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

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton are explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 20^th August.  Rod Av: 3.1    Water Temperature: 19c+ – 20c+

Monday with its forecast was a quiet day with only one boat out for a few hours. Tuesday with a much better forecast had all of the boats out for the morning session with some boats out for the afternoon evening. With the brighter conditions algae also returned. Mixed days fishing overall. Arthur Olding caught 10 on a fast sinking line and orange booby across the min basin. P hunt caught his 5 on buzzers & daddies with Paul Martindale during the afternoon hooking 5 trout & landing 2 on a damsel.

Wednesday with little wind forecast & a bright hot day, algae was an issue across the water. And yet, despite the weather we enjoyed our best days fishing of the week with the rod average at 4.5 The morning session was the most productive fishing from 8am to 2.30pm. Ironically the area opposite the lodge was a productive area along with the deeper water in front of the public car park and across the maim basin. Fast sink tip lines down to fast sinkers with damsel booby patterns, red booby & standard damsel patterns. Richard Price caught 14 for his mornings session, Phil Mee with his granddaughters caught 7, D Slessor caught 4 with P Hunt & J Thomson boating 14 trout.

Thursday, wind had switched to an easterly. With algae still about the cooler morning session fished best with anglers fishing fast sinking lines & booby patterns such as a damsel booby, orange or red booby, olive snake booby on a 3ft to 6ft leader. Martin Hosking fished the morning session boating 7 on booby patterns with Dean Rossi catching 3 for his mornings visit. Unfortunately the afternoon & evening proved challenging.

Friday, easterly wind, cooler morning with some rain, algae still showing, water temperature at 7am was 19c+ Anglers took our advice and fished the morning session which produced great sport with an 8.8 rod average. With the conditions fast sinking lines with a 3ft leader single booby or 6ft leader with a booby on the point and a booby, red buzzer, bloodworm pattern or red diawl bach on the dropper. All water member M Vickers fished with his son and 8 year old granddaughter Luna who caught 4 trout, excellent well done Luna. Matt and his son boating 20 trout. C Sayer caught 12 on various booby patterns with P Wrigley & R Dunster boating 11 trout with some of those caught drifting the Thornton arm. R Michalak caught 6 with the damsel booby being his most productive pattern

Saturday, algae still about with the water temperature 19c+ at 7.30am. Anglers took our recommendation and fished the morning session with fast sinking lines 6ft leaders with tequila booby, damsel booby, red booby and minkie booby working. Jan Webber caught 7 wit B Sibley and M Clay boating 12 fish to their boat with P Cook catching and returning a cracking 3lb perch.

Sunday with the water temperature 19c at 7.30am and still some algae about the morning session fished best with sinking lines and various booby patterns. P Hunt & J Thomson caught 10 for their mornings visit, John Reynolds caught 5 wit Ian Leach fishing an intermediate line down to a fast sinker to pick up his 4 trout. Most fish were caught across the main basin although some were caught down the middle of the Markfield and Thornton arm.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:   Sunday 20^th August 2023  Rod Av: 3.78  Water Temperature: 17.5 °C

Monday was overcast and windy for the most part with scattered showers until just after lunch. The conditions kept the numbers down with only 14 boats taking to the water, however the anglers pulled out a rod average of 4.6. Ian Richardson and Bob Smith had 17 fish between them using tequila FAB’s and crunchers on a midge tip line. The pair fished around N and Y buoy as well as Farborough Spit.  Mr Peter Evans used orange daddies on a midge tip to net half a dozen fish “Right in the top of the water”. Season permit holder Andy Lilley used dries as well as the washing line technique to catch 5 fish whilst drifting along the Flat Stones as well as in Rainbow Corner. Phil Cross and Steve Windram had 8 fish between them drifting around A buoy using foam daddies.

The great fishing continues at Draycote with Tuesdays rod average coming in at 5.7, even through bright sunshine. The fish are still holding in the top few feet of the water with dries working really well despite the conditions. Bank fishing is ticking along nicely with anglers making the best of the cooler water temperatures. Stan Hillman and Mick Cronin had half a dozen between them from the bank using a wide variety of patterns. Draycote regular Ivor Bullock had 6 fish from the bank in Duns Bay, using flies such as diawl bachs and buzzers. Season permit holders Peter Allen and Tony Broadway took to the bank to net a brace apiece on crunchers fished on a buzzer tip line. Out on the boats Kevin Rees netted 16 fish from a drifting boat on dries such as crippled midge, bob’s bits and the F fly. Draycote regulars James Maplethorpe and Trevor Moore had a bakers dozen between them on diawl bachs and remarked on an excellent afternoon. Kevin Hart and young John Hoskins had nearly 30 fish to the boat between them. The pair fished near N buoy, Y buoy and The Aerators using slow intermediate lines with perch fry patterns and blue flash damsels. Seasoned regular Dave Adkins had 15 fish to the boat drifting near M, N and J buoy using a DI3 line and mini snakes.

A tricky day Wednesday with sunny warm overhead conditions and a near flat calm that occasionally the wind swinging around during the day. As a result it was a more challenging day than we have experienced the last few weeks here at Draycote. Draycote member John Dickens used either dries of snakes to land 5 fish, fishing around N Buoy. Chris Mills & Dave Gould landed a dozen fish between then on lures, with Chris using a green leech and Dave using boobies. Mr D Randle landed 7 fish from his boat, fishing around M & N Buoy. Mr Ron Herbert despite the sun found dries to be productive landing 7 fish using CDC shuttlecocks. Mr James Kavanagh fished for a half day landing 4 fish. Overall it was a challenging day, with no stand out fly or methods. However, it shows that even in the sunny conditions the fish will still come up for a well presented dry.

A cloudy start to the day with the wind remaining on the Northeast with the sun arriving later in the day. On the bank Draycote member Jim Kelly fished in Toft to land 5 fish using pheasant tailed nymphs and Damsels. Fly fishing newcomer Sunny Walker also fished from the bank having had a couple of casting lessons with Tom. Landed his first ever fish a cracking 4lb silver Rainbow taken on a sparkler booby in Toft. A massive well done to Sunny, and we hope it’s the first of many more. On the boats Jim Dempsey used a Di 7 sinking line with a snake to land 5 fish near Y Buoy. Draycote member Ian Richardson & Bob Smith landed 11 fish between them using either a midge tip with cormorants or a DI 5 and a snake. The pair found the best area to be around N & Y Buoy as well as the Farborough Dam. Ian Reeve fished for a morning landing 8 fish. Taking 5 of them using a washing line at the Old Pipe in Biggin, taking the other 3 at Rainbow Corner on a snake. Draycote member Lee Patten fished with Stuart Lee using either dries or washing lining tactics or dries landing 19 fish. Dave Kennel used 2 daddies and 2 Diawl Bachs on a 12ft slow tip to land 9 fish. Drifting from H Buoy out towards P Buoy and Middle Shoal. Fraser Duffy Snr & Jnr landed 14 fish using a Di 3 sinking line with a team of cormorants.

Once again we had a Northwest wind on Friday, with overcast skies and rain for the morning. Before it did brighten a little around 4pm ahead of more rain later in the day. Draycote member Kevin Rees used dries all day to land 8 fish using crippled midge and f flies, drifting off the Farnborough Dam wall heading out towards P Buoy. Fellow member John Dickens also used crippled midge to great effect landing 9 fish. We also had a number of anglers also taking to the water ahead Wychwood Fly Fishing Championships on Sunday. As expected most of these anglers kept their cards close to their chest with regards to tactics and methods. But there was some good numbers reported of 20, 18, 16 fish being caught by individuals. Craig Middleton landed 16 fish using a variety of tactics. With his best being daddies on a 12ft slow tip when it was overcast and then caught pulling when the sun made an appearance in the afternoon. Dave Currie & Terry Bayes also used daddies to great effect landing 20 fish to their boat.

The weekend saw the fishery host the Wychwood fly fishing championships with 100 anglers competing to win £1,000 first prize and £2,000 worth of tackle to the top ten. Saturday the competitors took to the water for the official practice day. Southwest winds with overcast skies greeting the anglers with sunny spells at times. Specific tactics where a closely guarded secrets, however, the general feeling that there was a good spread of fish with hotspots around N Buoy, X Buoy and H Buoy down into Toft. With the fish sitting high in the water even when the sun was out but cloud cover produced the better fishing.

Sunday and the day of the match, there was differing forecast with some giving bright sun all day and other giving a mix of cloud. It was the latter that proved to be correct with cloud cover at times, with Southwest winds. From the start the boats split with half the fleet going to N Buoy and the other half heading to H Buoy and Farborough Spit. Ben Dobson got off to a flying start landing 6 fish before 11.30, but the sport slowed as the day progressed. Martin Griffiths also got off to a good start landing 3 early fish near K Buoy. Around lunch the wind picked up slightly meaning there was a bit more of a wave then a ripple. The winner on the day was James Rice from Wales, James used a 12ft slow tip with a black booby on the top dropper, muskins and a cormorant on the droppers with another black booby on the point. His beat area was around N Buoy and it was once the wind picked up in the afternoon he found the fishing more productive. After finding on practice that the fish seemed keener for a chase once the wind picked up, so swapped his figure of eight retrieve for a slow roly-poly. Overall there was 413 fish caught for a rod average of 4.13, with the majority of the anglers catching on washing line with buoyant flies on the point or top dropper with cormorants or nymphs on the droppers. With the areas found in practice to be most productive. The best fish of the match brought to the scales was a cracking fish caught by Bryan Brown of 5lb 1oz that took a booby. Photo of the winner https://www.facebook.com/Flyfishstore

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26^th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

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Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook are explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 20^th August   Rod Av:   4.0       Water Temperature: 19+°c

It was a calm but very damp start to the week & as the day progressed the wind intensified. This put paid to any anglers venturing out on Monday.

Tuesday brought with it some bright, clear skies & a gentle to moderate south westerly wind. The clear skies remained for most of the day with occasional cloud cover. With far from ideal conditions, the reservoir fished very well, particularly to the Dries, where fish were caught across the Main Basin. Other successful methods included the Washing Line with those fishing “colour” on the point, be that a Blob Booby or FAB, catching better than those who opted for a more subtle point fly. Eyebrook Member Roy Swinfield did exactly this, landing 11 fish, coming to the Blob Booby on the point & the Muskins on the droppers. Eyebrook regular, Martin Rowson opted for CDC’s, whereas his boat partner Keith Walker chose the Washing Line & they enjoyed a very productive day landing over 30 fish. Fishing Dries, Mr Fox & Mr Smith also had a good day landing well over 20 fish, once again from the Main Basin. All Water Member Ian Jobe, out in his float tube, spent his morning fishing slightly deeper, looking for some of Eyebrook’s larger resident fish & was rewarded with 11 fish averaging over 3lbs.

On Wednesday the reservoir started in a flat calm & remained that way for most of the day with an occasional breeze that produced a very light ripple. This lack of wind, coupled with clear, bright skies indicated that this would be a challenging day and so it proved. There was however a good number of fish caught from the area of the Main Basin on a variety of methods. All Water Member Mick Glover initially caught well on Foam Daddies but changed later in the day to pulling a Tequila Booby on a sinking line & was a rewarded with an excellent return of 14 fish. Eyebrook Member Victoria Liggins fished Foam Daddies from a drifting boat & went on to have a very productive day landing 7 fish. Nigel & Max Woolnough chose a different approach by targeting feeding fish around the marginal weedbeds. Fishing Dries & Fry imitations they went on to land well into double figures which is an excellent return for a morning session. What were the common themes throughout the day was that despite the conditions, the fish remained high up in the water column & those fishing from drifting boats caught better than those fishing from an anchored boat. It pays to cover more water.

Thursday saw us experience the first algal bloom of the season, with the Main Basin’s water clarity deteriorated to 12 inches at times. This obviously had a detrimental effect on the fishing with very few fish caught. Those that did catch, caught in the morning before the extended sunlight accelerated the algal bloom. During this initial blooming phase, it was very difficult to find clear water as the algae built throughout.

With very little breeze to usher it along, the Algal boom continued to dominate the general area of the Main Basin on Friday. Most of the fish caught today, were caught by those targeting the feeding fish around the weedbeds, be that from the bank or from the boats. The weed acts as a filter to the Algae & there were some areas of water between the weed & the bank. The most productive pattern proved to be a Stickleback popper fry.

Saturday brought with it a moderate southerly breeze that began to clear the Algae in the Main Basin & subsequently the reservoir fished considerately better than it had previously. The Washing Line seemed to be the percentage method with a mixture of either a Foam Daddy on the point or a FAB & Hares Ears or Muskins on the Droppers. Out with his son, Eyebrook member, Mick Farrell enjoyed a very productive day landing well over 20 fish on the Washing Line. As did Ben Beckworth who got well into double figures, also on the Washing Line. Another Eyebrook Member Neil Shilton, out in his Float Tube, landed 8 great quality fish, fishing slightly deeper with lures. On his weekly visit, Bob Margery also got amongst the fish, again on the Washing Line with some colour on the point.

The improvement to the water clarity continued Sunday & yet again the Reservoir fished very well. With most of the fish occupying the upper layers, the Washing Line & Dries proved to be the most productive methods with great returns recorded. With the Washing Line, the choice of the buoyant point fly varied from Foam Daddies, Blob Booby/FAB to Marabou Boobies; Candy Booby, Cat Booby, etc…. The marabou booby is a great choice when fished on a slower retrieve due to the movement of the marabou. On the droppers, Hoppers, Lightweight Buzzers, Cormorants & Diawl Bachs all featured highly on the catch returns. This time of year & with changeable weather conditions we are currently experiencing it often pays dividends to remain flexible in your approach & change your method to suit the conditions, which is exactly what Mr Wilkins & Gray did. They fished Dries in the morning & then changed to the Washing Line in the brighter afternoon & were rewarded with landing well over 20 fish, catching throughout the day. Elsewhere, All Water Members, the Duffy’s, Junior & Senior, caught well into double figures as did Sam & Rob Edmunds.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free day’s fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free day’s rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Upcoming Events

03 September – Eyebrook Fly Fishers – Single Fly, 8 Boats.

06 September – England Disabled Fly Fishers, 15 Boats + 2 WB’s

09 & 10 September – England Ladies National, 15 Boats.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir.

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

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton are explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For details on our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 13^th August Rod Av: 2.2    Water Temperature: 20c+

Monday a northerly wind, surprisingly strong at times. Surprisingly few fish reported to be seen feeding off the surface compared to the weekend. Pete Hunt fished an intermediate line in front of the public car park, an area that does produce some shelter on a northerly. Pete caught 13 on a tequila blob and buzzers with most offers in the top 3ft.

Tuesday westerly breeze some fish moving but didn’t fish as well as expected. Most caught on floating lines, tip lines or intermediate with daddies, claret hopper, small buzzer & nymphs. Most rods fished the morning session with P Martindale out for the afternoon evening, it was the part of the day we saw most fish moving with Paul hooking 5 but landing 3 mostly to the claret hopper.

Wednesday busy day, all the morning boats out with some booked for the afternoon & evening. Best of the sport was from 11.00am onwards it was a bit disappointing that a flat calm came during the last few hours. It was a varied day of methods taking fish, Stuart Thompson landed 4 fishing a #14 Bibio on a floating line. Mid-morning onwards R Price fished a blue flash booby on a short leader off a fast sinker to boat 7 trout with Ian Leach & Mark Cawley boating 11 to small fabs, diawl bach, cruncher. Bob Jones caught his 5 trout on a black buzzer & diawl bach. First time all year we have seen some algae, its not an issue as long as a breeze moves it. Best fishing area was across the main basin.

Thursday & a hot day as forecast which has also led to an algae bloom. Busy day with all of the boats out during the morning with some boats back out for the afternoon / evening. The hot weather did have an impact on the fishing with the best catches coming to fast sinker and booby. Peter Wrigley opted to fish a floater with a 20ft leader and small red diawl bach, fishing from an anchored boat letting the flies sink and then a slow retrieve boating 4 trout but reporting other fish hooked and lost. On the fast sinkers sink 7 with a short 6ft leader with a damsel booby, red or orange booby & white minkie booby worked best. D Rossi & C Rossi hooked 10 landing 5, S Winram landed 10 with J Hibbert out for the last 4hr catching 4. A slow, very slow retrieve was the most successful method.

Friday following yesterday’s mini heatwave our water temperature was back up to 20c+. With the hot weather the algae bloom had most of the rods set up fast sinkers sink 7 lines with short leaders of 6ft with a single booby or a 6ft leader with a dropper at 3ft and point fly at 6ft. Tim Barnes fished a booby on the point and a diawl bach on the dropper with 2 fish taking the diawl. Steve Zeleny & S Swinfield caught 12 fish and were off the water by midday, their booby drift was out of the public car park to the yellow buoy. C Sayer for the morning session boated 16 he found the drift from the yellow buoy to the wood bank was best for him. Carl Bond caught his 6 trout on a fast sinker and booby from various areas across the basin. A variety of booby patterns worked from a minkie booby, orange booby, red booby, cats whisker booby and at this time of year damsel booby. Excellent day with a rod average 5

Saturday, fresh breeze & noticeably cooler, there was less algae bloom than the previous two days. Surprisingly following yesterday good days fishing today it switched off with 1 rod catching 1 fish while everyone else blanked. The only reason I can put to it is a massive change to air pressure.

Sunday and an improvement J Reynolds caught 9 fishing a Sink5 on the drift down the Markfield arm to cormorant and booby patterns. K Cowen caught 5 on an olive damsel, overall a rod average 2 for the day.

Algae conditions over the weekend were starting to improve.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending: Sunday 13^th August 2023  Rod Av:  4.22 Water Temperature: 17 °C

A bright start to the week, with the wind starting in the West but soon swung round to the Northwest, with cloud arriving in the afternoon. On the bank Draycote member James Kelly landed 4 fish, taking all of them in the morning despite the bright conditions from Toft. James, fished with silver Thorax pheasant tails and Diawl Bach’s to land his fish. On the boats Peter Elliot fished with Lee Patten with the pair landing 19 fish, drifting over the middle using Grunters. All water member Ed Douglas also fished dries to land his dozen fish. Ed kept changing his flies in order to keep catching and found that it was the afternoon that fished better with his best flies being crippled midge, shuttlecock CDC and Klinkhammer. Fellow dry fly fan Kevin Rees also used dries all day to land 16. Using his standard size 14 skinny cripple midge. All water member Pete Eville fished with Mark Lee with the pair boating 22 fish. Using an Airflo 6ft slow tip with a Candy FAB on the point and hoppers on the droppers. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Barfoot finished with 24 fish to the boat. With the pair using either a Di 3 sinking line, Intermediate or Midge Tip with a snake on the point, cormorant in the middle and a blob on the top dropper. The best areas they found being Y, N & M Buoy. All water member and former manager Kevin Hart enjoyed a fantastic days sport, landing 24 fish. Keving fished over Musborough using suspender fly patterns on intermediate or floating line.

An overcast day Tuesday with drizzle for the most part of the afternoon. On the bank Alec Twaites enjoyed a great morning landing 5 fish from the old pipe in Biggin Bay. Alec used a white humungus on a floating line after spotting the fish chasing fry, after closer examination after taking his first fish. They were feeding on sticklebacks, and the white humungus accounted for his further 4 fish. With some really quality fish amongst them putting fish back of 5lb. Beginner member Andrew Tasker also found good sport in the morning from the bank landing 4 fish. On the boats Draycote member David Stott landed 8 fish using an intermediate line, with a cats whisker and a black booby. Taking his fish from Toft and also Lincroft point. Brendan Thomas fished around N & Y Buoy landing 10 fish pulling tequila FABs on an intermediate line and commented on the “quality fish” Ed Douglas once again used dries to great effect landing 15 fish with cripple midge and shuttlecocks being his best patterns. Fishery Ranger & guide Lee Henfrey went out fishing after his morning shift landing 16 fish. Using a RIO 3ft midge tip with a white snake on the point with cormorants and hoppers on the droppers using a slow roly-poly retrieve. With Lee’s best areas being around N buoy and Musborough Shoal and like Alec, commented the fish are hitting the fry around the weed.

A warmer day Wednesday, than we have experienced recently with air temperatures touching 25°C. However, with all the colder weather the water temperature remained cool. Mike Garner fished from the bank landing 4 fish, two on cormorants and two on Silver Invicta. With the fishing coming from Lincroft Point & The Swan’s Nest. Fishing from the boats Mr Gregory from America fishing his final day on a 3 day package, landed 6 fish. With 2 of the 6 being grown on Rainbows of 4 & 5lb, catch on a minkie fished on a Di 3 at N Buoy. Draycote members Ian Richardson & Bob Smith landed 21 fish to their boat, drifting around Musborough Shoal and M Buoy. The pair used Di3 sinking lines or intermediate with cormorants, FABs and snakes all taking fish. Mike Gillett & Colin Campbell fished a washing line to land 11 fish to their boat with most of the fish taking the FAB, with Toft being their best area. The best catch of the day came to the boat of Matt Harris, who struggled during the day. Until around 5pm a huge buzzer hatch took place, and as the wind dropper “nearly every fish in the lake was on the surface feeding” Using a 10ft #4 to help present the flies quietly in the calm conditions Matt landed over 40 fish all on dries.

Another warm day on Thursday, with temperatures reaching high 20s, although thankfully the water temperature still remained at a fish friendly 17°C first thing in the morning. Jim Dempsey fished for a morning landing 6 fish from the boat. Using a Di 3 and snakes to start before swapping to a Di 7 to take a further 4 fishing around Y Buoy. Ian Morris fished down in Toft using a foam daddy to land his 5 fish. David Holding & Geoff Brooks fished around N & M Buoy using a midge tip line with a sparkler booby on the point and hoppers on the dropper to land 5 fish. All water member Pete Webb fished with S Charter with the pair boating 11 fish, but unfortunately left no comments as to how. Fellow all water members Fraser Duffy Senior & Junior used a washing line with a FAB on the point to also land 11 fish. Making the most of the last four hours Draycote member Peter Elliot fished with David Hoppe with the pair landing 10 fish between them on dries fishing around A Buoy and Rainbow Corner. Make the journey from Bristol Dave Reynolds & Paul Golding landed 20 fish between them on a mix of washing lining and also dries later in the afternoon.

Friday was calm to start with but turned bright and blustery as the morning progressed. Once again, we had a good amount of anglers take to the water and use a wide variety of methods to make some good returns. Alex Campbell caught 3 fish on cormorants  fished on a DI3 line during a morning session. M bouy and the Flat Stones were his best areas. Ed Douglas used dries to good effect, catching 10 fish on bob’s bits, the F fly and shipmans buzzers. Debbie and Sean Gilbert fished near the Hensborough Bank used humungus and crunchers to net 3 fish between them. Kevin Rees had a bumper day, netting a total of 17 fish on dries such as crippled midge and the F fly. Kevin Hart and John Hoskins had a bakers dozen between them using a fast glass and a DI5 line, with lures and boobies.

An overcast start Saturday, with sun arriving later in the day with quite a gusty Southwest wind. Jon Crowley took to the boat for a morning session to land 8 fish drifting from M Buoy to K using a black and green snake on a Di 5 sinking Line. As well as using a popper fry fished on a floating line. Steve Barby fished with boat partner Mike used the Rudder to great effect lading 19 fish to the boat fishing with snakes and tubes around Y Buoy & X Buoy. Husband & Wife Neil and Sue Potts fished in Rainbow Corner using a washing line. With a FAB on the point and nymphs on the dropper and also the Bung to land 5 fish. Draycote member Paul Walker using a Damsel on the point and Diawl Bachs on the droppers to land 19 fish. Fishing around Rainbow Corner to A Buoy and then M drifting to K Buoy.

Much better conditions on Sunday with overcast skies all day, with the wind remaining in the Southwest but at times was a little gusty. All water member Kevin Hart fished with Dave Pacey with the pair boating 19 fish. With Kevin using fry patterns such as olive zonkers, mini snakes and also floating fry. While Dave went for FABs and a Damsel. Catching their fish off the Draycote Dam Wall and also the Tower Bank. James Alexander fished for a morning landing 10 fish, drifting from N Buoy to X Buoy using a brown foam daddy fished on a floating line. Draycote member Paul Mitchell fishing with Tim Burn found washing lining and then dries to the their best method landing 26 fish to their boat. Bob Fitzpatrick fishing with Sir Bob Cooper landed 24 fish to their boat drifting from Rainbow Corner towards A Buoy on “various nymphs” All water members Frazer Duffy Snr & Jnr caught 24 on a mix of FABs on a washing line and also dries drifting around M Buoy, A Buoy and N Buoy. Overall a great end to the week with the rod average ending on 5.11 fish per angler.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26^th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

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Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook are explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 13^th August   Rod Av:  3.5        Water Temperature: 18°c

Monday saw a moderate south westerly breeze push round to a westerly as the day progressed which brought with it some extended periods of sunshine. The fishing remained challenging in the Main Basin with plenty of fish being seen but very few willing to take a fly. One angler who did catch a few was All Water Member Ian Jobe who landed 6 from his Float Tube. Ian fished lures on different sinking lines to tempt his fish but very few of those took his flies at depth, with all his takes coming either at the start of his retrieve or at the end.

There was a gentle westerly breeze on Tuesday which brought with it consistent cloud all day with the occasional light rain. The reservoir continued to be challenging with the fish in the Main Basin proving to be, once again, temperamental to tempt. One angler who found a method that worked on the day was All Water Member Mark Hunt who fished a small, single Dry Fly on a long leader to land 9 fish. This was an excellent return on the day. Off the bank, Eyebrook regular, Nigel Woolnough targeted the fish feeding on Sticklebacks around the weedbeds & was rewarded with a couple of hard-earned fish from the Chestnut & Sam’s Dyke. Nigel proved once again just how important it is to target feeding fish with the relevant representation of a food item the fish are known to be feeding on.

Wednesday started in a flat calm with bright, clear skies with fish seen moving across the Main Basin. A gentle southerly breeze quickly developed but the skies remained clear. On a short morning session was Brian White, quickly got amongst fish on a tan Foam daddy & he ended up landing 4 fish after being connected to several others. Elsewhere, All Water Members Ian Jobe & Clive Moore landed over double figures after finding fish later in the day. Clive & Ian used lures drifting across the Main Basin.

Thursday started the day with flat calm conditions & bright, clear skies. As the day progressed, a moderate to strong southerly wind developed & the skies remained clear for the duration of the day. On the boats fish were found tight along the Dam, along Harrisons to the netted bank, in front of Robbo’s Cabin & also in the open water of the Main Basin. Eyebrook Member Victoria Liggins had a very productive session landing 7 fish on Foam Daddies whereas, another Eyebrook Member, Stuart Bilsdon & his regular fishing partner Tony Tibbert, caught very well on CDC’s once they had located the fish.  Out on a short, guided session, Francois Olivier under the watchful eye of Guide & Eyebrook Manager Lloyd Thompson, also had a productive session. They caught a good number of fish on a variety of methods, from pulling lures on a sinking line to a washing line fished on an Intermediate Line, finding fish 2-3ft down. For further information on the Guiding services we provide, please use the following link  https://www.flyfishtuition.co.uk/guiding/. On the banks, Malcolm Thompson yet again found the fish willing to take a Floating Fry over the weedbeds down at the Hawthorns, landing 3 fish in a morning session.

The weather was much the same as the previous day with the only difference being that there were some extended periods of cloud. Subsequently, the reservoir fished much the same with the fish remaining high up in the water column & some good returns recorded. From the boats, Mr Hastie & Mrs Simms caught very well fishing Nymphs on the washing line in the Main Basin. Out on his Float Tube, Tony Barkley, was another to catch very well. Conducting long drifts through the Basin, Tony landed 14 fish on a variety of flies & lines.

Initially, Saturday saw a moderate southerly breeze, with a good amount cloud cover. However, by the afternoon the wind had built & there were some extended periods of sunshine. Subsequently, the reservoir was more productive in the morning than the afternoon as fishing conditions became challenging. Despite the deterioration in the weather, overall, the reservoir fished very well with some great returns recorded from the boats, float tubes & the bank. The Main Basin as it has been, was holding a lot of fish & these fish were feeding hard throughout, succumbing to most methods that targeted the upper layers, washing lined floating lines, straight lined floating lines & Dries. From the banks, regular visitor Malcolm Thompson returned for what proved to be a very productive morning, landing 12 from the Hawthorns. There was a large contingent of Float Tubers on the water, all of whom caught with Tony Barclay being the top rod amongst them landing 12 fish. Members Bob Margery & Andy Lilley both enjoyed productive morning sessions in their respective boats, landing 12 & 14 fish. Bob used the Washing Line with a FAB on the point, whereas Andy used Dries & the Washing Line to tempt his fish.

It was an overcast start to the day with light southerly wind that had developed into a strong, gusty wind by early afternoon with some extended periods of sunshine. As in the previous day, this made fishing in the afternoon a tad more challenging than it was in the morning. Benefitting from the better weather in the morning was a Mr Bridge, who fished a Blob Booby on the point on his washing line with Cormorants & Nymphs on the Droppers to land 20 fish in a morning session. Another to catch over 20 fish was All Water Member Mark Hunt, who fished a team of Foam Daddies to tempt is his fish. Elsewhere, Eyebrook Member, Neil Shilton took to his Float Tube & fished deep with lures looking for some overwintered fish & was duly rewarded with 7 fish to 4lb. From the banks Malcolm Thompson had another productive day targeting the fry feeding fish down by the Hawthorns. Malcolm fished Hares Ear CDC’s over the weedbeds & went on to land 5 fish. The Main Basin remains the most productive boat area with fish being found throughout. From the bank, the Hawthorns continues to fish well & the Dam wall is historically a very productive bank area this time of year.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free day’s fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free day’s rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Upcoming Events

03 September – Eyebrook Fly Fishers – Single Fly, 8 Boats.

06 September – England Disabled Fly Fishers, 15 Boats + 2 WB’s

09 & 10 September – England Ladies National, 15 Boats.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir.

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

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Thornton are explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 6^th August   Rod Av: 2.8    Water Temperature: 18.5c+

Monday, the weather forecast with cloud, rain & fresh wind was certainly on the side of fly fishing for the time of year with the fishery averaging 5 for the day. Good to see N Proctor & A Proctor returning to fly fishing & catching on daddies. Andrew Wilson fished claret hopper & claret bumble to catch his 6 trout with Gary Owen fishing the afternoon session catching 10 trout on dries & suspenders.

Tuesday it was floating & tip lines being the best method with the majority of trout taking daddies, #14 diawl bach, #12 #14 claret buzzer, #14 #16 olive buzzer, damsel nymphs & #12 #14 fabs. P Hunt caught 9 on daddies for his morning session. D Hussey fished the afternoon with diawl bach & buzzer catching 9 with R Jordan finding a cats whisker pattern worked best for him boating 5 trout for a morning session. Fish moving at times, it pays to fish a lighter leader, thinner diameter and a long leader and single fly at this time of year.

Wednesday, it pays to follow our local weather on the two links below, our weather was far better than the national forecast, rains not an issue & at this time of year rain & associated cloud is good for our sport. Only one angler fished M Hosking who fished the morning session catching 4 & had follows & offers off others, generally floating line & dries.

Thursday, northerly wind today which may make it easier for the rods to target the fish in the Thornton arm. Various method worked during the day, floating line, tip line with dries and washing line to fast sinkers and booby. Dries, orange and natural daddies, claret hoppers and shipman’s. 6ft sink tip lines a small fab, #14 diawl bach, hares ear, buzzer patterns, on a fast sinker olive booby or red booby. Tim Russell & Rudge caught 13 for their mornings visit, M Cawley & Ian Leach caught 9 with K Hampton catching 5. Generally during the day Main basin, green bay top of the Markfield arm produced best. Afternoon and evening dries worked for B Morris boating 3 fish starting in the Thornton arm.

Friday north wind had the boats in the Thornton arm with J Scott who usually drifts finding an anchored boat opposite the lodge and a 6ft tip line with #14 fab on the point #14 black pennel helping him to boat 11 trout. P Wurm fished the last 4 hours with his son catching 5 trout on a shipman’s from the Thornton arm across the main basin.

Saturday a quiet day due to the weather, a strong easterly wind and rain, heavy at times.

Sunday morning the wind had gone northerly, better conditions. Water level within the reservoir had risen by 6inch, clarity was good with the water temperature down to 18.5c Didn’t generally fish as well as expected with most anglers catching 1 or 2 fish on floaters or fast sinkers & booby. Mark Hunt fished from late morning 11.30am to 6pm fishing a long leader low diameter 0.178 which makes a difference. Daddies, claret cdc had him rise 18 trout boating 11 for his session.

Despite the rain, water clarity is still good, we are seeing some larger claret buzzer hatching, water temperature dropped to 18.5c over the weekend. I do believe leader diameter leads the way during, especially when were fishing for trout that were caught & released.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     6^th August  2023      Rod Av:  5.70  Water Temperature: 16-17 °C

The weather forecast for Monday was a lot worse than the day turned out to be. The wind stayed in the south west and was steady for the most part , interspersed by the odd rain shower. The fishing itself can only be described as excellent, and with only 5 boats on the water, turned in a rod average of 12.6. Once again, most of the action is to be had at the western end of the reservoir over the deeper water, in Rainbow Corner, and down the Draycote Dam towards the Valve Tower. Peter Elliott boated a dozen on the dries from Rainbow and around the Inlet. Young John Dickens had nearly 20 fish to the boat, all on crippled midge patterns. Graham Homer caught his 9 fish using a washing line and crunchers. The boat pairing of Ian Richardson and Bob Smith caught well over 20 fish between them and remarked on “An excellent day” . Ian and Bob used crunchers on a washing line with a booby on the point, and fished at  M buoy, the Tower Bank and in Rainbow Corner.

Overcast conditions Tuesday, with winds coming from the West with the rain holding off. On the bank Tony Broadway used a washing line with crunchers, before changing to crippled midge finishing with 8 fish from the Tower Bank. Draycote member Alan Grant also fished the Tower Bank using a humungus booby on an intermediate line landing 7 fish. Including a fantastic 8lb rainbow.  On the boats all water member Andy Lillie fished with Graham England, with the pair landing 16 fish on a morning boat. They fished daddies and FAB drifting from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy and also in Dunn’s Bay to land their fish. Also fishing on a morning boat Dave Atkins landed a dozen fish, with a washing line and also a snite snake. With Dave’s best drifting being the Valve Tower to Dunns and then M to N Buoy. Ed Douglas stuck to dries all day landing 14 with crippled midge and F flies being his most productive pattern. Ed drifted from the Draycote Dam towards B Buoy and then out to Y Buoy to take his fish. Another angler who opted for dries all day was Kevin Rees who landed 19 fish, also using crippled midge and F flies. Kevin found the best area for him was drifting from M Buoy out towards N Buoy. Lester Booth & Nigel Nixon landed 20 fish to their boat drifting from Rainbow Corner. Using a wide variety of dries big reds, Shipmans, hares ear CDC and Red Hoppers.

The weather forecasters certainly got Wednesday weather wrong. The forecast was for very strong wind and thundery downpours. While the wind was a little gusty in the morning, the afternoon gave near perfect conditions with a light ripple and overcast skies. With only one heavy rain shower early evening. As a result of the poor (wrong) forecast it was a quite day at the fishery. On the bank Draycote member Mike Garner landed 3 fish, 2 from Rainbow Corner and 1 from Lincroft. All on different flies, cruncher, cormorants and a green pea all landed Mike fish. On the boats Ed Douglas landed 13 fish, 8 of them falling to dries once again cripple midge of F flies proving to be his best patterns. Tony Sharples fishing his second day of a two day break landed 3 fish on buzzers. However, the fish he landed where of great quality a 8lb & 4lb rainbow taken on buzzers. Fishery ranger & Guide Jim Sheehan took Jason & Brooke Sarrow out on a boat beginner session. Having mastered the casting they went on to land 11 fish in the fishing element all taken on the washing line. To see pictures if the session please visit www.facebook.com/flyfishstore Fishery Ranger Kevin Jones took to the water after his morning shift to land 9 fish using a FAB on the point and then hoppers on the droppers fished wet. With a number of fish coming from the Farborough Dam Wall near J & T Buoy. Rob Hepburn took advantage of the last four hours to land 7 fish on dries with small CDC and daddies proving to be his best patterns.

Once again, not the most accurate of forecasts, with bright sunshine, and the westerly wind a bit stronger than was required. As we have learned over the past few weeks, these conditions don’t necessarily put the fish down. Anglers continue to catch on dries and a washing line fished off a floater., or pulling in the top few feet. Season permit holder Paul Havard had 11 fish on a washing line with back crunchers. Young Richard Walker used a purple snake to net 7 fish during a morning session. Frazer Duffy, senior and junior, had over 30 fish to the boat between them during an afternoon session, mainly on FAB’s. Mr Jon Morgan Parker used buzzers on a washing line as well as dries, to net 17 fish from a drifting boat at various points around the reservoir.

A bright and breezy start on Friday morning saw Draycote once again produce good returns for all concerned. A lot of the fish seemed to have moved over the shoals with Musborough in particular fishing very well on the washing line or dries. Some anglers are taking fish on the larger floating fry patterns, but this seems to occur more on the Draycote Dam wall and near the inlet in Rainbow Corner. Season permit holder Craig Middleton used grunters to net well over 20 fish from a drifting boat over Y buoy and Musborough Shoal. Young Ed Douglas used various dry fly patterns such as crippled midge and cul’s to net a good number of fish over open water. Chris Bobby and Leanne Frost had over 20 fish to the boat between them drifting over A, M, N and Y buoy. Debbie and Sean Gilbert used buzzers and diawl bachs to net a good number of fish between them from the Draycote Dam and commented on “A Great Day”.

A very wet and windy Saturday was had here at Draycote water. The wind strengthened as the day progressed and changed into a northerly bringing with it some quite heavy showers through the afternoon. Those anglers who braved the elements had a good day out,  catching good numbers of fish right across the breadth of the reservoir. John Crowley drifted from the Flat Stones to the Valve Tower, netting 9 fish using a midge tip and foam daddies. Season permit holder Mike Garner ventured out onto the bank to catch half a dozen fish using cormorants, bibios and kate mclarens. Mike tried several different areas before settling for Greys barn down in Toft. Nicholas Hollingshead bank fished near the Valve Tower and netted 6 fish on lures and buzzers. Draycote regular Will Hunt ventured out onto the bank for a last 4 hour session. Will netted a brace from the old pipe tucked in out of the wind on the north shore.  Invicta Fly Fishers took to the water with a total of 26 anglers and in rough conditions produced a competition rod average of 8.0. David Moore provided this report. Storm Antoni didn’t deter 24 brave, (or crazy?), Invicta FFC members from setting out under the dark sky into driving rain and big waves for this 5 th round which with the usual 8 fish limit but the first 3 to be weighed. Cooler weather had dropped the water temperature to below 18’C and prospects of feeding fish were much better than recently but this felt very warm in the wintery 12’C air! Most of the fleet headed down wind towards Rainbow Corner and A buoy starting with long drifts to accommodate the wind. The first hour was lively for most rods with fish high in the water and taking static or pulled nymphs and daddies but this slowed probably by boat pressure and several boats moved further out around X, P and Y buoys where they found fish around the weed beds and most fish examined were full of tiny snails. Fraser Duffy Jnr and Snr are both local to Draycote and unsurprisingly they had the top boats partnering Ron Wheeldon and Jonny Bromilow with a staggering 39 and 34 fish to their boats. With 11 members catching 8 or more The Carl Hunter Bowl was won with the biggest 3 fish weighed and Tony Smith was the winner (6lb-3oz) also catching the biggest at 2lb-13oz. David Moore was 2 nd and Ron Wheelan 3 rd just a few ounces behind. Tony started slowly, watching Mick Facey (now on the move with two legs again) catching steadily before he changed to the same tactic of floating line and 2 FABS suspending muskins and Gimps although the bigger fish took a black and silver lure. They started at Rainbow but moved away to drift from the Helmsley Wall into the open water and finished with 25 between them. Tony Smith is the only member to have caught 8 in all 5 rounds but Fraser Jnr and Jonny Bromilow have achieved this in 4 rounds. It’s your best 6 results that count so it is also possible for several others to take the trophy. The Rod average was 7.5 (187 total and mostly returned) and much better than expected given the conditions. Thanks to Mark Searle for organising and the fishery staff for looking after us and donating a boat voucher for the winner. Also to the various suppliers of our waterproofs !

A bright start to the morning on Sunday, with cloud arriving just after 11am with overcast conditions and the occasional shower, with the wind remaining in the Northwest, but was thankfully a lot lighter than the day before. Draycote members Dave Kennell & Eddie Mitchell landed 25 fish between them using a 12ft midge tip with daddies on the top dropper, nymphs and then a FAB on the top dropper. Drifting around the inlet and also Rainbow Corner. Mr A Smith & M Heritage fished down in Toft using dries all day to land 19 fish to their boat. Martin Rowson & Neil Deakin landed 35 fish to the boat, with Neil opting to use snakes on a fast intermediate and Martin used a washing line to land his fish. The pair fished around the Inlet & Rainbow Corner to land their fish. Gareth Jines & Jeremy Herman used dries around Middle Shoal to boat 18 fish. Overall it was another good day with the rod average for the day just under 5 fish per angler.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26^th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water +

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Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook are explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 06^th August   Rod Av:    1.4      Water Temperature: 18°c

It was a quiet start to the week with a few boats out. There was a quite a breeze at the start of day but as the day progressed the wind abated & by early evening the reservoir was a covered in a gentle ripple. Of those to venture out, All Water Member Mark Hunt had a very productive late afternoon session landing 7 fish, on the dries, drifting from Dogwood, past the tower & onto the north side of the Dam. Elsewhere there were a few fish caught along the weedbeds of the Hawthorns on nymphs on a washing line.

Tuesday brought with it, a strong westerly wind & consistent cloud cover. The fish remain high up in the water column but were reluctant to feed off the surface in the strong wind & rough water. The strong westerly also put paid to fishing down past Robbo’s towards the Willows, an area that had previously held, as the water was too rough & slightly coloured due to the waves hitting the shoreline. This meant that most boats were fishing the Main Basin, an area that does hold fish, but they do not give themselves up easily due to previous angling pressure. As the day progressed the wind reduced & water softened & fish could be seen moving just under the surface. Those targeting moving fish fared better than those that didn’t with fish willing to turn onto any flies that were in their vicinity. When fishing is as challenging as it is, we must remember to remain mobile in our approach, cover a lot of water & put as much distance as possible between boats, giving us plenty of clear water to fish, particularly in front of our boat. It may also pay to put as much distance as possible between our thicker fly line & our flies by fishing as long leaders as we can with a single fly.

With very similar weather conditions to the previous day, Wednesday saw us host the English Disabled Fly Fishers Presidents Cup. This blind pairs competitive format, saw 15 anglers take to the water on what proved another challenging day. Between them they caught 25 fish which gave a very creditable rod average of 1.7. Dries across the Main Basin proved to be the most productive method as the anglers covered a lot of water in search of catchable fish. All reportable that finding fish wasn’t the issue but getting them to take a fly was. Congratulations must go to the winning pair of Mark Goodge & Chris Martin who between them caught 6 fish which was excellent on such a challenging day.

Thursday brought with it a change in wind to a north westerly & it initially brought some very bright spells which disappeared as the day progressed, leaving solid cloud cover by late afternoon. Thursday saw us host The English Fly-Fishing Association (EFFA) which saw 39 anglers take to the water & catch 53 fish between them, giving a rod average of 1.55, well done to all. Congratulations goes to Mick Facey who was top rod on the day with 6 fish which is a great return given the challenging nature of the fishing right now. Mick fished a Washing Lined Floating Line & caught on FAB’s & Muskins on the droppers. Another who landed 6 fish was Eyebrook member Malcolm Thompson who fished the bank on the Hawthorns & caught on Blue Foam Daddy & also CDC Hares Ears. That is a great return from the bank in August.

Friday was an extremely quiet day with only a few anglers venturing out & they found the fishing to be very challenging due to recent angling pressure. When fishing for pressurised fish it will pay dividends to scale down fly sizes & tippet diameters.

Saturday was a washout due to prolonged excessive rainfall.

Sunday was a better day weatherwise, mainly dry, with periods of bright sunlight & some isolated showers later in the day. Boats anglers found that fishing dries through the Main Basin was the most productive method. Whereas from the Banks, Malcolm Thompson returned & enjoyed a great morning session along the Hawthorns. Having spooned the fish he had caught previously; Malcolm had identified that Sticklebacks had been the main food item of the fish he caught on Thursday. Armed with small Popper Fry Malcolm subsequently went on to take 5 fish from the weedbeds at the Hawthorns. Well done, Malcolm, great angling.

With some cooler evenings forecast for the week ahead, it will be very interesting to see what impact it will have on the water temperature & consequently the fishing.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free day’s fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free day’s rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Upcoming Events

03 September – Eyebrook Fly Fishers – Single Fly, 8 Boats.

06 September – England Disabled Fly Fishers, 15 Boats + 2 WB’s

09 & 10 September – England Ladies National, 15 Boats.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir

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

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For details on our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 30^th July   Rod Av: 3.8   Water Temperature: 18c+ – 19c

Start of the week with a northerly wind and rain forecast led to a quiet day on the water. Only 1 rod member A Wilson took to the water, he caught 4 trout on an orange daddy & muddler but reported other fish coming short.

Tuesday, better forecast with all of our boats out for the morning session with some booked for the afternoon & evening. Water clarity remains good. Barry Deeley fished the morning session catching 10, successful method was fast sinker & booby or floating line and claret hopper. Claret hopper, orange daddy, natural daddy, crunchers & #14 diawl bach & damsel patterns were excellent patterns on the day. Alan Wither & Rob Keeber fished the day session catching 26 trout drifting across the main basin. For the afternoon & last 4 hour session proved to be successful with anglers reporting seeing trout, Max Bazeley caught 4, B Morris caught 3 with Greg Weatherdon catching 5. Good days fishing with a 4.3 rod average.

Wednesday bright start to the day with cloud expected & rain forecast from the late afternoon. It proved to be a more challenging day than expected with trout taking short or trout lost while playing them. Fish were caught on fast sinkers, tip lines & floaters with olive or red booby, blob, orange daddy & natural daddy with Ian Leach top rod with his 5 trout.

Thursday, rainfall during the evening has raised the level a little, but water clarity remains good. Richard Dayman fished a morning session catching 13 on a floating line & small #12 #14 fabs, Mick Huffer also fished the morning session with claret buzzers catching 6. J Scott fished a 6ft tip line with size #14 #16 flashback hares ear & small booby hares ear along the stone bank & into the mouth of the Markfield arm catching 13 trout. Jim Brown fished the last 4 hours using a small hares ear to catch his 2 trout.

Friday humid morning with the breeze back into a south westerly. Busy day with boat fishing the morning, afternoon & last 4hr. Some rods found a fast sinker & a red or damsel booby worked best during the morning with the afternoon & last 4hr rods using daddies, claret hoppers, damsel patterns & cdc. The main basin from the dam down towards the Markfield arm fished best, although we did during the day see a good number of fish opposite the lodge in the Thornton arm, Chris Sayer caught 8 for his mornings session with Swinfield & Zeleny also fishing the morning boating 7 trout to booby patterns with Trev & Nev fishing the last 4 hours catching 6 to claret hopper.

Saturday & an excellent days fishing with midge tip & longer tip lines & floating lines best method with daddies, shipmans, cdc & damsel patterns. Best area continues to be from the dam across the main basin down to the lonesome pine, we continue to see fish moving opposite the lodge. Morning & afternoon continues to produce with the last 4hr session also fishing. B Sibley & M Clay caught 10 for their mornings on a diawl bach. B Perrie caught 9 on a shipmans & orange fab with Mark Hunt fishing cdc & daddy patterns to catch 13. Barry & Mapp on their first visit to Thornton caught 21 on damsel & buzzer patterns. Last 4hr Mr Gee caught 11 trout to 4lb on a washing line.

Sunday a quieter day due to the forecast, but what a day with the best fishing of the week. T long fished the morning session catching 16, P Hunt & J Thomson also fished the morning boating 10 trout on a small fab, diawl bach & buzzer with J Parnham fishing the afternoon & evening catching 11 trout

This coming week. Looking at our local weather forecast its good summer fishing conditions, cooler air temperatures 18c to 19c, cloud breezy conditions & light rain at times, are excellent for fishing as we move into August.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir.

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     30^th July  2023      Rod Av: 4.73  Water Temperature: 16-17 °C

A wet start to the week with cool temperatures, although thankfully the rain did stop just after lunch. With the wind coming from the Southwest. Once again the good fishing continued and we had a good start to the week, with a rod average of 5.35. Once the rain stopped on the afternoon, a couple of bank anglers ventured out. Draycote member Paul Walley landed a brace from the Tower Bank. While Mr Finch Noyes who fished for the last four hours landed 3 fish, also from the Tower Bank on small grey minkies. Out on the boats Ian Richardson & Bob Smith caught fish on a washing line using crunchers on either a floater or midge tip. Kevin Rees once again fished dries with his favourite size 14 crippled midge once again taking fish ended the day on 13. Fellow member John Dickens landed 20 fish also on crippled midge drifting from the exclusion zone buoys towards M & N Buoy. Fishing for an afternoon Colin England & Andy Lille used daddies to great effect landing 18 fish, again drifting from the Draycote Dam out.

The wind swung Tuesday, into the Northwest with overcast skies for most of the day, cool overnight temperatures continued to drop the water temperature to a very trout friendly 16.5°C. On the bank Draycote member Jim Kelly used pheasant tailed nymphs to land 4 fish. Fellow member Richard Walker fished of the Tower Bank landing 3 fish on yellow owls. Mick Cronin fished at the Tower bank to land 7 fish on a midge of sedge’s and also daddies. With Stan Hillman fishing alongside Mick using pearly pheasant tails landing 8 fish. On the boats Lester Booth & Nigel Nixon boated 19 fish between them, using a mixture of dries. Finding their fish in Toft, with the afternoon being the best part of the day for the pair. Members Paul Walker & John Faulkonbridge used a washing line to great effect landing 22 fish to the boat drifting from A Buoy out towards Rainbow Corner. Geoff Allsop & Graham Wood landed 14 fish between them all on dries with F Flies and small daddies being the most productive patterns, and commented “on a great day” Trevor Moore fished with son Robert for the afternoon landed 14 fish with a washing line with Diawl Bachs on the droppers.

A bright start to Wednesday, with cloud arriving in the afternoon and bringing it with it some very heavy rain for the evening. The wind also swung back into the Southwest, after coming from the Northwest the day before. Draycote member Ian Reeve fished a morning boat landing 11 fish. Drifting from Rainbow Corner towards A Buoy either using daddies or a washing line with a tequila FAB on Diawl Bachs. Darn Nataly & Danny Lovegrove landed 21 fish on their boat, with he best area being around Y Buoy. The best tactic the pair found was a washing line, with a mixture of daddies, blobs and Daiwl Bachs. On either an intermediate line or a midge tip. Pete Eville landed 14 fish on dries drifting through the middle around N Buoy & Y Buoy using red bobs bits or a foam daddy. Mr Camm fishing his first of a 2 day break enjoyed a great day landing 16 fish, before the heavy rain set in around 7pm. Commenting that he caught fish everywhere he went from Rainbow Corner to Toft. Using a washing line set up with most of the fish taking the FAB on the point. With the best line being an intermediate when the sun came out and a midge tip in the afternoon when the cloud arrived. Another boat landing 16 fish was Steve Radcliffe and Mike Hill who fished daddies around Rainbow Corner to land their fish.

It was bright and sunny to start with here at Draycote with a light westerly breeze. Once again there is good sport to be had for all concerned. Concentrating your efforts in the top few feet of the water yields the best results but fish can be found at nearly any depth. Gordon Bramwell used a washing line with crunchers to net 15 fish from various areas around the reservoir. Eddie Mitchell and Dave Kennell used boobies, FAB’s and cormorants fished on Airflo’s very popular 12 foot slow tip line, and netted nearly 30 fish between them. The father and son pairing of Frazer Duffy senior and junior, used FAB’s and cormorants to net a bakers dozen during an afternoon session. Mr Dave Naylor and Mr Steve Houlton caught well over 20 fish for the day using hoppers and shipmans buzzers.

A great day Friday, with fantastic conditions overcast skies for most of the day with the occasional patch of sun and the wind coming from the Southwest. Draycote member Dave Smith fished on the boats landing 8 fish using a washing line at Rainbow Corner. With a FAB on the point and cormorants on the droppers and other small mini lures. Fellow member Paul Walker used a midge tip with a washing line of a FAB and Diawl Bachs to land 24 fish. Ian Richardson & Bob Smith landed 13 fish to their boat, drifting near J Buoy into the Farborough Dam wall. Using a mix of methods from dries to a washing line with crunchers on the droppers. Using dries all day John Dickens landed 14 fish with Grunters and Cripple Midge being his best patterns. Also, using dries all day Kevin Rees landed 18 fish all on size 14 crippled midge drifting from the Draycote Dam towards B Buoy. Fishery Manager Tom Bird also took to the water, taking advantage of a day off. Fishing a half day Tom landed 13 fish all taken on a washing line set up. With a FAB on the point 2 nymphs and a orange daddy on the top dropper. The best drift was from the exclusion zone buoys towards M Buoy, however, Tom also caught by J Buoy and also the Draycote Dam Wall.

Despite some heavy afternoon showers, Saturday turned out to be a great day to be out on Draycote Water. The bank anglers are doing well for the time of year with the odd brace here and there. Season permit holder Alan Grant had 3 fish off the Tower Bank on diawl bachs. Young Mike Garner caught a brace from Rainbow Corner using Bibios. Steve Proffitt caught 4 fish from the overflow on the Tower Bank on FAB’s and hares ears on a floating line. Andy Jordan, also fishing from the bank, netted 2 fish from Rainbow Corner on green holographic diawl bachs. Out on the boats Draycote stalwart Jon Crowley netted 11 fish drifting from M buoy to K buoy on orange foam daddies fished on a midge tip line. Scott Graham and Dave Reynolds had a bakers dozen between them using snakes fished on sinking lines. John Brown and Andy Campbell used similar tactics to net 6 apiece. Tim Burn had over 20 fish to the boat using flies such as daddies, FAB’s and snakes, drifting across the middle of the reservoir.

A slightly windy day Sunday, with a very wet afternoon with showers starting around 1pm and continuing for the afternoon. However, the anglers who fished the day enjoyed some more of the good sport that Draycote has been experiencing for most of July. On the bank Stan Hillman fished with Mark Parsley with the pair enjoying good sport. Using a popper minkie Stan landed 5 fish, while Mark used daddies to land 4 fish. On the boats Draycote member Richard Walker fished on a half day boat landing 9 fish. Fishing from near the outlet and the exclusion buoys. Using Big Red’s and foam daddies along with pulling a white muddler.  Neil Deakin & Martin Rowson fished around Rainbow Corner to A Buoy and then drifting off the exclusion zone buoys towards M. Landing 19 fish to the boat, using a washing line and also pulling snakes on a Di 3 sinking line. All water member Frazer Duffy Snr & Jnr used slow sinking midge tip with nymphs and blobs to land 24 fish. With the best area being around M Buoy drifting towards N Bouy.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26^th August.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free day fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free day’s rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water +

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Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 23^rd July   Rod Av: 2.8         Water Temperature: 18°c

It was a damp, wet start to the week with light rain developing into heavy showers. By early afternoon the heavy cloud gave way to bright sunshine. There had been an 180° change in the wind direction from previous day which, as expected, made the fishing somewhat challenging as the fish adjusted to the prevailing conditions. Fish were caught in the upper layers on a washing lined tip or floating line. Those that caught better, caught in the Main Basin & had colour somewhere on their cast, be that a small blob booby or FAB on the point or as a top dropper. Most the fish caught today, were caught on the colour.

Tuesday brought with it some good cloud cover & a light North Westerly breeze. Locating fish remained a challenge today with most anglers catching, but not in high numbers. All Water Member Ed Douglas produced a bag of 7 fish which was excellent on the day. Ed caught most of his on Dries from the area of the Main Basin as far down as Robbo’s Cabin frontage. Others to catch on Dries included Mark Goodge & Shaun Higgins who had 3 each on CDC emerging patterns, again from the Main Basin. Another area that held fish was the Dam wall which is where Brian White landed 4 fish on a Green Fritz pattern. Another to catch from the Dam wall was All Water Member Jim Greasley who caught 2 on a Black Shipmans from the Bank.

Wednesday saw another change in the wind direction with yesterday’s North westerly making way to light to moderate Southerly. There were some good consistent overcast skies early on & some sunny intervals later in the day. The reservoir fished very well to the dries with excellent bags for All Water Member Ed Douglas & Draycote Rio Master’s Team member Martin Rowson. Ed landed 17 fish, most of which fell to the Dries with CDC Shuttlecocks & Bob’s Bits being his most successful patterns. Whereas Martin, used CDC Hares Ear patterns to land his 15 fish. The key for both anglers was to remain mobile, conducting long drifts across the Main Basin with the water past Robbo’s holding a lot of fish. Elsewhere, the washing lined floating lines also took a few for other anglers but it has been imperative is to fish this as high as possible in the water. To achieve this the use of a booby on the point helps as it has more foam than a FAB & you can also use a buoyant fly on the top dropper to help keep those flies as high as possible.

Thursday’s weather followed a similar pattern to Wednesdays with the only difference being that the wind increased to a moderate to strong during some parts of the day. The fish remained high in the water column & were caught again on Dries, with All-Water member Mark Hunt landing 8 on CDC Yellow Owls. The Washing line again produced fish with another All-Water member, Norman Perkins landing 5 on Blue Flash Damsel Booby. During the warmer parts of the day, it is noticeable the number of Damsels hatching off. During these periods, the Blue Foam Daddy continues to take fish. The common mistake that anglers are making with the Blue Foam Daddy is fishing it when there is no Damsels hatching. Adult Damsels need to be prevalent for it to be effective.

Friday brought with it some very favourable conditions with a light to moderate west/south westerly winds & consistent cloud cover for most of the day. It was a very busy day with all the boats out & after fishing well in the morning, & still holding a lot of fish, the Main Basin became very challenging by early afternoon. This was more than likely due to angling pressure with a lot of boats fishing in a relatively small area. It paid dividends to ensure that when drifting you had clear water in front of you & that you did not follow a boat down a drift. Another thing that we can do when an area becomes pressurised is to extract yourself from the middle of the pack & drift along the outside of the main body of boats. Fish when pressurised will either stay & become finicky or move to an area where there is still food but less boats, normally the extremities of the main body. This becomes even more evident when the fish are high up in the water column as boats moving cause disturbance. Despite this, the reservoir fished relatively well, with some good returns recorded. Fishing Dries continued to be a very productive method, as did the Washing Line. Fishery Guide Lee Henfrey took to the water on his day off & landed 9 fish on Tan Foam Daddies. All Water Members Ed Douglas & Mark Hunt both enjoyed productive but challenging days on the Dries, landing 11 & 10 fish respectively from various locations.

Saturday initially saw the wind increase slightly which brought with it some periods of extended sunshine. By the afternoon Eyebrook was subjected to strong winds & bright sunshine which is never a great combination.  Saturday also saw Eyebrook host AMFC Group 1 for their latest round which saw 36 anglers take to the water catching 109 fish between them, producing a rod average of 3.02. The was a great rod average given the conditions & testament to the quality of anglers on show. Well done to all. Most of the fish were caught on the Dries, with CDC’s proving to be the most productive. Elsewhere, Eyebrook Member Dean Shilton took to his Float Tube & landed 8 fish fishing deep with Minkie Boobies.

Sunday was another blustery day which by late afternoon it had also become very wet. Those that did venture out found the fishing to be very challenging & there was very few fish caught. During these challenging days & when the fish are pressurised, it can sometimes pay to explore other locations. Earlier in the week fishery Staff Martin Blakeston popped out for a couple hours on his day off. Martin chose to fish CDC’s in the area of the Chestnut & was rewarded with a few cracking fish. So when it is challenging, explore the Reservoir, you may well be surprised where you find fish.

Upcoming Events

02 August – England Disabled Fly Fishers, 9 Boats + 2 WB’s

03 August – England Fly Fishing Association, 22 Boats.

Take A Friend Fishing 29^th July to 3^rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir.

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

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

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

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 23^rd July   Rod Av: 3.1    Water Temperature: 18c+ – 19c

Monday cooler conditions & we saw at times fish moving on the surface. Andy Lilley & G England caught 20 trout for their mornings visit on a midge tip & Airflo 5ft tip lines with small Fab & diawl bach fishing across the main basin, however catching most drifting down the middle of the Markfield arm. Lindsay Bates & R Keeber caught 11 on crunchers & damsel they found the best of the sport to a floating line during late afternoon onwards.

Tuesday with the continued cooler summer forecast with cloud & light rain its ideal conditions for July fly fishing. Most of the trout were caught on floating, tip & intermediate lines with fish to be seen at times, middle of the Thornton arm, across the main basin to the stones, dam & into the Markfield arm. Martin Hosking fished Green bay fishing various patterns to land 4 trout, Arthur Olding fished a floating line with a #10 short shank unweighted cats whisker with Steve Windram catching 9 on a black hopper & small yellow fab. Anglers reported missed offers and trout lost while playing them. Good to see for the 2^nd evening fish moving during the evening.

Wednesday, overcast morning with light rain, our surface water temperature is 18c+ and we could see fish moving opposite the lodge. Quiet day only a couple of boats out but good to see them all catching on floating, midge tip & various tip lines with black hoppers, diawl bach & small fabs with the majority caught in the Thornton arm.

Thursday, a busy day with all of the boats out for the morning sessions with some boats rebooked for the afternoon & last 4 hour session. Mick Miller & R Smith caught 9 for their mornings visit with claret hopper, claret suspender & shipman’s patterns. Tim Russell & Ron Rudge last fished Thornton 35 years ago, they fished the morning session with black or claret hoppers and shipman’s to boat 18 trout. Member B Deeley caught 8 for his mornings session with a DI5 and booby and a midge tip with suspenders, while Keith Hampton fished the morning catching 7 on a floater & hopper to a fast sink and booby. It was good to see rods out for the afternoon and evening session, all reported a good rise, hooking and losing fish with J Parnham top rod for the evening boating 4

Friday and again most rods fished the cooler morning session, Mr & Mrs Warren caught 6, Dave Mee caught 4 on buzzers with C Sayer catching 11 on an olive booby. Plenty of fish moving at times from the Thornton arm across the main basin to the stones & dam wall across to the Markfield arm.

Saturday with the forecast for rain and wind we had few bo ats out. The anglers who did go out in the rain reported seeing fish moving, which I wasn’t surprised as martins and swallows were down on the water feeding all day. Lots of typical small / tiny buzzers hatching but a few of the larger #10 #12 claret buzzers which we expect to see in mid August were also on the water. Best patterns, daddy longlegs, claret hopper or shipmans on a floater with Jan Webber catching his 7 trout on a DI3 with damsel booby patterns. M Clay caught 5 from the orange buoy area with Mark Hunt fishing from 1pm to 6pm catching 8 on the drift.

Sunday, despite the rain our water clarity is good with more rain showers in the forecast its cooler air temperatures and were seeing fish feeding off the surface from when we opened. Ian Leach and J Gascoye caught 8 for their mornings visit with Dave Leavesley catching 6 for his mornings visit.

Dave Leavesley is chairman of the local angling club Thornton Fly Fishers who at 3pm hosted their annual mid summer social BBQ. They operate social events and competitions during the year with fly tying & guest speaker during the winter you can follow them on Facebook Thornton Fly Fishers. www.facebook.com/troutfishingclub

Current July weather, air temperature of 16c to 20c, rain and cloud is excellent for fly fishing, with an evening rise, last 4 hour been worth a visit especially on the cooler, cloudier evenings.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending:  23^rd July  2023      Rod Av: 5.5  Water Temperature: 17 °C

A sunny start to the week, with the cloud rolling in just after lunch with some heavy showers at times. It was a good start to the week, with the good sport continuing. Draycote member John Dickens landed 14 fish all on dries. On a mixture of Daddies and also F Flies, drifting around the Draycote Dam heading towards B Buoy and also Rainbow Corner to A. Another angler who landed 14 fish was Craig Brandson, who also used daddies, however, also found the fish willing to take boobies pulled across the surface. Keeping the dry fly theme going, Kit Doleman landed a dozen fish on daddies and Bob’s Bits. Taking advantage of one of our three day breaks Kevin Levell from Scotland, fished his 2^nd day after fishing Eyebrook the day before. Kevin, fished a washing line to take 7 fish before his last 4 fell to a snake fished on a Di 3 sinking line. David Stott landed 24 fish using dries before changing to small black lures with Viva’s and cormorants taking the majority of his fish.

A change of wind Tuesday, with the wind starting very light from the Southeast, though did go to the Northwest in the afternoon teamed with a rain shower. Before finishing the day back in the Southwest. Once again the anglers enjoyed the good sport that Draycote is experiencing, helped by the cooler July temperatures. All water member Andy Lillie landed a dozen fish from a morning session, landing his first 2 from near the Inlet. Commenting that there was fish moving all over Rainbow Corner but they wouldn’t take his dries. He then moved down near J Buoy to take his other 10 in the last hour. Using a washing line with a Ham & Cheese FAB on the point and then nymphs on the droppers. Draycote members Martin Foster & John Vyse boated 17 fish, drifting around A, M & K Buoy. Either fishing dries or a washing line to tempt the fish. Tim Grove starting his first day or a 3 day break landed a dozen fish. Tim, fished around the Farborough Dam to take most of his fish on either Yellow Owls or a washing line.  All water member Norman Perkins fished at Rainbow Corner to land 13 fish in a half day. With an orange daddy and a green suspender buzzer his top pattern. Paul Davison & Tony Baldwin landed over 30 fish to the boat all on dries with Paul on Midas and Tony on a mixture of dries. Kevin Rees also fished dries to land 37 fish, with crippled midge being his best pattern. With his best area being off the exclusion buoys drifting towards M & N Buoy.

Early heavy showers did not deter the fishermen or the fishing on Wednesday. Once again there is some fantastic sport to be had generally over the deeper water using practically any method at the moment. Dries are working well, as are nymphs fished on a floater, midge tip or an intermediate line. Regular visitor Paul Walker used these very tactics to net a grand total of 19 fish.  The bank seems to be fishing quite well of late with young Mick Cronin catching 10 fish in total. Mick has been regularly fishing both in Rainbow Corner and off The Tower Bank over the past couple of weeks and had reasonable success on foam daddies . Fishery staff member Lee Henfrey ventured out for a couple of hours through the middle of the day and caught a dozen fish, on hoppers, boobies and diawl bachs.

Wonderful calm conditions greeted us on Thursday morning here at Draycote, with a good head of fish rising around the pontoon as we were preparing the boats. It proved a busy day with good returns all round. Ed Douglas had a good day on the dries, netting 19 on crippled midge and the F fly. Simon Ringer had 4 fish to the boat using orange foam daddies. Season permit holder Paul Havard used the washing line technique off a floating line, with black nymphs and a tequila booby. Paul plied his trade around the overflow as well as drifting between Y and M buoy . Bob Askew used a slow intermediate line with black crunchers and a blob on the point to net 9 fish whilst drifting over the open water. Peter Elliott netted 14 fish from a drifting boat on bob’s bits in sizes 12 and 14.

Once again here we are in July with almost perfect conditions for fishing on Friday. The surface water temperature is at 17 degrees and with good cloud cover, the fish are holding in the top few feet of the water. In general, dries are working quite well, but dropping down onto a midge tip line or a slow intermediate, either with nymphs, or a couple of claret hoppers, has produced good returns for some of our visitors. Season permit holder Alan Grant took to the bank to net 5 fish near the Valve Tower. Alan used a slow intermediate line and candy FAB’s. Young Ian Reeve and Colin Grainger had well over 20 fish to the boat between them on a variety of patterns such as tequila boobies, diawl bachs and dries. Ian Richardson remarked on “A Good Day”, after netting 10 fish from a drifting boat. Ian drifted from Y to M buoy as well as fishing near the Tower using a DI3 line and a tequila booby. Season permit holder Mark Hunt  ended the day with 16 fish to the boat. Mark targeted the fry feeders in the morning with floating fry patterns, before drifting the main basin on yellow owls through the afternoon.

Light showers accompanied us as we prepared the boats on Saturday morning and these continued throughout the day. Season permit holder Jon Crowley had a dozen fish to the boat during a morning session using a variety of flies such as muskins and foam daddies. Jon fished mostly around K buoy and the front of the out of bounds markers on the Hensborough Bank. Sue and Neil Potts had over 20 fish to the boat between them. They used the washing line technique with FAB’s and diawl bachs and fished M buoy in the morning, before moving in to Rainbow Corner for the afternoon. Mr M Clayton and Mr E Croote had a good number of fish to the boat, well over 20, on hoppers, crippled midge and blobs.

Sunday morning saw us bailing a lot of water out of the boat after some heavy overnight showers. The day itself was forecast for more rain which just never appeared. Once again Draycote was in great form with the daily rod average coming out at 8.4. Regulars Martin Rowson and Neil Deakin put 2 dozen fish in the boat and were off home by early afternoon. Tim Davies and Chris Pallot had 15 fish to the boat during a morning session using dry fly tactics in Rainbow Corner. Season permit holder Paul Mitchell and Tim Burn had well over 30 fish to the boat between them using foam daddies and FAB’s. Neil Tomkins and Chris Pyke had 26 fish to the boat on the second day of their visit using various top of the water tactics. Staff member Kevin Jones caught half a dozen fish during a morning session using dries at first, before switching to snakes on a DI3 line. Season permit holder Alan Grant ventured out onto the bank to net 3 fish near the Valve Tower.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26^th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

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Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Tel: 01536 770264     Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook are explained on our website.

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 23^rd July   Rod Av:  4.4     Water Temperature: 18°c

It was a blustery start to the week where the only consistency with the weather was its changeability, it was consistently changing.  Periods of showers, sunshine & cloud, with moderately gusty winds littered the day. Subsequently, some anglers struggled to locate fish with those catching finding the Main Basin to be the most productive area with the fish well spread. The most productive patterns were Foam Daddies & Damsel Nymphs. When searching open water for fish it is important to maintain a mobile approach by conducting long drifts initially & once fish are located, use shorter drifts to target those fish.

Tuesday started with a flat calm that developed into a gentle ripple with constant cloud cover. By late afternoon, the conditions seemed to be perfect for fishing the Dries. Out capitalising on these conditions was All Water Member Mark Hunt. Mark had decided to conduct long drifts across the open water of the Main Basin, targeting any moving fish & was duly rewarded with an excellent bag of 15 fish, most of which fell to Daddies. Elsewhere, Jude Tuffs took 12 fish on the washing line from various locations in the Main Basin, with her most productive pattern being a Candy FAB. Colin Hendry also had 12 fish from the general area of the Main Basin, catching on various methods & flies. Colin quoted a Size 14 Tequila FAB; Black Booby Hopper & a Midas has his flies that caught his fish. Another angler recording a great catch return was Eyebrook Member Bob Margery who landed 14 fish, 11 of which came in the morning. Bob found an Intermediate Line, with a couple of blobs & Nymphs on it, to be his most productive line. The fish throughout the Main Basin, appear to be very “poddy” at present with many small pods of fish circumnavigating the basin. Before the recent high winds, these pods were less in number but contained more fish, whereas after the winds there are more pods, containing less fish. To counter this, it is essential you cover as much water as possible by fishing on the drift & it could also pay dividends to have a bit of colour somewhere on your cast, be it a Blob or FAB, to act as an attractor.

Wednesday saw a dramatic change in the wind direction. The day started with a gentle southerly & by mid-morning it was a moderate north westerly. The wind change brought it some isolated breaks in the cloud which led to some isolated periods of sunshine. The warmer air temperatures in the afternoon led to an increase in the Adult Damsel activity & a good number of fish were caught on Blue Foam Daddies in the afternoon. When fishing the Blue Foam Daddy, it is important to wait until you see the adult Damsels hatching off & once there is an abundance, then fish them. The results can be spectacular. Other successful methods included Dries & the Washing Line fished on lines from anything from a Floater to an Intermediate. Those fishing the Washing Line found that a bit of colour in the form of a FAB or Blob Booby, either on the top dropper or the point, was essential to success with both patterns featuring high on the catch returns. There were some excellent returns with a lot of anglers catching well into double figures with the pick of those being regular Eyebrook visitor, Martin Rowson who landed well over 20 fish on Hoppers & Blue Damsel patterns. Martin maintained a mobile approach, covering a lot of water, with long drifts through the Main Basin. From the bank, another Eyebrook regular, George Burnham, had a productive Last 4 session, landing 3 fish, some of which were over 3lb. George also reported a good number of larger fish moving & he went on to lose a fish estimated at 6lb.

The windspeed on Thursday reduced dramatically which would prove to make locating fish somewhat more difficult than on previous days. Due to the lack of wind, a drifting boat does not cover as much distance over the water as it would being pushed along by a moderate breeze. This makes location even more important as you cannot rely upon the boat moving to feeding fish. Generally with less wind, the water is calmer & any fish that are feeding high up can be seen from some distance away. In these circumstances, it often pays to move the boat to the fish. When doing so, we must remember to do it as stealthily as possible & stop the boat at least a casts distance away from the feeding fish. Do not charge over to them & stop the boat right on top of them as more than likely they won’t be there. The Main Basin still produced a few fish for those fishing high up in the water column, either on a Washing Lined Floater or with Dries.

The Main Basin continued to fish well on Friday with some very good catch returns recorded. Fishery Guide Lee Henfrey, out on a pleasure day, had a very productive morning session landing over 30 fish between him & his boat partner. All Water Member Ian Jobe, also had a productive morning, taking to his Float Tube & landed well into double figures. Out practicing for a forthcoming competition Matt Nuttall, also had 30 fish to the boat, mainly from the Basin area. The biggest difference from the previous day was that there was a more substantial wind & anglers were able to cover more water when searching for the smaller pods in the Main Basin. Fish were caught on a variety of methods, Dries, Washing Line & even on Pulling tactics with a Fast Glass or Di 3 being the preferred lines of choice.

The weekend saw Eyebrook host Round 4 of the very popular 6 X 4 Team Competition, with Saturday being the official practice day & Sunday being competition day. There was contrasting weather for both days with Saturday being extremely damp & Sunday being mainly dry, with periods of heavy cloud cover with sunny intervals. The wind both days was a moderate Southerly. Saturday also saw Eyebrook members Bob Margery & Steve Lawrence take to the water on what was the one of the few non-competition boats out the day. Steve & Bob had a good day landing well into double figures. Those practicing were spread far & wide, searching for fish & honing methods for the following day. Although it soon became apparent that the Main Basin was holding a lot of fish. On Competition Day the Main Basin subsequently fished very well with 51 anglers catching 256 for a rod average of 5.0 with some of the better bags coming to Dries. Other productive methods included the very consistent washing line with colour on the point & nymphs above it.

Outside of the competition, Neil Shilton took to his Float Tube & landed 7 fish, fishing deep & slow & Malcolm Thompson took to the bank. Malcolm fished a Hares Ear CDC over the top of the weed down the Hawthorns & landed 5 fish which was an excellent session off the bank for this time of the year.

Upcoming Events

29 July – AMFFC Group 1, 18 boats.

02 August – England Disabled Fly Fishers, 9 Boats + 2 WB’s

03 August – England Fly Fishing Association, 22 Boats.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir

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

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 16^th July   Rod Av: 2.8    Water Temperature: 18c+ to 19c

Monday morning in the cooler conditions at 1.10am we received our latest stocking of 2,095 trout from 1lb4oz to 1lb14oz which took our stocking level in Thornton to over 6,000 trout. These size of trout over the past few years has improved our fishing & catches during these warm summer period.

Monday to Wednesday the fishing has started to improve with our current rod average of 2+ Some report fish been caught on booby, small snakes fished on an intermediate to sinking lines with odd fish taking a single dry fly. With this cooler forecast this week, daytime air temperature peaking at 18c – 20c, wind fresh at times with plenty of cloud & light rain we are seeing a few fish moving.

Thursday with the overcast forecast we had all the boats out for the mornings session with the rods returning a 3+ rod average. Mixture of methods caught from a floating line, tip lines, intermediates to fast sinkers catching with dries, damsels, cats whisker, snakes and booby patterns. The deeper water from the main car park, dam to the stones and green bay produced best. Harold Pritchard fished a size #12 black hopper and smaller diawl bach to catch 9 trout with some of the fish grown on to 5lb+. Paul Martindale fished damsel to boat 7 trout with Steve Windram fishing a floating line with diawl bach and hoppers to catch 6.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday we had a change to the weather, with the forecast for rain & strong wind at times with cooler air temperature. It was certainly wet & windy at times with anglers fishing the morning shelter with the shelter from the wind provided by the dam. #12 black hopper, #14 diawl bach were the best patterns with some fish also taking snakes & small hare’s ear. J Bebbington caught 5 for his visit on a diawl bach, R Smith caught the majority of his 6 trout on a dry black hopper with J Reynolds catching 6 on a diawl bach fished on a midge tip and a DI5 with cats booby pattern.

Weather forecast for the next 7 days is excellent with the temperature between 18c & 20c with cloud and average day wind speed 8mph to 12mph most days, use the links below.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings. Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending: 16^th July  2023      Rod Av: 7.1    Water Temperature:  17-18°C

A bright start to the week, however the cloud soon rolled in with the gusty southerly winds, with showers in the afternoon. With the cloud cover once again, dries was the order of the day. With the anglers enjoyed great sport as the fishery averaged 17.11 fish per angler. Draycote members Lee Patten & Peter Elliot enjoyed “another brill day on the dries” landing 49 fish between them. Their best patterns are a bob’s bits and a Big Red. Fellow members Bob Smith & Bob Barfoot also enjoyed “another good day” using a mixture of dries to land their 17 fish which included a number of “lumps” John Dickens found Grunters to be his most productive fly as he went on to land over 25 fish. However, top rod on the day went to dry fly lover Kevin Rees who landed 47 fish. Using crippled midge, drifting from the exclusion zone Buoys to M Buoy and then Rainbow Corner to A Buoy. It’s amazing what a change in the water temperature can do to bring the fish on the feed.

The good sport continued Tuesday, with another double figure rod average. The wind continued from the Southwest and remained gusty at times with showers during the course of the day some very heavy ones in the afternoon. Fishing from the bank Richard Franklin & Paul Smith landed 3 fish all on daddies from Rainbow Corner. However, it was the boats that faired by far the best. Season ticket holder Dave Atkins landed 20 fish all on dries drifting from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy with Bob’s Bits being his best pattern. Brendan Thomas also used dries all day landing 18 fish, with a Grunter proving to be his best pattern and commented “what a brilliant day” Tim Davies fished for just a morning landing 10 on a variety of dries with no one stand out patten. Fishing for their first ever visit to Draycote, Pete Onions & Dave Baldock landed 8 fish between them on dries at A Buoy. All water member Ed Douglas enjoyed a cricket score day landing an half century all on crippled midge.

Gusty south westerly winds continue at Draycote, alongside some excellent sport. Dave Mason and Louis Butler had a dozen fish to the boat on a washing line and dries.  Season permit holder Mr D Stott caught 9 fish on a mixture of vivas, FAB’s and dries. Young Ed Douglas took to the water once again fishing dries to net over 20 fish on crippled midge and bob’s bits. Staff member Kevin Jones ventured out, in between shifts to net half a dozen fish on popper hoppers near N and B buoy. Kevin Hart had over 20 fish to the boat using popper hoppers drifting off the Hensborough Bank and in front of the sailing club.

Thursday started with good cloud cover and a light south westerly breeze, with showers at times during the day. It was a busy day at the fishery with over 70 rods taking to the water looking to enjoy the good sport currently on offer. Once again the fishery fished well with 570 fish caught for a 7.7 fish rod average. On the bank Stan Hillman & Mick Cronin fished in Rainbow Corner and enjoyed great sport, with Mick landing a dozen fish with Stan taking half a dozen. Using various different dries, such as hoppers, Daddies and CDCs. On the boats all water member Andy Lillie fished for a half day landing 14 fish all taken using a single Yellow Owl CDC fishing at Rainbow Corner drifting towards A Buoy. Draycote member Paul Mitchell fished dries all day to land 21 fish to the boat at A Buoy and M Buoy. Steve Owen & Chris Howkins fished around J buoy and the Farborough Dam wall to land 49 fish to the boat using popper hoppers and also daddies. All water member Paul Havard used a washing line set up on a floating line with two nymphs on the droppers and a candy booby on the point, drifting by the Outlet. This set up landed Paul 15 fish and commented on a “lovely day”.

A wet and blustery start to Friday morning still didn’t put a dent in the fishing here at Draycote Water. The rod average is still high, with yesterday coming in at 8.8. Once again most of the fishing is happening at the western end of the reservoir, with a few people catching at J and T buoy.  Mr N Loughrey put 7 fish in the net using Grunters, and hoppers, fishing near A buoy and in Rainbow Corner. Young Kevin Rees once again used the F fly to great effect netting 18 fish on it. Staff member Kevin Jones had 16 fish during a morning session, all on popper hoppers in Rainbow Corner. Sam Edmunds and Alice Edwards had well over 20 fish to the boat between them on a wide variety of patterns.

Very unpleasant conditions Saturday with wind speeds very close to the limit for letting the boats out teamed with torrential rain showers during the day. As a result of the strong winds we place a restriction for the anglers safety. As a result the boats stayed around Rainbow Corner and around J Buoy. Stan Studdick & Dave Dixon fished in boat together to land 9 fish on dries. Draycote member Jon Crowley landed 5 fish in a short morning session. Using Diawl Bach’s on a midge tip line drifting near N Buoy and Musborough Shoal. Chad & Corey Russel fished in the afternoon ahead of the Greys Pairs match the next day landing 18 fish on a mix of different dries. With he fish coming from the Draycote Dam wall out towards A Buoy and B Buoy.

An improved day Sunday with the winds dropping, although we did have some strong gusts in the afternoon. With the wind dropping the anglers where able to fish all areas of the lake. Fishing from the bank in Rainbow Corner, Stephen Dewhurst landed 6 fish. Amongst Stephen’s catch he also landed a cracking rainbow of 8lbs. Taking 3 of his fish on pheasant tails and the other 3 on daddies. Joining Stephen in Rainbow Corner for a few hours on the bank. Was fellow Draycote member James Alexander who also used pheasant tails to land his 3 fish. On the boats the fishery hosted the final round of the Greys Pairs competition with 16 pairs competing. There was a variety of methods used by the anglers on the day, the first boat in was Graham Willis & Mark Macleod who took their 12 fish by 12.15 using floating lines with daddies. Drifting from the Sailing Club pontoon to J Buoy and then down the Farborough Dam Wall along to the spit. The next boat in was that of Ian Watts & Rob Toptalo who used dries to catch their fish from Rainbow Corner by 12.45. Kevin Richardson & Andy Hoffrock took their 12 from the same area washing lining with nymphs by 13.15. However, they had a small bag meaning they missed out qualification. All water member Jamie Scott fishing with Shaun Devlin landed their 12 by 13.30 using nymphs on a floating line with a FAB on the point drifting along the Farborough Dam. The winning bag on the day came from Sam Edmunds & Alice Davies catching their 12 fish at 14.00pm. While they didn’t catch the quickest bag they went for quality with their 12 fish weighting 31lb 1oz. A fantastic bag of fish with the best tipping the scales at 5lb 9oz. The ladies used Di 3 sinking lines with snakes and sparklers teamed with a roly-poly retrieve. With the best area being drifting past the pontoon towards the wall and then along to the spit. Even though they could see some quicker bags coming to dries, they stuck to their guns and got the reward. Fantastic angling! Outside of the match Ed Douglas landed 16 fish on dries, using a real selection of dries crippled midge, bob’s bits. Big reds, grunters and shipman’s all catching. Drifting just off the pontoon and then around A Buoy and Rainbow Corner.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26^th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

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Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report –

Tel: 01536 770264    Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings. Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 16^th July   Rod Av:  5.3         Water Temperature: 18°c

It was a quiet start to the week with only a few anglers venturing out. From a still, cloudy start the weather deteriorated to strong southerly winds with intermittent cloud cover. Most anglers congregated around the Main Basin with the North side of the tower proving to be a consistent area. After the previous day’s successes, Bram Van Der Bos returned for a morning session. Fishing Foam Daddies in the Main Basin, Bram went onto catch well into double figures. Elsewhere, out for the afternoon & into the evening, Mr Cousins had a very productive session landing over 20 fish, pulling lures across the Main Basin. When fishing the Basin it is far more productive to cover as much water as possible, actively searching for fish, rather than sat in one location & waiting for the fish to come to you.

Tuesday brought with it some good, consistent cloud cover & a gentle southerly breeze that developed into a gusty wind by late morning. The reservoir fished well with fish caught throughout the Main Basin high up in the water column with Dries or a Washing Lined floating line proving to be the most productive methods. With the Dries, Foam Daddies featured very high on the catch returns & on the washing line, a more subtle buoyant point fly seemed to be the way to go. On the droppers there was a mixture of imitative patterns, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs, UV Crunchers & small Damsels all caught fish. Locating fish in the open water of the Main Basin can be challenging so covering more water can be critical.  Subsequently, those fishing from a drifting boat were more successful than those fishing on the anchor. Members Roy Swinfield & Lyndsay Bates caught well drifting across the Basin landing well over 20 fish on the washing line & fishing on a day permit, Mr Gee had a great day, landing 21 fish on a washing line, also in the Main Basin. On the banks, Eyebrook regular George Burnham popped down for a last 4 Hour session & was duly rewarded with 4 fish from the Bell.

The weather Wednesday followed the same pattern as the previous day with what was a gentle southerly turning into a strong, gusty southerly by late morning. The fishing also followed a similar pattern to the previous day, with a lot of fish being found in the Main Basin in the upper layers of the water column. Regular visitor Dougie Skedd, started on a Washing Lined floater & caught fish from the off. As the wind strengthened & the waves built, Dougie changed to slow sink tip to dig into the wave & ensure his flies remained just under the surface. Dougie had a great day going on to land 20 fish in total. Others to do particularly well were All Water Members Clive Moore & Ian Jobe who landed well over 30 fish, targeting the fish in the upper layers of the Main Basin. Clive caught very well on a Popper Hopper on the point of his Washing Line. Other fly patterns to feature high on the catch returns were Foam daddies, Diawl Bachs, Crunchers & small FABs.

The moderate southerly wind on Thursday brought with it some unsettled weather which resulted in some periods of extended sunshine & showers. The Main Basin continued to fish very well with some high catch returns recorded. The fish were sat relatively high up in the water column & were caught on Dries, Washing Lined Floaters & Tip Lines. On the washing line it paid dividends having colour either on the point or on the top dropper with a very small FAB proving to be very successful. On the droppers, Crunchers & Diawl Bachs were the preferred choice for many & rightly so as these also featured high on the catch returns. Thinking slightly outside of the box, Eyebrook member Bill Law had a very productive morning session, landing 10 fish on Muddlers, pulled through the wave. All Water Member Ray Jordan also had a good morning session, landing 8 fish on a washing line with a small orange FAB on the point. For those fishing the Dries, they found dries with a larger profile, that sat on the water, such as a Foam Daddy to be more productive than those that sat in the surface film.

Friday saw the weather begin to intensify, with the winds beginning to build & the showers getting heavier. Consequently, it was a quiet day angler wise although it wasn’t a quiet day fish wise as the reservoir fished extremely well with many catching into double figures. Yet again, Foam Daddies seemed to produce some high bags of fish, as did the washing line. Draycote Rio Master team member Martin Rowson had a very productive day with his boat partner, landing well over 30 fish to their boat. All Water Member Ian Leech took a family member out & between them they had 20 fish on the Orange Bodied Foam Daddies.

The wind had really intensified for Saturday, to the point that no boats were allowed out as the mean wind speed surpassed our threshold of 24mph. A few of those who had boats booked, decided to fish the bank where there were a few fish caught from the Dam, on Dries & on the Nymphs, with the southern corner of the Dam being more productive than the north.

The wind had abated slightly by Sunday & the boats were duly allowed out. As the day progressed the wind became gusty & brought with it some very heavy showers & periods of bright sunshine. This unsettled weather seemed to have a detrimental effect on the fishing as anglers struggled to locate fish. First time visitor Sam Jones managed an exceptional bag of fish on the day, landing 8 initially on Foam Daddies & then later small emerging patterns, from various locations around the Main Basin. Eyebrook Member Neil Shilton landed 4 fishing deep with large lures. Targeting overwintered fish, Neil felt there were more fish laying higher in the water column. Also landing 4 was Matt Allen, which was a great return for a Last 4 Hour session. By the late evening, the wind had significantly reduced & Matt targeted moving fish & all his fish came because of him covering moving fish. Great angling Matt, well done.

With a more settled weather forecast for the coming week, the prospects look excellent as the water temperature remains good for this time of year & the fish confidently feeding in the upper layers.

Upcoming Events

22/23 July – 6 x 4 Team Competition, 26 boats each day.

29 July – AMFFC Group 1, 18 boats.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir.

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

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 9^th July  Rod Av: 1.0    Water Temperature: 19c – 20c

Monday and better weather forecast, lower daytime temperatures, fresher wind which will certainly help the fishing. Our surface temperature is 19c+. Overall, the fishing proved challenging with the few trout taken falling to a fast sinker and booby fished from the main dam across the deep water.

Tuesday and the water temperature has dropped to 19c, forecast is for cloud mid-morning and a fresh at times brisk south westerly. Fishing improved from Monday still challenging but an improvement. Arthur Olding fished an intermediate with a 5ft leader & a white minkie booby on a back drift hooking 6 trout but landing 4, those trout weren’t deep. P Cross also caught 4 with 2 on a dry and the other on a booby. At 5pm Peter Wurm came to fish the evening fishing elk hair sedge patterns and then a daddy he rose around 8 trout successfully hooking and landing 3. Although a few trout were rising he was due to the good water clarity rising fish to his flies.

Similar forecast for Wednesday & Thursday with brighter, warmer conditions on Friday which pushed the surface water temperature from 19c to 19c+. It wasn’t easy fishing we recommended that rods got to the fishery for 7.30am & fished the morning session that currently goes up to 3pm. It was certainly different from the fishing enjoyed on Tuesday with top rod on Friday Colin Chambers with 3 rainbows.

Saturday & Sunday our water temperature was 19c+ we advised anglers to arrive by 7.30am as we would be getting the boat out earlier. Fast sinkers with minkie booby, red or orange booby on a short 5ft to 8ft leader caught with John Reynold catching 4 for his Sunday visit. We had some rain & cooler temperatures Saturday & Sunday late afternoon with some Thunder.

Early hours of Monday 10^th July at 1.10am we received during the cooler conditions a stocking of 2095 trout taking the stock level in the fishery to 6,000+ which follows our trials over the past 3 years. View details on our www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore

Lost & Found Rods, Reels & Fly line.

This year anglers have handed in 2 sets of tackle they have found, 10ft rod with a reel & line & a 9ft Rod with a reel & line attached.

Both sets due to their good condition were lost this year. If you call the lodge 01530230807, we will need the following information.

1. Make of the rod
2. Type of reel with the style of fly line loaded.

If their not claimed in the next couple of months we will give them to the anglers who found them

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings. For details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     9^th July  2023      Rod Av: 8.26   Water Temperature:  17-18°C

A very breezy day to the start the new week, however, we did have this teamed with mostly cloudy skies with the occasional sunny spell. Despite the windy conditions the fishery fished very well producing a double figure rod average, with a variety of methods working. The top boat went to Mick Glover who landed over 35 fish to the boat. Mick drifted from Rainbow Corner out to A Buoy using 2 daddies and Tan & Orange fished 9ft apart on a 18ft leader. Once the wind picked up, Mick swapped to washing lining with a 6ft fast tip with a FAB on the point taking most of his fish. Graham England also fished from a boat using daddies and a washing line to land 10 fish. All water member Andy Lillie used the rudder to great effect fishing for a morning session to land 18 fish. Andy, used a Di 3 or Di 5 sinking line with a tube to take his fish on a Di 3 or Di 5 sinking line and took some cracking fish. Peter Major also fishing in Rainbow Corner landed 10 fish.

Good conditions Tuesday, with overcast skies and winds remaining in the Southwest. As a result the fish responded well producing a rod average of 12.4 fish per angler. With the cooling water temperature Ken Key fished the bank landing 3 fish from Rainbow Corner. However, it was the boats the caught the lion share of the fish. Draycote members Peter Elliot & Lee Patten used dries all day land to boat over 50 fish, with Bob’s Bits being their best pattern drifting from Rainbow Corner to A buoy also off the Flat Stones towards B Buoy. Tim Grove starting the first day of his 3 day break landed 22 fish again all on dries using daddies and shuttlecocks. All water member Ed Douglas found the fish at Rainbow Corner particular keen to eat grunters as he went on to land 31 fish. Another angler fishing at Rainbow Corner was Dan McElligott who used daddies and claret hoppers to finish with 18 fish for the day.

A fantastic day Wednesday with over nearly 500 fish caught, with overcast skies and consistent wind from the Southwest. As with the previous day dries was the best method or flies fish high in the water column. Ed Wilson & Alan Masters enjoyed a good day out in the boat landing between 30-40 fish they lost count. All coming to dries either daddies or Midas. Fishing from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy. Fishery Ranger Lee Henfrey fishing with Kevin Hart landed over 40 fish to the boat. The pair found fish from Rainbow Corner all the way down to M Buoy near the exclusion zone. Using a claret hopper on the dropper and then an orange popper hopper on the dropper. The key was to cast them out then just use a steady figure of eight retrieve, with lots of sport every drift. All water member Ed Douglas headed out again to take advantage of the excellent fishing Draycote is currently experiencing. Yet again it was another great day for Ed who landed 49 fish all on dries using Bob’s Bits and Grunters fishing from the Draycote Dam Wall over the open water. Draycote member John Dickens also used Grunters to great effect landing 21 on the pattern. Pete Eville used CDC Culs and Bob’s Bits to land 30 fish drifting from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy.

A bright and sunny morning greeted us at Draycote Water and these conditions prevailed for most of the day. Once again the fish have provided us with some great sport right throughout the water column, with a good spread of fish across the reservoir. Peter Allen and Tony Broadway had a dozen fish between them using dries, as well as lures on sinking lines. Dave Adkins boated a total of 23 fish using once again, a mixture of dries on a floater, as well as lures on a sinking line. Season permit holder Paul Havard netted 16 fish using a 3ft midge tip and a washing line in Rainbow Corner. Geoff Brooks and David Holding had 16 fish to the  boat on sparkler boobnies fiushed on a floating line near A buoy. Young Kevin Rees had well over 20 fish to the boat using an F fly.

Friday started bright, sunny and warm, and stayed that way all day. Despite these conditions Gordon Byers used dries to net 19 fish from a drifting boat. Craig and Rob Middleton also used dries to net over 30 fish between them. Season permit holder Jamie Scott used a mixture of dries and diawl bachs to net 19 fish in Rainbow Corner. Draycote regular Tim Davies had 7 fish to the boast during a morning session, with the vast majority coming to dries. Don Coe and Mr A Baker had over 20 fish to the boat using hares ears and CDC’s.

Saturday was overcast with the slightest chance of a thunderstorm through the afternoon. This fishing report is virtually writing itself at the moment. We knew we had a good head of fish in Draycote, and these are now showing up all over the reservoir. The rod average is coming out at about 9, and practically all methods are working, with some being more successful than others. Dries seem to be a favourite, but a washing line with diawl bachs will produce, as will twiddling a couple of cormorants on a slow intermediate line. You can also chase the fish down through the water column on sinking lines with lures, if that’s what floats your boat. Draycote regular Jon Crowley had a bakers dozen during a morning session. Jon plied his trade around B buoy using a floating line and hares ears and a sugar cube. Young Ed Douglas has well over 20 fish for the day, all coming to dries. Mr T Fox and Mr M Heritage used cul’s, daddies and bob’s bits to put 40 fish in the net. Season permit holder Martin Hancox ventured out for an evening session to net nearly 20 fish on daddies and big reds.

Sunday started overcast and calm, but brightened up as the day progressed. The overnight rain put a lot of water in the boats, but helped cool the surface temperature to a balmy 17degrees.  Another good day was enjoyed by the anglers visiting the fishery with a rod average of just under 6. Husband and wife, Shaun & Debbie Gilbert landed 9 fish using hoppers and daddies and then a Di 5 and a black humungus when the sun came out. With lots of other pulls and lost fish while on a short morning boat, with the best area being the Hensborough Bank just near the exclusion zone. Fellow member Richard Walker also fished for a morning session landing 10 fish using a foam daddy and a claret hopper and later using a cats whisker on a sink tip. All water member Ed Douglas used dries once again to land over 20 fish, from Rainbow Corner to A Buoy and the around the Flat Stones and B Buoy. Kevin Hart fishing with Dave Pacey also landed 20 fish. With using a washing line with a popper hopper on the point and crunchers on the droppers while Dave used Damsels. Adam Larbalestier & Ben Bayliss drifted from M to N Buoy using dries to land 21 fish. Trevor Moore fished a washing line with Diawl Bachs on a floating line at Rainbow Corner and the saddle bank to boat 22 fish.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

Greys Pairs Draycote Heat Sunday 16^th July – contact Phil Dixon to enter.

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water.

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Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 9^th July   Rod Av: 5.0       Water Temperature: 19°c

Monday, Start of the week & a challenging days fishing with P Polito top rod with 3 trout. Looking at the weeks weather forecast its looking positive, cooler daytime temperatures of 17c to 20c and an average wind speed of 13mph – 16mphm much better for the fishing & with the stocking due on Tuesday it will all be positive as we move into July.

Tuesday with overcast & a brisk westerly wind & a water temperature of 19c had some fish to be seen in the surface. Anglers caught most of the trout to dries with a small daddy being the most successful pattern with anglers generally working the main basin.  We received a stocking of 1845 trout averaging 1lb12oz this stocking & average size over the past few years has ensured our fishing improved during the July the height of the summer temperature.

Wednesday with the overcast conditions, water temperature dropped below 19c and the previous days stocking we saw am excellent improvement to the fishing with the rod average 8+ for the day. Ian Jobe and Clive Moore caught 40+ trout over the deeper water, Mark Hunt fished lunchtime onwards concentrating his efforts to a single fly fished along the weedbeds from the hawthorns down to Sam`s Dyke fishing a single fly which he changed when sport went quiet, CDC owl, dry daddy, dry damsel to boat 14 trout. G Burnham came down at 5pm to fish the bank catching 6 trout to a 3lb+ grown on rainbow using a #16 hares ear.

Thursday another good day with some anglers working the deeper water in front of the dam whilst other went to fish along the weedbeds. Members Roy Swinfield and L Bates fished the morning session catching 21 trout to muskins and yellow owl. Bill Law and Ian Steele fished the morning session from 8.30am to 3pm boating 15 trout. Dean Stilton out in his float tube, concentrated his fishing along the weed beds fishing a daddy to catch 19 trout. M Woolnough fished dries, cdc, dry blue damsel to boat 12 with Eyebrook member S Billesdon boating 14 for his visit.

Friday brought with it some warm, bright & blustery conditions. It was a quiet day angler wise with those venturing out catching well in the Main Basin with some resident fish showing amongst those fresher fish that went in earlier in the week. All Water Member Kev Counihan caught well landing 8 fish, targeting feeding fish around the weedbeds in the Main Basin on the Dries. Fishing on a Last 4 Hour permit, Helen & Tom Haines had a productive session landing 4 fish from as far down as the Willows.

Saturday was a very unsettled day with several heavy showers, thunderstorms, bright intervals & wind direction changes. By early afternoon the storms had passed & conditions remained good for the remainder of the day. Subsequently the reservoir fished very well with fish caught from the boats, Float Tubes & the banks. Eyebrook member Malcolm Thompson enjoyed a brief bank session in the morning, landing 4 fish from the Dam. From the boats & Float Tubes, the Main Basin was the most productive area with good numbers of fish caught on a variety of methods. Those fishing with a bit of colour on their cast, be that a blob or FAB, seemed to be more productive than those that didn’t. Even if fish never came to the colour, they took the nymph nearest to it which proves its effectiveness as an attractor. Eyebrook members Bob Margery & Steve Lawrence had a very productive morning session with 30 to the boat, utilising this method as they caught on Floating Lines & Intermediates. Elsewhere in the Main Basin, there was also a few fish caught on Dries with a Foam Daddy featuring high on the catch returns.

It was a still, damp but dry start to Sunday which saw Eyebrook host the latest Fishery Management UK Interclub fixture with anglers from all 3 of the fisheries; Eyebrook, Draycote & Thornton. Starting the day with a round of Bacon cobs, they fished a morning & afternoon session that was interspersed with Burgers at lunch. The overcast morning gave way to clear, bright skies in the afternoon which made the fishing challenging after lunch. Fish were caught in the Main Basin & around the marginal weedbeds throughout the day, with the most productive periods being before lunch. The most productive method for the open water was 2 bits of colour, FABs or Blobs, with a couple of Nymphs between them on a floating line down to an Intermediate, as the fish were sat high up in the water column in the morning. Around the weedbeds, Dries or Damsel Nymphs proved to be the most productive methods. The reservoir fished well on the day to a respectable rod average of 4.2 & we hope all participants enjoyed the day, it was great to see you all. Elsewhere, day permit angler Bram Van Der Bos enjoyed a very productive day landing 19 fish on Dries from various locations across the Main Basin. Eyebrook member Dean Shilton targeted the Damsel feeding fish around the margins & landed a good number of fish on Damsel Nymphs. From the bank, another Eyebrook member, Malcolm Thompson had another productive morning landing 6 fish from the North end of the Dam.

Upcoming Events

22/23 July – 6 x 4 Team Competition, 26 boats each day.

29 July – AMFFC Group 1, 18 boats.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir.

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

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 2^nd July   Rod Av: 1.4    Water Temperature: 19c+ – 20c+

Monday & were forecast for cooler temperatures this week which we will look forward to seeing. Start of the week and a rod average 3.3 with anglers still following our advice and fishing the cooler morning session. A Lilley and Mr England caught 14 for their mornings visit using a 10ft tip line 20ft+leader and buzzer with a few on a sink7 and booby. Keith Cowen & S Fairgrieve caught theirs on a booby and buzzer with A Wilson catching his 5 on buzzer and booby. Good start to the week

Tuesday overcast, cooler, light drizzle, water temperature had dropped by 0.5c surprising that it didn’t match the day before. Without doubt, the ones who caught fish a sink7 or sink5 with silver humungus or orange booby patterns worked best. They fished the cooler morning session with R Price top rod with 4 landed.

Wednesday, overcast, cooler breeze, water temperature down a degree since the weekend. It proved to be a mixed day, some rods reported seeing fish rising at times while others reported taps and follows to their flies fished deeper. A mixture of flies worked from buzzers, booby, small snakes, fabs to black hopper. Most fished the morning session, Alex White caught 4 as did J Scott. Brian Morris fished the afternoon from 3pm to 8pm when it looked as if a thunderstorm was due. Brian saw a few fish rising and fished a black hopper catching 1 and missing others up to 5pm when that stopped, he then moved to a sinking line catching 1 but again had taps and follows. Water clarity remains good.

Thursday and a fresh north westerly wind. Our water temperature at 7.30am had dropped to 20c+ There were odd fish to be seen rising, but they weren’t easy to tempt. Sink7 & sink5 fast sinking lines with booby patterns or small snakes caught fish but the method that seems to be best is a sink tip line either a 6ft or 10ft model with leaders of 16ft to 25ft depending on the area you’re fishing across the main basin. These fish when spooned are feeding on large bloodworm, at times also have daphnia and small buzzer. D Hussey was top rod he caught 8 on a long leader over 16ft depth with a #14 diawl bach been his best fly.

Friday, cooler start to the day with plenty of cloud, our surface temperature is 20c. Quiet day on the water probably due to the mixed weather forecast. Rods fished the morning session with fish caught on pink snake, olive snake & various booby patterns over the deeper water.

Saturday & similar weather as the day before. Rods reported seeing some fish rising, but the rise happens once as the water temperature is 20c but our water clarity is good. In those conditions the fish will be 3 to 5ft down, if they see a fly they want they will come up take the fly & drop back down to the cooler conditions. J Bebbington fished the cooler morning session saw odd fish rising went back drifting with a floating line & daddy pattern, landing 4 & getting a fair few rises to others. Keith Cowen continues to be having his best season ever catching 4 trout on a cocktail yellow eyed booby. Other flies that caught were damsel patterns & bloodworm.

Sunday and our water temperature is 19c+, bright start to the day with the cloud drifting in & wind picking up from 9am. 16 members of the All Abilities club fished Thornton finding the fishing challenging averaging 1 fish for their visit. Their top rods were Stewart Hume, Ian Bradfield, Horace Wood and Dave Porter who all caught 3 fish each.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending: 2^nd July  2023      Rod Av: 5.7   Water Temperature:  17°C

Cooler overnight temperature’s Sunday evening, resulted in a drop in the water temperature down to 19°C and a strong Southwest wind. These improvement in conditions and water temperature resulted in a marked improvement in the catch return with the fishery averaging 8.23 fish per angler. However, the best method was still fishing deep. Draycote members Tony Broadway & Pete Allen took a morning boat and landed 33 fish. The pair opted to back-drift with Di7 sinking lines and a variety of different snakes throughout the morning to take their fish. The best areas the pair found the fish was B Buoy out towards Y Buoy and then around H Buoy and Farborough Spit. Fellow member Bob Askew also found back-drifting to be very successful, landing 21 fish. Using either a Di 5 or Di 7 sinking line and olive snakes. Mr Fowler & Mr Attwood landed 19 fish to their boat using either lures fished on a Di 7 or buzzers. With the best area’s being A, B & C Buoy. Peter Flay fished for the afternoon around the Draycote Dam and the Outlet using a Damsel pattern on a sunk line to land 17 fish.

What a great day for fishing Tuesday turned out to be. The forecast was for overcast conditions and a light south westerly breeze, and that’s exactly what we got. There is, once again , a good spread of fish throughout the reservoir, but the best of the sport is to be had coming off the Draycote Dam at the moment, drifting out towards and past A, B and C buoy. Quite a few of the fish are being caught using dry fly tactics with most of the fish coming blind. Another method to try at the moment is to use a DI7 and a snake or a humungus pattern. If you back drift one of these along the bottom of the reservoir at the moment you should catch fish in good numbers. Staff member Mark Braun took to the water to land over 20 fish using black and gold snakes on a DI7 near the Aerators.  Ed Douglas caught over 30 fish yesterday from a boat, with some coming to dries, and the rest to snakes back drifted on a DI7. Eddie Mitchell and Stuart Lee had 14 fish to the boat between them one of which was a cracking 6lb plus rainbow which took a booby hopper out in the open water. James Kelly bank fished the deeper water from the Tower Bank using shrimp patterns on a sinking line to land a brace.

Once again an ideal start to fishing on Wednesday morning saw Draycote return another good rod average. A good head of fish and a good spread of them throughout the reservoir is providing some great sport for our visiting anglers, (and some of the staff as well). Martin  Foster and John Vyse had 14 fish to the boat back drifting on a DI5 with snakes and humungus. Ian Richardson and Bob Barfoot had 16 fish back drifting using DI7’s and snakes from the Draycote Dam out past C buoy. Fishery Manager Tom Bird took to the water for a filming session and took a total of 15 fish using two different methods. He started off in Rainbow Corner using foam daddies on a floating line before shifting down to the Flat Stones and the area in front of the Valve Tower, where he back drifted on a Di7 line with snakes.

A wind change Thursday into the Northwest with bright skies for most of the day. It was a good day to be out on the water with the rod average for the day ending at 7.1 fish per angler. The key method for the day was to fish deep, with a number of fish sitting deeper in the water column due to the warmer water temperature. Fishery Rangers Lee Henfrey & Michael Hanlon took the water on a day off and enjoyed great sport landing over 30 fish. The pair used the rudder to get the flies down deep, using Di 7 sinking lines and Booby Bashers. Casting 45 degrees off the side of the boat and then paying the rest of the line out, until the line was tight. Then a steady roly-poly retrieve was the best tactic, with black and gold humungus, snakes and tubes all featuring well. The best areas being B Buoy, C Buoy or around Y Buoy. Another boat who found the fish deep and used the rudder was Rod Wilson & Jim Dempsey who landed 28 fish. Draycote members Ian Reeve & Colin Granger opted to back drift to get the flies deep landing 43 fish. Using a Di 7 sinking line with a barred olive snake booby or a black and gold snake booby. Andy Ross & Dave Barrett landed 20 fish again on a Di 7 fished out the back of the boat around B Buoy out in the middle.

Friday was overcast for most of the day with once again quite strong Southwesterly winds. The fish seem to be holding in the same areas but have risen up in the water column as some anglers were using DI3’s and DI5’s to catch their fish. Whilst there are fish being caught in or near the surface of the reservoir the rise in rod averages over the past week or so is due to the more consistent use of sinking lines and lures. Season permit holder Ray Rawlings put 16 fish in the net using a DI7 with black and gold snakes whilst drifting from B buoy to the Aerators. Jamie Scott netted a total of 20 fish using Airflo’s Booby Basher line and black and gold snakes. Mr F Campbell had 17 fish to the boat on the same method fishing up at the western end of the reservoir. Ruth and Tony Kirk used a combination of dries as well as sinking lines and lures to tempt 18 fish to the net between them.  Draycote regular Mick Cronin caught 9 fish during a bank fishing session from Rainbow Corner.

The wind swung a little more to the West on Saturday, with the cloud cover remaining. Once again the fishery fished well with a rod average of 5.91. Martin Rowson & Neil Deakin fished from a boat landing 22 fish. However, Martin said it should have been double that the amount of fish lost in play. The pair started on dries in Rainbow Corner to take there first fish. Before Martin swapped to washing lining on a floating line or a 12ft slow tip with a booby and hoppers on the droppers. While Neil used a Di 5 sweep sinking line and a snake. Their best area was Rainbow Corner drifting towards A Buoy or drifting from the Valve Tower towards C Buoy. Draycote members Terry Bolderson & Bob Humphries landed 14 fish to their boat also fishing in Rainbow Corner. Fishery Ranger Mark Braun took advantage of a day off heading out in a boat landing 17 fish on a booby snake fished on a sinking line around A, B & C Buoy. Fishery guides Lee Henfrey & Jim Sheehan, both took newcomers out on an experience session. With the clients landing their first ever trout. Both Jim & Lee used fast sinking lines and booby snakes, fished on the rudder or back drifted. To see the pictures please visit www.facebook.com/flyfishstore Currently there certainly seems to be two layers or fish out on the water, those sitting high in the water who seem keen to take dries or nymphs in the first few feet them fish that are sitting 30ft down.

Once again strong westerly winds were blowing across Draycote on Sunday, with thankfully, the best of the fishing to be had at  the more sheltered end of the reservoir. Debbie and Sean Gilbert got into quite a few fish by starting on DI7’s and moving up onto DI3’s with dancers. Ed Douglas Had 19 fish to the boat mostly on dries, with a little bit of sunk line work thrown in to bag the remaining few. Mark JJ had 17 fish to the boat using sparklers and diawl bachs. Young Trevor Moore and James Maplethorpe used much the same method to bag over 20 fish between them and remarked on a superb day. Season permit holder Martin Hancox ventured out for an evening session to catch a dozen on a mixture of snakes and cormorants.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

Greys Pairs Draycote Heat Sunday 16^th July – contact Phil Dixon to enter.

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20^th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.
Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/CV23_8AB use this link for Draycote.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

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Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report 

Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 02 Jul 23   Rod Av: 1.4      Water Temperature:   20°c – 19c

The week started somewhat cooler than the previous one ended with a westerly wind that become strong to moderate as the day progressed. The cloud cover that was forecast did not materialise & it remained bright throughout the day.  It was a very quiet start to the week angler wise with just a few boats out & those that did catch, caught in the Main Basin with lures fished deep on sinking lines.

Tuesday saw another quiet day with those venturing out catching either in the Main Basin, fishing on the drift with Di 5 or Di 7s or fishing small nymphs & dries around the weed beds. When fishing the open expanse of the Main Basin & searching for fish, you will be far more productive fishing from a drifting boat, be that back drifting or fishing loch style using a drogue. The principle is simple, the more water you cover when searching for fish, the more successful you will be. It is counterproductive to sit in one area too long, unless you know there are fish in that area & even then, the fish need to be catchable.

The cooler weather continued Wednesday which saw anglers finding success both around the marginal weedbeds & over the open water of the Main Basin. Members Mark Hunt & Neil Shilton both had productive days, but they fished different areas & fished different methods. Mark chose to hunt the weedbeds using small Dries to intercept fish that were transiting from the cooler, deeper water into the shallower weedbeds to feed. Mark was duly rewarded with a great bag for the day of 10 fish, with Sam’s Dyke proving to be his most productive area. Whereas, Neil, out in his Float Tube, opted to fish the deeper, cooler water of the Main Basin using Boobies on a Di7. Searching out the deeper areas within the Basin Neil had a great return of 11 fish. Over his last couple of visits, Neil has caught 30 fish in very challenging conditions which is an excellent return. How has he achieved this…? Well, he has fished deep, he has fished slow & he has remained mobile.

There was a cool, damp start to Thursday which had cooled the water temperature to 20°C overnight & a gentle northerly breeze which increased as the day progressed. As the wind built, it brought with it clear, bright skies that made the afternoon, somewhat challenging. Subsequently, the reservoir fished better in the morning as the fish happily fed around the weedbeds for prolonged periods due to the cooler water. There were some good fish caught in Sam’s Dyke & Mucky Bay down to the Chestnut on Dries & Damsel Nymphs fished over the top & around the established beds of weed. Eyebrook member Bill Law had a very productive morning session landing 5 fish from the area of Mucky Bay. Elsewhere, regular visitor Nigel Woolnough also had a productive day dotting around the various weedbeds along the Leicester Bank, picking up fish as he went from various locations. Another Eyebrook member, Stuart Bilsdon also picked up fish throughout the day. Those that fished the Main Basin found fish deeper on Di7s with lures. When fishing deep in the Basin, remember that you can also fish buzzers deep, on a Tip Line with a long leader & on its day, it can be just as effective as the lures.

Friday brought with it a flat calm with plenty of cloud cover, but overall, not an easy days fishing. All water member Mark Hunt was top rod fishing from 10.00am to 8pm landing 9 trout from amongst the weedbeds but then during the evening over the deeper water on a floating line with big red and a cdc owl. Water temperature was 20c.

Saturday and despite the conditions a dry fly hopper pattern caught 4 trout for P Line, following from the day before if there’s cloud a dry seems to be working. Overall, a bit of a challenge Eyebrook member B Margery caught 3 for his mornings visit on a diawl and blob with Sam Edmonds catching 3 for her visit.

Sunday morning and the water temperature has dropped to 19c+ Mixed methods caught from lures on a sinking line to dries. Neil & Dean Shilton fished from their float tubes catching 8 trout between them. Dries certainly caught the largest percentage with Mark Hunt fishing the last 4 hours initially catching fish close to the weeds but as the wind dropped sedges emerged and a rise occurred, he caught fishing a single fly cdc yellow owl and sedge pattern later to catch his 8 trout.

With the cooler water Eyebrook is due a stocking on Tuesday with 2000 trout from 1lb8oz to 1lb14oz the size which from the past 3 years definitely provide better fishing during July & height of the summer.

Events: This coming Sunday 9^th  local angling club Eyebrook Fly Fishers hosts an inter club event with Draycote Fly Fishers & Thornton Fly Fishers attending with a break at lunchtime for a BBQ. If you’re a club member contact the lodge to book your place

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir

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

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/CV23_8AB use this link for Draycote.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

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Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook are explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

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

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

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 18^th June   Rod Av: 2.4    Water Temperature: 20c – 21c

Monday & Tuesday wind over the last few days has generally been easterly but with the longer daylight hours and an increase in the daytime temperatures into the high 20c its certainly had an impact on the fishing. Anglers followed our advice and fished the morning session 8am – 3pm. We are seeing some fish smutting and others on the pin fry and damsels with the best area, opposite the lodge, Markfield arm, stones & green bay. Best method has been the back drift with various booby patterns with K Cowen & S Faigrieve catching 6 trout for their mornings visit.

Wednesday weather was the same as the last few days. Were seeing some fish move during the first few hours opposite the lodge, pontoon, stones and Markfield arm but as the sun gets higher the rises reduce. Sink 7 lines fished in the back drift with booby patterns worked best with the drift from the Markfield arm along the stones and across the main basin to the public car park best. Barry Deeley caught 1 on a floater using a Barons pin fry and 6 on a sink7 and booby patterns. P Hunt and J Thomson caught 6 for their mornings visit again on fast sinkers and booby.

Thursday a booby fished on a sink5 or sink7 produced the best of the sport with anglers reporting missed takes and follows. The drift up the Markfield arm along the stones, across the main basin and in front of the dam fished best. Richard Maycock too his granddaughter out for a morning, they caught 2 fish but lost a further 5 trout. We spooned his 2 fish, one had a few small buzzer the other had been feeding on bloodworm. Ian Leach caught 4 on a sink5 in front of the dam but reported fish lost and plenty of follows. Tut & Bet Miles caught 4 and also reported missed takes and follows. Dave and Henry Mee fished the last 4 hours again the booby on a sink line worked. Mark Cawley opted to fish a tip line or floater catching 3 on a damsel and orange daddy, he also reported missed takes to the daddy. Mark also saw fish feeding on the pin fry against the weedbeds as you go into the Markfield arm. Best booby, silver humungus, cats whisker, damsel, red booby. Rod average was 2 but would have been a lot higher had fish not been lost or the fish follows turned into takes.

Friday, less wind and bright conditions were suited for the morning with the back drifting with a sinking line expected to work best. Most anglers struggled although good to see beginner angler Kenny Henry managing to catch. Chris Sayer caught 8 for his 5 hour visit fishing a sink7 line with a green damsel booby, finding the fish whilst drifting in the Markfield arm.

Saturday, another day of easterly winds from the east to the south east, some cloud cover. Fishing was the best its been for weeks with an overall rod average of 4.25 with most fishing a booby on the back drift although a few were taken on an intermediate or sink3 on damsel nymph patterns. We hosted 6 members of the British Float Tubing Association who had an excellent day with their groups rod average an excellent 5.8, eventual winner Garry Cragg who caught 10 trout. Booby patterns were, olive damsel booby, small black and green booby, small cats whisker booby. We also had Tony Bokenham with his granddaughter for her first trip helping to catch 3 on a silver humungus booby. Member Keith Cowen fished from an anchored boat fishing a Rio Sink7 and tequila booby to catch 5

Sunday overcast conditions, feeling cooler, another day of easterly winds. Anglers too our advice and fished sinking lines and booby patterns to return a mornings rod average of 4.4 Thornton member A Wilson fished a minkie booby catching 9 trout for his visit. Morning rod T Long caught his first fish on a humungus booby pattern, a fly that was given to him by R Smith who was catching on that pattern. Mr Long also caught some fish on a snake. J Reynolds decided to try an intermediate and booby pattern and was rewarded with 4 trout.

The last 3 days of the week saw improving catches which will hopefully carry on into this coming week.

Our latest YouTube Flyfishstore video is available for viewing and has Lloyd and Tom fishing damsel patterns at Eyebrook https://youtu.be/lna0SBjBeBk

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Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

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

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     18^th June  2023      Rod Av: 2.0   Water Temperature:  18°C

A very hot start to the week, with lots of water in the boats after the torrential thunderstorm the night before. However, the thunderstorm did little to cool anything. With such high temperatures and more thunderstorms forecast for later in the day, it was a quiet day at the fishery both with rods and number of fish caught. However, like the previous day fish could still be caught on the top with fishery ranger Kev Jones going out after his shift catching on daddies.

Another bright and blustery start again on Tuesday. The wind speed rose again about midday, making the western end of the reservoir a bit choppy at times through the afternoon. There are fish right throughout the water column in many areas of the reservoir, being caught on dries, as well as sinking lines. Mr Ian Morris and Mr Brian Hall had a brace between them through the bright sunshine. Mr A Campbell caught 9 fish from a drifting boat using a DI5 sweep line and two sparkler boobies, with the odd fish taking a foam daddy out in the middle of the reservoir.

The weather conditions prevailed through Wednesday. There is a good spread of fish throughout the reservoir and at various depths.   Draycote regular Will Hunt used a mixture of minkies and daddies near the aerators to boat 7 fish. Mr D Howard caught 3 fish on boobies, whilst Chris Reeves and Ian McKenagh caught 4 fish between them.

Another warm day Thursday with a Northeast, which did help to keen a slightly cooler feel to the day for the anglers out on the water. Draycote member John Dickens fished from a boat landing 7 fish all on dries, with a black a crippled midge being his best pattern. Lee Patten a fellow member fishing with Dave Franklin ahead of the Civil Service match on Friday. Enjoyed a good days sport using boobies in the morning on a sunk line before using dries on the afternoon to land 9 fish. Great to see dries working even in the bright sunshine. At the other end of the spectrum Jim Dempsey & Rod Wilson landed 20 fish in a morning session using the Rudder. The pair took their fish deep on a Di 7 sinking line drifting near P Buoy and Middle Shaol and heading down in between Y Buoy and the Aerators. Fishery Manager Tom Bird headed out on a 8 hour guide with friends Nigel Tranter & Gary Brewster. With the help of Tom the pair landed a dozen fish and lost a number of others. The best area was over Musborough Shoal using a Di 5 sinking line with a cormorant booby and sparker. However, in the afternoon Nigel did land 2 fish and lost another on a 6ft fast tip with a booby on the point and nymphs on the droppers. The pair also landed some quality rainbows to see the pictures please visit www.facebook.com/flyfishstore

Friday saw Draycote host the Civil Service National Game Angling Final, with anglers from all over the country fishing for their prospective regions. It was another day of challenging conditions with the continuing east winds and bright hot sunshine. However, the anglers did well in the tough conditions producing a 3.65 rod average. Winning the day was the Midlands Region comprising of Peter Elliott & Lee Patten. Who landed 21 fish between them, using snakes on a Di 7 sinking line. The best area being G Buoy to H Buoy and also around the Valve Tower. Lee, was also top individual on the day, landing 2 cracking fish for  his first 2 which tipped the scales at 6lb 4oz. In second place was the Northern Region of J Heppell & M Bramham who also landed 21 fish, but unfortunately lost out on the weight of the fish brought to the scales. They also found success using fast sinking lines and snakes. Outside of the Civil Service Match, Nigel Tranter & Gary Brewster enjoyed a good day landing 10 fish using a Di 7 sinking line teamed with snakes and humungous. They found the fish drifting from just down from the Valve Tower into the Draycote Dam. With nearly all the fish being grown on fish over 3lb with the best a rainbow of around 5lb taken by Nigel.

Saturday was overcast with a very light easterly breeze. There was a very light shower through the middle of the day which was most welcome in the current conditions. Staff member Mark Braun used a heavy sinking line and snakes up near the aerators to net 17 fish during an afternoon session. Alan Campbell had a brace on small culs down in Toft near G buoy. Draycote regulars Trevor Moore and James Maplethorpe used size 14 olive buzzers to net a bakers dozen between them in several places around the reservoir.  Season permit holder John Dickens used Grunters and crippled midge to net 3 fish during an evening session.

Sunday started much the same as the previous days with the threat of a thunder storm and heavy rain to come later. Staff member Michael Hanlon ventured out for a morning session to net half a dozen fish on black and gold humungus on a DI5. Season permit holder Tim Davies had 4 fish to the boat using a mixture of dries, boobies and snakes. Frazer Duffy, senior and junior, caught a dozen fish between them using snakes on a DI7 up near the aerators. Fishery manager Tom Bird hosted one of our ever popular Fly Fishing Tuition Days here at Draycote with 5 students taking part . The day went very well with all the students getting to grips with the casting and Mr Graham Cox landing two cracking rainbows. We also hosted the Steve Parton memorial match here At Draycote on Sunday organised by the Alex Booth Fly Fishers. The match was cut short for some anglers by the weather conditions later in the afternoon but, results were as follows. Third place was taken by Jack Westbury with 5 fish for 6lbs 12oz, in second place was Colin Marriott with 5 fish for 7lbs 4oz, and in top spot was Baz Street with 3 fish for 11lbs 6oz. Baz’s bag was boosted by a cracking fish of 6lbs 12oz which he caught near the inlet on a small black and gold humungus.  Well done to all those who took part.

Our latest YouTube Flyfishstore video is available for viewing and has Lloyd and Tom fishing damsel patterns at Eyebrook https://youtu.be/lna0SBjBeBk

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Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report – Tel: 01536 770264  Mobile 07834 581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings For Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 18 Jun 23       Rod Av: 2.14   Water Temperature:  20+°C

It was a warm start to the week with a bright clear sky & a gentle northerly breeze. By late afternoon the cloud had built & we experienced a typical seasonal storm of thunder, lightning & torrential rain. There were a few fish caught by those that did venture out prior the storm. All-Water Member Ian Jobe took to his Float Tube & was rewarded was 5 fish in a relatively short session. Ian concentrated his efforts fishing lures deep around the Main Basin looking for overwintered fish. Another All-Water Member Rob Middleton was out filming for Cadence TV & landed 10 fish from Stoke Dry. Starting on the Dries, Rob later switched to the washing line with 2 Fabs, one on the point & top dropper & 2 small nymphs on the middle droppers.

The searing weather conditions continued Tuesday, although there was a pleasant, slightly cooling northerly breeze by late morning. The bright conditions made for challenging fishing conditions & those who did venture out found the fish not to be very obliging. Fish were still caught however with Stoke Dry remaining productive as the fish up there fed hard on Damsel nymphs subsurface. All Water Member Arthur Olding fished Foam Daddies up Stoke Dry & was duly rewarded with 9 fish in his morning session, which given the conditions was an excellent return. The reservoir fished notably better in the morning than it did in the afternoon before the sun was at its highest & the air temperature it’s warmest.

Wednesday brought the same bright, clear conditions as previous days but these were accompanied with a stiff north easterly wind which slightly cooled the air temperature. Despite the bright conditions, the fish were still feeding hard on Damsels, pin fry & occasional hatching buzzer, in shallower waters of Stoke Dry & up behind the island in Sam’s Dyke. Eyebrook member Dave Shaer was up in Stoke Dry & he caught well on small Buzzers on a Washing Line. Also up in Stoke Dry were Fishery Managers, Tom Bird & Lloyd Thompson who were out conducting some promotional filming. Drifting across Stoke, they caught numerous fish & missed a few others, on a Washing Lined Floaters with a Damsel Booby on the point & various nymph patterns above it & on Foam Daddies. Elsewhere, regular visitor Max Woolnough had a very productive day sat up behind the island on the Dries. Max landed 16 fish on CDC’s earlier on & then Blue Dry Damsels later in the day when the Damsel hatch was in full swing. Given the conditions, that is a great return.

To check how Tom & Lloyd got on targeting the Damsel feeders up at Stoke Dry use the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lna0SBjBeBk

Thursday saw no respite with the weather as it was another hot, bright, clear day with those venturing out finding the fishing extremely challenging, This was not only down to the conditions but also due to the intensity of which the fish seemed to be preoccupied on feeding on Damsels &/or Pin Fry. The most productive areas again seemed to be Sam’s Dyke & Stoke Dry as fish caught appeared to be few & far between. Moving fish could be caught with a well presented & accurately cast emerging pattern.

Friday was another challenging day, for the exact same reasons as previously mentioned. Stoke Dry & Sam’s Dyke continue to hold a very high number of Damsel & Pin Fry feeding fish that are becoming increasingly challenging to tempt. When the fishing is like this it often pays to play the percentages by covering as much water as possible & present flies that will imitate what the trout are feeding on. Brian Frith did just that & was duly rewarded with what was an excellent bag, under the circumstances, of 4 fish in a morning session. Brian fished from a drifting boat & used a Damsel pattern to tempt his fish.

Saturday brought with it a welcome break with the weather; it was still warm but there was some consistent cloud cover over the course of the day. Consequently, the reservoir was a lot more productive than in previous days with fish caught from the both the bank & the boats. A Washing Lined Floater or Dries were the best methods from the banks with both Steve Barlow & Eyebrook Member Malcolm Thompson landing 6 & 5 fish respectively which is a great return for the middle of June from the bank. From the boats, another Eyebrook Member, Bob Margery had a great morning session landing 14 fish & out on a Last 4-hour permit, boat partners Mr Maylin & Gillies landed 10 between them on a variety of methods: Foam Daddies & pulling olive snakes.

The weather Sunday can only be described as changeable with bouts of sunshine, Showers & even Thunder & Lightning. Sunday saw us host a couple of events; firstly it was the Eyebrook Fly Fishers Blind Pairs boat match & secondly, we hosted an Experience Day for a contingent from Uppingham School. A blind pairs match is where anglers are unaware of their partners until the weigh in. Well done to all those that took part & congratulations to the winning pair on the day of Roy Swinfield & Ian Steele.

The Uppingham School Experience Day saw 12 attend the day where they all learnt how to cast a fly rod & were judged on accuracy & distance. They then went out & fished from a boat with some of those going on to land their first ever trout on a fly rod. Well done all & we hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed hosting you. Elsewhere, Eyebrook Member Neil Shilton took to his Float Tube & was rewarded with 11 fish coming to the net. Neil concentrated his efforts fishing the deeper water of the Basin & his success indicates that fish could well be starting to search out that deeper, cooler water. Given the increase in the water temperature, this is hardly surprising for this time of year.

It is highly likely that over the coming weeks that the fish will appear in the Basin in greater numbers as they seek cooler & deeper water. If you are planning to fish the Basin, it is important to cover as much water as possible when you are searching for fish in deeper water