the island catching a fish that on spooning, had been feeding on damsel nymphs.

There were a few fish caught on Sunday, with All Water Member Mark Hunt have a productive day fishing his single CDC’s to great effect. Mark landed 7 fish, all on Dries which is a great effort given the time of year & weather conditions. Elsewhere, Eyebrook Member Dave Etty ventured out to target the Fry Feeders. Concentrating his efforts around the weed beds, Dave fished a Popper Minkie & was able to land 2 fish & he also lost a couple too.

With the cooler weather looking set to continue & the water temperature continuing to drop, the fish will start to drop down the water column & sit slightly deeper to what they have been. If the conditions are right, fish will still get caught off the surface, but the angler’s approach will have to be scaled down for them to be successful. The most productive method over this week has appeared to be fry patterns fished on Intermediate & slow sinking lines. The cooler water temperatures have also triggered the Pike into action with some good sized fished being caught this past week & that will continue as we advance further into November.

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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:  6th November   Rod Av: 2.2      Water Temperature: 12c+

Monday water level up a tad following the rain, our water clarity is good with the water temperature not far off 14c. It seems as if we have some fish that have realised its late October & are on the fry whilst others due to the warmer than expected conditions feeding on the hatches of small buzzer. Keith Cowen caught 4 for his visit fishing out in front of the lodge on a cats whisker booby. Andrew Wilson fished an orange booby & cats whisker catching 2 but missing numerous offers.

Tuesday much needed rain, which fell heavier than forecast with all rods off the water at 1.30pm. Top rod was P Wrigley with 3 trout. Wednesday strong wind replaced the rain, with the wind stronger than forecast had the rods off the water by 1.30pm. Barry Deeley was top rod with 4 trout to a black & Green humungus fished on a fast sinker.

Thursday with the reservoir level nearly at the full mark following the rain the clarity of the water remains good.  Lures and fry patterns on sink 5 & sink 7 lines worked best with anglers reporting plenty of taps and follows. K Cowen caught 4 on a cat’s whisker booby, Greg Weatherdon fished a booby to catch his 4 trout with Ian Leach fishing a fulling mill barred olive snake to catch his 4 trout.

Friday a busy day but a mixed days fishing. Chris Sayer fished a morning session catching 4 on a snake, Carl Bond caught 5 on a Montana and small silver muddler with P Hunt fishing a Dawson olive to catch his 3 trout.

Saturday few rod out on what turned out to be the best day of the week. Jan Webber caught 7 on DI7 & orange bobby & Fab. Martin Clay & Brian Sibley fished a DI5 with a Cats Whisker to catch their 13 trout.

Sunday with a poor forecast we had a quiet day with member Richard Smith catching 3 before the wind picked up.

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre payment policy for 2022. Details are on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

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:  6th November 2022              Rod Av: 4.4    Water Temperature:  13°C

The works on the new overflow at the Hensborough Bank are due to start this Monday 24th October. While the works are being completed there will be no access through to Rainbow Corner from the Sailing Club side.  We ask that all anglers enter and exit via the Farborough Dam barrier.

Monday dawned at Draycote Water with good cloud cover and a gusty south westerly wind. The reservoir has given us some top class fishing days lately and Monday was no exception. With the rod average topping out at 7.0, there were some good returns coming from all over the water. During a 5 hour session out on the water in house guide Lee Henfrey and his boat partner put two dozen fish in the boat. The pair fished in Rainbow Corner using fast glass lines and tubes and commented that the whole area was teaming with with good quality “lumps”, the smallest of which was about 3lbs. The boat pairing of Lee Patten and Peter Elliott put nearly 40 fish in the boat using olive snakes fished on intermediate lines. Lee and Peter kept on the move, fishing around the Valve Tower, Lincroft point, The Hensborough Bank and the Farborough Dam. Season permit holders Bob Barfoot and Bob Smith also had a good day out, netting 23 fish between them on snakes, cormorants and minkies again fished on intermediate lines. Jim Hall and Tony Broadway used white mini snakes fished on a DI3 to net 17 fish between them from various areas around the reservoir. In house guide Andy Miller took Mr Tim Gameson out for a 2 hour experience session and concentrated his efforts around Y buoy. The pair caught 3 fish on minkie boobies fished on DI3 lines.

Due to the adverse weather conditions Tuesday was a very quiet day here at Draycote. The strong south westerlies meant that the anglers all took to fishing in the lee of the wind along the Hensborough Bank and up in Rainbow Corner. Both boat and bank anglers all caught good numbers of fish as it has been fishing well in this area for the past few weeks. Season permit holder Ken Key caught half a dozen from the bank using cats whiskers and floating fry patterns. Mr Alan Topping, who also fished from the bank netted a brace in much the same way. Draycote regular Mr Derek Brooks had 5 fish from the bank, all on white popper minkies. Ian Morris ventured out in a boat to net 7 fish on floating fry patterns and snakes from Rainbow Corner. Alan Johnson using similar patterns to net 4 fish from the same area. Neil Berry and Nick Whatton had 5 fish between them using fry patterns along the Hensborough Bank and up past the Overflow.

With the wind speed being above our limit of 25mph, there were no boats out on Draycote on Wednesday. The strong south westerlies Alan Smith found the best area to be Rainbow Corner with the wind coming over his back landing 4 fish on a Humungus. Fishing for the last four hours Will Hunt land a brace opting to fish at the Swan’s Nest using a black and gold Humungus.

A wet start Thursday which soon cleared leaving overcast skies with the sun making an appearance later in the day with he winds from the Southwest. On the bank Stan Hillman had “super fishing” landing 9 fish all between 3lb 8oz and 4lb 8oz fishing at the outlet on suspender Minkies. Fishing along side Stan on the bank was Mick Cronin who landed 8 fish. On the boats Graham England and Andy Lillie landed 14 fish using Minkies. Saying that they caught all over the lake but it needed to be tight into the weed or the margins. All water member Peter Harris fished around E Buoy using snakes to land 8 fish. With Draycote member John Dickens also fishing in the same area to land 15 fish. Also landing 15 fish was Ed Douglas who fished various marks across the lake using a 12ft midge tip with snakes and humungus.

The winds swung to the North west Friday with bright skies and a chill in the air. Fishing from the Tower Bank season ticker holder Peter Allen landed 3 fish on floating fry patterns with Tony Broadway landing 4. Brian Joseph also fished at the tower bank landing 3 cracking fish using a brown minkie on a floating line. Mark Diamond fished from Lincroft point on the bank to land 9 fish using a minkie. On the boats Dave Kennell landed 9 fish using a 12ft fast tip and a sparkler booby. Draycote season ticket holder Bob Barfoot & Bob Smith landed 11 fish to the boat using various mini snakes and cormorants. Taking their fish from Rainbow Corner, Biggin Bay, X Buoy and the Farborough Dam. Ian Reeve fishing with Colin Granger used a barred olive snake booby on a fast glass catching “all over” to boat 13 fish. Ed Douglas once again took the water using snakes and humungus on a 12ft midge tip to land 19 fish. Fishing near E Buoy, Lorenzo Serrano landed 14 fish on snakes fished on a Di 3 sinking line.

Quite a blustery day Saturday from the South which later swung slightly more to the Southwest. On the boats Mr G Bridge landed 8 fish on snakes with an orange blob on the dropper. John Brown and Andy Campbell made the trip down from the Northeast hoping for a good days sport and that is what they got landing 34 fish. The pair used snakes, cormorants and popper fry to land their fish. With the best areas being Farborough Dam, J & T Buoy then drifting off the Hensborough Bank towards M Buoy. Ewan Clark on his first ever trip to Draycote enjoyed a great day landing 19 fish. Using olive or black snakes and large silver and white humungus on a fast intermediate landing fish from various marks across the reservoir.

A dry windy start to Sunday which lead into some heavy showers through the afternoon. The reservoir fished pretty well overall for those who stayed out through the rain. Jon Crowley made good use of the morning with a dozen fish to the boat on popper fry and minkies fished on floating and intermediate lines. Jon fished around the Valve Tower and along the Draycote Dam where he said the fish were holding in good numbers. Richard Walker had 4 fish for the morning on a DI6 and black snakes in Rainbow Corner and along the Flat Stones. Debbie and Sean Gilbert concentrated their efforts in Dunns Bay, netting 4 fish using black snakes fished on intermediate lines. Tim Burn and Paul Mitchell had 11 fish to the boat between them from quite a few different areas around the reservoir.

Meet the fishery staff & discuss our plans for 2023 Season

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Draycote – Eyebrook – Thornton

Meet Ifor & the fishery staff.

With the fisheries facing unprecedented cost increases for the 2023 season, we will during November be holding open days at each of the fisheries, Draycote, Eyebrook & Thornton to explain how were aiming to mitigate some of those increases, and yet maintain our stocking numbers and the rod averages your used to seeing at Draycote, Eyebrook & Thornton

We will also have details of our 9 membership options across the three waters including our popular “All Water Membership” which allows you to fish all three waters.

Come along and meet Ifor & the fishery team, discus our aims for 2023 over a hot drink and mince pie

The first open weekend will be at Draycote

Draycote Lodge.

November Saturday 5th 2022 & Sunday 6th 2022 from 10.30am to 2.30pm

Fishery Staff attending Ifor, Tom & Alan

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Eyebrook Lodge

November Saturday 12th 2022 & Sunday 13th 2022 from 10.30am to 2.30pm

Fishery Staff attending Ifor & Lloyd

 

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Thornton Lodge

November Saturday 19th 2022 & Sunday 20th 2022 from 10.30am to 2.30pm

Fishery Staff attending Ifor

 

Fishing Report: Week Ending Sunday 30 October 2022.

Posted by & filed under Reports.

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

Follow Us on our social media
       Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
       Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore
       Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/
   
Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 4.45pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 4.45pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 1.30pm
Afternoon Boat:
Last 4 Hr: 12.45pm – 4.45pm
All Anglers Off Site: 5.00pm

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: Sunday 30 October 2022       Rod Av:  2.4          Water Temperature: 11-12°

Eyebrook Season extended to 20th November 2022 – The Eyebrook season will be extended to 20th November. We will be operating a reduced boat fleet, only 10 boats & wheely boat with bank anglers limited to the Dam Wall, Harrison’s corner, netted bank down to Robbo`s Cabin. We recommend you call the lodge & prebook.

Monday was an extremely quiet day on the Reservoir with only a few of anglers out. Dave Ewing fishing a last 4-hour ticket caught 2 fish from the Main Basin on Popper Fry & he also had plenty of interest in the Dries.

Tuesday was a busier day with fish being caught from both the boat & the bank. It was a bright clear day with a gentle west-south-westerly breeze. Eyebrook Season Ticket holder Dave Etty caught well off the bank, landing 5 fish on Corixa & Fry patterns down by the Chestnut. On the boats, it has been imperative to cover as much water as possible to locate the pods of fish that are moving around the Main Basin. The fish are still occupying the uppers layers with anglers catching on anything from Dries down to Fry patterns on an Intermediate. All Water Member John Duncan had a very productive day landing 9 fish from the Main Basin. John started on a washing lined floater & changed midway through the day to an intermediate & he caught on both methods. Another angler who enjoyed a productive day was regular visitor John Webster who was out targeting Eyebrook’s larger predators with his fly rod. John landed 4 Pike, 2 mid-doubles, a high double & a twenty which is an excellent return.

Wednesday brought with it bright, clear skies & a light southerly wind that increased to a strong, gusty southerly by mid-afternoon. Boat anglers spent the day conducting long drifts across the basin & were rewarded with some steady sport throughout the day. The fish were again, high up in the water column & despite the bright conditions, there were plenty of fish caught on dries. Regular visitor Paul Polito had a very productive session getting into the fish straight away & catching steadily throughout the day. By the end of his session Paul had landed 9 fish on Suspender Hares Ears. Shaun Higgins also had a good day on the dries, landing 5 fish on Foam Daddies fished static. With the forecast of mild weather looking set to continue, the excellent top of the water fishing at Eyebrook looks set to be prolonged.

Thursday morning was met with light rain & a gentle south westerly breeze. The rain stopped by late morning & the gentle breeze gave way to a moderate breeze by mid-afternoon which brought with it sunny intervals. The reservoir, as predicted, continued to fish well to the dries with All Water Member Mark Hunt having another very productive day, landing 16 fish on CDC’s & a small Popper Minkie. Mark landed some cracking fish which including a beautiful, fully finned Rainbow between 4 & 5lb. Filming for an episode of Fishing TV Draycote Manager & Fishing Guide Tom Bird caught very well on CDC’s. Knowing how finicky the trout in the Main Basin had become, Tom fished very small patterns to overcome the tentative fish. Elsewhere, regular angler Nigel Woolnough caught down by the area of the Chestnut. What was extremely interesting was that when he spooned his fish, he discovered that they had been feeding hard on small Damsel nymphs. Even though Damsels are associated with the height of summer, Damselflies can spend anywhere from 2 months to 3 years as nymphs depending on environment conditions.

Friday & another mild October day, our water temperature at 12c -13c is mild for the time of year. Dries, dries & more dries were the order of the day with fish taking small buzzer off the surface. Ian Jobe opted for a day on the bank catching 5 trout from the Chestnut stretch of bank. Ricky Cotterill fished a midas catching 7 trout to 3lb8oz but reported lots of fish coming short to the fly. All water member J Duncan returned for his second visit of the week & caught 9 trout. Mr Ewing also fished dries, again reporting lots of missed takes but still went on to net 10 trout. Excellent dry fly sport as we enter the last few days of October.

Saturday brought with a wet start to the day, once the rain had passed it turned into a glorious late October day. Unfortunately, the fishing wasn’t as good as the days previous despite a good number of fish moving at times. Top rod on the day was Eyebrook member B Margery catching 7 to 3lb2oz during his morning session finding the fish in Harrison’s corner and out of the netted bank.

The reservoir fish well on Sunday, there is still plenty of fish to be caught from the area of the Main Basin. Eyebrook members Neil Shilton, Dave Etty & Bill Livingstone all had productive days. Neil landed 5 fish from his float tube targeting the deeper laying fish whereas, Dave & Bill targeted fish in the upper layers & were rewarded with 17 fish to the boat. The fish in the upper layers can be caught by fishing very small Dries or small nymphs on a washing line & the deeper laying fish can be caught on an Intermediate or Di3 with white fry patterns.

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Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807
Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton 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:  30th October   Rod Av: 3.1  Water Temperature: 12c -13C

Monday Mr Blackwell on his first visit to Thornton caught 7 on fry patterns, Thornton member A Wilson fished an orange booby to catch his 8 fish with anglers fishing 100 yards off the wood and into the Markfield arm

Tuesday with the best forecast for the week all the boats were out. Cats whisker, cats whisker snakes, booby, blobs and diawl bach were the best patterns fished on a variety lines from a floater down to a DI7. P Walker caught 8, David Button fished in front of the main car part with an orange booby to catch his 4 trout, Paul Martindale fished snake to catch his 8 trout with K Cowen fishing a booby also landing 4 trout

Wednesday anglers opted to fish the morning session. G Weatherdon caught 7 for his mornings visit.

Thursday and another mild if wet during the morning October day. Anglers again concentrated their efforts across the main basin towards the wood and into the Markfield arm. J Reynolds caught 5 for his mornings visit on a cut throat cat on an intermediate, Richard Price continues to catch on his silver minkie booby catching 5 for his mornings visit. R Dunster & P Wrigley caught 16 for their visit.

Friday a quiet day with most of the anglers opting to fish the morning session with Chris Sayer fishing a booby in front of the wood catching 4 trout

Saturday proved to be the best day of the week with a 5+ rod average. Most opted to fish a DI 3, 5 or 7 with booby and snake patterns. B Sibley and M Clay caught 20 trout between them, Jan Webber caught 6 with R Swinfield & S Zeleny boating 7. Mark Hunt with the mild weather opted to fish cdc catching 7 for his visit

Quiet day on Sunday with the few rods that were out finding the fishing challenging compared to the day before, R Smith fished a black booby on a DI5 to catch his 2 fish.

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre payment policy for 2022. Details are on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

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:  30th October 2022              Rod Av: 5.2    Water Temperature:  13°C

The works on the new overflow at the Hensborough Bank are due to start this Monday 24th October. While the works are being completed there will be no access through to Rainbow Corner from the Sailing Club side.  We ask that all anglers enter and exit via the Farnborough Dam barrier.

Sailing Club. There is a very busy sailing regatta at Draycote on the weekend of the 5th and 6th of November. Anglers should be aware of this when booking boats on these dates.

After heavy overnight rain Sunday, Monday remained dry in the most part with just a brief shower in the afternoon. Steve Radcliffe fished from a boat on his own landing 7 fish. Taking 5 of his fish drifting down the Farborough Dam wall using a Midge tip line with a black lure. With the other 2 fish coming from P Buoy on a floating fry pattern. Jason Lowe also fished down the Farborough Dam wall using small snakes and also suspender minkies to land a dozen fish. While his friend and Draycote first timer Tim Acton landed 7 using the same tactics but from a different boat.

A bright day Tuesday with light winds coming from the South, however, the sun did not put the fish off with a great rod average of 6.2 fish per angler. With both the bank and the boat anglers enjoying good sport. Tony Broadway used a Snowbee buzzer tip with a minkie to land 10 fish. With Colin Day landing 8 fish, Colin took three fish on Pheasant Tail Nymphs (PTN) in Biggin Bay. With 2 more coming from the Cornfield on the PTN with the final 3 taking minkies at the Hensborough Bank. On the boats the good sport continued with season ticket holders Martin Foster & John Vyse landing 22 fish to the boat. The pair fishing along the Farborough Dam using a floating line and a black snake and landed fish up to 6lb. Ian Richardson fished with Bob Barfoot enjoying a “lovely day with lovely fish” landing 15 to the boat. Fishing around J Buoy, S Buoy and T Buoy using cormorants and mini snake on the point. John Pearson & Mike Nolan landed 13 fish to the boat from around T & Y Buoy. John Jones opted to go with a minkie and a FAB fishing near P Buoy to land 10 fish on a fast glass.

A very blustery day on Wednesday with the odd light shower thrown in for good measure. The rod average came out at an impressive 6.8, with lots of fish being caught on lure patterns and popper fry. Mr Robert and Mr Brian Miller caught a total of 11 fish between them on pink snakes fished on a DI3 line. Season permit holder Mr Peter Harris had 17 fish to the boat using white snakes fished on a DI3 line and commented on a great day out. Mr M Francis and Mr A Moore had 14 fish to the boat between them using a wide variety of patterns such as hoppers and humungus. John Kirk caught a total of 10 fish on snakes, pink blobs and black midas.

A wet start to the day, put thankfully this cleared by mid-morning, leaving some great conditions with overcast skies and a light ripple with he sun even making an appearance in the afternoon. Once again the excellent fishing we have seen recently continued with a rod average of over 7 fish per angler. All water member Paul Havard landed 8 fish fishing out in the open water. Using an intermediate line with cormorants and a black and green booby. Kevin Hart fishing with John Hoskins enjoyed a great day boating 28 fish. They used a mix of methods with some fish coming to floating fry while the rest took Humungus. With the best areas being N Buoy, P Buoy, Draycote Dam and Lincroft Point. Ed Douglas boated 20 fish using a 12ft Midge tip with a weighted humungus on the dropper and a booby snake on the point from various marks across the lake. Peter Elliot fished with Lee Patten with the pair using a variety of methods to land their 34 fish. Peter opted for snakes while Lee using some snakes but also got them on dries.

Friday dawned bright and breezy with the wind due to get up as the day progressed. Whilst the Farborough Dam is fishing well, and it has produced some great catches, the area around the Valve Tower, the Hensborough Bank, Rainbow Corner and Toft Shallows are also producing. Season permit holder Andy Lilley had 14 fish to the boat using barred olive snakes around the front of the pontoon and in Rainbow Corner. Young Ian Reeve and Colin Grainger had 18 fish between them using diawl bachs and blobs fished on a floating line. Season permit holder Mark Thistleton concentrated his efforts off the front of the lodge and netted 14 fish from a drifting boat using snakes fished on an intermediate line. Mr Mark Birch and Mr Rupert Taylor had over 20 fish to the boat using olive snakes and cormorants. Draycote regular Dave Smith used mini snakes and tubes fished on a DI3 to net 5 fish from the Farborough Dam.

A very wet start to the day on Saturday morning with a light south easterly breeze. Despite a very off putting forecast,  the wind speed was below 12 mph all day with overcast conditions across the reservoir. Once again Draycote is holding it’s own with a rod average of 5.9 and good catches coming from quite a few different areas on the water. The hottest spot on the reservoir is definitely The Farborough Dam, closely followed by Lincroft Point, The Valve Tower and the Hensborough Bank. The fish are feeding on fry now and have been here for some time. The best patterns to use have been snakes, minkie boobies, humungus and floating fry patterns, all fished in the top couple of feet of the water. Stan Hillman and Mick Cronin took to the bank to net a dozen fish between them from Rainbow Corner and the Valve Tower, with one fish tipping the scales at 4lbs 8oz. Mr Jason Herman and Mr Simon Allen had 17 fish between them on popper fry patterns and snakes and commented that they caught fish from “all over the reservoir”. Mike Garner and Ian Ross said much the same thing having caught 10 fish in total on fry patterns fished on intermediate lines.

Sunday started dry with again a light south easterly breeze. These conditions reigned for most of the day except for a strong westerly squall that came through in the afternoon. Many anglers are concentrating their efforts in the top few feet of the water with lure patterns as they should, but some anglers are still having some success with nymphs and dries fished on a floating line. Stan Suddick is a good example of this as he boated 9 fished yesterday, all on hoppers. The Peregrine Fly Fishers took to the water yesterday with 6 anglers. The team had a total of 50 fish between them with two of them using both black and red diawl bachs to good effect. Mr Tim Simpson caught half a dozen fish using black boobies whilst drifting around N buoy. Sunday regular Jon Crowley caught 7 fish drifting from J to T buoy on black sparkler boobies fished on an intermediate line.

Eyebrook Fishing Report, Week Ending Sunday 23 Oct 22.

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

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Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 6.00pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 6.00pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 1.30pm
Afternoon Boat: 1.30pm – 6.00pm
Last 4 Hr: 2.00pm – 6.00pm
All Anglers Off Site: 6.15pm

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: Sunday 23 October 2022       Rod Av: 2.6            Water Temperature: 13°

It was a clear, bright start to week with a gentle southerly that built throughout the day to gusty, strong southerly by mid-afternoon. The fish remain high up in the water column & were caught on Dries & on the Washing Line. The Main Basin is still producing good numbers of fish with Dogwood Bay being particularly productive on the day. The fish could be seen feeding on Fry throughout the day in & around the weedbeds from the lodge down to the Hawthorns. All Water Member John Duncan had a very productive day, landing 16 from this area. Tony Tibbert & Stuart Billesdon also had a productive day, landing 12 to the boat, most of which came to the Dries.

Tuesday brought with it bright, clear skies & a flat calm for the entirety of the day. This made the fishing very challenging as there was not a lot of water being covered by drifting boats searching for the pods of fish in the Main Basin. Fish could be seen moving across the Basin but getting to within casting range of those fish was proving to be easier said than done. There was fish caught however, All Water Member Peter Harris, fished a White Snake on an Intermediate Line 100m off the Dam Wall & landed 5 fish & Kate Royce landed 7 fish from the Main Basin, which is a great effort given the conditions.

There was a more substantial breeze on Wednesday that started as a northerly but swung round to an easterly as the day progressed. This made locating the fish in the Main Basin somewhat easier than the previous day. Fish were still caught high up in the water column with Dries, on the Washing Line & Intermediates seeming to be the more productive methods. Season Ticket holder Neil Shilton had a very successful day in his float tube. Throughout the day he was able to land 18 fish on White Minkies from various locations around the Main Basin. His most productive area was just outside the Buoy Line of the Harbour where he was able to intercept fry feeding fish moving to & from the Harbour area. He had some cracking fish with many over 3lbs. Another Season Ticket Holder, Keith Johnson caught well from the Bank, up by the seat on the windward shore fishing terrestrial patterns. Keith managed to land 4 fish in a short session. Elsewhere, the boat anglers in the Main Basin reported a lot of interest with many fish swirling at their flies but not taking them. When this happens in the future it is worth scaling down your setup by fishing the same patterns but smaller & by using a finer diameter tippet. By doing this you should see the fish feeding more confidently & turn them swirls into takes.

The weather on Thursday was extremely damp to say the least. The early thunder & lightning had passed through by 0800hrs, the heavy rainfall however, lasted until mid-afternoon. There was still fish caught during the heavy rain, Neil Hodgson & his boat partner braved the elements & were rewarded with 10 fish to the boat, taken from the corner of the Dam, up by Harrisons. Later in the day, once the heavy rain had stopped, All Water Member Mark Hunt ventured out for a short session & managed to land 6 fish, all on dries: small CDC’s.  Mark was conducting long drifts across the Main Basin & not only caught after targeting moving fish, but he also had fish coming up blind to his flies.

It was a damp still morning on Friday with a very light northerly breeze. As the day progressed, the rain intensified & was persistent until finally abating by late afternoon.  Those that did brave the elements were rewarded with some excellent fishing. During the rain Chris Moses landed 10 fish on a white snake from the basin & All Water Member John Kirk landed 6 fish on Hoppers & Crunchers. After the rain, the Dries really did come into their own. All Water Members Mark Hunt & Roger Kerrison both caught very well on the Dries, landing 9 & 7 fish respectively. Mark used a single CDC whereas Roger found Foam Daddies & the Midas to be his most successful patterns.

It was a better day Saturday weatherwise & the reservoir continued to fish well with plenty of fish still feeding in the upper layers. Those fishing on the surface with Dries caught well, as did those fishing subsurface using fry patterns. Tim & Paul Polito had 12 between them on the Dries & also reported plenty of swirls & bits of interest. Mark Glister however, had 8 fish on a white Humungus just under the surface. Another angler to do well on the Fry Feeders was Season Ticket holder Neil Shilton. Neil caught 14 fish from his Float Tube using a Minkie on a Di 3. The Main Basin, on a whole, remains the most productive area & localised hotspots within Basin, seem to fluctuate on a daily basis as large pods on fish continue to maraud around the Main Basin.

Sunday saw us host the Eyebrook 2022 Fur & Feather. The day started with rain that, at best, could only be described as torrential. The heavy rainfall persisted until early afternoon when the weather finally broke & the skies began to clear resulting in a sunny & bright afternoon. The Fur & Feather is a pairs competition that was fished to a 12 fish limit under fishery rules. This year saw 42 anglers take to the water in very challenging & wet conditions & by late morning, it had already broken the resolve of some. The anglers that remained found the fish in a very temperamental mood, unlike the previous days. Given the extreme variations in the weather & the subsequent fluctuation in the Barometric pressure this was to some degree, unexpected. A special congratulations goes to Sam & Rob Edmonds who were the winning pair on the day with 10 fish, which given the conditions is a great effort. Roy Lewin & his boat partner Mike Smith were second, beating Bob Margery & Steve Lawrence into third by 15oz. Well done & thank you to all those that entered.

Eyebrook Season Extension. We are very pleased to announce that Eyebrook will remain open beyond the previous end of season date of 31 Oct 2022. The revised end of season date is now Sunday 20 Nov 2022. During this period we will be running a reduced fleet of 10 Boats + 1 Wheelie Boat & bank fishing will be limited from the Lodge, along the Dam, through Harrison’s Corner & up to Robbo’s Cabin. This in an extremely exciting opportunity given that the Reservoir has never been boat fished in November before. So please call the Lodge on 01536 770264 to book a boat & avoid disappointment.

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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:  16th October   Rod Av: 3.1      Water Temperature: 12c -13C

Monday, with the forecast for strong winds most anglers booked later on in the week. How wrong could the forecast be, the strong winds never came with only one angler Bob Menhams fishing up to 12.30pm. Bob caught 3 fishing 60yds off the corner of the wood.

Tuesday, a good forecast saw all of the boats out with anglers fishing various areas of the reservoir with floating lines down to DI7 with diawl bach to fry patterns. Keith Cowen caught 6 on cats whisker snake booby. Roy Allen bought his 11yr old daughter fishing for the first time catching 5 on a black booby, Dave Mee caught 6.

Wednesday a quieter day with a freshening breeze. P Moore caught 5 for his mornings visit with John & Ian Thomson catching 5 also.

Thursday damp, foggy morning with little wind. Richard Dayman fished a DI3 to catch his 14 trout fishing the main basin. Ian Leach found fish moving at times down the Markfield arm by the tern rafts but these fish were difficult to tempt with Ian & his boat partner catching 3

Saturday was a perfect autumn day, warm, light winds & great day to be out on the water. And an excellent day with a rod average of 4+ for the day. Keith Cowen caught 10 for his visit on a black sparkler, Jan Webber caught 12 on a DI7 and booby patterns. Mark Hunt caught 15 with 9 on a DI3 and minkie but in the late afternoon with a few fish moving fished a floater and cdc to catch 6. David Woodall fished green and brown buzzers all day catching 5 for his visit.

Sunday and an inch of rain fell with only two anglers venturing out in the afternoon once conditions improved, it wasn’t easy with Karen Thompson managing to catch 1 trout

We are desperate for the rain therefore shouldn’t complain too much when it comes, its ridiculously mild for late October with the water temperature between 12c & 13c. Good rod average of 3.1 for the week with fish taken on floating lines & dries to fast sinkers & booby although the anglers who fished on a floater down to a DI3 enjoyed best success.

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre payment policy for 2022. Details are on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

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:  23rd October 2022              Rod Av: 5.3     Water Temperature:  13°C

The works on the new overflow at the Hensborough Bank are due to start this Monday 24th October. While the works are being completed there will be no access through to Rainbow Corner from the Sailing Club side.  We ask that all anglers enter and exit via the Farborough Dam barrier.

A wet windy start to the week but thankfully the rain did stop just before the anglers started to get out on the water. On the bank Draycote member John Dickens landed 5. John fished the Swans nest in the morning to land 3 fish before heading up to the Tower Bank in the afternoon. Catching the fish on a black and gold humungus on the point and Diawl Bachs on the droppers. With the best of John’s fish tipping the scales at 4lb 8oz. On the bank Draycote members Bob Smith & Ian Richardson enjoyed a “good day” even in the windy conditions. With the duo landing 15 fish to the boat. With the best patterns being Minkie Boobies, Popper Fry and Snakes. Taking fish from Farborough Spit, P Buoy and the Hensborough Bank. Mr Lawrence fished in similar area from a boat to land 10 fish but didn’t comment which flies caught him the fish.

A cool start to Tuesday with the temperature only reaching 3°C when the staff arrived onsite just before 7am. However, once the sun got up higher it was a lovely autumn day with light winds coming from the East. Despite the bright conditions the bank fished well with a number of anglers catching. Tony Broadway used a Grey Minkie to land 5 fish taking 3 from the Tower Bank, one from the Swans nest and then 1 off the Cornfield. With his best fish a cracking rainbow of 4lb 8oz taken from the Cornfield. Mick Cronin landed 9 fish from the Tower Bank on suspender minkies with the best being a rainbow of 4lb 2oz. On the boats Gary Russell landed 7 fish from N Buoy using a olive snakes fished on an intermediate. All water members Ian Leech & Kevin Counihan landed 17 fish using snakes with P Buoy being their best area. Paul Walker fishing with John Falconbridge landed 29 fish with four of them being over 4lb. The pair used midge tip lines with mini snakes to land their fish. Alan Masters fished over Middle shoal near P Buoy using a midge tip with an olive snake and a white minkie to land a dozen. With some cracking fish amongst them of 4lb 3oz and 3lb 10oz and commented “fish in cracking condition”

A blustery overcast day Wednesday with the wind coming from the East. However, the blustery conditions did not put the fish off with the rod average finishing for the day at 8.1 fish per angler. On the bank all water member Norman Perkins enjoyed a great day landing a baker’s dozen. Landing his fish from the Cornfield and the Swan’s nest using either a weighted snake or a booby snake on the point and then buzzers on the droppers. On the boats Draycote member Jon Crowley fished for a half day landing 7 fish. Using black and green snakes drifting from B Buoy down to the Draycote Dam and Rainbow Corner. John Poote & John Golding landed 12 fish to the boat using popper fry and minkies. The pair finding the fish around S Buoy, Farborough Spit and P Buoy. The best catch of the day went to the boat of Ian Richardson & Bob Smith who landed 38 fish to the boat. Their tactics was a 3ft RIO Midge Tip with a small, weighted snake on the point and cormorants on the droppers. Their best drifts were around Farborough Spit and then off the Farborough Dam wall towards J & T Buoy.

Thankfully we missed the very heavy rain Thursday morning that Eyebrook & Thornton received, however we did receive the rains about 11am-1pm which cleared in the afternoon leaving some sun. Once again the lake fished well for the anglers enduring the rain with a 6.0 fish per angler rod average. Draycote member Peter Elliot & Lee Patten enjoyed a fantastic days sport landing 27 fish to the boat. Taking 4 fish each with the fish weighting 6lb 2oz, 5lb 4oz, 3lb 11oz, 4lb 1oz, 4lb 2oz, 5lb 1oz, 3lb 7oz & 4lb. Some fantastic weights all taken on snakes fished on fast intermediates. Rod Wilson & Jim Dempsey used the rudder to great effects landing 20 fish, again including some cracking fish of up to 5lb taken on intermediates and snakes drifting down the Farborough Dam wall and off S Buoy and Croft shoal. John Dickens landed 19 fish taking the majority pulling but also managed to land fish on dries. Draycote member Mike Ravenscroft landed 6 fish in a last four hour boat session commenting on “fantastic fish up to 4lb, all grown on”. Kevin Hart fished with Andy Birkett with the pair boating over 20 fish using snakes and fry patterns. Andy and Kevin said that they encountered fish everywhere they drifted the boat.

Friday was a very wet and windy day here at Draycote, and by the looks of things, everywhere else in the country as well. Those who braved the conditions were in for a great day with good returns coming from a wide variety of areas on the reservoir. Andy Birkett and Kevin Hart took to the water once again using lures to bring over 20 fish to the boat. Fishery staff member Michael Hanlon and his boat partner Will Hunt had a grand total of 27 fish to the boat using flies such as snakes and cormorants around T buoy and Croft Shoal. Mr Tony Marchant landed 7 fish on minkies fishing around Lincroft Point and commented on a “Great Day Out”.

Saturday started bright and sunny with some cloud cover moving in through the afternoon. Good returns are coming from both the boat and the bank at the moment, and there is a good spread of fish throughout the reservoir. Ruth and Tony Kirk caught 7 fishing from the Hensborough Bank using fry patterns. Season permit holder Paul Walley used popper fry patterns and minkies to net 5 fish from the bank at the Swans Nest. Stan Hillman used lures from the bank to net a total of 7 fish from the Tower Bank. Out on the boats Dave Kennell caught over 20 fish using white minkies on a slow glass line. Draycote first timer Mr J Lowe netted 9 fish and lost 4 whilst fishing along the Farborough Dam. Alec Urquhart and Eddie Mitchell had 20 fish to the boat between them. The Pair fished around B buoy and P buoy using minkies in both olive and white, with Eddie returning a brown estimated at about 5lbs. Andy Birkett ventured out for the last day of his 3 day break and caught a total of 24 fish. Andy used humungus boobies fished on a DI3 off Lincroft Point.

Well the rain Sunday morning had the fishery staff thinking they might need to start building an Arc, as there was heavy rain for most of the morning. As a result there was only a few hardy souls who took the water. Although, the rain did easy off later in the day leaving some sun in the afternoon. On the boats Simon Roberts enjoyed a good day landing 9 fish on fry patterns. Draycote member Martyn Hancox fished for the last four hours landing 4 fish from the boats again on fry patterns. Andy Miller hosted a very successful bank beginner tuition day, with the 4 participants landing 5 fish between. To see pictures from the day visit www.facebook.com/flyfishstore with the 2023 dates just released today.

Eyebrook Fishing Report, Week Ending Sunday 16 Oct 22

Posted by & filed under Reports.

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

Follow Us on our social media
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Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 6.15pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 6.15pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 1.30pm
Afternoon Boat: 1.30pm – 6.15pm
Last 4 Hr: 2.15pm – 6.15pm
All Anglers Off Site: 6.30pm

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – 01536 770264

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/

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre-payment policy. The 2022 details are on our website:  http://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: Sunday 16 October 2022       Rod Av:  3.5      Water Temperature: 14°

The week started with a cool, northerly breeze that brought clear skies for most of the day. Despite the bright conditions, the reservoir fished very well with fish getting caught on the Washing line with Red Holographic Diawl Bachs on the droppers & also on the Dries; Foam Daddies, CDC’s in the open water & Popper Minkies around the weedbeds. Mr Nesbitt had a very productive day, landing 14 fish on the washing line, whereas All Water Member landed 12, all of which came to the dries. As the water cools, the thermocline will reposition itself & we could start to see the fish drop down the water column. Over the recent days it has really been noticeable that the cooler weather has begun the fry feeding in earnest with fish seen charging into the abundant amounts of fry that gathers around the weedbeds.

Tuesday brought with it clear, bright skies & a gentle westerly breeze which on occasions subsided to a flat calm. This made the fishing somewhat challenging given that the fish in the Main Basin are still heavily podded & drifting boats were not covering a lot of water. The fish remained in the upper layers but were reluctant to feed on the surface due to the bright skies. Those fishing subsurface were more successful than those fishing on it with the washing line being particularly effective. The Foam Daddie has proven to be a great fly to be fished on the washing line, whether that is a top dropper with a small FAB on the point or as a point fly with small holographic ribbed Diawl Bachs on the droppers. Cormorants on slow intermediate has also been a good method & will continue to take fish in the coming weeks. It is worth noting that the Cormorant is also very effective in a Size 12 & scaling down fly size can often ensure that fish continue to get caught throughout the day. All water member Kevin Counihan landed 8 fish, most of which were on the Cormorants. Whereas Tony Fox also had 8 fish on what was a challenging day, proving that there are plenty of fish to be had.

The wind for Wednesday started off as a gentle southerly but developed to a moderated south westerly by mid-afternoon. There was good cloud cover all day which suggested that the fish that were still sat in the top few feet of water, would be more inclined to feed off the surface. For All Water Member Mark Hunt the fish truly obliged. Mark fished Popper Minkies across the open water of the Main Basin & landed 20 fry feeding fish which is an excellent return. The fish clearly recognised the Popper Minkies as a likely food item & were happy to take them, even in areas where you would not expect to find fry feeding fish. Other All Water Members Ian Jobe & Clive Moore also had a productive day in the Main Basin, landing 14 fish between them. We hosted the annual England Disabled Fly Fishers (EDFF) Fur & Feather today which was a reduced hours match, with the first 2 fish weighed. It saw 12 anglers take to the water & between them they caught 34 fish. Congratulations goes to Sean Higgins who was top rod on the day with a weight of 3lb 9oz. Mark Goodge & Sean Higgins opted to return to the water after the match & added another 8 fish in a very short session.

Thursday greeted the anglers with a millpond, flat calm that remained for the entirety of the day. This made locating fish very challenging as those who wanted to fish on the drift did not cover much water at all. Those that did locate them caught well on a variety of methods & flies. The key was to keep your flies high up in the water column & ring the changes with flies. Paul Ledbrook & his boat partner did exactly that & recorded a return of 11 fish which is an excellent given the conditions. They caught on Foam Daddies, Fry patterns & FABs, with their most consistent area in front of Robbo’s cabin.

Friday was a reasonable day’s fishing with some anglers still picking up fish on dries whilst the majority were finding better sport on fry patterns. Dave Porter & T Ward caught 11 for their visit as did L Johnson & all water member Paul Walker who fished a fab & diawl bach to catch his. N & P Ledbrook fished daddies, minkie & cats’ whisker to catch their 15 trout. Out in front of the pontoon towards Dogwood & the Bell you can watch the trout feeding on the fry, valve tower to Harrisons & along the netted bank continues to produce. Anglers drifting across the main basin are picking up fish on daddies & fry patterns.

The reservoir continued to fish well on Saturday with most fish getting caught on Fry patterns. Slow intermediates seemed to be the most effective line, coupled with a Cat’s Whisker or a weighted Humungus. Mr H smith had a very productive day landing 11 fish on Cat’s Whisker, whereas Season Ticket holder Mick Farrell landed 8, fishing a White Humungus just under the surface on a Slow Glass Intermediate. The Main Basin is still the most productive area with long drifts across proving very successful. There remains a good number of fish in front of Robbo’s Cabin & there are plenty fry feeding fish across the open water.

It was a bright clear start to Sunday with a gentle southerly breeze. The skies remained clear for most of the day & despite the bright conditions, the reservoir fishing very well. The fish remained high up in the water column & were caught on a variety of methods. The common factor amongst those that caught well was the Foam Daddy. Whether it was a point fly on the washing line or fished as a Dry, the Foam Daddies featured heavily on the catch returns.  All Water Member Mark Hunt landed 16 fish in a very productive day, using Foam Daddies during the really bright spells & CDC’s on the occasions when there was some cloud cover. It just goes to show how important it can be to make subtle changes when there is a slight change in the conditions. Elsewhere, Eli Snyman used the Washing Line to great effect, landing 11 fish on a morning session. Eli’s cast was a Foam Daddy on the point & he fished a Diawl Bach & Cormorant above it. Resident Guide Andy Miller hosted a tuition course for 4. They all had a great time going on to catch 6 fish between the 4 of them which is a great return. Well done to all. The Main Basin remains a very productive area, all the way through it, up to Robbo’s Cabin.

Fur & Feather Sunday 23rd Oct :

1,         The 2022 Eyebrook Fur & Feather will be held on Sunday 23rd Oct.

2,         Contact will be made this coming week for payment. The price is £83.50 per pair which includes 2 x 6 fish Tickets & Boat costs. Members can use their season tickets & will just pay for a member’s boat.

3,         Timings. Bacon Cobs will be served from 0745hrs & Competition times will be 0830 – 1630hrs. Hot soup will be served after.

4,         There is still a few boats available, for bookings please call the lodge on 01536 770264.

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Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre payment policy for 2022 details are on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending:  16th October   Rod Av: 2.7     Water Temperature: 12c+

Monday Thornton fly fishers fished their seniors competition, Martin Vernon won with 4 fish to 6lb3oz with Richard Maycock taking the heaviest fish at 2lb7oz Norman Moore caught 7 on orange lures with Carolyn Brown fishing an orange daddy and taking 2 fish

Tuesday with a good forecast we had a busy day on the water. P Wrigley & R Dunster caught 15, Dawsons Olive caught 3 fish each for P Cox & P Hunt. Greg Weatherdon caught 10 on booby, blobs and damsel with fish been caught from all over the reservoir with reports of a good evening rise along the stones during the last hour

Wednesday Steve Meachem on his day off fished Thornton using a midge tip and buzzers to catch 8. P Hunt & J Thomson caught 7 on diawl bach and a green & black booby with J Hives and Sam Fielder catching 6 for their visit.

Thursday and a rod average of 5.0 for the day with anglers catching on a mixture of patterns from G&H Sedge, diawl bach, shipmans buzzer, booby, cats whisker & minkie. P Broad caught 10 for his visit with P Mee & P Fitch both catching 6 trout

Friday and another change to the weather with the wind starting to increase with the rod average dropping to 2.1. J Reynolds fished the afternoon session catching 8 on cats whiskers on a sink tip line in green bay. The windier weather continued into Saturday with a brisk south westerly. Member J Webber fished a black UV booby to catch his 11 trout. Members of the Fly Boys visited Thornton with most catching 3 trout.

Sunday a calmer autumnal day, with local angling club Thornton Angling Club fishing their single fly competition, when each competitor gets the same three flies, this year a cats whisker minkie booby. S Thorpe, P Birdsall, Ian Leach all caught their 4 fish limit with Richard Maycock 4 fish at 7lb13oz winning the competition. Ian Leach won the prize for heaviest fish at 2lb8oz. Steve Lewanaskow and his father fished the last 4 hours catching 7 trout from in front of the main car park

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre payment policy for 2022. Details are on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

 

2022 Prices & details on our pre-payment visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending:  16th October 2022              Rod Av:  4.1   Water Temperature:  13°C

Monday, saw the fishery host the Troutmasters after it being absent from the venue for a number of years due to Covid. There was 38 competitors fishing, with the numbers reduced due to the fisheries being unable to run qualifiers due to the pandemic. The match is split into two 3 hour sessions with all competitors fishing both the boat and the bank. The bank was split into 4 zones. Zone 1 was running from the Swan’s Nest to the Willow Tree in Toft, Zone 1 the other side of Toft (Grey’s Barn) up to Dougie’s gap, Zone 3 from Dougie’s Gap to the Old Pipe & Zone 4 the Old Pipe to the Dam at the Valve Tower. The anglers are then draw into bank zones that they either fish in the  morning or afternoon. With  place boats being awarded for the winner of each bank zone. Then the same on the boats, so if you won your bank zone you would get 1 point and the same with the boats. In the morning the best area was Zone 3 and Lincroft point with David Hoppe landing 11 fish. David, used a small weighted white snakes fished on a 12ft Airflo Slow tip and a figure of eight retrieve. On the boats Trevor Davies won the boat session landing 7 fish, using snakes. There was also a cracking fish on 5lb 3oz caught from Farnborough spit also on snakes. In the afternoon the wind picked up making the fishing more challenging, with the best area being Zone 4 on the bank with Trevor Davies winning the session up there using small snakes. Overall it was Trevor Davies who was crowned the 2022 Troutmasters champion winning both sessions giving him an overall points score of 2. Outside of the match we had a few other boats out on the water. Draycote season ticket holder John Dickens used white boobies on Di 3 & Di 8 sinking lines to land 11 fish. Fellow members Colin Granger & Pete Allen fished down in Toft using a team of cormorants to boat 15 fish between them.

A cool start to Tuesday with the air temperature starting at 3°C with very light winds and clean bright skies. However, these conditions certainly didn’t seem to put the fish off with he rod average for the day finishing at 5.89 fish per angler. Draycote member Tony Broadway from along the Tower Bank enjoying a great 4 hours landing 8 fish. Tony, used a Snowbee buzzer tip with a Grey Minkie to land his fish with the best being a 4lb Rainbow. On the boats Craig Cowan & Ian Dobbie landed 23 fish. The pair used snakes on fast intermediate and Di 3 sinking lines, with their best area being J Buoy to Farborough Dam. Kevin Rees did well landing 6 fish in tricky conditions sticking to his trusty dry flies, with Bob’s Bits being his best fly. All water member Ed Douglas landed 2 fish using a 12ft Midge tip with a weighted snake and a Minkie. Landing his fish off the Hensborough Bank and then around J Buoy. Gwenallt Ifan who arrived for the first of his two day break packaged enjoyed a “great day”. Using popper hoppers to land 7 fish with he biggest being a 4lb overwintered Rainbow. Gwenallt, landed his fish from Biggin Bay, Lincroft and N-Y Buoy going over Musborough shoal.

A calm start to the day with the wind coming from the South with overcast skies in the morning before the sun broke through later in the day. On the bank Colin Day landed 5 fish, 2 from the Tower Bank on the minkie before the wind changed. Colin then moved to Rainbow Corner and landed 3 on white humungus. Also landing 5 from the bank was Mick Cronin while his fishing partner Stan Hillman landed 4 fish with the pair landing them from the Tower Bank and the outlet. On the boats Draycote members Ian Reeve & Colin Granger landed 11 fish between them. The pair used black and green snakes on the point with cormorants on the droppers to land their fish. With the best areas being Y Buoy and over the Aerators. All water member Steve Orton landed 8 fish using a white cutthroat minkie booby fished with a very slow figure of eight retrieve. The boat of Keith Allison & Bob Sharp enjoyed good sport landing 15 fish. Keith landed his on popper fry patterns and also small gold fry imitations, while Bob used popper fry and also a silver sedge. Gwenallt Ifan taking to the water for his second day of his package break, again enjoying a good day landing 13 fish. Gwenallt, used black humungus boobies and daddies to land his fish in Biggin Bay and N Buoy. Roy Anderson down from Scotland landed 18 fish all on Minkies around the Tower Bank, D Buoy and Dunn’s Bay.

Challenging conditions greeted the anglers on Thursday with very light to no wind all day and bright skies after the morning Fog had cleared. Draycote member Bob Barfoot landed 3 fish from the Tower bank first thing in the Morning but struggled once the sun broke through with no wind present. On the boats Ian Lang used fry patterns and snakes to land 9 fish with the largest being a cracking rainbow of 3lb 8oz. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Smith fished in a boat with the pair landing 13 fish between them. They used a weighted snake on the point and cormorants on the droppers to land their fish with the best being a 5lb Rainbow. Mr Butler out in a boat landed 16 fish on a Zonker Booby. Ken Warner fishing with boat partner Calum used popper fry and perch snakes to land 16 fish to the boat. All water member Ed Douglas fished around Lincroft point and J Buoy landing 20 fish. Ed, used a 12ft fast tip with a weighted snake and a black and gold humungus on the dropper.

A fairly calm start to the day here at Draycote on Friday saw a total of 25 rods take to the water from both the boat and the bank. Once again the bank is fishing reasonably well with Peter Elliott catching 5 on various patterns, netting fish up to 4lbs in weight. Season permit holder Paul Walley also took to the bank to net a brace on minkies. Out on the boats Young Dave Adkins netted a total of ten fish using olive snakes fished on a DI3 line. Dave concentrated his efforts around J buoy and the Farborough Dam. Mr Graham England also boated 10 fish using popper fry patterns and olive snakes. Fishery staff member and in house guide Lee Henfrey ventured out in a boat to net a grand total of 19 fish. Lee used a fast glass line and either olive or white snakes and fished the Farborough Dam, P buoy and Lincroft Point.

A blustery day here at Draycote on Saturday, with the wind blowing out of Rainbow Corner and down across the reservoir. Overall the rod average was pretty good coming in at 3.4, with a good spread of fish being caught across different areas. Mr D Priestly and Mr P Mabbott had over 20 fish to the boat between them using popper fry and snakes at various depths. Mr Blythe caught 10 fish on a DI7 line and cats whiskers drifting from B down to X buoy. Season permit holders Rob and Sam Edmunds used olive snakes on sinking lines to net 20 fish from the Farborough Dam, P buoy and the Valve Tower.

Sunday dawned bright and calm with the promise of the wind blowing in a south westerly direction from mid morning.On the bank the Draycote Fly Fishers Association fished its Autumn Bank pairs. The event is the final club match and was well attended by the members. Will Hunt used black and gold Humungus to land 6 fish. While Mark JJ fished at the Tower Bank using minkies and Diawl Bachs to land 3. On the boats Jon Crowley landed 11 fish drifting from B Buoy out towards X Buoy using black and olive snakes on a fast intermediate. All water member Rob Edmounds fished with Colin Fincham with the pair landing 22 fish, using sinking lines with tubes and also snakes. The pair also landed some cracking fish of 5lb & 7lb. Ed Douglas enjoyed a good days sport landing 17 fish. Ed used a 6ft fast intermediate midge tip with a black and gold humungus on the dropper and a booby snake on the point. Finding the majority of his fish in the open water to the right hand side of Croft Shoal.

Eyebrook Fishery Report; Week Ending Sunday 09 Oct 22.

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

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Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 6.30pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 6.30pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 1.30pm
Afternoon Boat: 1.30pm – 6.30pm
Last 4 Hr: 2.30pm – 6.30pm
All Anglers Off Site: 6.45pm

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – 01536 770264

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/

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre-payment policy. The 2022 details are on our website:  http://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: Sunday 09 October 2022       Rod Av:  4.4      Water Temperature: 15-16°

Monday morning was greeted with a good degree of cloud cover, but with a flat calm. This made the selection of where to fish somewhat more important as anglers were not going to be able to cover a lot of water. The beauty of a flat calm is that if there was any moving fish, they would be easily spotted & initially this proved to be the case as fish were caught from very early on. When targeting fish in a flat calm it is important to remember to keep disturbance down to a minimum & if fishing dries, consider using a single fly to aide presentation. As the day progressed, the wind grew & by mid-afternoon it was a moderate south westerly which meant the anglers on the drift were now covering more water & intercepting the pods of fish more frequently. Subsequently the reservoir fished better in the afternoon for most. One thing that didn’t change was that the fish remained high up in the water column throughout the day & were caught by those targeting the upper layers either on Dries or Washing line. The most productive patterns were Foam Daddies, Hoppers & small CDC Clarets & most productive area remained the Main Basin.

Tuesday saw Eyebrook host a Police Pairs competition which saw 39 anglers take to the water. They were greeted by a moderate south westerly wind with plenty of cloud cover & as the day progressed, some isolated sunny intervals. Between the 39 anglers they caught 202 fish between them which gave them a rod average of 5.1 which is an excellent rod average, so well done to all. The winning pair was Tony Barkley & Andrew Bate who had 17 fish between them & top overall individual was between Richard Hood & Rich Watkins. Both had 13 fish, although Richard Hood had his first fish slightly earlier than Rich Watkins & took the spoils, well done Richard. The most productive area remained the Main Basin with the fish still sat in the first few feet of water & were caught on a variety of methods; Dries & the Washing Line. The Foam Daddy continues to take a lot of fish whether that is fished as a Dry Fly or as a part of the Washing Line.

Wednesday brought with it some very strong winds, luckily from the south. As the day progressed the wind maintained its strength & gradually swung round to the west, by the mid-afternoon the wind subsided but brought with some heavy showers. Those venturing out fished under restrictions to mitigate the strong winds & reduce any potential risk of boats drifting into dangerous areas. The Main Basin continued to fish very well with the fish remaining in the top couple of feet & they were caught on either Dries or the Washing Line. With the Dries, Foam Daddies continued to take fish, as did the Midas & Grunters. Even though there weren’t many fish seen moving, they were willing to come blind. Rather than rolling over the fly or the classic head & tail rise, the fish sat below the fly & gently sucked it under. Anglers had to be extra vigilant to any abnormal movement in the vicinity of their flies to connect with them. With the Washing Line, the Foam Daddie also caught well as did a small Sunburst FAB fished either as a top dropper or on the point.

Thursday the main basin continues to produce from the Bell, casting platforms, hawthorn across to the netted bank, robbo`s cabin with most of the trout being taken on floating lines or tip lines with daddies, hoppers, cormorants, cutthroat cat. Some fry feeders along the weed beds in Mucky bay & stock dry. Bank Anglers are catching along the far end of the dam to Harrisons.

Friday, wind was a bit fresher today that kept most of the boats to the lodge side of the island. Fish are still high in the water with floating lines, midge tip or intermediate best with daddies, hoppers, fabs, cormorants, diawl bach & crunchers. Some fish are chasing the fry along the margins. All water member Albert Coles had a very productive morning session, catching 14. We hosted the annual Bank of Scotland – Barclays competition which was fished to a catch & release measured format. The reservoir fished very well for with most competitors catching their 8 fish limit & some continued to catch once their limits had been reached. Between 18 anglers they caught 141 fish giving a rod average of 7.8.

Saturday, the wind swung to the northwest. Some rods persevered with the daddies & hoppers with K Lawrence catching 13 on black hoppers with Kevin Hart catching 8 on foam daddies. D Sparrow & V Sparrow caught 24 for their visit from the main basin. With the brighter conditions on Saturday some rods found an intermediate with cormorants, cutthroat cat with a fab or booby on the point worked for them. Eyebrook member K Johnson caught 4 from the bank for his morning session fishing along the island & towards the chestnut tree.

Sunday brought with it a westerly breeze which petered out as the day progressed to a flat calm. The cloud cover was in the main, continual, but it did give way to some sunny intervals. The fish remained high in the water column & were caught on either Dries, the Washing line or lures pulled just under the surface. Resident guide Andy Miller hosted Jenny & Michael for a 2-hour experience session who had an great time catching 8 fish between them on Foam Daddies, which is an excellent introduction into fly fishing, well done to both. Elsewhere, Neil Shilton & Gary Martin both landed 6 fish, all from the Main Basin area. What has been noticeable as the air temperature continues to drop is the amount of fry feeding that is beginning to occur. The boats have up until now, benefited more than the bank anglers as the fish are sat slightly further out feeding on fry over the weedbeds. As the air temperature continues to drop, it is only a matter of time until the fish start to move closer into the shallows.

Last few spaces available: The 2022 Eyebrook Fur & Feather will be held on Sunday 23rd Oct. The Fur & Feather is a Pairs Competition fished to a 12 fish Boat Limit & Fishery Rules. The price is £83.50 per pair which includes 2 x 6 fish Tickets & Boat costs, Members can use their season tickets & just have to pay for a member’s boat. For anyone who is interested please call the Lodge on 01536 770264 for bookings.

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Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre payment policy for 2022 details are on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending:  9th October       Rod Av: 3.1      Water Temperature: 13c

Monday a calm start to the week with most of the fish caught taking buzzer, diawl bach & dries with fish moving during the last hour. A Wilson caught 7 on static buzzer with Mark Hunt catching 10 during the rise on daddies and bobs bits with fish up to 3lb

Tuesday and a change in the weather with a windy day forecast for Wednesday. D Pritchard did the best fishing the calmer part of the day between 8.30am & 12.30pm catching 4 from the Markfield arm.

Wednesday the wind blew, no boats were allowed out.

Thursday fry patterns worked best with minkie booby, cats whisker best, not an easy day with Richard Price & Russ Martin top rods with 3 trout each

Better day Friday with a south westerly breeze again fry patterns best with Chris Sayer fishing a minkie booby to catch his 18 trout. Saturday the light South Westerly wind continued with the fishing for the day averaging 5+ Again fry pattern with anglers catching from various areas of the reservoir from the stones to Markfield arm and in front of the Wood. Keith Cowen fished boobies to catch his 12 trout, Jan Webber fished a Sink 7 with gold & black booby to catch 22 with Paul Martindale fishing a cats whisker & snake to catch his 12 trout.

Sunday & a change to the weather with a North westerly. Colwick fly fishers paid us a visit with K Saxton top rod with 7 trout to 3lb13oz caught on a DI3 cats whisker with J Parnham catching 6 on a DI7. Mark Hunt decided to fish buzzers in the morning and yellow owl in the afternoon catching 7 trout for his visit.

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

Can we remind members & day rods of our pre payment policy for 2022. Details are on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

 

2022 Prices & details on our pre-payment visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending:  9th October 2022              Rod Av:  3.6   Water Temperature:  13°C

A nice overcast start to the day with the sun breaking through as the day progressed. On the bank the anglers continued to land nice quality fish with both Tony Broadway and john Clifford landing nice silver fish of 3lb 12oz and 4lb 2oz. On the boats there was a real mix of methods, from snakes to dries all featuring well on the catch report. Bob Askew used popper minkies on the morning and then snakes fished on a Di 5 in the afternoon to land 9 fish. Gary Russell also used snakes fish tight in at Farborough spit to land 7 fish with 6 coming in 45 mins a real purple patch. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Barfoot landed 17 fish between them drifting from N to Y Buoy. The pair opted for midge tips with cormorants on the droppers and snakes on the point and commented on “a good day”. Paul Davison fished with Ian Bradfield landing 34 fish to the boat with all of them coming to dries. Paul used his normal team of Midas while Ian opted for popper hoppers. With the fish coming from various marks across the reservoir but drifts over the shoals proved to be very productive.

Overcast conditions Tuesday with the winds coming from the Southwest blowing around 20mph in the middle of the day. On the bank all water member Andy Lille landed 3 fish on Perch fry from the Outlet. Richard Walker fished alongside Andy to also land 3 from the bank on the same patterns. Bank regular Stan Hillman enjoyed a good day sport landing 5 fish from the Hensborough Bank and the outlet on minkies and floating fry. On the boats John Jones enjoyed a good day landing 7 fish taking them all in the morning using a 12ft slow tip and a team of cormorants drifting from A Buoy to Y Buoy. Danny Lovegrove fished with Dhan Nataly with the pair landing 15 fish to the boat. Using a mix of flies with Humungus, Tadpoles and daddies all featuring. With the best areas being Y, P & S Buoy. Tony Baldwin fished with Paul Davison with the pair landing nearly 40 fish to the boat all on dries with Midas being their best pattern.

Wednesdays’ weather forecast did not make for good reading, with it due to deteriorate as the day progressed. Three anglers braved the conditions, with Stuart Bottomley catching from the bank in Dunns Bay on a tadpole. Danny Lovegrove and Dhan Nataly ventured out in a boat to catch half a dozen fish between them. Danny and Dhan used big reds, humungus and hot head damsel just off A buoy near Rainbow Corner.

Thursday dawned with bright sunshine and a light south westerly breeze, which did increase as the day progressed. Draycote member, Dennis Tidmarsh fished with Steve Orton from the boat landing 9 fish on white snakes between them. Ray Wallace & Dave Mark fished landed 16 fish between them drifting from C-D Buoy. Opting to use snakes and boobies commenting “all good fish and a great day” Ian Richardson fished with Bob Smith using Di 3 sinking lines with a small snake and a cormorant at Farborough spit to land 8 fish to the boat. All water member Kev Hart landed 13 fish using a mixture of fry imitation lures with snakes, zonkers and humungus all landing him fish.

Another windy day Friday with the winds in the middle section of the day being just below the cut off limit for letting the boats out. As a result a restriction was in place keeping the boats from Toft and the bottom end of the wind. All water member Norman Perkins used minkies to land 4 fish from the bank off the Outlet. On the boats Roger & Graham Davies landed 10 fish between them using the rudder and tubes going from the Draycote Dam towards B & Y Buoy. All water member Craig Middleton landed 11 fish all on a black booby drifting off the Hensborough Bank towards M & N Buoy. Craig also landed a cracking fish which can be see on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/flyfishstore Mr C Butler used a silver lure to great affect landing 10 fish to the boat.

The winds dropped for Saturday coming from the Southwest with clear skies and a definite Autumnal chill to the morning. Overall Draycote fished quite well with the rod average at 5.8. There is also a good spread of fish with catches coming from Rainbow Corner, The Tower Bank, Biggin Bay, Middle Shoal and Toft Shallows. Lee Patten had 19 form the bank from both the Swans Nest and The Tower Bank using small snakes. Season permit holder Mark Braun caught 5 fish from the bank using black and gold boobies fished on a DI7 line in Dunns Bay. Alan Grant fished from the bank near the Valve Tower to net 8 fish on minkies fished on a slow intermediate line. Out on the boats Le Lerigo netted 10 good fish, one of which tipped the scales at 5lbs 8oz. Rob and Sam Edmunds netted nearly 30 fish from a drifting boat using a combination or cormorants and dries, most of them coming from near the Valve Tower. Mark Thistleton fished in Biggin Bay to net 6 fish using snakes fished on a DI3 line. Mr R Floyd and Mr N Loughrey had 15 fish to the boat using cormorants fished on a 3 foot midge tip line.

A busy day Sunday with a number of anglers fishing ahead of the Troutmasters on the Monday and a number of anglers taking advantage of the mild weather. Jon Crowley fished for a morning from the boats landing 6 fish on olive and black snakes drifting from Y Buoy over to the North Shore. Brian Cantle used pink or white snakes from the boats to land 10 fish with M Buoy an C Buoy his best areas. Draycote member Richard Walker landed 7 fish with 5 of them falling to a white muddler in the surface while the rest came to a black and green snake on Sink 6 line. David Hoppe practicing for the Troutmasters fished with Draycote member Peter Elliot with he pair landing 23 fish to the boat. Lea Tones out with Steve Farmer landed 15 fish to the boat using olive snakes, minkies and various boobies on any line from a slow intermediate to a Di 3 sinker.