Rod Avg 2.17
Boat anglers have had some fantastic sport this week with good numbers of mint conditioned rainbows of the 3lb+ stamp. Browns are also being contacted by some anglers using fry patterns deep on sinking lines, but also taking good browns higher up in the water. We have seen some spectacular photos of browns this week to over 9lbs! Olive snakes have featured for many, perhaps due to the proliferation of perch fry once again taking centre stage on the menu. Some fish have also been seen feeding/chasing fry up to the surface on occasions. It's just not just Browns fry feeding though, as Rainbows are also starting to feed on this years fry, which are now averaging around 3" in length in most cases. Although it may seem early it is time to start targeting those weed beds, it is also worth noting the weed beds can be found well out from the bank so be prepared to start drifting well out in open water.
Notable good size Rainbows are also being reported with boats working the main basin area in particular coming across these bigger fish, many in the 3 to 4lb bracket, but some even bigger. A very delighted Neil Drapper had two 5lb fish recently, whilst long time season ticket holder Malcolm Janik, bought a 6lb 15-3/4oz fish to the scales on Tuesday night which was part of a good six fish haul.
Best to step up your leader strength as well, as in the last few weeks there have been a number of reports of "Being smashed". Bank fishing has been a little bit quiet due to the strong variable winds, but settled weather should see the two main banks of Normanton and Sykes lane be worth a try again.
Other than Fry, Shrimp very much still plentiful, along with various snails (Big and small). A mixture of flies are being used at the moment on different lines used. From small CDC's and GRHE to popper minkie on a floater whilst a mixture of different coloured lures fished on DI7 to intermediate also scoring well.
Tuesday night boat club (Week 13)
Keith Jones won on the night with six fish, Chris Evans second with five fish, Third was Vince Sparrow with three fish.
Biggest fish on the night was caught by Paul Wild with a solid looking 4lb 7 -3/4oz Rainbow.
It's the final week next Tuesday (8th)
The absolute torrential rain of Saturday did not slow sport down, two boats, three anglers, came off the water early, slightly damp, but very happy managing 22 fish between themselves, many of them a good 3lb+ with the best an estimated 6lb Rainbow, all coming from the man basin of the reservoir.
Best areas
Main basin (including the boils), Sykes Lane, Blue, pipes, New Zealand point, Spud Bay, May tree bank, Barnhill.