Fish 449 (Season 29,720) Returns 151 (5,820) Rod average 2.97 (5.1)
The strong winds seriously hampered anglers last week reducing the number of fishable days. During the better weather conditions boat anglers experienced consistent sport along the Normanton bank all the way to V buoy at the dam. Interestingly the fish seem to have got closer to the bank which should encourage bank anglers, fish have been reported as being taken within 50m of the bank.
Open water drifts in the main basin have again produced numbers of fish with anglers enjoying great sport to dries when conditions have allowed. A party of Welsh anglers took up to 20 fish per boat on Saturday fishing mainly hog daddies. Depending on the wind an alternative is to fish long drifts from Yellowstone to Berrybutts/Gibbets Gorse with fish spread in open water.
With fish willing to take flies fished dry it is no surprise that the fish are not deep, with floating/ midge tip and intermediate lines being the most popular choice. A FAB on the point and diawl bach/crunchers/cormorants is a good starting point in any of the areas mentioned. During the weekend fish have also been taken along the fishing lodge frontage, a good area being 50m or so off the harbour wall.
Many tactics are working with dries, nymphs, wet flies, fry patterns, through to mini blobs etc and large tube flies. Fish are generally feeding on tiny buzzers in some areas and daphnia. Despite the abundant supply of fry in the reservoir this season, only a few fish are showing the perch/roach in stomach contents.
Midweek boat winner: David Moore.
Boat bookings
Please phone the lodge (01780 686441) to check for availability before travelling as demand will be very high for the next four weeks. See also our forthcoming events.
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Forthcoming events
Predator lure fishing 1-30 September
Fly fishing for Pike 16 May to 31 January 2019
Anglian Water Airflo International Final 1-3 October by qualification
Autumn Pairs – categories for rudder & non rudder: 7 October.
World Lure Fishing Championships 11-14 October
Beginners courses: See our page for full details.