MARCH LAKES REPORT

Hello fellow game fishers,

Well, the weather is improving and the sun has appeared and I might have felt some heat. Is that possible?

'On Monday 31st March 2025 at noon the funeral will take place of Ann Bradford's son. The hearse will leave Rainbow View and go to the local church. It has been agreed that cars belonging to Ann's family will be parked on the paddock at the trout lake. The gate will be unlocked for the day and Club members, if coming to the fishery, are asked to avoid travelling to and from the lake around the time of the funeral and leave the gate unlocked during the day.'

March 8th Rawlsbury

On Saturday the 8th March at Rawlsbury. 16 Fishers. Neil taking first prize for heaviest catch.

March 11th AGM.

Perhaps the best reason for having these annual meetings is for club members to get together and discuss the events of the previous year and check that our fishing is being enjoyed by all our members. For example, the question of catch and release at WZ was brought up at the end of the meeting. The pro and cons were given quite an airing, the majority voting in favour of catch and take remaining at WZ.

It is especially important to thank all the volunteers who help maintain our lakes. This involves mowing and strimming the margins, cutting, dragging and raking out the weed, testing the water’s chemistry, planning a new hut, pruning trees, predator containment, and many other tasks too numerous to mention. This work provides us with the fishing environment that we all enjoy and it’s their hard work that makes the difference.

Also, at the meeting I reviewed last years catches which overall were excellent compared to previous years. This was in part because the high rainfall had allowed us to utilise WZ to its full potential and allow us to fish all the summer.

I also mentioned those of our members who had caught and managed to land specimen rainbows. Notable among them was Brian Heap our President who landed a 14Ib 4oz beauty. In June, Jim Weir caught a monster of 11Ib 9oz from the disabled jetty on a size 10 hog louse, and Peter Holdsworth, a new member, on his first outing in July landed the year’s largest fish weighing in at 14Ib 9oz.

A note for your diary. On Saturday 24th May, WZ will be closed for a charity event being organised by Paul Hooker.

On the 20th March, Gareth nearly fell over when he landed this 12.8 oz monster. He called it a ‘geriatric’ rainbow because it had been in the lake for such a long while. My records indicate at least August last year.

Other reports you sent are as follows-

• It was a beautiful day and the frost actually meant that the banks were easier to walk on. The first jetty was still partially submerged and very slippery, so I avoided fishing there! However, even though the water was still very coloured, I managed to catch 2 good rainbows - one on a black lure, and the other on a pink stalking bug. I didn’t have my scales with me, but I think the first fish was probably approaching 5lb and second was around 4lb. Both fought really well and it took some time to get their heads up! I then fished the C & R lake (Viners?) and had 2 more good sized rainbows, which were duly returned to fight another day! I did notice that the other C & R lake was empty, which I presume you know about. I had a fantastic session, with the lakes all to myself, and I would like to congratulate you on the condition of the fish and how well you maintain the fishery! I will be back soon!!

• Had a few nice hours at Zelston today and caught 2 trout weighing 3lb 50z and 3lb 9oz respectively on a Montana fly.

• Chapmans Rainbow 3:12 (#10 black buzzer fished in typical buzzer style) I lost two before I got one in the net. Chapmans Rainbow 4:04 (#12 green/black unweighted Montana deep and very slow). I had 5 takes in half an hour but only one made it to the net. I had a beauty in Cowleaze but it threw the hook by jumping out of the water many times – again black buzzer. The Cowleaze Monk is well underwater and there is a lot of water pouring out across the grass. Overall, the lakes seem in great shape though the water is very brown. The banks are in fine fettle so thanks to you and the others who did the pre-season work party. Final comment… The fish fight like crazy even on a 6wt rod.

• Popped to lake yesterday evening for an hour or two. Two Rainbows from Chapmans. Both around 41/2 lb Also a Brown and Rainbow at Viners. Couple of flies Montana and a spider like dry fly.

I managed to catch two nice rainbows weighing in 4lb 4oz and 4lb 6oz both were caught using a small cats whisker fishing fast around 2ft under the surface.

• My wife Alison has joined the club as a full member as well this year. First trip out of the season for us to WZ in a cold northerly wind arriving about 2.30pm Nothing showing on the surface but I was into a nice rainbow on the 3rd cast on the right-hand pontoon using a size 14 green nymph/spider. Sadly, the hook came out just before netting. It then it went very quiet for a few hours in the cold wind until about 4.30pm when the sun came out, the wind dropped, and a couple of fish started moving on the surface. Having gone through many flies and lures, when back to the tiny green nymph and quickly got a 3,5lb fish on the bungalow pontoon fishing towards the main road pontoon. Moving to the main road pontoon picked up a nice 5.5lb fish on the same fly having lost another. My wife lost a nice fish on the same pontoon as the sun went down. Fish were definitely moving around this far pontoon for several hours. A pleasant afternoon especially later in the day, with 2 perfect full tail fish at 3.5lb and 5.5 lb.

• My guest and I fished Rawlsbury yesterday and had another good day, despite the cold and the strong wind! We both had 1 fish from Chapmans Pool early in the day - mine was 4lb 4oz and took a Cats Whisker, and Paul’s was a very similar weight and came on a home-made mopster fly. Then, after lunch, we moved up to Cowleaze, where Paul had a very nice 5lb 1oz rainbow on a yellow stalking bug. We both had fish from the C&R lake, which was excellent fun with the fish gently taking flies on the drop or at the last minute, when bringing the fly up through the water. To summarise, we took 3 fish between us and both had a thoroughly enjoyable days fishing in beautiful surroundings!

Finally, if you have moved or are no longer a member and you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please let me know.

Tight Lines! Paul.