Fishing started on Saturday 1st March 2008

Week ending 20th July 2008

Fish week 477 (season 9,544) returns 78 (1,669) rod average 6.12 (5.72)

Ravensthorpe is providing the best top of the water dry fly fishing for some years with many individual catches of 20 plus fish and a high rod average of 6.12. Traditional wets, dries and wake flies short lined from drifting boats are taking most fish.

Best rainbow 5lb 6oz taken by Steve Lewington

Best boat areas Main bowl

Best bank areas Dam wall between chute and tower

Mid week boat winner Sarah Ball of Wigston

Fish stocked 500

Week ending 14th July 2008

Fish week 429 (season 9067) returns 60 (1591) rod average 7.1 (5.7)

The seasonal damsel hatch at Ravensthorpe is at its peak. Trout are gorging themselves on these meaty mouthfuls, chasing the free swimming nymphs over and around the weedbeds to provide some excellent ‘top of the water’ sport to both dry fly and traditional patterns fished on floating lines from drifting boats.

Flies to use depends upon cloud and ripple conditions, with hoppers, muddlers, crunchers, CDC’s hares ears and thin diawls and damsels best.

Rick Barlow of Chorleywood drifted small dries to take 23 fish. Dennis Footman of Leicester used his “fiery fluebrush” to good effect on Thursday to bring in 25 fish, but Malcolm Shepherd of Oakham topped that with 29 fish.

‘Wily’ Bob Draper of Northampton continues to battle the weedbeds on platforms 11 and 12 taking some quality rainbows on single dries and strong leaders – the tower end of the dam is consistent with fish coming to both damsel patterns and lures.

Best methods As above

Best rainbow 5lb taken by M Morris of Coton

Best boat areas All drifts

Best bank areas Dam wall

Mid week boat winner Ken Aves of Borehamwood.

 

 

Week ending 6th July 2008

Fish week 272 (season 8839) returns 63 (1531) rod average 4.3 (5.7)

Best methods Dries, traditional wets and emergers all taking fish, especially from drifting boats. Bank anglers are taking good numbers of fish from the bank on dries and damsels.

Best rainbow 7lb 2oz taken by Brian Coleman with a damsel from a boat at the Coton End.

Best boat areas Drifting onto Island

Best bank areas Dam

Mid week boat winner S Chambers of Stoke

Fish stocked 400

 

 

Week ending 29 June 2008

Fish week 267 (season 8,617) returns 78 (1,468) rod average 3.4 (5.8)

Best methods Dries and small damsel nymphs are taking most fish this week. Bank anglers are doing best on platforms with damsel nymphs fished on the surface. Boat anglers are faring best by drifting with dries or emerger patterns

Best rainbow 4lb 12oz taken by T Collins of Rugby on a damsel nymph

Best boat areas Drifts off Ravensthorpe bank

Best bank areas Platforms on Ravensthorpe bank

Mid week boat winner T Hemmings of Towcester

 

Week ending 22nd June 2008

Fish week 424 (season 8,350) returns 106 (1,390) rod average 4.0 (6.0)

Some bank anglers have recorded catches of 10-12 fish, particularly when the dam is in favourable wind conditions. The low numbered platforms are producing some good catches. Douglas Whibley, a season ticket holder from Wollaston, Northants, caught 12 hard fighting Rainbows all taken on a size 12 olive Shipman’s buzzer fished almost static.

There is plenty of surface activity throughout the day, but boat anglers have reported that the fish are not easy to tempt. It will be worth trying some ‘wake’ flies ie. wets such as Soldiers Palmers, mini muddlers etc, pulled fast through the surface. Other flies to use are damsel nymphs, silver invictas, buzzers etc. A further stocking of 400 fish took place this week and this, along with some improved weather, should keep our anglers busy.

Best methods See report

Best rainbow two at 5lb

Best boat areas Domes and Coton end

Best bank areas Dam and low number platforms

Mid week boat winner Mike Smith of Harlton, Cambs

Fish stocked 400

 

 

Week ending 15th June 2008

Fish week 287 (season 7,881) returns 66 (1,284) rod average 4.3(6.1)

When some anglers were struggling to catch, brothers Dave and Trevor Heseltine from the West Midlands, had a great day at Ravensthorpe bringing 32 hard fighting fish to their boat. The pair used floating lines in quite blustery conditions, they fished various nymphs on long leaders and as slowly as conditions allowed which kept their attention for most of the day. Tim Moss from Oady, Leics, had 17 fish (returning 15), his best weighed 4lb 2oz. Clive Eames from Wigston, Leicester, caught 22 fish on catch and release. Bank angler Bob Draper also had some good sport from Platform 11 taking several quality Rainbow on dries (hoppers).

Damsel flies are hatching well – with plenty of surface activity during the mornings and again later in the evening. Some olives and buzzers are active during the day. Best flies are damsel nymphs, diawl bachs, GRHE’s, mini muddlers and Soldier Palmers.

Best methods Floating line with long leader – Diawl Bachs, crunchers and damsel nymphs fished slowly.

Best rainbow 4lb 2oz taken by Tim Moss of Oadby, Leics

Best boat areas Far side and Coton end

Best bank areas Mongers to Platform

Mid week boat winner Simon Exton of Catworth, Huntingdon

Fish stocked 280

 

 

Week ending 8th June 2008.

Fish week 480 (season 7,594) returns 93 (1,218) rod average 5.2 (6.23)

Northants anglers held a very successful floating line match at Ravensthorpe Reservoir with 29 rods taking a fantastic 250 fish. Vic Byrne, of Wigston won, and also took the best fish at 5lb.

1st Vic Byrne 12lb
2nd Ian Footman 11lb
3rd Pat Flynn 10lb 12oz

Dries, emergers, and muddlers fished on floating lines from drifting boats are taking most fish this week. Damsel nymphs are also catching, especially for bank anglers. One or two fish are falling to diawl bachs and buzzer.

Best rainbow 7lb 8oz taken by Steve Flint

Best boat areas Coton end

Best bank areas Mongers Point and Dam

Mid week boat winner W Shaw of Kettering

Week ending 1st June 2008
fish week 510 (season 7,114) returns 110(1,125) rod average 4.6(6.3)

Bill Ferguson of Oadby caught a super 8lb 6oz Rainbow – the best of the week. Bill was boat fishing from a boat with a black buzzer. Buzzers, damsels and PTN’s are all taking fish but dries and emergers in ripple and cludy conditions have scored best this week. Anglers in drifting boats are enjoying the best sport. The best spot for bank anglers is the dam.

Best rainbow 8lb 6oz taken by Bill Ferguson of Oadby

Best boat areas Island and Coton End

Best bank areas Dam

Mid week boat winner V Nash of Cardiff

 

Week ending 25th May 2008

Fish week 302 (season 6,604) returns 75(1,015) rod average 4.02 (6.51)

Boat anglers have enjoyed plenty of action at Ravensthorpe this week. Fish have been coming to both nymphs and dries – buzzers, olives, damsels and daphnia are on the menu for fish now actively looking to feed in the upper layers. Kevin Daykin of Hollowell tempted an 8½lb Rainbow on Saturday with a size 12 black buzzer and floating line from the Tower end of the dam. John Parker recorded a 5lb 6oz Rainbow also from the dam wall on a damsel. G Chelter from Durham took a 6lb 6oz Rainbow from a boat off the island.

Best rainbow 8lb 6oz taken by Kevin Daykin of Hollowell

Best boat areas Island to Coton end

Best bank areas far end of dam wall

Mid week boat winner P Doyle of Hartwell

Fish stocked 400

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

Week ending 18th May 2008

Fish week 470 (season 6,402) returns 82 (940) rod average 5.73 (6.81)

Fifteen anglers from Scotland’s Ferry Fly Dressers Club fished on Saturday taking 62 fish for the day.

1st D West 6lb 8oz
2nd W Thomson 5lb 8oz
3rd D Miller 4lb 8oz

Boat anglers are taking fish in all areas of the reservoir. Both at anchor with nymph teams and on the drift with hares ears and crunchers. Spooned fish are showing buzzer, daphnia, damsel and some snails. Settled weather will bring fish to the upper layers where olives are hatching. The dam wall is consistently producing nice silver fish in the 2-3 lb range to nymphs on 14/16 foote leaders and floating lines with black and green lures and damsels are working well on sinkers.

best rainbow 5lb taken by Tom Clarke of Northampton

best boat areas all areas fishing well

best bank areas dam wall and platform 11/12

mid week boat winner Rick Barlow of London

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

 

Week ending 11th May 2008

Fish week 1077 (season 5932) returns 160 (858) rod average 6.7(6.9)

The best fish of the week was a superb 9lb 2oz Rainbow taken by Dick Haynes of Ravensthorpe. Dick fished from a boat with a black buzzer.

Buzzers and the bung have been the best method this week. However, olives are now hatching in good numbers so it is expected for the fish to come to dries and emergers soon. Damsel nymphs are active and prospects look good.

best rainbow 9lb 2oz Dick Haynes of Ravensthorpe

best boat areas All areas in about 16 feet of water

best bank areas Dam

mid week boat winner T Critch of Southam

fish stocked 350

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

Week ending 4th May 2008

Fish week 667 (season 4855) returns 119(698) rod average 5.6 (6.9)

The best fish of the week was a superb 8lb 9oz Rainbow taken by Pat Flynn of Northampton. Pat boat fished and used buzzer and bung.

Buzzers in black or olive fished under the bung are taking most fish. Olives are hatching at lunchtime so PTN’s, diawl bachs are working from drifting boats. The dam is fishing well again to buzzer and bung.

best rainbow 8lb 9oz taken by Pat Flynn of Northampton

best boat areas Island, cotton End, Willows - Mongers

best bank areas Dam

mid week boat winner S Thomas

fish stocked 350

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

Week ending 27th April 2008

Fish week 605 (season 4188) returns 81 (579) rod average 7.5(7.23)

The more settled weather and steady pressure, coupled with crystal clear water has helped maintain a high catch rate on Ravensthorpe Reservoir. Large and small buzzers in varying shades of black, grey and brown have been hatching. Anglers have been taking fish at all depths, dependent on prevailing light conditions. Static bung fishing has proved very successful this week. Long leaders (15-20 feet) are essential for good catches if fishing traditional buzzer teams.

Some nice 3-4lb over-wintered Rainbows are still showing in catches, with Browns also putting in an appearance. Gary Turner, pro fishing for the total Flyfisher magazine, returned a pristine 5lb plus Brown that should appear in next month’s issue.

Season ticket holder David Brady fished a team of buzzers from a boat off the Island to take 41 fish to 6lb. The biggest fish taken by a boat angler went to visiting angler Gordon Brown on an Anglian Water 3 day boat package. Gordon safely returned a 10lb 2oz Rainbow to the water. Gary Wilson had the best fish from the bank – an 8lb 1oz Rainbow taken on a size 10 black buzzer from the dam wall.

Mid Northants Flyfishers fished for the Hector Woolnough Floating line Trophy. 28 Anglers caught 208 fish for a rod average of 7.4. Most fish came to buzzers and diawls.

1st Pip Jeffs 9lb 0oz
2nd Barry Jones 5lb 10oz
3rd Pete Daniels 5lb 8oz

Leicester Police held a mid week boat competition catching a total of 91 fish.

Best rainbow 10lb 2oz taken by Gordon Brown

Best brown 5lb taken by Gary Turner

Best boat areas Island, Willows and Coton End

Best bank areas dam wall

Mid week boat winner John Mills of Coventry

Fish stocked 309

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

 

Week ending 20th April 2008
Fish week 562 (season 3,583) returns 68 (498) rod average 8.26 (7.19)

Some big fish have been taken at Ravensthorpe Reservoir this week with Graham Smith of Spratton taking a 9lb 7oz beauty from a boat whilst fishing the Island. Graham used a weighted damsel. Andrew Earland fished a green PTN from the dam wall for a 9lb fish and Julian Hubbard took a 9lb plus rainbow from near the draw off tower. R Webster braved the wind and cold to float tube at the Coton End. He was rewarded with a rainbow of 7lb 2oz and a brown of 6lb 6oz. This superb brace of fish was taken on a floating line high in the water.

Boat anglers are enjoying excellent bags with most in double figures. One boat recorded 69 fish last week - all taken on buzzers.

Fish are responding to almost static buzzer teams on 15 – 20 foot leaders with fish rising in the water at the height of the hatch. Best flies are bloodworm, size 10 black buzzer, diawls, GRHE, PTN’s and damsel nymphs.

Ravensthorpe Reservoir’s Trout Masters finalist for this year is Mick Griffin who secured first place by 10z from Ian Gedney.

best rainbow 9lb 7oz taken by Graham Smith of Spratton

best brown 6lb 2oz taken by R Webster

best boat areas shallows of both banks

best bank areas dam wall

mid week boat winner J Brimley of Kempston

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

Week ending 13th April 2008

Fish week 482 (season 3021) returns 75 (430) rod average 6.1(7.0)

David Bletsoe-Brown (jnr) from Sywell took a 9lb Rainbow whilst spending a day boat fishing for trout with Bob Church. “The 15 year old has become a real good fly fisherman”, said Bob. David’s ambition now is to get into the England International Fly Fishing team through the Youth National knockout competition fished at Grafham Water on 6 July. Bob caught 9 and David caught 6 during the session but David’s 9lb Rainbow was the heaviest fish of the day.

Dennis Footman took the best Rainbow of the week – a superb 10lb 6oz specimen. Dennis used bloodworm and floating line. He also returned another good sized fish of 7-8lb, caught on a buzzer.

Good numbers of fish are falling to buzzers and other nymphs fished on floating lines. Epoxy buzzer, diawl bachs, GRHE and PTNs are all taking fish. A few fish are falling to lures, green and black, white or orange, but nymphs are probably best.

best rainbow 10lb 6oz taken by Dennis Footman of Leicester

best boat areas Willows, Island

best bank areas Lodge bank

fish stocked 400

mid week boat winner P Timms of Stoke

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

 

Fish week 607 (season 2539) returns 83 (351) rod average 7.3 (7.2)

Good numbers of fish have been taken again this week with several quality rainbows over 7lb. The best fish included two 9lb Rainbows, one taken by Peter Dunn of Kibworth and the other by Ian Collinson of Thame. Ian Gilmour of Milton Keynes fished from Platform 5 and used a buzzer to take an 8lb 9oz Rainbow.

best methods floating lines with buzzers, PTN, diawls fished very slowly from bank or boat. Some fish are falling to usual early season lures in orange, black and green or white fished on slow sink lines.

best rainbow two at 9lb one taken by Peter Dunn from Kibworth, the other by Ian Collinson of Thame

best boat areas Island, willows and Coton End

best bank areas all natural banks are good with the dam wall a bit slow

fish stocked 310

mid week boat winner Steve Short of Northampton

forthcoming events Ravensthorpe Troutmaster fish off will be held on Wednesday 16 April starting at 10am.

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

Week ending 30th March 2008

Fish week 815(season 1982) returns 93 (268) rod average 8.76 (7.2)

Northampton Police fished the first of their mid-week matches and caught over 200 fish to their 6 boats last week. Top spot went to Mark Matheson with 21 fish including and 8lb Rainbow.

Gary and David Turner recorded 45 Rainbows whilst boat fishing around the Island. All were taken on buzzers. Mr Bedford and his boat partner made the long trip from Rotherham and brought 41 fish up to 4lb to their boat. Peter Dixon took ten trout from Platform 4 including a 7lb 8oz fish.

Chris Sellen caught the biggest fish this week an 8lb 4oz Rainbow from a boat on a size 12 black buzzer and floating line.

best methods floating lines with long leaders (18 feet) and nymph and buzzer teams are taking some big bags of fish from both boat and bank. Best flies are bloodworm, size 12 black buzzer, diawls, GRHE, Montanas and black and green tadpoles.

best rainbow 8lb 4oz taken by Chris Sellen

best boat areas all areas fishing well

best bank areas platforms 4 to 12

fish stocked 315

forthcoming events Ravensthorpe Troutmaster fish off will be held on Wednesday 16 April starting at 10am.

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

 

Week ending 23rd March 2008
Fish week 211(season 1117) returns 48 (185) rod average 4.39 (6.03)

The biggest fish of the season so far - a superb 11lb Rainbow was taken this week by Peter Dixon of Kingsthorpe. Peter used a black and green lure on a floating line and fished from the bank. The few boat anglers who ventured out in difficult weather conditions were rewarded with some nice catches from around the Island and the sheltered Guilsborough shore. Fish are coming to black and green gold heads and montanas.

Bank anglers fared better with Platforms 11,12,13 & 14 the most productive methods were floating lines and small black lures taking the most fish. The water has cleared through and is at maximum level.

Ravensthorpe is the oldest English trout fishery, with around 100 acres of ecological diversity and is renowned for its excellent fishing. Algal blooms in recent years have sometimes led to reduced catch rates during the peak periods. Anglian Water’s Innovation Team working with the Recreation and Water Services Teams has set up a two year field trial starting in April 2008 to evaluate the use of barley straw to control the growth and inhibit blooms of algae at Ravensthorpe. The barley straw application is an environmentally sustainable algal control method, which will benefit both the water treatment process and recreation activity on the reservoir. The algal control activity of barley straw is described as preventing new growth of algae rather than killing already existing algae through a complex mechanism involving chemical, fungal and microbial factors. This mechanism involves a series of very slow processes during which the straw is degraded and releases natural breakdown products that will act on the algal growth. The trial will start around 7 April and we will update you on its progress.

best rainbow 11lb taken by Peter Dixon of Kingsthorpe

best boat areas Island and Guilsborough bank

best bank areas Platforms 4,5,11,12,13 & 14

fish stocked 315

forthcoming events Troutmasters fish off Wednesday 26 March

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

Week ending 16th March 2008
Fish week 561(season906) returns 52 (137) rod average 10.78(6.6)

Anglers recorded an amazing rod average of 10.78 at Ravensthorpe this week. Ravensthorpe’s Rainbows have now switched on big time with some fabulous catches this week from both boat and bank.

Nick Mead and Ian Tearle fished the Coton shallows to bring 51 fish to their boat. Colin England and Tony Plummer caught 30, Graden Smith and John Caldwell 35. Chris Skillen fished for 4½hours to take 67 fish – mostly on hoppers. Graham Smith took Andy Thom out on his boat on Saturday to catch 20 plus fish, including a personal best for Andy with a 6lb over wintered Rainbow. All of the fish showing in these big bags are in superb condition.

Dick Haynes, Jim Ferguson and many other bank anglers are taking double figure catches from the pontoons and natural banks.

Best methods are floating lines and long leaders with buzzers and small nymphs under the bung or figure of eight. Fish a maximum of one or two flies only to prevent double hook ups.

Size 12 black buzzers with green thorax, thin diawls, small black hoppers, size 10 black and green lures, montanas are all taking fish. Rainbows are tight to all banks with the dam wall also producing plenty of sport.

best methods see report

best rainbow 6lb taken by Andy Thom with a black buzzer on a floating line from a boat

best boat areas all shallows

best bank areas all banks

mid week boat winner Nick Mead of London

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

Week ending 9th March 2008

Fish week 293(season 345) returns 69 (85) rod average 4.2 (4.05)

The best catch of the week was by Mr A Lane from London who recorded 15 Rainbows to 3½lb (all safely returned) on a catch and release ticket. Other notable catches were reported by Mr E Watson and Mr A Osborne with 12 and 11 respectively. They each retained a fish and returned the rest safely.

Bank anglers have found the sport to be a bit patchy but as the water warms up sport will hot up, especially to buzzers etc. Boat anglers have had the pick of the sport with the area around the Island and the far bank being the most productive.

Intermediate and sink lines with small black and green lures are favourite at the moment for bank and boat anglers alike, but floating line and long leaders 18-20 feet with buzzers and diawls would be a good bet from the bank.

best methods see report

best boat areas island and Far bank

best bank areas Mongers

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

Week ending 2nd March 2008

There was a dramatic start to the season last weekend with strong North West winds restricting fishing to bank only during the morning. Tim Newell of Northampton caught six fish using size 12 lures (black and green) on intermediate lines. Most bank angers recorded a brace or more. Anglers fishing the Ravensthorpe bank with the wind to their backs fared best with fish responding to small black lures on floating lines – bloodworm and corixa also taking some fish.

In the afternoon half a dozen brave souls ventured out to boat fish. The weather conditions on Sunday were almost as challenging but some fish were caught from the boats.

Settled conditions will bring improved catches with fish showing close in already in the clear high water. 2000 fish were stocked in the last week with fish to 12lb released.

best bank areas Ravensthorpe bank. Mongers to Hickmans Spinney
Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.

For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

 

February 2008

Ravensthorpe Reservoir

The pre-season Pike Fishing at Ravensthorpe (18-22 February) produced three fish over thirty pounds.   The best fish of the week, a massive 37½lb Pike, was taken on Thursday by John Hart.  John, from Harpole, boat fished a half Mackerel off Monger's Point.  John's boat partner Mathew Woodruff, had a fish of 16½lb on the same day.  Steve Marshall of Wellingborough also used Mackerel to take a whopping 31½lb pike. Other fish were reported at 30½lb and three in the twenty pound bracket.  There were six in their teens and a number of single figure fish. 

Preview of 2008 season

We celebrated our first winner of 2008 before the season had even started. From the weekly returns submitted by our season ticket holders we hold an annual draw. Susan Noble, a familiar face behind the counter at Rutland Water Fishing Lodge, drew the winning return. The lucky winner was 2007 Economy season ticket holder Tim O’Brien. Tim wins a valuable Gold season ticket.

Ravensthorpe Reservoir opening day Saturday 1 March
The recent pre season pike fishing was a great success with plenty of trout spotted in the reservoir. The trout took little interest on Tuesday and Wednesday when the weather was bitterly cold, but they were back again in large numbers in the warmer conditions on Friday, boding well for the start of the new trout season on Saturday 1 March.

Demand for boats often outstrips supply – pre-booking is essential.
For boat bookings and enquiries please call 01604 770875.

Pitsford Water opening day Friday 7 March
The 2008 season promises to be a cracker. Senior warden Nathan Clayton recalls the start to 2007 “The 5.4 rod average and excellent weather meant that anglers had a terrific start and prospects for 2008 look just as good”.
Anglers are reminded that winter restrictions apply at Pitsford with no fishing in the ‘small half’ until 1 April.

Grafham Water opening day Friday 14 March
Grafham Water opens on Friday14 March. Anglers can fish for the New Lodge Trophy for the biggest fish caught on Opening Day.
The Bob Church Open is on 6 April for the Frank Cutler Memorial Trophy. For more information on this match call 01604 661133.

Rutland Water opens Good Friday 21 March
On Good Friday 21 March Rutland Water re-opens with the Independence Day Trophy for the biggest fish.

On Sunday 9 March anglers are invited to meet at Rutland Water Fishing Lodge, Normanton, to take part in Rutland Water’s litter pick. Organised by Rutland Water Fly Fishers and sponsored by Anglian Water this annual event starts at 9am with bacon sandwiches and coffee. The litter pick starts at 10 am (gloves and bags provided).

 

See Below  some of the trout caught at Ravensthorpe during last season 2007

 

Week ending 4th November 2007

Fish for week 329 (season 13,942) returns 64(2,826) rod average 5.14 (4.93)

Ravensthorpe’s boat pairs Fur and Feather match was held on Sunday and exceeded all expectations with almost every angler weighing limits. 153 fish were caught on a variety of methods with minkies, blobs and sparklers on slow sink lines proving best. Husband and wife pair Richard and Karen Slater won the competition, weighing in a brace of fish for 8lb 4oz. Karen also won a bottle of scotch for the best fish of the match.

Karen's 4lb 9oz fish won the prize for heaviest fish at Ravensthorpe's Fur & Feather last weekend.

1st Richard & Karen Slater 8lb 4oz
2nd John Mees & Ian Pow 6lb 14oz
3rd Mark Haycock & Graham Pearson

Fish for week 211 (season8471) returns 47 (1685) rod average 4.4 (5.0)

An excellent week for Rainbows. Ian Gedney of Spalding took the best at 13lb 4oz. He used a float tube and daddy long legs.

 

i

              

Week Ending 13th May 2007

Fish for week 378 (season 6313) returns 91 (1103) rod average 4.1 (5.7)

Some beautiful rainbows have been taken at Ravensthorpe Reservoir over the last week. Top spot went to bank anglers, Russ Barringer of Ravensthorpe with a superb 13lb 4oz fish taken from the dam wall on a gold ribbed hares ear.

 

                                              

Week ending 15th April 2007

Fish for week 759 (season4289) returns 94(708) rod average 8.1(6.06)

Two big fish were taken at Ravensthorpe this week. Richard Kingscott took a 14lb 4oz Rainbow on a black buzzer. Josh Faulkner took a 12lb 12oz Rainbow on a damsel from a boat. Paul Polito and John Frisby took 39 from a boat fishing buzzers on floating lines. Matt Harris from Cambridge caught 38 from a boat. John Sturge took 30 from a boat.

best rainbow 14lb 4oz taken by Richard Kingscott with a black buzzer

 

Will Payne, from Mears Ashby near Northampton, who caught an 11lb Rainbow at Ravensthorpe recently

                                            

 

                                              

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Fish for week 788 (season1533) returns 103 (288) rod average 7.65(5.32)

Week Ending March 2007

Wow – the rod average at Ravensthorpe this week was 7.65! Clearing water, coupled with a decent rise in temperature produced incredible buzzer hatches in the margins and the trout responded big time. Boat anglers were taking between 20-30 fish, with many over wintered rainbows and some huge specimens being taken and lost. Thirteen proved a lucky number for Eric Watson of Daventry who took the top specimen this week – a 13lb 6oz rainbow on a black buzzer – in his bag of 13 fish.

Other big fish came to the boats for John Caldwell at 12lb 8oz on a zonker and wet cel 2 line

and James Tearle, who also took a 12lb 8oz specimen on a size 10 montana and floating line.

Danny Peat and boat partner Mal Firth brought 47 rainbows to their boat. Their biggest fish, taken by Danny, weighed 11lb 10oz. Most fish were coming to nymphs fished tight to the Guilsborough shore. Tony Plummer and Colin England caught 29 fish anchored close in along the same bank – mostly on damsels.

Bank anglers have enjoyed good sport with fish close in along the dam wall and the Ravensthorpe platforms (5-8 are best). Mr Philips caught 11 rainbows off the dam wall – all on a black and red size 12 buzzer with fish of 5 and 6lb. Big fish are being lost, particularly from the bank, due to anglers fishing fluro casts under the 8lb recommended minimum.

best rainbow 13lb 6oz taken by Eric Watson of Daventry

best boat areas as close to the banks as possible (without hindering bank anglers)

best bank areas Ravensthorpe shore platforms (5-8 are best) and middle of dam

mid week boat winner Trevor Hawes of Oadby

best methods see report – be prepared for heavy fish!

 

                               

                             

The biggest fish landed on opening day was a pike of 18lb 8oz taken by Mike Green of Chapel Brampton on a white lure. Mike was boat fishing with Northampton’s Bob Church.

Bob Aves had 10 fish on Sunday from the bank roving with small lures and an intermediate line. Graham Smith, from Spratton, found 20 plus fish around the island using intermediate lines and small lures.

 

 

In 2006 Pitsford Water celebrated its 50th birthday with a tremendous fishing season. The quality of fish last year was the best ever and there was a run of fantastic grown-on doubles capped by a superb trout of 14lb, the biggest fish caught on the reservoir for several years. Prospects for 2007 look excellent when this popular fishery re-opens on Friday 9 March.

Following Pitsford opening on Friday 9 March it will be Grafham’s turn on Friday 16th. Anglers can fish for the New Lodge Trophy for the biggest fish caught on Opening Day. Sunday 1 April will be a red letter day when Rutland Water re-opens with the Independence Day Trophy for the biggest fish.