The beginning of April will see the first of the brown trout released into the reservoir and these fish are in superb condition. To get us off to a good start there will be a stocking of 500 fish into Hollins Bay ready for Wednesday April 1st. This stocking will include browns of 2lb+ and some spectacular specimens. Stocks could see it’s first 20lb+ brownie! We will also be stocking some cracking rainbows.
The weather this week looks brilliant for fishing, air temperature is rising rapidly to reach about 17 degrees on Saturday, the winds are light and we have plenty of cloud cover. If ever there is a time to take a day off work to go fishing this is it!
Over the course of the next week the water temperature in the reservoir will rise, this is going to have three major effects on the fishing:
Firstly it will cause the temperature inversion that has formed in the reservoir over the winter to dissipate and the reservoir water will mix. This will bring many more over-wintered fish up towards the surface and into the reach of a fly. We have already seen one big over-wintered brownie at the weekend and it is likely to be the first of many.
Secondly: The trout’s body temperature will rise with the rising water temperature and this will directly increase their metabolic rate. They will not only be able to digest more food but will actually require more food to fuel their bodies in a state if heightened activity.
Thirdly: The increase in water temperature will stimulate a plethora of aquatic larvae to emerge into their adult form. These hatches will consist largely of members of the chironomid family (non biting midges) but look out for early olives, they have a single pair of upright wings and a pair of tails that protrude from the rear of the abdomen.
As far as terrestrials go it will be a few weeks until we see the large hatches of beetles but we are likely to see a few of the early daddies. There are about 22 different species of daddy long legs in the UK. I am not sure of the exact name of the small grey variety that emerge at this time of year but their emergence, when combined with the egg laying activity of the adult chironomids, may just be enough to tempt the trout up to the surface.
Likely methods for the next week are washing lining or long lining nymphs, teams of small cormorants fished on slow sinkers or sink tips and there is a chance that you might even be able to tempt a few to dries. Watch this space!
COMPETITIONS:
A chance to represent England in the first Bank Fishing International
I would also like to draw your attention to a couple of fishing competitions that are coming up on the 4th and 5th of April. These will not affect anybody wishing to come along and fish just for the pleasure, as one will be fished from drifting boats and the other will be pegged along a short stretch of bank. So boat and bank tickets will be available to all as usual.
The first is on Saturday the 4th and is a sweepstake match from the boats. This match will be fished to international rules. It costs just £15 to enter on top of your ticket and for every entry £10 will go to the winner, £5 will go to 2nd place, we will donate £2.50 for 3rd and a tackle prize for 4th place and the biggest fish. To enter call the lodge on 01200 446602
The second competition is the CEFF Airflo Classic, which will be held on Sunday 5th. There are heats held all over the country making this the biggest international bank fishing competition in the UK. It is £17:50 to enter and each entrant will receive a free Airflo fast intermediate line worth £30. The international final will be held on Elinor Fishery in Northants.
The top qualifiers, who meet the CEFF England Team eligibility criteria, will be provisionally selected for the 2010 England bank fishing team. It is CEFF’s intention to enter two teams of three, in the first instance, to an international in 2010. Selection will be from the 2009 International final on Elinor, with the top three eligible individuals from the Individual final and the top three individuals from the Team final qualifying for England team places in the event of an International being arranged the following year. The existing arrangements for
World and European Ranking points will remain in place. For more information and competition rules call the fishery on 01200 446602
Tight Lines Ben
