Monday 29 April 2013

A Double Limit from the boat at Burrator - Now Open for Bookings

Jon looking pleased to have netted the first Burrator boat caught trout for more than ten years
At last we have the boats up and running on Burrator!
 
On friday 19th April Mike Duckett, Jon Perry, and Peter Macconnell were given their induction as Fishing Volunteers at Burrator by Neil Reeves of SWLT. This meant that we were now ready for members and guests to go boat fishing. In  fact the boat has already been out three times. Following the induction Jon and Peter took the Bonwitco rowing boat out for a couple of hours using Peter's electric outbord motor, with three rainbows to show for their efforts. Last Thursday Pat Power and Peter went out and suffered much frustration and virtually no action on a very difficult day where several bank anglers were also struggling to catch. Then on Sunday 28th Jon and Peter went out again and both had their limit of rainbows plus one brownie in a short day's fishing between 10.30am and 3.30pm. Once we got the measure of where the majority of the fish seemed to be; over surprisingly deep water, we were able to contact fish on virtually every drift, and some very exciting sport was had.

So boat fishing at Burrator is now open for bookings. Just to remind everyone the procedure is that you contact Peter Macconnell by phone on 01752-560538 or mobile phone 07738-378227 or email psmacconnell@gmail.com and say which day you would like to go. (You can phone any time of day up to 9.30pm). The charge is £15.00 per day for two anglers (three may be in the boat but only two can fish). If it is your first time either Peter, Jon, or Mike will meet you at Burrator show you where everything is and get you started. Once you have been a time or two this will not be necessary.

For anyone who hasn't fished Burrator by boat; and that would be the majority of us, I really recommend the experience. Though it is still early in the season the fishing has been quite good on two out of three occasions and, as the weather warms and the fly life really gets going, there should be some stunning fishing ahead.

If anyone would like to fish from the boat, and doesn't have a readily available partner, please contact Peter Macconnell who will arrange to pair you up.

The two boats available are firstly a fifteen foot Bonwitco double skinned rowing boat (exactly the same as those at Kennick and Siblyback) which is very stable and safe to fish from and, secondly, a Wheelie Boat specially fitted out to accomodate anglers with a significant disability (though not necessarily in a wheelchair).

On the safety front there are good quality bouyancy aids (lifejackets) available to be worn in the boats. These are of the inflatable type so do not in the least interfere with comfort and efficiency when fishing.

Ready with the net


2013 Three Fly Competition

Peter Phillips with the best fish of the day - 5lb 13oz
This year's Three Fly Competition was held at Bake Lakes, Trerulefoot, Cornwall, on Saturday 20th April, and was attended by ten members. The day was dry and a bit overcast, and the water still had that tinge of colour that has been there since the heavy winter rains brought so much 'run-off' from the agricultural land around the lake. As a result it is still very difficult to see fish moving in the water. One hopes that this additional colouring of the water is not going to be a permanent feature of the lake. If it was it would certainly detract from our enjoyment of the fishing there.

As is usual at our competitions held away from Burrator the result is judged on the combined weight of a member's first two fish. This year's results were:

1st Peter Phillips with two fish for 7lb 10oz (best fish 5lb 13oz)
2nd Jack Flint with two fish for 6lb 11oz
3rd Peter Macconnell with two fish for 5lb 14oz
4th Mike Duckett with two fish for 4lb 13oz

Well done to Peter Phillips.

Mike Duckett with his two fish for 4lb 13oz

Numerous other fish were caught.

Also deserving of an honorable mention are Tony Vallack who generously supplied and prepared freshly cooked hot dogs and fried onions in the fishing hut at lunchtime and to Linda James who, once again, arrived with splendid cakes for everyone.

As to the flies, one pattern each was provided by Tony McCoy, Pat Power, and Peter Macconnell. They were Gold Headed Ginger Nymph (Tony), Hawthorn Fly (Pat), and Claret Pennell (Peter). So we had a weighted nymph to get deep, a traditional wet fly to fish sub-surface, and a dry fly/emerger for fishing on the top.

Gold Head Ginger Nymph (made with wool from Tony's wife's cardigan)
The Hawthorn Fly

Claret Pennell