Friday 30th November saw the end of fishing at the main Bristol Water reservoirs. Since the 15th October anglers have enjoyed some very good sport especially on the fry feeders at Chew and nymphs feeding fish at Blagdon.  

Autumn is usually a good time for fishing with low lake levels allowing fishermen to reach areas normally well beyond their casting distance. This year saw extremely high water at all the venues and this did make things a little more difficult in places. Around Woodford Bank at Chew Valley there were shoals of large perch and roach which attracted the trout close inshore. They fed well and anglers enjoyed some very good catches of large fish, including several browns near to double figures At Blagdon fish were much more spread and all areas had some good sport. These fish fell mainly to nymphs and buzzers fished deep and very slow. The large size of fish taken at Blagdon continued with 76 fish over 4 pounds recorded  including a fish of 7.08 which fell to Ken Edwards. Barrow was a little disappointing with only moderate catches at the end, but the average size of of nearly 2lbs was very good.

At Litton fishing continues throughout the winter and so far some excellent sport has been enjoyed. The biggest fish of the year so far was taken by Ken Royle recently. It tipped the scales at 8.02. 

The autumn pike fishing has been wonderful with plenty of large catches including 12 fish weighing over 30lbs. Most have been reported already but two more fish have fallen to anglers fishing from the bank in the last two weeks. Lawson Jones took a 33.06 from Walley Bank on the very last day of fishing. This brings the total of 30s for the year to 16 with 87 more topping 20lbs reinforcing Chew’s position as top pike water in England. 

There are still some returns to come and we would appreciate any returns still outstanding to be sent to us as soon as possible. 

Details for 2008 season will be announced next week. We will send out a press release as well as having the information available on our website www.bristolwater.co.uk and by ringing Woodford Lodge. Bookings for next year need to be made in writing and sent to Woodford Lodge to be received before 1st January 2008. 

Bristol Water fisheries, Woodford Lodge, Chew Stoke, Nr Bristol, BS40 8XH.

Tel 01275 332339, Fax 01275 331377, email: woodford.lodge@bristolwater.co.uk