ESTHWAITE WATER TROUT FISHERY REPORT – 9^TH March

Trout fishing

The trout fishing season has got off to a flyer, with all methods producing well. The freshly stocked fish have been slow to disperse, because of low water temperatures and so the ticket office frontage has been the hot spot to head for. However good numbers of fish are also being caught down at the car park area of the lake and also along the reed bed and into Strickland Bay.  Both boat and bank anglers have been experiencing good sport and reports of double figure bags have been common place.

Fly anglers employing early season tactics of black and green lures on sinking lines have been highly successful. Indeed venue regulars  Bob Swann and Jon Henderson fished from the boats last week and got stuck into plenty of fish outside the ticket office. Between them they landed 24 fish.

Paul Alexander and Al Pross from York, both new to fly fishing took 6 brownies between them, again just outside the ticket office. Black and green cats whiskers on slow sink lines from the boats was the winning tactics for these boys.

Paul Cooper from Preston had a session to remember landing 23 browns and rainbows to 3lb+ from Strickland Bay. Again early season tactics of sinking lines and lures was the successful method for Paul.

Bank anglers fishing outside the ticket office have been busy, indeed Hawkshead Angling Club members Jamie Timmins and Shaun Hunter from Barrow landed 12 browns between them on spinner and float fished worm tactics. Another H.A.C member Dave Bell also landed a brace of brownies to float fished worm. Also fishing from the bank John Dawson from Wigan took a 9lb 8oz rainbow from the boathouse banking on worm and sweetcorn cocktail.

Our open day is Sunday 17^th March. The day will include heat 1 of the Esthwaite Pairs competition, discounted flyfishing tuition and general camaraderie. There will be a fly tying demonstration offering practical tips and you can learn how to tie from members of the England Youth squad. Also special offers on fishing tackle will be available on the day, so anglers can ‘try before they buy’. There will also be complimentary food and drink. Feel free to come and chat to our friendly staff, everyone is welcome. Please contact the fishery for further details.

Also don’t forget Hawkshead Angling Club are now recruiting for the 2013 season. The cost is £135 for adults and £31 for juniors and there is NO eligibility boundary. Also members benefit from a 50% discount on boat hire. For more details please contact club Secretary Dave Armstrong on 01946 691889 or email mrdarmstrong@sky.com.

Pike fishing

Its been quiet this week on the Pike fishing front, however Stuart Fazackerley and John Ashurst from Wigan have been doing very well will a succession of jacks and doubles to 20lb 8oz. All taken from the boats on deadbaits and lures. Don’t forget our Pike season finishes at the end of March, so its last chance to bag a fish of a lifetime as the Pike will be at their heaviest weights. Also find attached a picture of John Ardens 20 pounder from the car park swim . He got a mention in our last report!

Best Regards

David Coleman M.I.F.M

FISHERY MANAGER