Angling Report
The latest news from the boats and banks
| Report for week ending: 14th July, 2024 |
| Rod average : 3.18 |
| Best fish : 3lb rainbow |
| Caught by : Mr. Clive Ravenhill |
| From : Soth Lake, banks |
| Fly used : PTN |
| Best Dry Flies : orange hopper ; orange Shipman’s buzzer ; orange foam body Daddy Longlegs ; ginger hopper ; Soldier Palmer (fished as a dry fly) |
| Best Wet Flies/Nymphs : Pearly Diawl Bach ; Invicta; teal,blue & silver ; Butcher ; Pearly PTN |
| Best Lures : orange tadpole ; white mini minkie ; blue flash damsel ; orange blob ; pinfry ; Appetiser |
| Best Areas : Gorse Bushes ; Mickledale Bay ; Old Man’s ; Boathouse Bay ; Ten Acre Bay ; St. Stephens Bay ; Dougies ; Rainbow Corner (Mon, Tues, Fri only for bank anglers) |
Summary Report
Rising rod average as July remains cool …
Good cloud cover, light showers and gentle breezes created near-perfect conditions for sport last week with water temperatures holding at around 16.5°C. On calmer mornings plenty of fish were seen rising right across the South and North Lakes, sipping at the surface and taking advantage of small terrestrials trapped in the top film of water.
Boat sport is now producing slightly better returns than the banks, although at times shoals of trout feeding on fry are to be found very close to the margins in the top 12 – 18 inches of water.
Creditworthy returns this week include on 9th July for visiting rods Mr. Martin Page and Mr. Dave Bailey with 10 fish to their boat all on dry flies. On the 10th, visiting bank angler Mr. Alex Jones fished at Ten Acre Bay for just four hours and returned an incredible 25 fish, including 4 blues and a brown using lures and dry flies. On the 11th, visiting boat rods Mr. Richard Snape and Mr. Andrew Ponder returned a total of 10 fish between them whilst Richard’s brother Mr. Douglas Snape recorded a vey decent 8 fish to his boat on Daddy Long Legs patterns combined with Invicta wet flies. To round off the week on 14th Season Permit holder Mr. Paul Walker returned 8 fish to his boat during a very pleasant few hours under cloudy skies.
This Sunday, 21st July, we will be holding our 2nd Open Day event at Blithfield Boat House (across the Dam) with casting demonstrations and advice from AAPGAI (Master) Karl Humphries MBE., new fishing tackle from Cadence, fly tying demonstrations from the Potteries Fly Tying Club, Smart Pre-Loved Tackle and, of course, we are open for fly fishing as usual. All are welcome to come along from 10am until 4pm.
Don’t forget to enter our monthly prize draw for a chance to win a 4 hour boat ticket or a 4 hour permit – simply submit your return after fishing to be entered into the draw (don’t forget to include a ‘phone number when buying day tickets). Our next draw will take place on 31st July. Good Luck!
Please remember that there is a speed limit on the access road and across the Dam – the limit is 15mph. The reservoir is an operational site and the speed limit must be adhered to.
We are continuing our Loyalty scheme in 2024 so don’t forget to pick up a card and start collecting the stamps each time you pay for a boat or a permit (1 stamp per visit). Once you have collected 5 stamps you can choose from either a free 4 hour permit or a free 4 hour boat.
Despite the popular myth that July and August are the ‘dog days’ of fly fishing, a changing climate means there is a definite shift in Seasons resulting in cooler, wetter weather during July than we experienced just 10 years ago. With the similar jet stream pattern set to continue for the next week, conditions look likely to remain unchanged except for being a degree or two warmer as high pressure drifts in.
For the latest information on conditions and tracks please ring the Duty Bailiffs on 07974 263338.
We look forward to seeing you soon…
The rod average is 3.18