SONY DSCTHE first full week’s trout fishing of the season continued in the same vein as the first few days at Foremark Reservoir, with fish showing well to both bank and boat anglers alike.
The trout have been taking well all along the banks, with Flamingo Bay seeing most of the pressure due mainly to the continuing easterly winds.
Bramble Bay and the Wires have, however, continued to produce a good number of trout, especially for those anglers who have been able to cast a line out against the wind.
In the main though, sinking and intermediate lines have been the method of the week, although some rods were having some good sport on floating lines and buzzers during the warmer parts of the day at the start of the week.
Boat fishing has been good with some anglers catching large numbers of fish in the opening to Flamingo Bay and along the Ticknall Bank, especially around the Cascade. Most of these fish have fallen to similar methods as the bank.
A good number of fish between three and four pounds have graced anglers’ nets, with a nice 5lb rainbow falling to S Savage from the bank in Flamingo Bay.
A special mention should go to Derby County Angling Club member Rosemary Gunn for her determination on fishing through the severe cold and snow on Sunday on the banks of Bramble Bay, netting seven trout to 3lb 8oz, when most of the other anglers had headed home.
The best flies of the week have been damsels, tadpoles, cat’s whisker, boobies and blobs, with a rod average of 5.9.
Despite the poor weather forecast, Thornton Reservoir is enjoying a far better March, with 69 rods catching 400 trout for a much improved rod average 5.8 fish per rod.
Bank and boat anglers are catching along the shallows opposite the lodge, with Wood Bank and Wood Bank Corner fishing best, unsurprisingly given that these areas offer the anglers some protection from the cold easterlies.
Sinking lines with a booby, cat whisker and tadpole or an intermediate with a fritz damsel and cats whisker have been the most productive methods.
A few fish have been taken on buzzer and bloodworm patterns.
The water clarity continues to improve, as the rod average indicates.
Blithfield Reservoir opened its gates to members last Thursday, and despite the very cold easterly winds, the vast majority of those that ventured out went home happy.
The fish were superb, full finned and bright, with most eight fish bags weighing in excess of 22lbs for a rod average of 7.88.
The best fish weighed 5lbs 6ozs and was caught by Keith Dick on a size 12 black buzzer.
In fact, floating lines caught most of the fish and anglers were able to fish a wide variety of patterns ranging from buzzers to lures.
The best areas were on the sheltered east bank – Watery Lane, Portfields (Duggy’s), Mickledale and Rainbow Corner.
Best patterns have been pheasant tails, daiwl bach, black buzzer, black pennell, black and peacock and the best lures have been orange tadpoles, black and green tadpoles and cat’s whiskers.
The opening day for day ticket guests and syndicates was yesterday, so to book a days fishing either visit the fishery office just inside the entrance or call 01283 840284.
Carsington Water is a boat only water and opens tomorrow.
All of the boats are booked for opening day but a few remain for Sunday.
Stocking has been taking place for the last few weeks and will continue on a weekly basis throughout the season.
Half day boats and permits are before and after 2pm – book either at the reservoir itself or on 01629 540478.
