THE Foremark Fly Fishers fished their last match of the season on their home water, Foremark Reservoir, last week.
They fished from the banks and found the going much harder than they expected.
One angler who did manage to convert nearly all of his chances was Gareth Davies.
Fishing just round the corner of Hut Point with a fast sinking line and a booby on a short leader, he landed five fish for 12lbs 5ozs and won the match by a comfortable margin.
Dixie Baxter caught just one fish — but what a fish it was, taken on almost his first cast while fishing between Sunblest Bay and Bramble Bay.
Using a small damsel on a midge tip line, Baxter hooked into one of the fisheries’ bigger fish, one that he never saw for at least 10 minutes and when it was banked and weighed it tipped the scales at 5lbs 14ozs.
That meant it was not only the biggest fish of the day, but it also won the trophy for the biggest fish caught during the season.
Third place went to yours truly with two fish for 5lbs, caught on a floating line at the far end of Carvers Arm.
They took either a hare’s ear or a corixa but I lost another at the net. It cost me second place, but that’s life! The rod average was just 1.15 fish per rod, the lowest recorded at any fishery this season, but they had an average weight of over 2 1/2lbs However, match secretary Merv Amos looked on the season as a whole as a great success.
He said: “Hopefully next year will be just as successful and we will take a look at the comp rules, over the winter, and ensure that we keep them fresh and fair for all — so if any members have any suggestions for improvements then please let Rob or myself know.
“I’m sure others will have their own memories of the season and hopefully all will return next year fighting fit and raring to go.” He highlighted a record attendance for club competitions, with an average of over 20 coming along to enjoy them, the new bag limit rule allowing anyone to win and a great atmosphere.
The club has also been successful in all the main team competitions and have now won the prestigious Midland Counties Cup two years running, as well as claiming top rod and top boat for the third year in a row.
Amos also hailed Baxter and Rob Wheeldon for winning the inaugural Graham Tagg Memorial Trophy, with club anglers featuring heavily in the top 10 and four of the club’s anglers qualifying for the Lexus Individual final.
A brilliant fly show in Burton, a secondto- none Winter Programme and fly-tying nights and the launch of the club’s website were also praised.
That new season kicks off in just a couple of week’s time when the club begins its Winter Fly Tying evenings at the John Thompson at Ingleby.
Starting on Monday, October 31, the club will be running a series of six fly tying evenings that are completely open and free to everyone.
All materials and tools will be available so that newcomers can have a go, while those that want to improve will be made very welcome as the club will have Wendy Gibson in attendance.
Gibson is the premier lady fly tier in the country and the club is very lucky to have her as a member. Husband Ray will also be there and will have some of his shop with him, so that materials will always be available.
Each evening starts at around 7.30pm and there will be food laid on as well.
At Foremark Reservoir, the fish are well spread out with the hot-spots being along the Ticknall Bank, especially down the Carver’s Arm, where the Cascade has been particularly successful.
The water is now the best part of 25 feet down and while some of the banks are rather muddy, most are perfectly accessible.
Stick to the well trodden paths and you will not go wrong.
Boat anglers are asked to book in advance as demand is currently exceeding supply. Call the lodge on 01283 703202.
Carsington Water is also well worth a trip before its season ends in a couple of week’s time on Sunday, November 6.
The rod average hit an impressive 4.7 fish per rod under almost perfect conditions last week.
Plenty of fish of over 3lbs were taken, mainly on lures from areas like the Stones Island, the Dam Wall and Millfields Bay.
Again, boat demand exceeds supply so please book on 01629 540478.
