Week ending 19th May 800x600

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Fish week 155 (season 2,908) Returns 47(609) Rod average 3.2 (4.7)

Ravensthorpe Reservoir has continued to fish well this week.  Season ticket holder Terry Bayes of Kettering is enjoying a fantastic season and his fish just get bigger!  Terry caught his third big fish of the season – a superb 13lb Rainbow – his biggest fish ever.  This was taken on a pheasant tail nymph and floating line fished near the Island.  Many other large fish have been caught this week.  Mr McIntosh’s party from Scotland caught and returned four large Rainbows up to 10lb during the week.  Floating lines with black or olive buzzers, small nymphs or damsels are catching most of the fish.

Bank anglers have also enjoyed some good sport with buzzers, diawl bachs and damsels the most productive flies.

Fly fishing for Pike had a steady start this week with a 15lb fish being the biggest reported, but bigger fish have been seen.

Best Rainbow            13lb taken by Terry Bayes of Kettering.

Best methods           See report.

Best boat areas         Island, Ravensthorpe bank, Coton End.

Best bank areas         Platforms 4,5,11 and 12.

Mid week boat winner    M Spencer of Duston, Northants.

Week ending 12th May 800x600

Fish week 341 (season 2,753) Returns 91 (562) Rod average 3.7 (4.8)

Another week of great sport at Ravensthorpe with boat anglers taking the most fish.  With the water gin clear the fish have been feeding on buzzers and small nymphs.

The best methods have been floating lines and black or olive buzzers, diawl bachs, damsels and small lures have also been taking fish.  The best fish of the week was a 9lb 9oz Rainbow taken by Mark Benstead on a buzzer.  Mark was fishing on Sunday in Mick Griffiths floating line match.  Bank fishing has been a bit steadier than boat fishing but fish are being caught from the Platforms and the Dam.  Buzzers, damsels or small lures on floating lines are the best methods.

Competition news

Mick Griffiths Floating Line Match 12 May
26 anglers fished on a blustery day.  Mark Benstead won the match, catching three more fish in addition to his superb 9lb 9oz Rainbow.  A good day was had by all.

     1^st    Mark Benstead     4 fish for 16lb 6oz

     2^nd   Bob Aves         4 fish for 12lb 1oz

     3^rd    Pat Flynn         4 fish for 9lb 9oz

Best Rainbow           9lb 9oz taken by Mark Benstead.

Best methods           See report.

Best boat areas         Ravensthorpe bank, Coton End.

Best bank areas         Platforms 4,5, 11 and 12.

Fish stocked            74.

Mid week boat winner    Stuart Payne of Long Buckby.

 Week ending 6th May

Fish week 625 (season 2,412) Returns 112 (471) Rod average 5.6 (5.1)

Boat fishing at Ravensthorpe has been fantastic. The best fish of the week was a superb 10½lb Rainbow taken by Andy Mackie of Surbiton Angling Club.  This fine specimen was taken on a floating line and a black buzzer – part of a 20 fish catch.  Four lads from Essex Police on a four day holiday package at Ravensthorpe caught 252 fish between them, including a 15lb Pike taken on a diawl bach.  Nick O’Farrell and G Marsh caught over 30 fish using traditional wet flies fished loch style.  Charles Kilner of London took an 8lb Rainbow and Peter Dore a Rainbow of 8lb 14oz.

The best boat areas have been between the Island and Coton Car Park, the Willows and the Clumps.  Best boat methods have included crunchers, buzzers, pheasant tail nymphs on floating lines and Pitsford Pea and damsels on sub surface lines.

Bank fishing has been variable with some good catches on buzzers and nymphs at times.  Black buzzers, green and red cheeks have done particularly well, especially from the dam late in the day.  Also red diawl bach has taken fish.

Best Rainbow           10½lb taken by Andy Mackie on a floating line with a black buzzer.

Best methods           See report.

Best boat areas         Between Island and Causeway, Willows, the Clumps.

Best bank areas         Dam, Platforms 1-5.

Fish stocked            500.

Mid week boat winner    Mr P Collins of Leicester.

 Week ending 28th April

Fish week 487(season 1,787) Returns 87 (359) Rod average 5.5 (4.9)

A fantastic week at Ravensthorpe Reservoir.  Bank anglers are starting to catch on buzzers and diawl bachs.  The Dam is producing fish on most days along with the Platforms.  Fish are being taken all over by boat anglers on buzzers, hares ears and diawl bachs.

Catches of up to 20 fish are falling to boat anglers.  Terry Bayes and T Wilson both had good fish of 8½lb each.  Several anglers have had 2 fish bags of 10lb.  Mr Foster of Buckingham recorded a brace with one fish weighing 5lb 8oz and the other 4lb 7oz.  If the weather warms up during the coming week we can expect further line pulling action.

Best Rainbow           Two at 8½lb one taken by T Bayes and the other by T Wilson.

Best methods           See report.

Best boat areas         Ravensthorpe Bank, Main Bank.

Best bank areas         Dam, Platforms 1-6.

Mid week boat winner    Mr R Simpson of West Haddon.

 Week ending 21st April

Fish week 236 (season 1,063) Returns 80 (272) Rod average 2.95(3.9)

Another  brilliant week’s fishing at Ravensthorpe with a number of big fish caught.  The best fish of the week was a 9lb 12oz Rainbow for Mick Griffin. Mick took this fish on a buzzer as part of a 37 fish catch. Tom Gamble landed a 9lb 1oz Rainbow on an orange lure.  Mr Kilner was delighted with his 8lb Rainbow taken on a black/green lure, his “biggest ever” fish.

On Saturday England Youth enjoyed a training session at Ravensthorpe.  The day started with a breakfast barbeque.  The rod average for the day was seven fish with everyone catching and having a great day out.  The training day started with a morning session on lures.  Following a lunch interval the young rods fished buzzers and nymphs in the afternoon.

As the weather warms up fishing will continue to improve for bank anglers.  Last Saturday afternoon Jim Ferguson took six fish off the dam.

Best Rainbow           9lb 12oz taken by Mick Griffin.

Best methods           See report.

Best boat areas         Island to Coton Car Park, Clay Pits, the Clumps.

Best bank areas         Dam, Platforms 11-12.

Fish stocked            253.

Mid week boat winner    Mr R McCann of Northampton.

Week ending 7th April

 Fish week 248 (334 season) Returns 47 (133) Rod average 5.2 (2.5)

The fishing this week at Ravensthorpe has been superb with fish taking lures on intermediate and medium sink lines along with buzzers on floating lines.

Last Thursday Messrs Bayes and Mitchell took 54 fish between them, many in the 4-6lb bracket with their best fish weighing in at 8lb 8oz.  

 14lb 2oz Rainbow is best fish of the week at Ravensthorpe Reservoir

14lb 2oz specimen is the best fish in a 30 fish bag shared by Chris Tierney of Northampton and his boat partner
Mr Moorcroft

The milder weather last weekend prompted a good buzzer hatch with the fish readily taking nymphs fished on a floating line.  Several anglers reported catches of 20-30 fish.

Bank anglers have also been catching off the Dam and Platforms but the hot spot this week has been the Coton End.

Best Rainbow           14lb 2oz taken and returned by Chris Tierney.

Best methods           See report.

Best boat areas         Coton Car Park, Island.

Best bank areas         Platforms 13 and 14, Dam.

Fish stocked            800.

Mid week boat winner    Mr Hamilton of Gayton, Northants.

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Fish week 86 (season 502) Returns 26 (173) Rod average 3.3 (2.9)

Those brave enough to tackle the weather conditions have been rewarded.  Local angler Nick Bartlett fished from a boat at the Coton Car Park area and landed 13 Rainbows. Nick used an intermediate line and a black and green lure.

Mark Hunt decided to fish the buzzers on Sunday and landed five superb Rainbows.  Mark fished to the right of the Island, all his fish fell to the point fly.  The best fish of the week fell to Steve Tomalin of Kingsthorpe, Northampton.  Steve fished from Platform 13 with floating line and a red buzzer and landed a Rainbow of 6lb 8oz – a personal best for Steve.

Best Rainbow           6lb 8oz taken by Steve Tomalin of Kingsthorpe.

Best boat areas         Island, Coton Car Park.

Best bank areas         Platforms 13 and 4, Dam.

Mid week boat winner    N Bartlett of Bugbrooke, Northants.

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Fish week 57 (season 416)  Returns 35 (147)  Rod average 1.6 (2.8)

The Arctic like conditions which hit Ravensthorpe this week put off most boat anglers.  The few boat anglers prepared to brave the snow were rewarded with plenty of fish.  Mr Holland and his boat partner brought 7 fish to their boat with four of these weighing 4-5lb each.  They also caught and returned a Pike of about 10lb.  Blobs and black/green lures on sinking lines seemed to be the best tactics.

The most successful bank fishing tactics appeared to be intermediate lines fished in conjunction with Blobs, lures and nymphs.  Ady Greenough caught 7 fish in 1½ hours on an orange blob from the Dam.  Mr Duffy also took a dozen fish on blobs and black/green lures.  Chris White had two nice fish of about 5-6lb on a blob, the other on a buzzer from Catwalk Corner.  Platforms 2-7 and also 13-14 have produced good bags this week.

Best Rainbow           5½lb taken by Chris White with a black buzzer on an intermediate line.

Best boat areas         Causeway area.

Best bank areas         Catwalk Corner, Dam, Platforms 2-7.

Fish stocked            800

Mid week boat winner    Tim Moss of Oadby.

Fish week 218 (season 31 800x600

Fish week season 359 Returns 112 Rod average 3.2

The changeable weather conditions have continued to influence the fishing at Ravensthorpe.  Mild weather early in the week saw some anglers do well, notably Messrs Flynn and Webb who had 26 fish to the boat on sunk line tactics.  Others reported good sport on floating line and buzzers.

However, the colder weather towards the end of the week slowed the fishing down with the fish reluctant to play.  Bags of twos and threes have been taken with the fishing much harder.  The quality of the catches has been good with several fish in the 4-6lb bracket.  The best being to Mr A Morley at 6lb, taken on an orange lure while boat fishing near the Island.

Perhaps the most stunning catch reported this week was a Pike in excess of 30lb taken on fly tactics by Trevor Heseltine.  The fish was returned safely.

Best Rainbow           6lb.

Best boat areas         Around Island.

Best bank areas         Platforms 2-3 and 9-12.

Fish stocked            256.

Mid week boat winner    A Morley.

Anglers enjoyed a good start to the new season at Ravensthorpe last Friday, 1 March. The best fish of opening weekend was a 10lb Rainbow landed by Dave Mitchell from the bank at Coton Car Park.  Mick Foster of Brixworth took an 8lb Rainbow from the same area.

Northampton anglers featured with K Joory taking 10 fish on lures fished deep and Pat Flynn and Pete Webb having 26 fish to their boat.  Pete’s best fish, a Rainbow, weighed in at 7lb 12oz.  Sunday saw half the reservoir frozen with most of the platforms unfishable, along with the dam.  Jim Ferguson of Rugby caught a cracking 4lb over wintered Rainbow on a black and gold lure.

Best Rainbow           10lb taken by Dave Mitchell.

Best boat areas         Near Island.

Best bank areas         Platforms 9 -12.

Fish stocked            2,000.

Mid week boat winner    Nick Elliot.

Ravensthorpe will open on Friday 1st March

With the new season just around the corner we are looking forward to welcoming anglers back to our waters.

Come and meet the Anglian Water fisheries team at Grafham Water this Saturday.

Open House at Grafham Water this Saturday 23 February from 10am to 3pm

• Talk to the representatives from Hardy Greys, Snowbee, Wychwood/Leeda and Guide about their new ranges and try out rods if conditions allow.  Buff Headwear and Vass Rainwear will also be there to talk about their products.
• It’s a great opportunity to talk to talk to the fisheries team about the coming season.
• Peter Hartley will be demonstrating fly tying and on hand to offer advice on casting techniques if something is bugging you.
• Draw for a Gold Season ticket from last season’s catch returns.
• Season permits on sale (don’t forget to bring a passport size photo with you).
• New for 2013 is our four stage electronic payment option with card payments.

Super savings continue with season permits

• Existing season permit holders are entitled to loyalty discounts when renewing or upgrading.
• Plus other benefits including guest tickets, reductions on mid week boat hire in July and August, Gate keys and 10% discount on tackle at our tackle shops.

Opening dates

• Ravensthorpe Friday 1 March
• Pitsford Water Friday 8 March
• Grafham Water Friday 15 March
• Rutland Water Good Friday 29 March

Keep up to date with the latest Fishery News www.anglianwater.co.uk/leisure

If you would like to receive our Weekly Fishery News by email during the coming season then please email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Jon Marshall
Fishery Manager

Anglian Water

Ravensthorpe is providing some good sport.  Retired Warden Dennis Footman put his knowledge of Ravensthorpe to good use and landed the best fish of the week – a superb Rainbow of 8lb.  Dennis fished from a boat at the Coton end on a floating line with diawl bachs.

Another great week for fishing at Ravensthorpe means we retain a high rod average at 5.2 with several anglers releasing 20 plus fish.  The biggest fish this week fell to a white minkie.  It was caught from the Dam by Tim Allanson and weighed in at a hefty 13lb 4oz.  The fish was in great condition.  Another lovely fish came off the dam to season ticket holder Jim Ferguson.  Jim tempted the overwintered 9lb 8oz Rainbow on one of his favourites -  a hares ear nymph.

 Tim Allanson

It’s busy on the boats at the moment with many anglers travelling to Ravensthorpe to take advantage of our holiday packages so please book boats early to avoid disappointment.

  Mike Osgood of Arthingworth, Market Harborough, had a 10lb Rainbow on bloodworm and floating line.

Peter de Kremer had a 9lb 9oz on black buzzer.

Pat Flyn of Northampton had a great day returning 21 fish.  Bank anglers are catching off the dam with black/green lures, buzzers and blood worm.

 

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.

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

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

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.

                                          .

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

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.

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.

Another huge pike was taken on a zonker last Friday by John Sturge who was on a three day holiday package from Margate. The fish took the 40lb scales down with a thump, beating the record set last November, even if the true weight will remain a mystery. John also took rainbows of 10lb and 13lb among a 16 fish catch with the pike totaling over 100lbs
John Sturge with his 42lbs pike.