Angling Report
The latest news from the banks and boats
| Report for week ending: 27th July, 2026 |
| Rod average : 2.43 |
| Best fish : 3lb 8ozs rainbow |
| Caught by : Mr. Hassall |
| From : a boat |
| Fly used : orange buzzer |
| Best Dry Flies : Hawthorn ; black hopper ; Bibio (fished as a dry fly) ; small Daddies ; orange hopper ; orange foam Daddy Longlegs |
| Best Wet Flies/Nymphs : black buzzer ; orange buzzer ; Hothead Diawl Bach ; Hare’s Ear ; Diawl Bach ; pheasant tail nymph |
| Best Lures : Cat’s Whisker ; black & green goldhead ; orange fritz ; weighted orange lure |
| Best Areas : drifts across the middle of the South Lake ; Old Man’s ; Watery Lane ; Mary Lou’s ; Dougie’s ; Mickledale Bay ; Boathouse Bay ; Ten Acre Bay |
Summary Report
We are still open …
Thank you for bearing with us while we negotiate our way through these difficult months following South Staffs Water’s decision to close Blithfield Anglers.
We understand that there are many rumours circulating about the fishery, with some saying that it has been closed with immediate effect. However, we are happy to clarify that the fishery remains open and will continue to be open until 30th November, 2026.
What has happened so far …
In April of this year, South Staffs Water took the difficult decision to end their fly fishing enterprise at Blithfield, known as Blithfield Anglers. The fishery has existed since 1957 and is incredibly popular, being renowned as one of the best dry fly reservoirs in the country. On the 18th June, South Staffs Water held a public meeting at Blithfield Sailing Club to explain their decision and to answer any questions that were raised. During this meeting, it became apparent that there were several parties who were interested in operating the fishery as a private enterprise in the future, leasing the facilities from South Staffs Water. As a result of this South Staffs Water agreed to issue an information pack to these interested parties and invited them to submit robust business proposals. The days following the public meeting saw the informal creation of the Blithfield Anglers Supporters Group by Permit Holder and Volunteer Bailiff Mike Mann, along with further enquiries, an online peition on Change.org and great support from across the country.
What is happening now?
At the time of writing, we believe at least one business proposal has been submitted to South Staffs Water with others to follow. Our staff at Blithfield are not able to answer questions regarding the proposals or to give updates at this time. Further updates issued by South Staffs Water will be sent out by email in due course.
Contact information
Due to the GDPR legislation in the UK we are not able to share your details with anyone else without your express permission. Therefore if you would like to contact any of the following please do so directly as our staff here will not be able to do this for you or give you individual contact names.
South Staffs Water
For enquiries, expressions of interest and other matters relating to assets or facilities please contact
environment@south-staffs-water.co.uk
Blithfield Anglers Supporters Group
To sign up for emails, updates and information, or to contact the Blithfield Anglers Supporters Group to offer advice or assistance please contact
BlithfieldFishery@outlook.com
Blithfield Anglers Petition
To sign or share the petition please visit
https://c.org/PvgvWkFYLt
What next?
We continue to operate the fishery here at Blithfield until the end of November 2026.
As soon as we have further updates to share, we will do so.
In the meantime, the current rod average (despite the heat) is 2.43 mainly to dry flies, small orange lures and wet flies fished at around 3 feet deep. For a great write up & photos on the recent visit by the Angling Trust England Youth Team please take a look at our Facebook page /Blithfield Reservoir Trout Fishery.
For the latest updates on conditions and for general enquiries, please ring our Terrific Team of Bailiffs on 07974 263338.
We look forward to seing you soon.