Grafham continues to provide great sport
Grafham has continued to fish very well, particularly for the boat anglers.
The boat anglers are continuing to have the best of the sport here at Grafham with fish being taken on buzzers fished deep (at least 12 feet down) either static or very slow retrieve so anchoring is probably better for presentation. Damsels continue to fish well as do tequila blobs and black and green lures.
Most of the fish are still coming out along the North Shore although over the last couple of days fish have been coming up in the water in the late afternoon and can be taken on emergers and dries out in the middle and it really is the middle of the lake! So look for moving fish on the top from 4 pm on or if it’s overcast they may be up all day.
Bank anglers are having mixed success with most of the fish being taken early and late in the day. Congratulations to Martin Brocklebank who won the GWFFA bank match this week with 8 fish for 17lb 10oz, 8 anglers fished the match with 24 fish being taken for a 3 fish rod average.
The stone jetties in front of the lodge and at Marlow are a good bet for the bank angler as they give access to deeper water. Anglian Water’s Stuart Stenning White had 10 fish off the left arm on Sunday morning on Damsel flies and the bowl of the dam. If it becomes overcast and dull look for a big buzzer hatch off the stones at Marlow.
The Invicta Fly Fishing Club’s Tuesday Evening League starts at Grafham on Tuesday 14 May. This enjoyable series continues weekly, finishing on 13 August. Scoring will be on numbers caught, no weigh in, the best 10 results to count. Start time is 5.30 pm, but there will be someone around until 6 pm to organise boat pairings etc. Draw for boat partners will take place at approx 5.15 pm and where possible less experienced fishermen will be teamed up with experienced anglers. We go to the Wheatsheaf in Perry after fishing for a drink and sandwiches and chips.
The aim of the series is to have some pleasant summer evenings fishing at Grafham (weather permitting!), rather than a serious competitive event; also to give those who have done a fly fishing course the opportunity to gain some experience. Further information from Paul Stevens email faith.paul@btinternet.com
Fishing Stats
Best boat areas: All points and bays along North shore and out in the middle.
Best bank areas: G Buoy, Dam, Marlow Stones, dam and harbour arms.
Forthcoming events
England Qualifier 3 May
Snowbee Floating Line 4 May
Home International 7-10 May
Invicta Pilgrimage 23 & 24 May
EFFA ProAm 20 June
Anglian Water Airflo International Midland heat 22 June
Beginners courses: 5,19,26 & 31 May; 6,15,23 & 30 June and other dates throughout the season.
Boat handling courses: 30 April, 13 & 27 May; 4 & 11 June and other dates throughout the season.