JUNE LAKES REPORT

Dear Game fishers,

 

RAWLSBURY The latest news at Chapmans lake is that the works are nearly complete but it will take some time for the lake to fill. A vast amount of silt has been scraped from the margins and a wider channel created close to the fishing hut. It’s been a fantastic effort by all those concerned and we must thank them for this.

 

When we can start to use it again is of course the $64,000 question. The summer heat is not going to help so all we can do is summon the rain gods and wait. Of course, water temperatures and oxygen levels will be monitored before we restock!

Cowleaze and Viners are both still fishable although recent bank growth has made access difficult. This is going to be rectified though and a work party is being put together by Bob Spurgeon for this Tuesday should you wish to come along.

 

WINTERBOURNE ZELSTON remains in sparkling condition although the latest weather forecast will probably affect levels considerably. I have just recently restocked with some superb rainbows which will ensure fishing conditions are excellent for the lake.

 

Some of your reports for this month are as follows:

 

• Paul, Windy and choppy, and difficult to see any fish. Also very bright, so assumed they would be under the floating weed. From the road jetty, casting alongside the weed banks with a small shrimp produced a 3 pounder. Bit of a gap to socialise and have lunch, and saw a good fish moving along the Western bank. Wouldn’t look at a size 2 shrimp. Size 14 produced an immediate take. Just under 6lb. Quite a struggle to keep him out of the weed, which was very close. Both fish contained hoglouse predominantly.

 

I fished WZ yesterday evening. There was a brisk westerly wind that made fishing interesting. The Coot chicks have hatched. Three tiny balls of fluff being blown about in the wind. The Canada geese signets were very evident and it is interesting to see their age range. The oldest is sprouting mature feathers whilst the younger ones look very immature. I saw a pike holding station under the road pontoon. They do look menacing. Anyway, a few fish were seen and it was clear that they were scooping food off the cut weed surface at the bottom of the pond, so I put on a # 14 shrimp and had a take immediately but lost the fish in the weeds. I tied on a B F Damsel and worked that at various depths and speeds resulting eventually in netting a 2 1/2 lb rainbow. But that was it for the evening and I drew stumps and went home. The cut weed rafts are significant. Maybe another work party is due? Anyway, I much enjoyed a couple of hours fishing with the place to myself. Many thanks.

 

• I fished at WZ on Monday morning. There were fish showing and a good ripple and in the calm spots you good see fish . As I had a mayfly on my dry line from last week I tried pulling it through the ripple but no good..There were a lot of damsels about so I tried a small green damsel on my hover line and caught two lovely fish of 5 and 3.4 pounds.

 

• What a morning ! I now remember the colour of my backing line! Usual technique, size 14 shrimp under the indicator from the right hand platform. Third cast, away went the fluff, and ye gods the first run took me half way down the lake (red backing!) one more ponderous side to side move, and off again (more backing) Eventually after several prayers to Isaac Walton I had This fish in the net 8lb 6oz of super trout, not a podgy big stockie a long slim fish with a huge tail. I did not have my camera, but a fish to remember, I’ll be back for her dad! J.W.

 

• Hi Paul, great morning with some friends, a bit busy so no opportunity to get on the pontoon much, had to push a few people in the drink to get a chance, armed with my new rod and flies, 6wt guideline LPX tactical and barbless blobs, never fished these before it was 4 fish came to the net in quick succession. Very strange this fishing lark as some anglers didn't get a fish. 4lb, 3lb 7 2lb 8 2lb 7, I cleared some small ones out of the way. There was some entertainment and concern as members tried to rescue a signet, great effort but the male was having non of it, try again another day.

 

Ups and downs. Tried for one with the usual assortment of shrimps etc along the west bank, got nowhere. So moved towards the upper corner, now with Orange bead Woolly bugger. First cast and a very powerful fish took me out to the backing 3 times in several runs. Landed him:10lb 8oz, Not a recently stocked fish. Contained snails. Beautiful fish – well shaped and fin perfect. Huge paddle of a tail. Not the normal pot-bellied double that fights like a log. This one fought really hard and continuously. After that I got nowhere, though others were catching. Finally got a chase as I was reeling in a Diawl Bach, so put on a BFD lure. First cast with that, hooked a 3pounder? Anyway, he came off after a while. So settled for the one monster for the day.

 

I have been fishing the River Frome on the East Burton Estate recently and visited with my son and 17-year-old grandson. It was his first time wading in a river and with my old waders thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He even caught a wild brownie which made his day!

 

Tight lines everyone,

Best wishes,

Paul.

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