Fish 463 Returns 97 Rod average 4.8
Grafham anglers welcomed the return of boat fishing on 2 December with some cracking Rainbows up to 7lb being caught.
With the water having been well rested over the last 4 weeks the boat anglers have had a bumper time with bags including 5lb,6lb and even 7lb Rainbows and bags having more than one 5lb fish were not uncommon.
Most of these bigger fish are fry feeders with Di3, Di5 or even Di7 taking fish on cats whisker boobies, humungus and snake patterns. The best areas are along the dam and drifting into the natural bank, particularly around the Seat and Sailing Club Bay in a northerly wind and Hedge End, the Long Bank and the Willows/north end of the dam in a southerly.
The banks also continue to fish well with both the washing line (booby or FAB on the point and hares ear, shrimp or diawl bach up the lie) on a floating line. Or a Di3/Di5 with a single booby on a short leader fished slow figure of eight taking the fry bashers. Particularly a cat’s whisker. Best bank areas are pretty much everywhere with Plummers and the Seat fishing exceptionally in a southerly and all spots along the north shore fishing well in a northerly from the Willows all the way round to the Stumps with each area being hot for a day or so, so keep moving to find the hotspots for that day. Remember you must purchase a permit BEFORE you start fishing. The rangers are doing regular bank checks.
Predator anglers have also returned now the boats are going out. They seem to be fishing the usual hot spots including the towers and where the aerators and inlet pipes are, even if the pumps are off. We have had reports of Pike to lower doubles and a few nice perch topped by one of over 4lb.
The first round of the Shrimpmasters was held on Sunday 6 December with 35 brave bank anglers out in the freezing fog. Results to follow.
Forthcoming events
Shrimpmasters NEW DATES – Grafham’s socially distanced annual winter bank league; December 13, 20 & 27; January 3, 10 & 17 (7 Sundays, best of 5)
Register outside the lodge (socially distanced). Fishing from 9am to 3pm. Fished across 7 Sundays. Trophy awarded for the overall winner based on their best 5 days. Points awarded down to 8th place with blankers getting 1 point.
Grafham Fur & Feather 20 December.