JANUARY LAKES REPORT

Happy New Year!

 

I am sure I don’t need to remind you that in the middle of this month the rainfall exceeded 25mm on consecutive days. The result was to see WZ overflow the gabion wall and prevent fishing for a few days at least.

There were concerns that we had lost fish into the Winterbourne. Your catch returns however seem to have overcome these fears as this month 58 fish have been caught compared to 38 last year. This is a reminder that WZ is a brilliant fishery particularly at this time of year, and yes, I will be restocking this week!

Your fishing reports are always very welcome, the more descriptive the better!

Some are mentioned below:-

 

• The fishing was difficult and the taking area appeared to be the bottom corner in front of the bungalow. I was able to try there after most people were packing up and was rewarded with this superb 6.8 pound fin perfect Rainbow on a black Apache.

 

I stayed on as there were a couple of rises as the sun went down and I tried a dry but a mist came up and it went quite still so I was the last to leave at about 4 pm.

• I had another very enjoyable afternoon at WZ.

Quite a strong wind and I fished anti clockwise round the lake with no luck until I got to where the water was flowing in from the fields where I soon discovered that the fish were lying in the fast water and just beyond.

I had four Rainbows quite quickly on a black Apache weighing 5 , 4.12 , 3 and 2.8 pounds.

 

• I caught two fish both from the new 'Gordon Moss' platform near the old goose pen. However the fish  were well spaced out and others fished it in between.  All the fish yesterday were caught, I believe, either from this platform or the two fishing jetties either side. My first of 3lb 10oz was heavily marked on one side with a cormorant wound, and I have already sent you a photo. It was definitely a fish from the last stocking, which does raise a question about fish being lost to cormorants, particularly when there have not been anglers present due to the recent bad weather. The second, slightly larger at 4lbs 2oz, was particularly tough to land and fought really hard. Part of the tactical issue for catching is that with much of the weed either missing or just re-growing there is significantly more free deep water for fish to swim in, than in recent years, and so many of the flies yesterday were simply, in my view, not getting deep enough.

 

• H2o! Went to WZ today, Ye Gods!! The lake is busting its banks! two platforms completely submerged, a surge of water coming in from the field, the far bank is under about a foot of water and most of the lake is unfishable I gave it a go from the near pontoon ( 6" above water) but no go. I hope Ann’s bungalow stays dry! When I left (this is true) there was a guy in a kayak on the village road!-----such fun!

 

• Had a brace of fish from WZ. 3lb 10 and 3lb 3oz. Very windy conditions but thankfully dry. Both caught on black and Green Humungous.

 

• Just to confirm a return of 1 Rainbow (3 .7 lbs) from WZ on Tuesday 24th January-caught on a small red buzzer.  It was a beautiful fish in great condition and tasted great too!

 

• Fishing at WZ on Thursday I caught 1 very nice fish of 6lb. Caught on a black Apache fished very fast. Only had the one offer in 3 hours but a lovely if cold afternoon.

 

• The ones that did NOT enter the Winterbourne! Two today, a cracker at 5lb 2oz & a "tiddler" of 3lb. All deep & slow from the far jetty, Thanks!

 

•  great day at Zelston today. A pb of 11lb 1oz,and another@9lb 7oz...unreal. Caught on a gold and green bead head, with a black mariboo tail size 10.

 

The floods during the month having abated have nevertheless left their mark. Ground conditions are very soft underfoot and especially bankside so please be careful. WZ is also now showing signs of springtime with an abundance of snowdrops thanks to Gordon’s hard work. It really is a great place to visit!

 

That also reminds me that Rawlsbury’s opening date on the 1st March is fast approaching and I will let you all know more once we have carried out the first maintenance work party and the end of February. All volunteers are welcome!

 

Finally, from David Lynch I have received  news of the  South West Fly Fair at Roadford on February 26th (Please see below). It should be a brilliant day out for enthusiasts.

 

Best wishes and tight lines!

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