South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Report (July 2017)

General:

Temperatures have remained high throughout the month and, with bright sunshine and water at around 20 ºc, the Trout, particularly Rainbows, have been lethargic and not keen to feed, preferring to retire to the cooler deeper waters of the fisheries. Water levels have now started to drop, exposing fresh areas of bank.

Fishing:

Kennick – The warm conditions meant that fishing proved challenging during the main parts of the day, with best results to be had early in the morning or in the evenings, with the Top End and the Narrows producing the best fishing for boat and bank anglers alike. Fish were still happy to feed near the surface, with Hoppers and dry Buzzer Emergers producing reasonable results, although sub-surface nymphs, particularly Damsel Nymphs and Diawl Bachs or teams of Buzzers, fished on an intermediate or sink-tip line caught the most fish, with the occasional Trout taking a deeper-fished Tadpole. The best fish caught in the month was a 4lb 8oz Rainbow, caught by Mr A. Dunstone from Plymouth, using a Gold Ribbed Hares Ear nymph fished from the bank at the Top End, as part of a full bag. During the hot weather the lake will now be stocked with Brown Trout.

Siblyback – Late afternoons and evenings produced the best fishing at Siblyback, when fish could be taken on Daddylonglegs and Dark Hoppers from the surface, or more successfully on a selection of sub-surface nymphs (Diawl Bachs, Buzzers and Montanas) fished on floating and intermediate lines. The best fish of the month was a 3lb 3oz Rainbow, caught by Dave Johns from Holsworthy.

Burrator – The banks at Longstone Peninsula and along to Sheepstor Dam have produced the best fishing over the month, with Hoppers, Hawthorns and Black Gants all taking rising fish. The majority of fish, however, have again been caught on sub-surface nymphs (Damsel Nymphs, Montanas, sunk Bibios and Kate Mclarens) fished on either floating or intermediate lines, while the occasional deeper fish have taken pulled Vivas and dark Cats Whiskers.

During the summer holiday period there is a special offer of a £5 reduction in ticket and boat prices – see the South West Lakes Trust website or contact the fishery for more details.

Stithians – In spite of the high temperatures, anglers averaged just under 2 fish per rod during the month. The most productive locations included Yellowort Bay, Chapel Bay, Pub Bay and Pipe Bay. With a lot of midges and brown beetles blown onto the water, fish are still looking up to feed and dry patterns have fished particularly well – in particular Beetles, Black Hoppers, Hawthorns, Bobs Bits and dark dry sedge patterns. A selection of small sub-surface nymphs have also produced some good results, particularly Hares ears, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Pheasant Tail Nymphs, when fished on sink-tip lines. The best fish caught during the month was a 3lb Brown Trout, caught by Mr R.Keast from Penryn, using a Gold-ribbed Hares Ear at Yellowort Bay.

Drift –Rods averaged 3.5 fish per angler, which included a number of full bags of both Rainbows and Brown Trout. Bank anglers achieved the best results fishing from Badger Sett Bank and the North Bank, while boats and float-tubes caught well off the woods and by the dam. Subsurface patterns fished on a floating line caught the most fish, with Diawl Bachs, Black Crunchers and small black nymphs, all producing good results, either singly or fished in teams.

Roadford – In spite of the hot weather, the Brownies at Roadford have continued to look to the surface to feed, particularly off the banks (Daveys and Gaddacombe), where fish have been taking a selection of small nymphs, wets (fished on sink-tip lines) and dry patterns (including Daddies and Beetles). Boat anglers have also enjoyed success while fishing into the banks and over the boils – Andy Birkett from Plymouth caught the best fish of the month, a stunning 5lb 8oz Brown (as part of a bag of 16 fish), while fishing a Soldier Palmer under the bubbles.

Fernworthy – Anglers have had a tremendous month at this picturesque Brown Trout water, averaging over 6.5 fish per rod. The annual arrival of the swarms of beetle have meant that the fish have been looking up to feed, resulting in excellent dry fly sport, with foam beetle patterns, Dry Bibios, Sedges and Spiders producing outstanding sport, with a few sub-surface feeders taking Hares Ears, Montanas and Damsel Nymphs. Fish have been feeding well throughout the day, with most fish caught by the permit hut and from the Lawns. The best fish caught during the month was a grown-on Brown Trout of 2lb 1oz using a Bracken Beetle, while Paul Ackland from Plympton caught and returned 32 fish using a Black Ethafoam Beetle – in his words, a ‘red letter’ day!

Colliford – The fishing has at last started to pick up at Colliford, with local angler Dean Boucher losing a fish estimated at over 5lb at the net, as a final run pulled the hook.

The latest report from South West Lakes. Looks like a few anglers need to get up to Wistlandpound (our local water) that does offer some superb brown trout sport. Great value fishing

General:

With some of the highest temperatures across the country for many years, water temperatures rose quickly, especially in the shallower layers, to over 21ºc, resulting in catch rates falling towards the end of the month as fish became more lethargic. Water levels are still full or nearly so on all waters.

Fishing:

Kennick – Rods averaged 2.5 fish per angler over the first three weeks of June, with the fishing becoming more challenging toward the end of the month. The best Rainbow of the season – a beautiful fish of 7lbs – was caught by Mr. J. Bailey (from Esher) while fishing from the bank at the Narrows using a Black Bobbie on a sunk line. A 5lb Rainbow was caught by Mr. G.Hext, as part of a full bag, fishing from a boat.

The Narrows was the most productive area for both boat and bank anglers, with boats also catching well in the deeper water by the dam and in Clampitts Bay; the banks at the Top End and The Lawns also fished well. Dry patterns fished particularly well early in the month (especially Buzzer Emergers, Black Gnats, Black or Claret Hoppers and Daddies), while small nymph patterns fished on floating or sink-tip lines (particularly teams of Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Damsel nymphs) caught well throughout the month. Towards the end of the month sinking lines fishing Boobies, Tadpoles and Fry patterns started to produce good results.

South West Lakes Trust will be stocking hardier Brown Trout during the warmer months of July and August in order to continue good catch rates.

Siblyback – Anglers also averaged just over 2.3 fish per rod over the month, with most fish being caught from Two Meadows, Stocky Bay and the North Bank. Afternoons and early evenings generally produced the best fishing and, while some fish were caught on dry patterns such as Sedges, Bibios, Hoppers and Beetles, the majority of fish were taken on nymph patterns (particularly Damsel Nymphs, Montanas, Diawl Bachs and Pheasant Tail Nymphs).

Burrator – The banks at Longstone Peninsula and the North West shoreline have produced the best fishing over the month, with Black Gants, Beetles, Buzzer Emergers and Hoppers all catching rising fish. The majority of fish, however, have been caught on sub-surface nymphs ( Damsel Nymphs, Montanas, Buzzers and teams of Black and Peacock Spiders) fished on either floating or intermediate lines, while deeper fish have taken pulled Vivas and Cats Whiskers, particularly towards the end of the month when surface temperatures exceeded 22 ºc and the fish took to the deeper water.

Stithians – Anglers again averaged over 2.5 fish per rod during the first three weeks of June before the high temperatures resulted in more challenging fishing as the fish retreated to sulk in the deeper water. Fish were well spread out, with Pub Bay, Carnmenellis and Yellowort Bay producing consistently good sport. Other productive locations included Chapel Bay, Pipe Bay, Goonlaze and the deeper water by the dam. With plenty of beetles and emerging Buzzers on the water, dry patterns proved to be the most successful method, with Beetles, f-flies, Hawthorns, Bob’s Bits and dry Sedge patterns all catching well. Small sub-surface nymphs (Buzzers, Orange Diawl Bachs, Hares Ears, Pheasant Tails and Damsel Nymphs) fished on a floating line and long leader also produced some outstanding results.

Drift – The water here is still crystal clear, with Badger Sett bank (where fish have been regularly rising) and the North Shore producing the most consistent sport, while boat anglers and float-tubes have enjoyed great fishing off the Woods and in the deeper water by the dam. Palmered Coch-y-bondhus and Hoppers have taken surface-feeding fish, although the majority of fish have been caught sub-surface on Damsel Nymphs, Diawl Bachs, Black Crunchers and Buzzer imitations. Malcom Griffiths (from Gloucester) caught the best fish of the month – a 3½lb Rainbow – while float tubing near the dam.

Roadford – The fishing here has produced some excellent results, with large catches (rods averaged 6.6 fish) and some wonderful fish. Daveys Bank has produced the best sport from the bank, while boat anglers have caught well at Goodacre Bay, by the dam and over the boils, with dark patterns all catching well – Dry Black Gnats, Beetles and Black Spiders fished in the surface film, as well as sub-surface Black Pennells, Bibio patterns, and teams of Black Buzzers fished on sink-tip lines with long leaders. Duncan Kier (from Belstone) caught (and returned) bags of 32 fish and 20 fish up to 3lb 1oz fishing from the boat, while David Best (from Newton Abbot) caught fish up to 2lb 10oz.

Fernworthy – Anglers have had a tremendous month at this picturesque Brown Trout water, averaging over 6.5 fish per rod. The annual arrival of the swarms of beetle have meant that the fish have been looking up to feed, resulting in excellent dry fly sport, with foam beetle patterns, Dry Bibios, Sedges and Spiders producing outstanding sport, with a few sub-surface feeders taking Hares Ears, Montanas and Damsel Nymphs. Fish have been feeding well throughout the day, with most fish caught by the permit hut and from the Lawns. The best fish caught during the month was a grown-on Brown Trout of 2lb 1oz using a Bracken Beetle, while Paul Ackland (from Plympton) caught and returned 32 fish using a Black Ethafoam Beetle – in his words, a ‘red letter’ day!

Colliford – The fishing has, at last, started to pick up at Colliford, with local angler Dean Boucher losing a fish estimated at over 5lb at the net, as a final run pulled the hook.

South West Lakes Trust is introducing two boats for anglers during July and August this season at Colliford. This is exciting news as it will be the first time anglers have ever had the opportunity to fish the deeper waters where the larger resident Brownies are known to be. For more information and to book, call 01566 771930.

Chris Hall (June 2017)

For more information, please contact:

Rosie Vine

Communications Manager

South West Lakes Trust

01566 771930

[email protected]

General:

Water temperatures continue to rise with the recent warmer spell of weather, now to around 16ºc, resulting in an increase of insect activity, buzzers emerging and fish feeding nearer the surface.

Fishing:

Kennick – Rods averaged just over 2 fish per angler, with some superb fish caught – plenty in excess of 4lb. The best fish of the month was a 7lb 1oz Brown Trout, caught by Barry Ware Jnr from Okehampton, as part of a full bag, which also included a Rainbow of 4lb 4oz while fishing from the bank. Darren Everitt, from Moretonhampstead, caught a 5lb 12oz Brown Trout from the bank, using a Damsel Nymph. The best Rainbow caught in the month was a 5lb 6oz fish caught by Mike Steer, from Bovey Tracey, using Damsel Nymph fished from the bank in Boat Bay. Clampitts Bay, The Narrows and The Lawns were the most productive locations for both boat and bank anglers and, with Hawthorns starting to be blown onto the water, along with buzzers emerging (particularly on the warmer days), Hoppers, Emergers, and Snafflers all produced good results. The majority of fish were caught on Nymph patterns (Damsel Nymphs, Diawl Bachs and Montanas) and teams of Buzzers fished on a floating line, while a few deeper fish were caught on Boobies fished on a sinking line.

The Bank Pairs competition was held on 7 May and was won by father and son team Barry Ware Snr and Jnr, with a bag of 20lb, followed by John Hern and Rob Gale (bag of 17lb 7oz).

Siblyback – Anglers also averaged just over 2 fish per rod over the month, with most fish being caught from the Marshes and Stocky Bay and from the North Shore toward the end of the month, mainly from the bank. With Hawthorns very evident at the beginning of the month, Dry Bibios, Hoppers and Hawthorn imitations caught well fished on the surface. Lures such as Cat’s Whiskers, Baby Dolls and Orange Blobs, fished on intermediate lines, were the most productive, with nymph imitation catches (Damsel Nymphs, Buzzers and Diawl Bach) improving as the month progressed.

The best fish of the month, a Rainbow of 5lb 2oz, was caught by C.Hall (from Pensilva), while Mr Long (from Liskeard) caught a Rainbow of 4lb 12oz.

Burrator – With the reservoir level starting to fall, boats are now available through the Burrator Fishing Club. Anglers averaged 2.4 fish per rod, with Longstone Peninsula the most productive area. Buzzer Emerger patterns and Hawthorns fished on the surface have produced some great top-of-the-water sport, while the majority of fish have been caught on nymph patterns (Damsel Nymphs, Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Spiders) fished on Intermediate or Sink-tip floating lines. The best fish of the month was a 3lb 13oz Rainbow caught on small black pattern fished on a floating line from the bank at Longstone. Jonathan Rood caught a 3lb 4oz Rainbow at Longstone, using a Small Damsel nymph fished on a floating line.

Stithians – Anglers averaged 2.5 fish per rod over the month, with fish well spread out and being caught in a number of locations, particularly Pipe Bay, Pub Bay, opposite the activity centre, Goonlaze and Yellowort. There are plenty of Hawthorns being blown onto the water and this, combined with a lot of hatching fly-life, has meant that dry flies have produced some exiting sport (particularly Black Hoppers, Hawthorns and Spiders fished in the surface film). Subsurface nymph patterns have also caught well (especially Damsel Nymphs, Buzzers, Diawl Bachs and Pheasant Tail patterns).

The best fish of the month was a 3lb 6oz Rainbow caught by J. Dolley, from Redruth, using an Orange and Yellow Blob, fished from the North Bank.

Wistlandpound – The water level is now about two metres down from full and the fishery has been producing some fine fishing, with rods averaging 11.5 fish per angler (on a catch and return basis), with one boat session bagging (and returning) fifty Browns up to 1lb 8oz, with Damsel Nymphs, Sedgehogs and weighted mini Tadpoles all catching well.