Ravensthorpe Reservoir
Will be the first of our fisheries to open on Saturday 27 February. Stocking is well under way with 2,000 fish put into the water to date.
Other opening dates to note
Pitsford Water Friday 12 March
Grafham Water Friday 19 March
Rutland Water Thursday 1 April
Warm welcome at Pitsford Water Saturday 20 February
Anglian Water’s Open House was a great success attended by more than 70 anglers with hot drinks and sausage sandwiches very welcome on a cold day.
Anglers wanting to brush off the winter cobwebs could join Peter Hartley casting outside in the snow! A popular indoor attraction was a fly tying demonstration presented by Kevin Rowley, Vice Chairman of Mid Northants Trout Fishers.
Season permits were in great demand and are now on sale at all of our fishing lodges. One of the day’s highlights was Anglian Water’s season ticket draw. All the 2009 catch returns were entered in this draw with the lucky winner receiving a Gold season permit. The winner was Peter De Kremer of Oakham who can look forward to fishing the 2010 season for free!
Week ending 15th November 2009
The middle of the day is the best time to fish. The usual early season tactics of lures in orange, white or green and black are accounting for most fish.
Best boat areas Island to valve tower
Best bank areas Dome bushes
Week ending 8th November 2009
Fish week 30 (season 13,260) returns 24 (2,590) rod average 1.3(5.1)
Cold nights seem to have slowed sport this week. The best time to catch is mid day with early season tactics best. i.e lures in white, orange or green and balck taking fish.
Best methods See report
Best boat areas Hickmans and Coton end.
Best bank areas Platforms
Mid week boat winner S Thomas of Wiltshire.
Week ending 1st November 2009
Fish week 554 (season 13,230) returns 77 (2,566) rod average 7.2 (5.15)
Ravensthorpe’s larger Rainbows are beginning to show with most bags containing 4lb plus fish for a rod average of 7.2. This is the highest for some time with fish chasing lures at all depths in the clear water. Many boat anglers are releasing 20 plus fish on a variety of lures on sinking lines (orange blobs, black and brown minkies are best). Some boat action to nymphs on floaters mid day and from the platforms and dam wall.
Sunday’s Fur and Feather was held in near impossible conditions – with high winds and heavy rain. Anglers in this best brace pairs match were rewarded for their efforts with 176 fish boated by 28 anglers for a rod average of 6.3. Ron Gent, Lee Henfrey, Rob and Gary Edmonds, Mark Haycock and Graham Pearson all boated over 20 fish. Most anglers fished at depth with orange, black and silver lures.
1st Gordon Bramwell & Kevin Cook best brace 11lb 10oz
2nd Mark Haycock & Graham Pearson 8lb 4oz
3rd John Mees & Ian Pow 7lb 8oz
4th Ron Gent & Lee Henfrey 6lb 6oz
The biggest fish of the match (and the week) fell to Gordon Bramwell.
Pike fishing from boats with lures and dead sea fish over 18cm (excluding lamprey) and trout angling will continue until 22 November, after which permits for trout fishing from the bank only may be obtained from the vendor hut in the car park.
Best methods See report
Best rainbow 8lb 2oz taken by Gordon Bramwell
Best boat areas Ravensthorpe shoreline and island
Best bank areas Platforms 2,3,4,6,11,12 and dam walls
Mid week boat winner Martin Nelson of Northampton
Week ending 25th October 2009
Fish week 213 (season 12,676) returns 41 (2,489) rod average 5.12 (5.09)
Anglers are enjoying superb sport at Ravensthorpe with fish now active and feeding in the clear water. Pat Flynn of Northampton took 20 plus fish on black and green fritz lures mid water. Jason Price’s bag of 22 fish came partly to stripped fry patterns. Fish are fin perfect and fighting hard with 4lb - 6lb Rainbows showing in the bags.
Mid Northants Trout Fishers held their Fur and Feather on Sunday. 22 anglers took 89 fish for a rod average of 4.0. Richard Webb won the biggest fish prize with a Rainbow of 6lb 8oz. Mike Philpott and Jeannette Church were best boat pair with 12 fish for 22lb 3oz.
1st Les Yarnell 12lb 2oz
2nd Richard Webb 11lb 12oz
3rd Ian Pow 11lb 10oz
Best methods See report
Best rainbow 6lb 8oz taken by Richard Webb
Best boat areas Ravensthorpe shore line
Best bank areas Platforms 34,69 & 12
Mid week boat winner Pat Flynn of Northampton
Forthcoming events
Fur and Feather (boat) 1 November
Pike fishing 26 October to 22 November
Boat fishing with lures and dead sea fish over 18cm (excluding lamprey)
Week ending 18th October 2009
Fish week 70 (season 12,331) returns 39 (2,448) rod average 2.4(5.0)
Most fish this week have been taken with lures, orange and white are best. Boats are best drifting. Bank anglers should head for the platforms.
29 Rods fished in the Northampton Anglers FFF match.
1st Adrian Brewer 11lb 13oz
2nd Mick Griffin 11lb 6oz
3rd Pat Flynn 10lb 2oz
Best methods See report
Best rainbow 5lb 4oz taken by season ticket holder Mick Griffin from a boat with humungus.
Best boat areas Drifts
Best bank areas Mongers Point
Mid week boat winner J Kirkup of Swindon
Forthcoming events
Fur and Feather (boat) 1 November
Pike fishing 26 October to 22 November
Boat fishing with lures and dead sea fish over 18cm (excluding lamprey)
Week ending 11th October 2009
Due to technical problems with our IT we have been unable to produce this week’s issue of Fishery News.
I apologise for this – next week’s report will have the latest news from all of our fisheries including the results from the very successful Anglian Water Airflo International at Rutland Water.
Regards
Sally
Week ending 4thOctober 2009
Fish week 148 (season 12,189) returns 53 (2,372) rod average 2.8 (5.1)
Plenty of fish are sub surface even in bright conditions. Pulled dries, muddlers attracting these fish, minkies p.t.n’s and wets will take fish in ripple conditions. Anglers fishing the platforms are taking some nice fish up to 5lb on nymphs and static fry.
Best methods See report
Best rainbow 5lb taken by Nick Sanders of Barnet
Best boat areas Island to straw bales.
Best bank areas Platforms 3 -12
Mid week boat winner David Moss of Thame
Pike fishing 26 October to 22 November
Boat fishing with lures and dead sea fish over 18cm (excluding lamprey)
Week ending 27th September 2009
Fish week 211 (season 12,041) returns 48 (2,319) rod average 4.4 (5.19)
On Friday Mr M Knight, fishing on a three day boat package ticket took his best ever Rainbow at the age of 74! His fish weighed 7lb 8oz and took him half an hour to net. He fished black buzzers taking a further three fish. Regular visitor to Ravensthorpe, Peter Collins of Long Buckby, caught a 4½lb fish on a diawl bach from Platform 4. A party from Scotland recorded good catches drifting all areas on snatchers and fritz lures. One boat ended the day with 21 fish. Season ticket holder Ian Botterill, of Wootton, Northampton, returned a silver fish of 7lb on Saturday.
The main bowl continues to provide results with PTN’s, diawls, GRHE and crunchers. The top flies to try are snatchers, wake flies, hoppers and bumbles in cloud and ripple conditions.
Best methods See report
Best rainbow 7lb 8oz taken by M Knight
Best boat areas Main bowl
Best bank areas Platforms 4-12
Mid week boat winner Andy Hubbard of Thorpe Astley
Week ending 20th September 2009
Fish week 162 (season 11,830) returns 33 (2,271) rod average 4.9 (5.2)
Anglers have enjoyed some good top of the water sport both from the bank and boats. Floating lines with bushy flies i.e. soldier palmers and claret bumbles have enticed some hard fighting Rainbows to oblige. Some sport to Daddy Long Legs has also been reported.
Boat anglers using dries, spiders and diawl bachs on the drift are also taking some nice fish.
Anglers fishing the platforms and the dam (when the wind allows) have reported some fry feeders, but most of the fish caught have fallen to black and green lures.
Best methods See report
Best rainbow 4lb plus taken by Stuart Payne of Long Buckby
Best boat areas Across the main bowl
Week ending 13th September 2009
Fish week 136 (season 11,668) returns 33 (2,238) rod average 4.1 (5.2)
The best fish of the week was a 5lb Rainbow taken by boat angler A Harrison of Dumbarton who used an orange lure. Most fish are coming to orange lures just sub surface. Dave Smith of West Haddon was delighted with the brown trout he caught and returned on a red diawl bach. A few fish are taking dries and GRHE with some coming to traditional wets, bushy bob flies and silver invicta.
Best methods See report
Best rainbow 5lb taken by A Harrison of Dumbarton
Best boat areas Drifting main bowl
Best bank areas Mongers Point
Mid week boat winner K Mayhew of Cambridge
Week ending 6th September 2009
Fish week 182 (season 11,532) returns 52 (2,205) rod average 3.5(5.23)
Floating lines with nymphs and small lures are taking the most fish – some nice early and year plus fish are showing to static dries and fry patterns in ripple conditions.
Brown expert bob Draper out witted two beautiful indigenous natural Browns of 3½lb and 4½lb from the Ravensthorpe bank platforms both fish were taken on GRHE.
Best methods See report
Best rainbow 5lb 2oz taken by W Motion of Kircaldy
Best Brown 4lb 8oz taken by Bob Draper of Northampton
Best boat areas Shallows
Best bank areas Platforms
Mid week boat winner Trevor Hawes of Leicester
Fish stocked 550
Week ending 30th August 2009
Fish week 313 (season 11,258) returns 82 (2,153) rod average 3.8 (5.2)
The best fish of the week was a 6lb 8oz Rainbow taken by Aidey Greenough. Adey caught this fish with a size 12 cruncher from a boat in the main bowl.
There are regular hatches of olives in the middle of the day. Anglers are findingthat the best flies are daddies, hoppers and small emergers.
Best methods See report.
Best rainbow 6lb 8oz taken by Adey Greenough.
Best boat areas Main bowl and Coton End
Best bank areas Platforms 3-12
Mid week boat winner Mick Griffin of Northampton
Week ending 23rd August 2009
Fish week 354 (season 10,945) returns 90 (2,071) rod average 3.9(5.2)
Ravensthorpe Reservoir hosted the Phoenix Shield competition on Sunday. This was a very successful match enjoyed by 29 rods who caught and released 150 fish for a rod average of 5.17.
1st Ian Footman 10lb 12oz
2nd Graham Robertson 9lb 9oz
3rd Derek Martin 9lb 2oz
Orange lures have proved best this week. Drifting boats are best. Bank anglers are finding fish are coming to small green nymphs.
Best rainbow 8lb taken by D Smith of Milton Keynes with an orange blob.
Best boat areas Drifts to Island
Best bank areas Mongers and Dome Bushes
Mid week boat winner Mr Newton of High Cross
Fish stocked 550
Week ending 16th August 2009
Fish week 358 (season 10,589) returns 64 (1,981) rod average 5.5 (5.3)
The best fish of the week at Ravensthorpe was a superb Rainbow estimated at 10lb. D Martin of Bedford fished from the bank at Mongers Point with a diawl bach and successfully returned this lovely fish to the water.
Floating lines with dries such as hoppers with diawl bachs on droppers are most successful. Boats should drift. Some fish are going to crunchers or traditional wets. Bank anglers are finding morning is the best time.
Best rainbow 10lb Estimated taken and returned by D Martin
Best boat areas Coton End
Best bank areas Mongers Point to domes
Mid week boat winner T Eaves of Coventry
Forthcoming events Phoenix Shield competition Sunday 23 August, 8 for a 9am start. Call Mick Griffin for details or Graham at Ravensthorpe Lodge on 01604 770875
Week ending 9th August 2009
Fish week 317 (season 10,231) returns 53 (1,917) rod average 6.0 (5.34)
Top spot again this week went to Mick Griffin of Northampton for a 10lb 2oz Rainbow taken on a dry fly from a boat.
Unseasonal high water levels due to the recent heavy rain have ensured plenty of action for boat anglers with surface feeding rainbows. The clear water and high level mean that both the platforms and the dam wall continue to produce excellent sport for the bank anglers.
Fish are feeding on damsel nymphs, sedge, snails, flying ants and olives.
Depending on the wind direction and cloud cover drifting teams of three in front of the boat or washing lines at anchor have proved the most successful methods. Top flies are green boobies, green and brown hoppers, green diawls, crunchers, spiders and small wets.
Best rainbow 10lb 2oz taken by Mick Griffin
Best boat areas Coton to the barley bales
Best bank areas Platforms and dam wall
Mid week boat winner Mr Dallimore of Oxford
Fish stocked 500
Forthcoming events Phoenix Shield competition Sunday 23 August, 8 for a 9am start. Call Mick Griffin for details or Graham at Ravensthorpe Lodge on 01604 770875
Week ending 2nd August 2009
Fish week 215 (season 9,914) returns 46 (1,864) rod average 4.67(5.31)
Top fish this week went to season ticket holder Mick Griffin with a very nice 7lb Rainbow taken on a fiery cruncher from a boat off the boils. Ravensthorpe continues to provide excellent top of the water sport with dry flies accounting for at least 75% of fish caught.
Boat anglers are short lining on the drift using wets or big dries or at anchor around the weedbeds with a washing line and small nymphs. Top flies are bumbles, hoppers, green diawls, crunchers, hares ears, silver invictas and Grenadiers.
Drifting dries around with the wind off the platforms is the top bank method, strong leaders and hooks are required to keep hooked fish away from weedbeds.
Best rainbow 7lb taken by Mick Griffin
Best boat areas Main bowl and edge of weedbeds
Best bank areas Platforms 3,4,5,6,7 and 11
Mid week boat winner Mark Salt of High Cross.
Week ending 26th July 2009
Fish week 251 (season 9,699) returns 48 (1,818) rod average 5.2 (5.3)
Fish are just sub surface so pulled dries, traditional wets and muddlers are scoring best. Mornings and early afternoon are the best time to fish. Bank anglers are taking fish on dries and damsel nymphs. Olives are also proving successful around lunch time.
Best boat areas Drifts to Island
Best bank areas Dam and Mongers Point
Mid week boat winner S Smith of Stamford
Fish week 266 (season 9,448) returns 64 (1,770) rod average 4.1(5.3)
Anglers continue to enjoy plenty of good sport at Ravensthorpe.
Best Rainbow 6lb 4oz taken by Dave Simms of Stoke
Best boat areas Island to air line
Best bank areas Dam and platforms
Mid week boat winner T Ellis of Milton Keynes
Fish stocked 815
Week ending 12th July 2009
Fish week 208 (season 9,182) returns 54 (1,706) rod average 3.85 (5.38)
Local angler Terry Thomas of Daventry won the British Float Tube competition on Sunday with two fish for 7lb 6oz. Terry fished thin damsel nymphs on a floating line.
1st Terry Thomas 7lb 6oz
2nd Craig Primmer 6lb
3rd Tony Parker 5lb 8oz
Fish moving in the surface layers have proved difficult to tempt this week. However, some boats have caught well by frequently moving around and changing patterns. Lures and damsels fished deep and slow on Hi D lines are also taking fish.
Best flies have been green holo buzzer, skinny damsels, red/brown crunchers and hoppers.
Fish stocking this week will include some 5kg fish.
Best Rainbow 5lb 4oz taken by Terry Thomas of Daventry
Best boat areas Coton shallows and main bowl
Best bank areas Dam wall
Mid week boat winner M Morris of Luton
Week ending 5th July 2009
Fish week 240 (season 8,974) returns 56 (1,652) rod average 4.3 (5.43)
John Briggs of Saddington took the best fish of the week at Ravensthorpe – a near perfect 7lb Rainbow on a hares ear whilst boat fishing hear the Hutchings red buoy. Malcolm Ingram of Bedworth enjoyed his morning’s bank fishing – he took 24 Rainbows to 5lb from Platform 6 using a floating line and a ‘detached green daddy’.
Fish are responding to virtually any method using a floating line – be it pulled wets, slow nymphs and dries or static buzzers – some exciting sport is to be had drifting boats over the weedbeds using single nymphs or dries on strong leaders. Top flies are black buzzer, crunchers, diawls, GRHE nymphs, small parachutes, daddies and thin damsels.
In complete contrast Pat Flynn and Brian Coleman brought 34 fish to their boat using Hi D lines with lures from the deeps.
Careful presentation of dries and emergers from the platforms have produced numerous quality rainbows for Bob Draper. Mark Bradburne and Jim Ferguson –are scoring heavily on black buzzer and diawls from the centre of the dam. All these areas are partially weeded and require 8/10 16 leaders to secure the fish.
Best Rainbow 7lb taken by John Briggs of Saddington
Best boat areas Ravensthorpe shallows and Island to Catwalk
Best bank areas Centre of dam and platforms 3,4,6, 11 and 12
Mid week boat winner Doug Whibley of Wollaston
Week ending 28th June 2009
Fish week 476 (season 8,734) returns 72(1,596) rod average 6.6 (5.47)
Mick Griffin a season ticket holder and local angler had a great day with us catching about 30 fish on cruncher type nymph on a floating line near the island.
Prolific amounts of damsel are showing and the fish are gorging on them – both nymph and spent adults. Dry fly tactics have accounted for plenty of hard fighting rainbows from 2lb up to 7lb this week.
The best boat tactic is drifting using dries or the washing line method
Best Rainbow 7lb taken by Mr Hollins
Best boat areas Island and main bowl
Best bank areas Mongers – Coton end, platforms and the dam
Best methods see report
Mid week boat winner A Brimley of Kempston
Week ending 21st June 2009
Fish week 249 (season 8259) returns 64 (1,524) rod average 3.8 (5.4)
Fish at Ravensthorpe are moving freely all over the reservoir, feeding sub surface on the plentiful damsel hatches. Bob Semple and John Parker had lovely fish of 5½lb and 6lb off the dam. Several anglers fishing loch style with wets have had excellent sport drifting across the reservoir.
The England youth team fished for two days, arriving to perfect conditions on Saturday. Some were so eager they had tackled up and were fishing off the dam before the team talk, from Manager, Rob Edmunds. The youngsters had a brilliant two days with all members of the squad catching well in the mornings on all methods.
On Sunday Steve Cullen (Editor, Total Flyfisher) and Cliff Waters (our Hooked on Leisure Editor) spent an afternoon on the water and this is what Cliff had to say about it. “It was possibly the best four hours I have spent on a water for many years. We caught several rainbows up to 5lb and each one of them great quality, well silvered and fully finned. They were all taken free-drifting, 5 weight rods, using a floating line with claret dabbler on the point and a bumble on the dropper. Almost all the fish took the flies on the dibble, with one leaping at least 12 inches clear of the water to take the fly. A truly memorable day and a great reflection of a high quality fishery … many thanks”.
Best Rainbow 6lb 5oz taken by Dave Smith off platform 4.
Best boat areas Drifting across the reservoir
Best bank areas Dam wall
Best methods Small damsels, crunchers and buzzers on floating line
Mid week boat winner Pamela Stevens of Eydon
Fish stocked 625
Week ending 14th June 2009
Fish week 263 (season 8,010) returns 59 (1,460) rod average 4.45(5.9)
Fish are still chasing damsels. Those anglers fishing small imitation are doing best. Dries are working in the right conditions and buzzers are more effective on brighter days fished on long leaders.
Advance notice of this year’s Anglian Water Fur and Feather boat pair’s match at Ravensthorpe. Bookings open Monday 31 August with a £20 deposit per boat.
Best Rainbow 7lb
Best bank areas Dam wall
Mid week boat winner Mr Clark
Fish stocked 100
Week ending 7th June 2009
Fish week 482 (season 7,747) returns 91 (1,401) rod average 5.29(5.52)
The best Rainbow of the week was taken by Brian Lloyd, retail assistant at Pitsford Fishing Lodge. Brian’s fish was taken on a size 12 hare’s ear. The damsel hatch at Ravensthorpe is now well under way with fish chasing both nymphs and adults across the surface. Nymph patterns need to be slim and sparsely tied on size 12 and 14 hooks to outwit the trout in crystal clear water. Buzzers and olives are still around with fish coming to small spiders, emergers, GRHE and crunchers.
34 anglers fished Mick Griffin’s Northampton Anglers floating line competition on Sunday. Heavy rain spoilt the morning session but anglers enjoyed good sport later with fish surface feeding in all areas. Finding the right fly for these preoccupied fish proved frustrating for some but Adrian Brewer was up to the task winning the match by weighing in three nice Rainbows for 9lb 2oz – a total of 158 Rainbows were caught by the end of the day.
1st Adrian Brewer 9lb 2oz
2nd Nigel Cullen 8lb 12oz
3rd Andy Cotterill 8lb 11oz
4th Ian Footman 8lb 1oz
Advance notice of this year’s Anglian Water Fur and Feather boat pair’s match at Ravensthorpe. Bookings open Monday 31 August with a £20 deposit per boat.
Best Rainbow 7lb 15oz taken by Brian Lloyd
Best boat areas Dam wall to Coton car park
Best bank areas Dam wall bank and platforms 11 & 12
Mid week boat winner David Prouse of Bozeat
Fish stocked 68
Best Rainbow 14lb 8oz taken by Martin Nelson of Northampton
Week ending 31st May 2009
Fish week 800 (season 7,278) returns 131 (1,310) rod average 6.15 (5.55)
Ravensthorpe continues in outstanding form with Martin Nelson recording not only the best fish of the season, but the best for a number of years. Martin, of Northampton, caught a superb 14lb 8oz Rainbow from the dam with a damsel. The fishery record stands at 16lb 13½oz for a Rainbow caught by Reg Belham back in 2002.
Damsel nymphs, buzzer, GRHE and dries are all taking fish. Morning is the best time of day, particularly in the current bright conditions. Congratulations to 6 year old Will Matthews who caught his first fish this week on a dry fly.
Best Rainbow 14lb 8oz taken by Martin Nelson of Northampton
Best boat areas All areas producing fish
Best bank areas Dam and platforms
Mid week boat winner C Williams of Stoke
Fish stocked 550
Week ending 24th May 2009
Fish week 428 (season 6,478) returns 90 (1,179) rod average 4.75(5.5)
Peter Colllins took the best rainbow of the week at 11lb 1oz with a black buzzer. Mark Williams used an orange blob to take a Rainbow of 8lb 1oz.
Best Rainbow 11lb 1oz taken by Peter Collins
Best boat areas Island to Coton End
Best bank areas Dam and platforms
Mid week boat winner I Marks of Leicester
Fish stocked 400
Week ending 17th May 2009
Fish week 366 (season 6,050) returns 72 (1,089) rod average 5.08(5.56)
The best fish of the week weighed 11lb 8oz and was taken by Keith Anderson visiting from West Lothian. Peter Collins was delighted with the 11lb Rainbow he took, whilst John Lewis and P Gilbert both weighed in Rainbows of 10lb 1ozs
With buzzers, olives and damsels hatching in the margins sport continues to be brisk at Ravensthorpe. Olive hares ears and crunchers are the flies to try in sizes 14 and 12. Fish are also responding to buzzers and lures.
Best Rainbow 11lb 8oz taken by Keith Anderson
Best boat areas Ravensthorpe shore
Best bank areas Ravensthorpe bank, platforms 3-9 and 11-12
Mid week boat winner Graham Smith
Week ending 10th May 2009
Fish week 635 (season 4,620) returns 115 (1,017) rod average 6.4(5.59)
Two outstanding Rainbows have been taken at Ravensthorpe this week. Season ticket holder David Brady from Orlingbury boat fished a black buzzer for an 11lb 14oz fish whilst Jamie Blaney took an 11lb 12oz specimen from the bank also on a black buzzer.
There have been some incredible olive hatches with fish taking dries and the sub surface nymph, buzzers, hawthorns and early damsels are also on the menu. Top flies are size 12 thinly dressed crunches, GRHE small c.d.c. emergers, Shipmans and black and olive buzzers. The banks are fishing well given some cloud and a ripple with some nice rainbows coming to the dry fly.
Best Rainbow 11lb 14oz taken by David Brady of Orlingbury
Best boat areas Mongers to Coton car park
Best bank areas Ravensthorpe bank
Mid week boat winner D Hastie of Ravensthorpe
Fish stocked 250
Fish week 527 (season 4,953) returns 122 (902) rod average 4.3 (5.5)
Buzzers, olives and Hawthorns are hatching in good numbers. Floating lines are best with GRHE, crunchers, emergers and dries. Dan Smith had over 30 fish on crunchers this week. An Osprey has been at Ravensthorpe all week.
Best boat areas Coton End, Island
Best bank areas Ravensthorpe bank
Mid week boat winner Mr Edwards of Rugby
Fish stocked 400
Week ending 26th April 2009
Fish week 508 (season 4,426) returns 141 (780) rod average 3.6(5.7)
Fish are feeding on buzzers and olives. Diawls, PTN’s, GRHE and epoxy buzzers are the best patterns. Fish are at various depths depending on the time of day. Fishing the bung seems to help.
Best boat areas Island to Coton car park
Best bank areas Platforms on Monger Point and the Dam
Mid week boat winner I Williams of Oadby
Week ending 19th April 2009
Fish week 544 (season 3918) returns 89 (639) rod average 6.1 (6.1)
Scottish anglers Steve and Brian Strachan enjoyed excellent sport on Saturday – constantly changing between buzzer and blobs brought a total of 60 fish to their boat.
Mick Cambell used similar tactics to take 43 Rainbows from his float tube – other notable catches fell to S Conway (25) and D Lindsey (25). Best fish this week went to C Butler at 8lb 4oz.
The cold Northerly winds last week slowed the buzzer hatch, but warmer winds with overcast conditions should see buzzer and olive hatches return to normal. Fish are feeding on daphnia, buzzers and bloodworm. Anglers fishing nymphs should think “thin, small and slow” with dull patterns in olive and grey best.
Bright sun and crystal clear water made conditions exacting for the Mid Northants lads fishing for the Hector Woolnough Trophy on Sunday.
1st Graham Haywood 5lb 12oz
2nd Roy Mclester 5lb 4oz
3rd Pip Jeffs 5lb 2oz
4th Mike Jeyes 4lb 14oz
Local lad Mick Griffin triumphed yet again in the Ravensthorpe Troutmaster fish off on Sunday overcoming stiff opposition to represent Ravensthorpe at the Grafham Water final. Mick hooked and lost a big fish on his first cast at the valve tower but persevered to take two nice Rainbows to see him through.
Best Rainbow 8lb 4oz taken by Chris Butler of Coventry
Best boat areas Coton car park to Island
Best bank areas Dam wall
Mid week boat winner M Flavin of Northampton
Fish stocked 400
Week ending 12th April 2009
Fish week 460 (season 3,374) returns 89 (550) rod average 5.12(6.1)
Anglers have caught plenty of big fish at Ravensthorpe this week. Top spot was taken by John Hunt of Earl Shilton with Ravensthorpe’s best Rainbow of the season so far weighing in at 11lb 13oz. John took this lovely fish on a green Montana.
Plenty of other big fish were recorded this week including a 9lb 4oz Rainbow for G Armstrong, Malcolm Eade recorded 9lb 10oz taken on a damsel, Nick Gray 9lb 2oz and L Urquhart 8lb 1oz.
Improving weather conditions have seen increased hatches of both buzzers and olives with fish prepared to feed nearer the surface at times during the day. Best methods are floating lines in 10 -15 feet of water using size 12 black/red buzzers, diawls and GRHE – very slow retrieve patterns score best.
Bank anglers using floating and intermediate lines have found sport best mid morning to mid afternoon with some good bags of 2lb plus fish coming to bloodworm, black and green buzzer and montanas.
Best Rainbow 11lb 3oz taken by John Hunt of Earl Shilton
Best boat areas All areas in 12 – 16 feet of water
Best bank areas Platforms 3-12
Week ending 6th April 2009
Fish week 798 (season2,914) returns 129 (461) rod average 6.2 (6.3)
The best fish of the week was a 10lb 9oz Rainbow taken with a black buzzer from the bank by J Wilson of Long Buckby.
The British Float Tubing Association held a float tube match at Ravensthorpe with 19 anglers fishing to a two fish limit.
1st John Even 2 fish for7lb 14oz
2nd Tony Parker 2 fish for 7lb 4oz
3rd T Keeble 2 fish for 6lb
Best Rainbow 10lb 9oz taken by J Wilson of Long Buckby
Best boat areas 12-15 feet of water with buzzers
Best bank areas Mongers to Dome
Best methods Black buzzers fished from floating lines are accounting for most fish. Some fish are taking bloodworm or nymphs with a bit of red in them.
Mid week boat winner E Williams of Hereford
Fish stocked 302
29th March 2009
Fish week 235 (season 2116) returns 70 (332) rod average 3.3 (6.37)
Ravensthorpe fished well this week in spite of high winds and cold night temperatures. Lots of black buzzers are about and patient anglers are rewarded with plenty of fish. The most successful methods seem to be buzzers fished on floating lines a foot or so from the bottom. Fish continue to be taken on lures, orange or black are best.
Best boat areas Water around 12 -14 feet, not deep areas
Best bank areas Platforms, dome bushes
Mid week boat winner S Ireland of Barton Seagrave
Fish stocked 340
22nd March 2009
Fish week 961 (season 1881) returns 111 (262) rod average 8.66 (7.18)
Ravensthorpe is in top form with an 8.6 rod average. Both boat and bank anglers are catching well with some super sport for boat anglers in particular. Fish are now taking buzzer and diawls in mid water as well as the usual range of lures in the lower levels (blobs, peas, cats whiskers and montanas).
Ronnie Turnbull from Limekilns brought a party of four from Scotland on Thursday taking 61 fish mostly on blobs and red diawl bachs.
Dave and Trevor Heseltine caught 42 between them. R Dixon of Northampton brought 27 to his boat, whilst local lads Mark Britten and Pete Exton Jones managed 36 on orange blobs and buzzers.
The biggest fish this week went to Graham Smith of Ravensthorpe with a 10lb 10oz Rainbow to supplement his 11lb 2oz fish from opening week! Graham’s fish took an orange blob whilst he was boat fishing the Ravensthorpe shore. David Brady from Orlingbury took fish of 10lb 8oz and 10lb 2oz within minutes of each other for a total bag of 32 fish. All came to black buzzer and bloodworm fished almost static on a 16 foot leader.
Best Rainbow 10lb 10oz taken by Graham Smith of Ravensthorpe on an orange blob whilst boat fishing
Best boat areas All areas in 12-16 feet of water
Best bank areas Platforms and dam fishing well
Mid week boat winner Rick Barlow of North London
Fish stocked 500
16 March 2009
Fish week 417 (season 920) returns 58 (151) rod average 7.19 (6.1)
David Daniels of Bedford, a regular visitor to Ravensthorpe Reservoir, took top spot this week with a 10lb ½oz Rainbow. David fished from the bank on a black pea.
Jim Stevenson from Brampton had a super morning on the bank, taking nine fish to 7lb – some on buzzers and diawls. Roger McCann found some nice overwintered fish boat fishing off the Guilsborough shore. Roger fished a 2 inch green minkie on a Di3 line with fish to 5½lb in his 12 fish bag.
Phil Harding and boat partner Matt Margett brought 38 fish to their boat whilst Bob Thorne and Gordon Mann managed 35 between them. Steve Naylor from Sutton Coldfield took 29 on a Di5 line using orange blobs and green peas.
Anglers fishing nymphs and buzzer teams have had great sport during the middle of the day, with lures best early and late. The reservoir is full and clear with a temperature of 5ºc.
Best Rainbow 10lb ½oz taken by David Daniels of Bedford
Best boat areas Island to Catwalk, Ivy Tree and Mongers
Best bank areas Dam wall and all Platforms
Mid week boat winner Mitch Brown of Althorpe
9th March 2009
fish week 301 (season 507) returns 60 (93) rod average 5.0 (5.4)
Only days into the new season at Ravensthorpe anglers are taking a number of big fish. Graham Smith, of Northampton, landed the best fish of the season so far – an 11lb 2oz Rainbow taken from a boat with an orange blob.
The best fish from the bank to date - a Rainbow of 10lb 14oz, was taken by Bob Day of Silverstone. Mick Foster of Brixworth, fishing from the Dam, took a 10lb 4oz Rainbow with a black Pea. Boat anglers have had the cream of the sport at Ravensthorpe with plenty of hard fighting fish being caught on various methods ie. deep down on sinking lines with orange blobs – black pea – cats whiskers etc, also on floating and intermediate lines with buzzers and diawl bachs etc.
Ravensthorpe regular Pat Flynn, of Northampton, has continued his 2008 season form with many good catches this week. His best tally being 41 fish on Friday, all taken on a Di3 line with black and green and orange lures.
The majority of fish caught were mainly in the 1¾lb-2lb bracket with some noteworthy overwintered 3-4lb fish in excellent condition being accounted for.
5th March 2009
Only days into the new season Bob Day, of Silverstone, has landed a 10lb 14oz rainbow off the bank at platform 4 with a diawl bach on a floating line.
2nd March 2009
Opening weekend at Ravensthorpe Reservoir
Ravensthorpe Reservoir is off to a good start with a rod average of 6.2 for the first two days of the new season. Boat anglers had the best fishing. Graham Smith who virtually lives on Ravensthorpe’s doorstep caught steadily on a floating line and a green and black tin head. Andy Thom, Graham’s boat partner also caught well throughout the day. Northampton anglers Pat Flynn and Brian Coleman had a successful start catching and releasing several fish to the boat. Plenty of fish were caught on the usual early season favourites ie black and green lures – Cats Whiskers etc on mainly intermediate and slow sink. Floating lines with long leaders and buzzers should be worth a try.
opening day at Ravesnthorpe Reservoir. Graham Smith (left), who almost lives on Ravensthorpe's doorstep, is pictured with Andy Thom his boat partner (right). Graham had just caught the 3lb rainbow on a floating line using a Green and Black Tinhead in front of the lodge.
thanks go to
to www.fishypics.co.uk for the photo.
2009 Preview
We celebrated our first winner of 2009 before the season had even started. From the weekly returns submitted by our season ticket holders we hold an annual draw. The lucky winner was 2008 season ticket holder Norman Gregory. Norman, of Northampton, wins a valuable Gold season ticket. 2008 prices have been held for 2009 and season tickets can be purchased from the fishing lodges.
Pitsford Water opens next Saturday 7 March
The 2009 season promises to be a cracker. Senior warden Nathan Clayton recalls the start to 2008. “A fantastic rod average of 5.7 was recorded on Opening Day 2008. Gary Holloway who purchased the first day permit of the morning (and season!) went on to record a total bag of 29lb. Prospects for 2009 look just as good.
Grafham Water opens Saturday 14 March
Grafham Water opens on Saturday 14 March. Anglers can fish for the New Lodge Trophy for the biggest fish caught on Opening Day. The Bob Church Open for the Frank Cutler Memorial Trophy is on 5 April.
Rutland Water opens Wednesday 1 April
Rutland Water re-opens with the Independence Day Trophy for the biggest fish.
Week ending 16th Noveber 2008
Fish week 53 (season 14,509) returns 16 (2,822) rod average 3.3(5.1)
Ravensthorpe continues to produce good catches for both boat and bank anglers. Sinking lines with black tadpoles and white minkies are working. Ravensthorpe regular Pat Flynn of Northampton fished on Saturday and took 13 fish to the boat.
Best boat areas Between platforms 13 and 14, and the barley straw area and the front of the lodge.
Best bank areas Platforms 3- 6 and the dam
Week ending 9th November 2008
Fish week 184 (season 14,456) returns 44 (2,806) rod average 4.2 (8.15)
Ravensthorpe continues to provide excellent sport to both boat and bank anglers with some quality Rainbows being caught, mainly on lures and sinking lines. Cats whisker, white minkies and black tadpoles are best. Pat Flynn of Northampton took the best Rainbow of the week at 6lb 2oz, this was part of Pat’s 22 fish bag on Sunday. Charlie Fitzroy took the biggest bank fish of the week a nice 5lb 8oz Rainbow on a floating fry.
On the pike front Derek Macdonald managed a one eyed Pike of 29lb 9oz on ledgered herring off Hickmans Spinney.
Best Rainbow 6lb 2oz taken by Pat Flynn on a cats whisker on sinking line
Best boat areas Between barley straw and platforms 13 –14. Ravensthorpe shore , lodge to Hickmans
Best bank areas Platforms 3 –6 and dam wall
Week ending 2nd November 2008
Ravensthorpe Reservoir hosted the annual Fur and Feather on Sunday with 32 anglers fishing. The match averaged 4.8 and some excellent quality fish were caught. Anglers fished to a 6 fish limit. Fish were reported close to the bottom and slow retrieves fished deep was the way to catch them. Fry patterns and lures tempted most fish to the net. Despite cold conditions the anglers enjoyed the day. Hampers were presented at the fishing lodge then a meal was enjoyed at the Chequers.
Best brace
1st Richard & Karen Slater 7lb 7oz
2nd Bas Street & Mike Barratt 7lb 6oz
3rd Paul Jones & Mark Lindsey 5lb 6oz
4th Tom Davies & James Hunt 5lb 4oz
The winning pair Karen and Richard Slater of Northampton. Karen (left) and Richard (right) with Nathan Clayton of Anglian Water (centre) presenting the first prize hamper.
Richard Slater took the best fish – a 5lb Rainbow
Trout prospects for boat and bank anglers are good with Rainbows working the prolific Perch/Roach shoals. Pat Flynn and Brian Coleman brought 35 fish to their boat on Saturday, all taken on lures like cats whiskers and white minkies. Dave Smith waded on the Guilsborough shore to take a nice brace of 3-4lb fish on corixa patterns.
A pic of a Rainbow estimated 7-8lb taken at Ravensthorpe by Trevor Hawes. Trevor is from Oadby, Leicester and has a Starter season permit.
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.
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