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.