Fish 755 (Season 8,075) Returns 119 (1,232) Rod average 6.3 (6.55)
After a steady start to the week Pitsford has fished very well with a healthy rod average of 6.3 including a double figure Brown. A stocking of 1,500 excellent quality fish from Exe Valley certainly boosted the sport for the week.
Boats are definitely out fishing the bank at the moment with the most productive boat areas being the small half and the main basin. Indeed on Tuesday Graham Pearson took a stonking 11lb 15oz Brown on a lure from the main basin; well done Graham.
Competition news
On Saturday Pitsford hosted the Midlands heat of the Anglian Water Airflo International. 42 anglers competed with five of the seven teams going through to the Midlands final at Grafham on 22 July. Most anglers opted to fish either the small half of the reservoir or the main basin. A total of 340 fish were caught giving a rod average of just over 8 for the day. Anglers weighed in their first four fish with potentially another 8 fish to put back. The competitors enthused about the quality of fishing on the day, with many of the anglers weighing in four fish for 10lb plus. The winning team were Soldier Palmers whose preferred tactic was to fish the small half with fast sinking lines. The best fish weighed in was a 4lb 6oz brown for Pip Jeffs and top rod was Ben Worley of Soldier Palmers with a bag weight (including time bonus) of 33lb 13oz.
Congratulations to the following teams who have qualified for the Midlands final.
Soldier Palmers; Flash Attack; Orvis Team Rutland; Greylags FFC; Greenwell Persauders.
Tactics from the boat include floating line/midge tip with nymphs, some days it’s buzzers, others diawl and crunchers fished on a long leader. Sinking lines and blobs are working (particularly in the small half). Also damsels would be well worth a go.
Bank anglers are doing best in Sermans, Sailing club bank, Duffers to Stilton Point.
Fishing Stats
Best Brown: 11lb 15oz taken by Graham Pearson.
Best boat areas: Main basin, small half.
Best bank areas: Duffers to Stilton Point, Sailing Club bank, Sermans bank.
Mid week boat winner: Graham Swift.
Fish stocked: 1,500.
Forthcoming events
Anglian Water Airflo International Midland Heat 25 May
Anglian Water Rudder Match 8 June
Beginners courses: 9,14,22 & 28 June; 12,21 &27 July and other dates throughout the season.
Boat handling courses: 18 & 25 June; 1 & 23 July and other dates throughout the season.
Mid Northants Trout Fishers Association
Hosts monthly open sessions for beginners at Pitsford where fully trained instructors are on hand to offer advice on fly casting, fly tying and water craft. Non members welcome. All sessions are 2-5pm
1 June, 6 July, 3 August, 7 September and 5 October.