At last spring seems to have arrived with some warm and settled weather forecast for the next week. The last seven days has seen a great improvement in the weather and this has encouraged the fish to feed well. And what great fish they are! The growth rate in the lakes has been fantastic due to the massive amount of available food. Fish that were stocked at the start of the season at around 2lbs are now averaging 2.08 at Chew and 2.05 at Blagdon. There have also been some really big fish taken so far - over 70 fish weighing over 5lbs have been taken so far. May is usually a really good month for bigger fish so watch this space! Alan is planning on stocking more fish in the very near future. All lakes will be receiving a good boost so that the excellent sport enjoyed to date continues for the rest of the month and into June, often the best time for fishing both bank and boat. There are boats available most weekdays though weekends are heavily booked at both Chew and Blagdon. Tuesday 6th is the date of the third evening competion. This popular event is a series of ten matches fished at Chew and the cost includes a meal and drink after the weigh-in. Anyone can fish and some good catches are usually had with rising fish most evenings. The boat pairings are drawn so you have a chance of fishing and learning from a top angler. Why not give it a try? Just ring the Lodge for details 01275 332339. I look forward to welcoming you to our waters very soon where you will enjoy top quality sport from top quality trout. Chew : Some excellent boat fishing this week with fish coming from most areas and on all methods. The bank anglers also continue to do well from most shores. There have been masses of hatching buzzers this week, often coming off all day but especially later in the evening. Those fishermen who have tried dries and emergers have found some success but the fly has to be presented right in front of the fish as there are so many naturals on the water for the fish to choose from. Other methods have also worked well too. Nymphs fished slowly on an intermediate with a washing line works at all times and during competitions many anglers have pulled blobs and boobies to good effect. The size of fish coming from Chew is exceptional with a 10.02 brown topping an impressive list.
This fish fell to SIMON MATTHEWS of Nailsea when fishing from the bank at Wick Green. It took a small black Cruncher. The team heats of the Lexus International was fished on Saturday and 48 anglers took to the water. At weigh-in an amazing 332 fish had been taken with 23 completing limit bags and no-one blanking! Top rod was MARK MILES who included a 7.15 fish in his limit bag. Top teams, who qualify for the final at Chew in August were Tightlines, BRFFA Orvis, Blagdon FF Bristol Water, BRFFA Park Retail and Team Snowbee.
Chew: 988 trout taken by 222 rods, average catch 4.5 per rod
Tight lines
Bob Handford