ESTHWAITE WATER TROUT FISHERY REPORT – 10/4/13

Its hard to imagine that we are into the second week of April, with no buds on the trees, a water temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, fish down in the water and a minimal amount of fly life coming off the lake and a biting Easterly wind that seems to of gone on for weeks. Well if forecasts are to be believed then we should have an improvement in conditions come the weekend. Despite the poor start, weather wise to the season, there has been good sport encountered with fish getting caught on all methods and from both boat and bank anglers alike.

Peter Johnson from Glasgow fished spinner from the banking opposite the ticket office and landed 4 browns to 1lb 8oz. Meanwhile Jonathon Mitchell from Manchester also fared well with the spinner, landing 3 fish from the boat jetty!

Fly fisherman have been getting a few fish on buzzers and nymphs from the boats, however the sinking line approach with fry patterns and lures have been accounting for the best bags. Indeed Charlie Prichard from Carlisle managed half a dozen fish on black cats whiskers on a Di-3 line fishing around the weather buoys and David Sharpe from Preston also hit his limit bag on similar tactics.

There have also been some nice sized fish reported. Geoff Bourne from Stoke took a nice brace of fish from the boats, the best tipping the scales at 6lb+. Geoff fished a sink tip line and Diawl Bach combo’ at the car park end of the lake and the larger of the two fish were released to fight another day!

Stewart Fitzgerald from Wingrove in Buckinghamshire legered worm from the boathouse banking and took a fine conditioned over wintered Brown Trout of 6lb 8oz (see attached picture).

Meanwhile 10 year old Finnian Macmurray from Darlington landed a nice 5lb 2oz specimen from the boats on spinner (see attached picture).

There are a few buzzers coming off the lake despite the cold weather experienced of late, however expect hatches to improve as the weather warms. Surface feeding will then be stimulated and location of the fish will drastically improve. For daily updates please find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

There was a last minute capture to end our Pike season. Jane Shirley from Herts’ took a nice conditioned 17 pounder on a lucky strike lizard spoon from the car park area on a boat. Don’t forget our Pike season is now closed until the 1^st October.

For all you competition anglers out there heat 2 of the Esthwaite Pairs competition will take place on Saturday 20^th April. There are prizes for every contestant and heat winners and a chance to mix it with the big guns in the final, to be held on September 29^th, where there will be over £3000 worth of prizes up for grabs.

Also don’t forget our individual fly fishing competiton will be held on Sunday 19^th May. Again there will be some fabulous prizes up for grabs and a chance to be crowned Esthwaite Individual champion 2013. Please contact the fishery for more details.

Our next discounted tuition day will be held on Sunday 21^st April. This 4 hour session will start at 10am and last until 2pm. The cost is £10 per person and a fantastic way of having a taster session to learn the art of flyfishing. Please book your place in advance!

Best Regards

David Coleman M.I.F.M /  FISHERY MANAGER