No.1 Wed 4th June

of fish patrolling the banks of No4, especially in the NW Corner, where Frank made a good start with a couple on the Intermediate and a Black Tadpole. Andrew tried for some moving fish, losing one on a Black Suspender, but then also went over to the Intermediate, losing another on an Orange Blob. Sid did well to get eight or so, mostly on buzzers, while Jim and John also had fish, putting back others. The level on No4 is nice and high, with very good water clarity. Although lower, No5 is having water pumped into it, so that although the construction work is still taking place, the levels should improve on here as well. The fish that Frank weighed in were both a good size, so there are obviously a few better fish about, along with grown-on fish from previous stockings. While we are getting good cloud cover, there are plenty of fish seen tracking upwind, which makes for some exciting surface sport.

No.2 Wed 11th June

move along the Railway Bank and Causeway of No4 but, as some had found out during the week, these were tricky. It was probably better to go in with bigger stuff, like Jim did with his Charlie Farleys off the West bank, returning several more. John also did well on Boobies on the DI5, getting a good brace from his total of ten. For the rest of us it was a case of the odd pluck or follow but very few solid hook-ups. It’s still early days, though, and plenty of time for ground to be made up, and more decent fish to show. We know they’re in there because we’ve seen them showing. The good news is that the water level on No5 seems to be rising as the construction work is coming to an end, even if the colour is still murky.

No.3 Wed 18th June

went after them with small stuff, but at least it was as clear as we’ve ever seen it before. Jim had a run of fish on his Slow Intermediate and Charley Farley, including a full-tailed specimen of 4-14-0, while new member Andy did well to get another nice rainbow on his dry Caddis. Tony had one off the Railway Bank, while Frank made the long journey round to No5, to be rewarded with another reasonable fish. Sid was unlucky to have been booked in for a hospital appointment, but still came round to see what was going on. Daphnia appears to be the main food item at the moment, which is probably responsible for the excellent condition a lot of these fish seem to be in, although we’ve also seen a certain amount of small fry activity, another good source of protein.  

No.4 Wed 25th June

conditions and light winds, but although No4 still had excellent water clarity, the fish continued to be tricky. Frank Daley took an early brace off the Railway Bank, next to Jim Dillon who also had a nice fish, before moving to the Causeway. Kevin Blackwell also returned a couple of fish early, then found the fish more difficult when he needed a couple to keep. As for the rest of us, we could only get plucks, despite trying a variety of flies and methods. Water levels are improving on No5, although the water is still more brownish. If you drop on a few fish, though, you can still have some sport, as shown by one chap who had five on Black Buzzers along the Causeway. If the fish in No4 continue to prove frustrating, No5 might well see more attention, with black flies probably the best bet to stand out in the more coloured water. At the halfway stage in the series, it’s between Jim Dillon and Frank Daley, but there are still four matches to go, and everything to play for.

No.5 Wed 2nd July

Having returned fish on earlier matches, only to struggle for more takes, Kevin made sure he kept one which he took in the first hour, on a Hot Orange Blob fished on the Lee Wulff Predator sink-tip. The good news was that No4, where most of us were fishing, had remained clear, with a few fish showing as the sun went down. By now the construction work on No5 appears to have finished, the level is back to normal, and while the water still has that brownish look, fish can still be taken if you drop on them. Despite trying various approaches the rest of could only get taps, even when fishing the ‘Snake‘ style Charlie Farley Cat’s Whisker Tadpole with a hook right at the end of the mink tail. Answers on a postcard if you’ve any idea how they are able to get away with that one. There’s still three matches to go, though, so we are hoping for better fishing soon.  

No.6 Wed 9th July

in the NW corner of No4, but this time they were catchable, maybe because of the recent welcome spells of rain. Kevin was doing well on the floater and small green nymphs, with John and Tony getting regular takes, and landing some nice fish. Jim was unfortunate to miss a few, and also lost something sizeable which took him into the backing before inexplicably falling off. After trying nymphs to no avail, Andrew switched to the Intermediate and Tadpole and started getting takes, landing his first fish of the series to gain some much-needed points. With good numbers of fish seen moving in the last couple of hours, dries worked well, and after some tough evenings we are all looking forward to some good fishing, and a great end to the series.

No.7 Wed 16th July

stocking, but once again the bulk of the fish appeared to be concentrated in the NW corner of No4. Both John Ferguson and Jim Dillon were quick to get in action, on both floater and intermediate, with Kevin Blackwell also doing well. For the rest of us, especially anyone further along the Railway Bank or who did a bit of exploratory fishing further afield, including the still-coloured No5, the going was rather slower, although most of reported a few chances. As the light went there was a renewed period of surface activity, and some more missed takes, which promises well for some good top-of-the-water fishing later in the season when this new stocking will have settled in, and the water temperatures dropped to a more comfortable level for rainbow trout. With another 2nd place Jim consolidated his overall lead to take the Ken Gunn Shield with one match still remaining. A very convincing performance.

No.8 Wed 23rd July

was agreed at a pre-match meeting in the Ferry Boat Inn that everyone would put £2 in the pot, and fish a dry fly only competition, with all fish to be returned. A good move for Tony Fox, the Dry Fly King. On heading over to the fishery, most anglers went for the East bank of No4, to get the wind on their back, and were rewarded with the sight of fish rising all along this side. Tony was quick to catch a nice 3lbs rainbow, but Kevin was on his tail, keeping the pressure on. Pat O’Neill had a couple of takes, but to no avail, while Frank, Andy and John all reported the same, plenty of takes but no solid hook-ups. With about half an hour Tony landed another cracking fish in between numerous takes. On a pleasant evening with a light wind and partial cloud cover, everyone was encouraged by the amount of fish showing, which should result in a great Autumn Series.  

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