SWLT Fishing Report

The following report has been issued by South West Lakes Trust: 

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries (June 2012)
General:
June continued with mixed and unsettled weather, and temperatures below the seasonal average. Hatches and surface activity increased as the month progressed, providing good dry fly fishing at most of the South West Lakes Trust waters. The high rainfall throughout the month has meant that water levels are generally still at the top water mark.

Fishing:
Kennick – The fishing remained consistently good throughout June, with rods averaging 3.3 fish per angler. An abundance of insects on the surface (Hawthorns, Beetles, Heather Flies, and Buzzers) meant that fish were eager to come up for food, and many were taken on dry patterns (Hawthorn, Foam Beetles, Hoppers, and Coch-y-bondhu patterns in particular), or nymph patterns (such as Diawl Bachs, Buzzers, Pheasant Tails, and Damsel Nymphs) fished on a floating line. Some excellent fish were caught in the month, including a 7lb 14oz rainbow (the fishery’s best so far this season) caught by Alex Brimblecombe (from Bridford), using a Hawthorn Fly fished from Laployd Bank on the evening of 24th June. A 7lb 4oz rainbow was caught by Andy Lobb (from Newton Abbot), using a Montana Nymph fished from the bank, and ten other rainbows over 5lb were caught during the month. Duncan Keir (from Belstone) caught and returned a cracking 3lb 8oz brown trout (as part of a bag of ten fish) when fishing from a boat using his ‘Kennick Killer’ pattern.

Burrator – the fishing at Burrator has continued to produce some excellent sport, with anglers averaging over three fish per rod. Fish have been feeding eagerly on hawthorns, and fishing a selection of dark dry patterns (such as Hawthorns, Bibio, Black Gnat, Black Klinkhammers) has worked well. Diawl Bachs and Damsel Nymphs have been the most successful sub-surface patterns. The fish have been well distributed around the fishery, so it has been more a question of finding a sheltered spot to fish on windier days when deciding on the best location. The best fish caught in June (and so far this season at Burrator) was a beautiful 6lb 10oz rainbow caught by Al Lawson (from Plymouth), using a Black Gnat while fishing from the shore at Longstone Point.

Siblyback - continued to provide good sport, with anglers averaging 3.4 fish per rod during the month, with good surface sport on calmer days, when fish could be caught on dark Hoppers, Beetles, Sedges, and Black and Peacock spiders fished in the surface film. Damsel Nymphs, Diawl Bachs, Montanas, and Buzzers all fished consistently well sub-surface, while pulled Orange Blobs, Tadpoles, and Vivas worked well on deeper fish. Most areas fished well, with Stocky Bay, Two Meadows, and the deeper water by the dam being particularly productive, with the area around the Marshes producing fish for boat anglers. The best fish of the month was a 3lb 10ozz rainbow caught by C.Hall (from Pensilva).

Wimbleball – anglers continued to enjoy great sport at Wimbleball, with rods averaging 4.7 fish per angler, with fish feeding well, and anglers catching from both boats and bank. Ruggs and Bessoms fished well for bank anglers, while boat anglers enjoyed success in Cow Moor. The Upton Arm, by the Dam, and Ruggs, as well as drifting from Bessoms to the Pontoons. Black Gnats, Hoppers, and Beetles all caught surface feeding fish well, with Damsel and Montana Nymphs, as well as pulled blobs and lures (particularly from boats) catching the deeper fish.

The best fish of the month were 4lb rainbows caught by Mr. Muckle (from Stafford) and J.Melhuish (from Tiverton). The fish-off for the 2011 Boat Pairs competition was at last held on 24th June, and was won by The Siblyback Raiders (Tony Chipman and Roger Truscott), catching 11 fish weighing 19lb 14oz. This year’s competition will be held on the weekend of 1 & 2 September.

Roadford - continued to produce some quality, if slightly more challenging fishing, with both boat and bank anglers catch resident Brown trout in excellent condition. Coch-y-bondus, Black and Peacock Spiders and Hoppers have all caught surface-feeding fish, with Black Tadpoles, Crunchers, and Pheasant Tails catching deeper fish. The best locations are on the East Bank, with many fish tight into the margins. The best fish of the month was a 3lb 1oz grown-on brown trout caught by Philip Smith using a Black and Peacock Spider, fishing from a boat.
South West Lakes Trust will be hosting a free fly fishing event at Roadford in conjunction with the Westcountry Rivers Trust on the evening of 15 August (4pm onwards), featuring fly-casting demonstrations and clinics, fly tying demonstrations etc. Refreshments will be available.

Stithians - Dry fly fishing has again produced the best sport at Stithians, with Hawthorns, Black Hoppers, and Beetles all catching well (particularly when fished near the bankside willows, where terrestrials are blown onto the water). Yellowort Bay and the deeper water by the dam also fished well, with Diawl Bachs, Pheasant Tails, Damsels, Montanas, and Buzzers catching fish, and pulled orange lure patterns taking deeper fish. The best fish of the month was a 4lb 8oz rainbow caught by R. Davies (from St. Day).

Fernworthy – The Brown trout at Fernworthy have continued to feed eagerly, with predominantly dark patterns still catching fish – these included Black Buzzers, Black Pennells, Bibios, Montanas, small Tadpoles, and Claret Bumble patterns, while fish rose to Black Hoppers, Beetles, and Hawthorns. Late afternoons have fished particularly well, with a number of fish feeding off the bank below the permit hut and near the dam. July Prospects are good for surface fish to soon start coming up to Coch-y-bondhu beetles, which can be prolific at Fernworthy. Anglers are advised to come armed with a good insect repellent, as the midges will be much in evidence (particularly in the evenings).

Chris Hall (July 2012)