Fish week 226 (Season 386) Returns 43(85) Rod average 5.3 (4.5)
A week of two contrasting halves at Pitsford. Fishing from Monday through to Thursday was tough, largely due to the rain that fell on Wednesday which caused the reservoir to rise overnight and added significant colour to the water. Despite buzzers hatching off, fish taking shucks off and the surface water temperature in the top layers at around 9 degrees, the fishing was slow and 4 fish constituted a good day. However, it was clear that the colour was dropping out as the week progressed and on Friday it was like a switch had been thrown as bank and boat anglers started reporting a much improved catch rate.
With fish feeding hard along the north shore from Stilton to Brixworth Bay bank and boat anglers started to get into double figures with washing line tactics on a floater or midge tip consistently picking up fish particularly in the afternoon and evening. Size 12 buzzers with a Fab on the point seemed to be the method, with candy reportedly the Fab colour of choice. If takes aren't forthcoming on the buzzer, try diawl bachs or muskins. Although static presentation was working well, over the weekend a few anglers reported that a few pulls of the fab often provoked fish into taking a bite! Browns are currently sitting deeper than the Rainbows and often being caught with leeches on them, a sign that they are sitting deep, but as they are currently out of season they must be returned if caught before 1 April when the early season restrictions end.
With the water level so high please take care when you pass through the causeway tunnel when boat fishing. Make sure your rods are well inside the boat and you approach at a sensible speed.
From 1 April Browns are back in season and anglers can once again fish some of the ‘small half’ of the lake.
Best Rainbow: 4½lb.
Bets Brown: 5lb.
Best boat areas: Stilton to Brixworth Bay. Rigbys, Pitsford Creek, Sailing Club.
Best bank areas: As for boat.