Angling Report
The latest news from the banks and boats
| Report for week ending: 12th April, 2026 |
| Rod average : 3.92 |
| Best fish : 3lb 8ozs rainbow trout |
| Caught by : Mr. J. Lawler |
| From : the bank, South Lake |
| Fly used : black buzzer |
| Best Dry Flies : n/a |
| Best Wet Flies/Nymphs : black buzzer ; Hare’s Ear ; Diawl Bach ; pheasant tail nymph |
| Best Lures : Cat’s Whisker ; goldhead Montana ; black & green tadpole ; orange fritz ; weighted white minkie ; black boobie |
| Best Areas : Rainbow Corner (Mon, Tues, Fri only for bank) ; Old Man’s ; Watery Lane ; Mary Lou’s ; Dougie’s ; Mickledale Bay ; Boathouse Bay ; Ten Acre Bay |
Summary Report
Boat match produces a ‘perfect 10’ rod average …
Another week of mixed April weather, from flat calms to blustery squalls, provided plenty of challenges for some anglers but there were also some excellent returns too.
During the warm, calmer spells there were incredible buzzer hatches and buzzer imitations have proven to be extremely productive, especially when fished at a few feet and kept fairly static. Trout are actively feeding close into the margins – the water levels are higher than this time last year and the water is a couple of degrees cooler at around 10°C – so there is still no need to wade out.
On Thursday 9th we welcomed a group of anglers fishing the Interforce Friendly boat match. All anglers enjoyed some incredible sport (despite the dramatically changeable weather in the afternoon!) and returned a solid rod average of 10. Winner of the match was Mr. Chris Howkins with 20 fish ; second place went to Mr. Chris Webster with 17 fish and third place was awarded to Mr. Steve Owen with 11 fish. Congratulations to all!
Creditable returns include for Season Permit holder Mr. Chris Knight who recorded 9 fish to his boat, including a 2lb 8ozs brown trout, safely released ; Permit holder Mr. Phil Roper returned 8 fish from the banks on small black flies ; visiting rod Mr. Paul Miller recorded 10 fish from the banks, all caught on black buzzer patterns ; Permit holder Mr. Stacey Savage returned 7 from the banks on goldhead damsels ; visiting boats anglers Mr. Chris Howkins and Mr. Chris Webster fished the Interforce Friendly match and returned 37 fish to their boat whilst fellow match anglers also found the fish with boat pair Mr. Ian Wood and Mr. Steve Owen recording 21 fish between them and Mr. Richard Hood and Mr. Garrick Stafford recording 16 fish to their boat. The following day good sport continued with visiting rods Mr. Derek Howard and Mr. Ash Hulme both returning a total of 8 fish from the banks ; rounding off the week was visiting rod Mr. Knight with 10 fish recorded from the banks of the ever-productive South Lake.
A few anglers have asked to see the photo of Rob Arrowsmith’s rainbow trout from last week’s report so here it is –
An important message to ALL anglers this week about the black metal gates at the entrance to the reservoir. You are kindly reminded to open BOTH gates before entering or leaving (close them behind you) and LIFT THE BOTTOM BOLT! Please do not drag the bolt – you are damaging both the bolt and the tarmac. There is a latch for hooking the bolt on to so there is no need to drag it along.
With the tracks now re-opened bank anglers can enjoy full access around the South Lake. Please park considerately and safely to the landward side of the tracks and not nearest to the water.
Please remember to submit a fully completed return at the end of your session – once again this year we will be continuing the popular Lucky Draw, where 2 winners each month will win either a 4 hour permit or a 4 hour boat ticket. The first draw takes place at the end of April.
The prospects for the week ahead look good, with a mixture of showers and warm, sunny spells forecast along with a rise in both day and night temperatures which should trigger further hatches of both aquatic and terrestrial insects. Black buzzers, hare’s ear nymphs and Diawl Bach are all producing great results as are Cat’s Whisker, black and green lure patterns and black boobies. Weekly stocking continues and the North Lake is open to Permit holders only, until 1st May.
For the latest information on conditions and track access please call our Duty Bailiffs on 07974 263338.
We look forward to seeing you soon.