Angling Report
The latest news from the banks and boats
| Report for week ending: 1st June, 2025 |
| Rod average : 4.97 |
| Best fish : 4lb rainbow trout |
| Caught by : Mr. Antony Coates |
| From : South Lake, bank |
| Fly used : claret Shipman’s emerger |
| Best Dry Flies : Black Hopper ; Bibio (fished as a dry fly in the surface film) ; Claret Hopper ; claret Shipman’s buzzer ; orange Shipman’s buzzer ; Daddy Long Legs ; Midas |
| Best Wet Flies/Nymphs : Pearly PTN ; Bibio ; Diawl Bach ; dark olive buzzer with orange wing cases ; dark blue buzzer ; Damsel nymph |
| Best Lures : orange taddy; black minkie ; Viva ; black & green taddy ; Appetiser ; blue flash damsel |
| Best Areas : Boathouse Bay ; Ten Acre Bay ; St. Stephen’s Bay ; Watery Lane ; Mary Lou’s ; Mickledale Bay ; Rainbow Corner (Mon, Tues, Fri only for bank anglers) |
Summary Report
Before we begin the angling report this week, we want to say that our thoughts and deepest sympathies are very much with the family, loved ones and friends of the angler who very sadly lost his life in a tragic accident at Draycote Water last week.
Buoyant sport as the rain arrives …
We have seen a change in weather conditions this week with heavier showers of rain and the winds switched to the West-Southwest. This brought warmer conditions and an improving catch rate.
A lot of fish are now being taken on dry fly patterns including shuttlecock emergers, daddies and hoppers.
We have also noticed large shoals of tiny pin fry around the margins during the last week so it’s also worth trying Invicta, pearly nymph and cormorant patterns.
On Thursday 29th we hosted the annual Police Charity Match organised by Steve Owen – 10 boats fished and all boats caught fish, many with double-figured returns to the boat. The winning boat was manned by Des Palmer and Mark Barsby who recorded 35 and 28 fish respectively with total of 63 fish between them. Second place went to Chris Webster and John Sykes (60 fish) with third being awarded to Richard and John Hood (21 fish). The rod average for the competition was 10.4 and a total of £880 was raised for the charity on the day which was a superb effort from all involved.
Other creditable returns this week include for Permit holder Stacey Savage who landed 20 fish from the banks using black spider, Diawl Bach and buzzer patterns; Honorary Permit holder Graham Wood returned 17 fish ; visiting boat pair Mr. S. Matthews and Mr. R. Tilton returned 25 fish to their boat, all caught on dry flies ; Season Permit holder Mick Grant recorded 11 fish from the banks to buzzers and Shipman’s emerger patterns ; and it was also a great week for visiting father & son partnerships – Martin and Stephen Windsor returned 28 fish to their boat whilst Darren and Luke Dodd recorded a boat total of 38, declaring it a “great day”.
On Sunday 1st June we held another of our popular Open Days which saw a good number of visitors come along to enjoy fly tying demonstrations from the Potteries Fly Tying Club, casting demonstrations and advice from AAPGAI (Master) Karl Humphries MBE and also from Mike Oliver, pre-loved and new tackle from SMART and James from Cadence Fly Fishing was on hand to showcase new equipment now available from their range. A huge thanks to all who supported us and to all those who came to visit.
AAPGAI (Master) Karl Humphries MBE giving casting advice to young Noah on Sunday 1st June
The awful tragedy at Draycote has served to highlight the dangers of open water and we need to remind anglers of our Rules in relation to lifejackets. Lifejackets MUST be WORN at all times when on a boat & never wear a lifejacket underneath your clothing. Any breach of this rule and you will be asked to leave the reservoir. There are no exceptions and no excuses.
Prospects for the week ahead look promising, despite the forecast for showers (which usually produce solid sport here at Blithfield). Weekly stocking continues whilst water temperatures are averaging out at 16.5°C and clarity is still very good.
A quick reminder that our Loyalty Card scheme continues this year as does the Monthly Boat Draw. For more details see the posters at the fishery or ask a member of our Team.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
The rod average is 4.97