BRISTOL WATER FISHERY REPORTS
10th – 16th May 2013
TOTAL FISH TAKEN TO DATE 14,029
Weather: Very unsettled week. Near gale force winds at the weekend followed by more gentle conditions by the end of the week. The severe winds earlier in the week caused the boats to be cancelled again at both lakes and made many areas unfishable on other days. The temperature remains very cold for the time of year resulting in some light ground frosts some evenings, but any sunshine does warm the day quickly. Water: All the lakes are now very clear with visibility up to twelve feet at chew valley. Water temperatures are still lower than normal at this time of year.
CHEW VALLEY Fantastic fishing despite very adverse conditions this week. Many days the winds have been very strong making fishing difficult and restricting areas that can be fished. Bank fishermen are finding fish all around the lake but favourite places are North Shore, Woodford, Wick and Herons. The boats have also had great sport from most areas of the lake depending on the wind direction. Villice and Woodford, the Island, east shore & Wick and Walley have all seen limit bags falling to many methods. Fish can be caught deeper with a range of sinking lines with boobies, blobs and nymphs. These can be pulled or fished very slowly. But many anglers are now finding the fish rising up in the gin clear water and feeding heavily on buzzers and daphnia. A heavy nymph on the point with diawls and buzzers on the droppers fished on a floating lines fast becoming the way to fish now. The Lexus individual heats were held over the weekend in very windy and often wet conditions. Despite this more than 450 fish were caught over the two days between 50 anglers, a rod average of over 9 fish per day. Winner on both days (Sunday floating line only) was local expert PAUL ROACH. He along with many others have now qualified for the final alter in the year. (Full results on our website).
Best fish of the week and best rainbow so far this season was an 8.01 fish caught by visiting angler James Kennedy from Cornwall. The fish was caught whilst out with local guide Martin Cottis and took a size 14 diawl on the top dropper. James said ‘The fish went like a train running over 60m on its first run. The quality of these fish is amazing’
Catch this week: 791 fish to 146 rods, a rod average of 5.4 at an average weight 2.12.
Catch to date: 6106 fish to 1331rods, a rod average of 4.6 at an average weight of 2.11
BLAGDON Not to be outdone anglers, fishing at Blagdon have also had great sport. Although the fish have come up in the water most anglers are still fishing deeper with washing line or boobies. The deep water areas of Butcombe, Cheddar Water, Polish Water and Green Lawn are all worth trying but some locals have been fishing the shallower spots and finding plenty of fish. As usual Pegs and Rugmoor are also well worth trying. Fish have been seen rising close in front of the Lodge early mornings so be careful before entering the water or you may well miss out on these shallow water feeders.
Catch this week: 632 fish to 130 rods, a rod average of 4.9 at an average weight 2.10
Catch to date: 6507 fish to 1455 rods, a rod average of 4.4 at an average weight 2.10.
BARROWS Much better results at the Tanks this week. The clearer water may have helped but probably the longer daylight hours and slightly warmer water is the reason for more feeding activity and better catches. Anglers have no need now to fish very deep. Try a floater with long leader and very small nymphs and buzzers – size 14s and 12s. And watch out for rising fish early and late.
Catch this week: 141 fish to 51 rods, a rod average of 2.8 at an average weight 1.11
Catch to date: 1416 fish to 499 rods, a rod average of 2.8 at an average weight of 1.09
After meeting with the engineers at Barrow this week we have been informed that we will not be able to stock or fish Barrow 3 for the remainder of this season. The works being done has overrun the planned finish date and the level will remain very low until September. While this situation continues we cannot stock the lake or allow anglers access on to the shores on health & safety grounds.
The winners of the weekly draw this week are R. Lock and M. Taylor. They win a complimentary boat for two.
The boat prize for the best fish for April has also been awarded and it goes to Jim Cooke for his magnificent 17lb brown trout from Chew valley.
The new Bristol Water Fisheries website is now up and running. Please have a look at www.bristowlaterfisheries.co.uk for more up to the minute reports, news, pictures and other fishing related subjets and interest.
BRISTOL WATER FISHERY REPORTS
3rd May – 9th May 2013
TOTAL FISH TAKEN TO DATE 12,465
Weather: Another week of awkward fishing weather. We have experienced everything from bright sunshine and flat calms, all the way through to gales and rain. This has made predicting the depth at which fish are feeding very difficult to judge and it seemed the brighter days saw fish move away from the shallows making bank fishing difficult.
Water: Although the weather has been against us, all of the fisheries are now clear of any algae and the water temperature has reached an optimal 12 ºC. As a result anglers are connecting with strong fighting trout that are actively searching for daphnia, bloodworm, buzzer pupae and corixa.
CHEW VALLEY A great week on Chew. Sunday saw the lake host the first instalment of the Celtic League where 52 anglers took the lake in good fishing conditions. This competition is run entirely on a catch and release points scoring system. The 52 competitors managed to release 343 trout giving a rod average of 6.59 for the day (7 hours fishing). Best methods last week included small boobies & nymphs crawled along the lake bed on Di5 or Di7 type lines or nymphs fished on floating/midge tip lines. Diawl bachs and superglue buzzers are the best patterns for nymph anglers and it may be worth fishing a bloodworm, or red buzzer, as the point fly. Although the majority of fish are sitting deep washing line tactics will also produce the goods early and late in the day. Best bank areas are Woodford and Nunnery but fish are being captured all around the lake. There have been some cracking average weights coming in this week with plenty fish over the 3lb mark being recorded. Biggest rainbow of the week was 7lb 8oz to Mr Warren from Flax Bourton.
Catch this week: 844 fish to 207 rods, a rod average of 4.1 at an average weight 2.09.
Catch to date: 5315 fish to 1185 rods, a rod average of 4.5 at an average weight of 2.11
BLAGDON More fantastic sport on Blagdon this week. Nymph fishing was resulting in excellent catches all the way around Top End from Rugmoor to Wood Bay. Floating or midge tip lines with nymphs or possibly a small black mini lure on the point is all that is required to tempt fish. Damsel patterns have also worked well. The winds have limited the ability to fish along the north shore bank in the past few days but trout are being caught all along south shore, including Holt Bay and Wood Bay.
Catch this week: 1038 fish to 231 rods, a rod average of 4.5 at an average weight 2.11
Catch to date: 5875 fish to 1325 rods, a rod average of 4.4 at an average weight 2.10.
BARROWS Reports of some surface activity in the evenings will be welcome news for the tanks anglers. One angler managed to catch a cracking brown trout of 5lb 8oz from Tank No.1 on a goldhead buzzer. We have been stocking tanks 1 & 2 regularly over the past few weeks so there are plenty of trout in there. Hopefully the evenings with warm up soon and the fish will switch on. We are currently awaiting confirmation of when Barrow No.3 may come back into use as a fishery but it certainly won’t be before June now.
Catch this week: 131 fish to 60 rods, a rod average of 2.2 at an average weight 1.12
Catch to date: 1275 fish to 448 rods, a rod average of 2.85 at an average weight of 1.09
The prize draw from the catch returns for the past two weeks has won the following anglers a free day boat fishing on either Chew or Blagdon Lake
Mr R Waller, Mr A Gourlay, Mr S Costley & Mr N Searle. Confirmation is in the post to these anglers.
Bristol Water Fisheries, Woodford Lodge, Chew Stoke, Nr Bristol, BS40 8XH.
Tel 01275 332339, Fax 01275 331377, email
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BRISTOL WATER FISHERY REPORTS
19th – 25th April 2013
TOTAL FISH TAKEN TO DATE 8,542
Weather: A mixed bag of slightly warmer weather this week. Still some cool, fresh winds but some sunnier days and calmer evenings with night-time temperatures getting near freezing. Very little rain this week.
Water: Water temperature is still cold but warming slowly. Clarity at Chew and Blagdon has improved but Barrows remains a little coloured.
CHEW VALLEY The slight rise in air and water temperatures have given rise to large hatches of black buzzer. These have encouraged the fish to rise up in the water though there is little in the way of rising fish except in the calmest of conditions. Masses of daphnia present in most areas of the lake has been the main diet of the fish at present although bloodworm, hog louse and shrimp have also been seen in stomach contents. This plentiful food supply has given some fantastic fishing for all anglers – plenty of fish coming from most areas and shores. Reports of limits from Nunnery, Woodford, Walley, North Shore and Wick Green. Similar areas for the boats plus the back of the Island, False Island, Herriotts and Moreton. Most anglers are still fishing sub surface and the usual lures, boobies and blobs plus Diawls and crunchers have all worked well. The Anglian Water boat competition heats were held on Friday and Sunday and the 72 anglers had a marvellous time averaging seven fish per person over the two days. Many limits were completed well before the finish times of 6pm and all anglers caught fish. Congratulations to all the winning teams. Biggest fish this week is a superb rainbow of 8lbs landed by JON PETTERSSEN while boat fishing at Chew. The fish took a small bright booby.
Catch this week: 1167 fish to 231 rods, a rod average of 5.1 at an average weight 2.11.
Catch to date: 3729 fish to 742 rods, a rod average of 5.0 at an average weight of 2.12
BLAGDON Results a little patchy from Blagdon this week. The boats haven’t found the fish as easily as of late. Despite good hatches of buzzer the fish are still lying deep so sinking lines are the order of the day. Hopefully as the weather warms the fish will move to shallower areas and nearer the surface. In the meantime try Butcombe, North Shore, Cheddar Water and Green lawn.
Catch this week: 867 fish to 207 rods, a rod average of 4.2 at an average weight 2.09
Catch to date: 3783 fish to 874 rods, a rod average of 4.3 at an average weight 2.10.
BARROWS For some reason the barrows continue to struggle. Even the favoured tactic of static mice have not really been working as well as normal. Few fish are inclined to come near the surface and the coloured water isn’t helping. Try small very bright lures and boobies on a deep washing line although any increase of hatching flies may see fish much higher in the water.
Catch this week: 69 fish to 42 rods, a rod average of 1.6 at an average weight 1.12.
Catch to date: 1030 fish to 338 rods, a rod average of 3.1 at an average weight of 1.08
FREE BOAT WINNERS. The return card draw winners for the last two weeks are:
Chew Valley, JOHN EVEN of Trowbridge, and A. VANGASSE of Mere.
Blagdon, I. PILCHER of Aylesbury & MIKE TAYLOR of Pontypool.
BRISTOL WATER FISHERY REPORTS
12th April – 18th April 2013
Weather: Although a little warmer this week there have been several days of very strong south winds which have made many areas unfishable and prevented boats going afloat. However, when the conditions have allowed this slight rise in temperature has caused buzzer to hatch and encouraged the fish to start to feed and rise higher in the water.
Water: Water temperature is still cold although at least it’s now heading in the right direction – up! Clarity is still fairly poor with algal blooms present but this is not affecting the fishing.
CHEW VALLEY Warmer air temperatures have made the fishing much better this week although the very strong winds have made many areas unfishable. The best of the fishing has been the north and east of the lake but anglers are now finding feeding fish at Nunnery, Herons and Walley. Most fish are still falling to lures and boobies on sinking lines but the hatching buzzer has encouraged fish to start taking the small patterns in the better conditions, with even a few rising fish seen in the calmest water. Several very good catches this week included the best rainbow of the year, a fish of 7.03 taken from the bank by M. TOVEY, another of 7.00 taken by ROGER THOMAS from a boat and a limit bag of 16 fish weighing a magnificent 64.05 taken by G. MARTIN and his partner. In the SNOWBEE competition 46 anglers fished in very wet conditions form the boats with another 12 trying their luck from the shore. 48 anglers took their limit bag of fish, including all bar one of those fishing from the shore, a really wonderful competition result. (Full results on the BRFFA website)
Catch this week: 1231 fish to 210 rods, a rod average of 5.9 at an average weight 2.12.
Catch to date: 2562 fish to 511 rods, a rod average of 5.0 at an average weight of 2.12
BLAGDON With more shelter available Blagdon ahs done well this week. Butcombe, Cheddar water, North Shore and Green Lawn have all fished well producing limit bags. Buzzer is starting to hatch though most fish are still coming deep. Tactics the same as the past couple of weeks with sinking lines, lures, boobies and larger nymphs
Catch this week: 798 fish to 181 rods, a rod average of 4.4 at an average weight 2.10
Catch to date: 2916 fish to 667 rods, a rod average of 4.4 at an average weight 2.10.
BARROWS A better week though the fishing remains fairly hard. The fish remain deep. Some flies now showing but still not worth bothering with fishing on or near the surface.
Catch this week: 46 fish to 37 rods, a rod average of 1.2 at an average weight 1.08.
Catch to date: 961 fish to 296 rods, a rod average of 3.3 at an average weight of 1.08
BRISTOL WATER FISHERY REPORTS
5th April – 11th April 2013
Weather: The cold winds continues although a little lighter most of the week. Some sunshine at times has made things feel a little better but temperatures remain much lower than normal for the time of year. Forecasts say improving with much warmer days next week.
Water: Water temperature is still only about 5ºC. Water clarity has improved with less algae. The dry weather has meant that water levels at the main lakes have stared to fall very slowly.
BIGGEST EVER FLY CAUHT TROUT FROM BW FSHERIES
During the past decade Bristol Water lakes, and Chew valley in particular, have been producing bigger and bigger fish, often brown trout. This week has seen the biggest ever fly caught fish in BW fishing’s 109 year history. The fish was taken from the bank on the North shore of Chew. The lucky captor – JIM COOKE of Bishopston, Bristol, a season permit holder. The fish took a small black and green mini lure just as Jim was about to recast. After a furious fight Jim landed the fish which he estimated at over ten pounds. But when he took it to the Lodge to weigh the scales thumped down to exactly SEVENTEEN pounds! It was when he realised how big and what a fantastic catch it was that his legs started to wobble. Well done Jim!
Now it’s up to you to catch one even bigger or else Jim will win the free Season Permit for 2014.
CHEW VALLEY Although conditions remain wintery the fish are beginning to clean up and feed a little more readily. With the East winds the areas to fish have been North Shore to Wick. But with lighter winds from the South Startford and Moreton should start to produce better catches. Most fish are still falling to lures and boobies on sinking lines but for those who persist fish can be caught on Diawls and buzzers. The rod average remains good at 4.6 and the average weight is a marvellous 2.12.With more fish stocked this week catches should continue to improve.
Catch this week: 390fish to 84 rods, a rod average of 4.6 at an average weight 2.12.
Catch to date: 1328 fish to 299 rods, a rod average of 4.4 at an average weight of 2.12
BLAGDON Blagdon anglers report similar catches and areas to the previous couple of weeks and until the water starts to warm and the winds turn more westerly things may well continue. However there has been more buzzer hatching this week and a rise in the daytime temperatures will see the fish start to come up in the water and become more active.
Catch this week: 451 fish to 120 rods, a rod average of 3.8 at an average weight 2.10
Catch to date: 2103 fish to 482 rods, a rod average of 4.4 at an average weight 2.10.
BARROWS A difficult week at the Barrows. So far the fish have been lethargic and with little in the way of fly activity, not inclined to feed. With the improving weather forecasts and with more fish stocked this week things should begin to improve in the next couple of weeks.
Catch to date: 915 fish to 259 rods, a rod average of 3.5 at an average weight of 1.08
The draw for this week’s free boats has taken place. The winners are: Mr Bill Bailey from Downend who wins a Blagdon Boat and Mr C Hudspith from Teeside who wins one for Chew valley.
Week ending 25th March 2013
Weather: Possibly the coldest ever week of trout fishing at Bristol Water! Most days the temperature struggled to get above freezing with a NE wind that made things feel very cold indeed. Snow showers many days and frosty nights.
Water: Water temperatures fell even lower this week to below 5c. With the wind mainly NE the areas to the south and west at all the lakes were even colder and occasionally ‘roughed up’. The wind has meant that the lakes have remained ice free. The algae is still present in all the lakes but does not present any real problem and should disappear fairy quickly in these cold conditions.
CHEW VALLEY Bitter conditions greeted the hardy anglers who ventured out on opening day. Although there have been some cold first days, 2013 will go down as possibly the coldest ever with temperatures barely reaching 2c in the middle of the day, but feeling much colder in the fresh NE breeze. Despite the awful conditions fish were caught although anglers had to find sheltered water and work hard with sinking lines and lures for the best results. Several fishermen have reported plenty of takes but often light and difficult to hook. Keep your hands as warm as possible to feel and connect to these gentle takers.
Catch to date: 234 fish to 62 rods, a rod average of 3.8 at an average weight 2.11.
BLAGDON. Blagdon has also suffered from the artic conditions with few anglers fishing and limited fishable areas. Most have opted for fishing from the North Bank although Butcombe is still producing some fish. Sinking lines remain the best option – di3, 5 or 7 being favourites, teamed with boobies, blobs or small lures. As always early season black and green has worked well with white and pink also worth a try.
Catch to date: 1073 fish to 221 rods, a rod average of 4.9 at an average weight 2.10.
BARROWS. A top-up stocking at 1 & 2 has given a few fresh stockies for anglers to take but the cold conditions have prevented any consistent fishing at the tanks. Until the weather warms fishing anything other than well down with larger flies will not produce much reward. Barrow 3 remains closed at present.
Catch to date: 685 fish to 163 rods, a rod average of 4.2 at an average weight of 1.08
The draw for free boats took place this week for the first three weeks of the season. The winners are: Dev Stickley, Alan Shearn and Andrew Harvey who all win Chew Boats and K. Price, Eddy Daniels and Malcolm Roberts who win boats at Blagdon.
Bristol Water Fisheries, Woodford Lodge, Chew Stoke, Nr Bristol, BS40 8XH.
Tel 01275 332339, Fax 01275 331377, email
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Fishing Reports 
