A few flies for the coming season

I know Burrator has been open all winter but I haven't fished and probably won't until traditional opening day. In preparation for that I have been tying a few flies that I think might work early season, mostly tadpole type things and a scruffy Mayfly nymph which I guess is probably for a bit later in the year. The marabou tails are quite long on these as I find they produce more takes. I have found though you get quite a few pulls at the fly rather than solid takes, however if you resist the temptation to strike and just keep retrieving these quite often convert into a hook up.

January 2015 Competition at Bake Lakes

A winner once again - Pat with his 5lb 9oz rainbow

The first competition of 2015 was held on Saturday 18^th January at what remains our most frequently used winter venue. As usual the winner would be the angler whose first two fish weighed the most.

It was a cold day, not so cold as it has been lately, but still chilly enough to call for the ‘thermals’. Though two members had invested in winter camouflage suits and, in the view of all present, impressed with their sartorial good taste as well as their ability to keep warm. Seven members preferred a touch of the outdoors to a Saturday afternoon in front of the television or shopping with their better-halves. They were Tony Vallack, Mike Duckett, George Wortelhock, David Lye, Peter Phillips, Peter Macconnell, and Pat Power who was to prove, yet again, his uncanny knack for catching the better fish and so making off with yet another prize.

Peter in his spendid new 'Cammo' and Mike in plain old olive drab

Of the twelve fish caught most were found high up in the water and, as far as I know,  all but one were caught on floating lines. Damsel Nymphs, Nomads, and similar tyings on longshank hooks seemed to be the most effective flies. Takes were often gentle and retrieves quite slow.

In  the end all but one of us caught fish and Pat, once again, was the winner with two rainbows for 8lb 8oz, including a best fish of 5lb 9oz. Peter Macconnell was a fair way behind in second place with two fish for exactly 5lbs, and Mike Duckett was third with a total of 4lb 15oz.

Many thanks go to Tony Vallack who provided, yet again, lunchtime hot dogs in the fishing hut.

Here are some more pictures:

Net at the ready

David and Pat at Tony's 'Cafe'

2015 Meeting and Competition Dates

Meetings (all at Derriford Travelodge starting at 7.30pm)

Monday 9^th February

Monday 9^th March

Monday 13^th April

Monday 11^th May

Monday 8^th June

Monday 13^th July

No meeting in August

Monday 14^th September

Monday 12^th October

Monday 9^th November

Monday 14^th December – Xmas Meal at the Jack Rabbit

Competitions

Saturday 17^th January – Bake Lakes

Wednesday 25^th February – Newhouse Fishery (note provisional change of date)

Saturday 14^th March – Burrator

Tuesday 21^st April – Bake Lakes

Saturday 23^rd May – Burrator – Three Fly Competition (Please not change to original date and venue)

Wednesday 17^th June – Burrator (Please note change to original date)

Saturday 25th July – Burrator

No August Competition

Friday 18^th September – Burrator

Saturday 24th October – Newhouse Fishery

Friday 13^th November –  Burrator

Saturday 12^th December – Xmas Competition - Venue yet to be decided

2015 AGM Minutes

Burrator Fly Fishers’ Annual General Meeting Monday 12^th January 2015

At the Travelodge, Derriford.

Present: Peter Macconnell (Chairman), Linda James (Secretary), Tony McCoy (Treasurer), John Jeffreys, Pat Power, David Lye, Terry Denley, Chris Reed, Graham Broach, Tom Turner, Ken Hindley, Tony Vallack, Peter Phillips, Bob Prout, Roy Kane, George Wortelhock, Kelvin Nikulin.

Apologies: Mark Clark, Tony Hooper, Mike Duckett

Agenda

Treasurer’s Report – Tony McCoy provided copies of the final accounts as at 31st December 2014, which showed that we had a closing balance of £228.41. Tony said that there was no need for an increase in the annual subscription from its current level of £12.50 pa. This was agreed by the members present.

Chairman’s Report – Peter Macconnell reported that the boats had been used more in 2014 and that as far as he knew the arrangement would continue for 2015. There was some puzzlement that they had not been removed at the end of the season as agreed in our contract. However, they were being cleaned and bailed by SWLT staff so that responsibility did not fall to us. Peter agreed that we need to have our annual ‘sorting out’ meeting with SWLT before the season proper starts in mid – March. He will write to ask them for a date and to propose an agenda based on member’s concerns.

Monthly Meetings and Competitions – Tony Vallack and Mike Duckett had worked out a provisional programme for 2014. This was discussed in detail and modified slightly. It will be published on the website/blog. It is known that the future of Bake and Newhouse is uncertain and it may be that the events planned for those venues will need to be revised. Due to family ill health Mike will not be able to continue in the role of raffle and competition organiser. Tony Vallack volunteered to take it on alone. This was agreed.

Election of Officers –Peter agreed to continue as chairman for one more year, but Linda and Tony wished to stand down. This had been discussed at a previous meeting where Tony Hooper and David Lye had offered themselves for the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s roles respectively. There being no other applicants Peter, Tony H and David were unanimously elected. Linda and Tony M were thanked for their work over recent years and appreciation was shown by all those present.

Burrator Prices for 2015– SWLT have produced their price structure for this year. It can be seen online HERE. In due course there will be the usual printed booklet. All the information relevant to us will be posted on the website/blog. A majority of members present felt that SWLT had an inconsistent approach to the cost of concession permits. It was resolved to raise this matter with them.

Bank clearance in early March 2015 – Volunteers were needed to clear some swims sometime in the first two weeks of March. There were eight volunteers.

Hydro-electric scheme at Burrator Dam – South West Water are planning to develop a small scheme in 2015. It will capture the overflow water from the Dam and use it to run a turbine. The Chairman has received some details about this and an assurance that it will not affect either the water conditions or the fishing in the reservoir itself. On the face of it there seems no reason why it should affect us, but we can only watch and wait at this stage.

Constitution Changes - As provisionally agreed at last years AGM the Club Constitution will be altered in two respects from 2015 onwards. Firstly, There will be an upper limit on the length of time any member can serve in a particular officer role with the club. Secondly, New membership applicant will now be directed to the Treasurer in the first instance, not the Secretary as was the case previously.

Any other business

1.     Concern was expressed about the comparative absence in 2014 of Honorary Bailiffs checking permits and watching out for poachers.

2.     Concern was expressed about the presence of cormorants at Burrator. It was suggested that SWLT be asked about compensatory stocking amongst other possible measures.

It was agreed that both these matters would be raised with SWLT.

The meeting ended at 9.30pm 

2015 Annual General Meeting - Monday 12th January at 7.30pm

Nice Trousers Tony!

Next Monday is the Burrator Fly Fishers' AGM. It is at our usual venue, the meeting room at Derriford Travelodge, and starts at 7.30pm. Set out below is a provisional Agenda, but if you have any other items please let me know as soon as possible. It would probably be best to telephone me on 01752 560538 or to email me at psmacconnell@gmail.com

Provisional Agenda

1. Minutes of the last AGM and any matters arising.
2. Annual Reports from Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
3. Election/Re-election of Officers - Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer (see below for further details).
4. Programme of Fishing Competitions/Days Out for 2015
5. Agree dates for Club Meetings in 2015
6. Information from and communication with South-West Lakes Trust in 2015, including proposed Meavy hydro-electric scheme and continued use of boats.
7. Bank clearance day March 2015 - volunteers needed.

Please note that the Chairman, Peter Macconnell is willing to continue for another year but will stand aside if another member is keen to have a go. The Treasurer, Tony McCoy and the Secretary, Linda James have both indicated that they wish to step down at this AGM. We have two volunteers, so far, to take on those roles; new members Tony Hooper is willing to stand as Secretary and David Lye similarly for the role of Treasurer. No other names have been put forward at this stage.

Please make every effort to be there and to get the 2015 fishing year off to a flying start.

Thanks...Peter

Burrator Fly Fishers Christmas Dinner 2014

A good turn out of members met at The Jack Rabbit  at Derriford on Monday 8th December for the Burrator Fly Fishers Christmas dinner.  The Jack Rabbit is part of the Vintage Inn group.  I had not been there previously and was impressed with how welcoming it felt as we walked through the door.  We selected our own meals from the menu and several of us arrived with Vintage Inn wine vouchers that entitled us to a free glass of wine.  A little negotiation by Peter and we had enough for three bottles of wine which was a very good start!

The food was excellent, the staff polite and helpful and the evening passed very quickly - always a good sign of an enjoyable time.  Awards for competition wins, biggest fish of the year etc. were handed out as follows: Peter Phillips won the wooden fish plaque for the best weight in the annual Three Fly Competition, Pat Power won the new Geoff Riley Memorial Trophy (The Sunset Trophy) for the best fish of the year from Burrator and also won a bottle of Scotch for the best fish from any venue, with the same six pound plus wild brownie he caught and released at Burrator. And finally, Mike Duckett won another bottle of Scotch for the best overall weight in the Bake Christmas Competition. Mike also did a brilliant job of organising the raffle.

Sue & I had decided to take a taxi to the pub as our usual arrangement of sharing the driving  - me to the venue, Sue driving back home - was a little contentious!  Peter's wife Gill volunteered to drive us back to Compass House on the Barbican which was very generous particularly as they drove past their front door on the way - thank you Gill, much appreciated.

Christmas Competition - Bake Lakes

The 2014 Christmas Competition took place at Bake Lakes. Unfortunately there was a disappointingly low turnout by members. It is difficult to understand why this should be so. The weather was lovely. It was one of those bright and still winter days that, though a little chilly early on was easily warmed up by some splendid winter sunshine. So for those who chose to stay at home or go Christmas shopping we can only say that you missed a good day out and the chance of a fish or two. Six members came and all caught fish.

Not a breath of wind

Walk this way

Pat Power was the first to get his brace. He weighed in two rainbows for 3lb 13oz, which eventually gave him third place. Mike Duckett was the winner with two fish for 5lb 6oz, and Peter Macconnell was second with 4lb 9oz. Tony Vallack, John Jeffrey and David Lye had a single fish each.

Pat Power with two fish for 3lb 13oz.

A two and a half pounder to start the day for Peter

David about to land his first fish of the day

The proud captor!

Inquisitive wildlife