ESTHWAITE WATER TROUT FISHERY REPORT – 2/5/12

Despite the continuous unsettled weather patterns from the North East, keeping the temperatures down, the fishery has been on top form once again and the imitative fishing has been superb with fish very much up in the water. Although hatches have been restricted good numbers of buzzer, olives and alders have been coming off the water keeping the fish near the surface and feeding with gusto!

Being regular visitors to the fishery the season ticket rods have been having a ball. Over 3 visits Richard Maddox from Barrow in Furness has landed 41 trout on fly from the boats. Richard opted to fish an intermediate line and damsels to take his huge haul of fish, which was topped by his personal best rainbow of 11lb 12oz (see attached photo).

Jim Miller, another season rod from nearby Keswick has taken 28 trout over 3 visits on similar tactics. Meanwhile John Gardner from Morecambe has caught 24 trout over 2 visits. John also employed an intermediate with cats whisker and damsel combos’.

Also doing well on the fly Stephen Emerson and Tony Averill from Kelso landed 20+ rainbows and browns fishing buzzer and Montana on a floating line from the boats.

John Battersby from Freckleton fished from the boats and landed 8 trout to 2lb+ on the fly. Meanwhile Bob Swann fished dabblers on a fast glass intermediate and took 12 rainbows.

Hawkshead Angling Club member Thomas Morris from Whithaven fished a washing line set up on a floating line with a midge tip and took 16 rainbows to 2lb 8oz. Buzzer was the killing pattern fished from the boats!

Any method anglers are also doing well from the boats and the bank and Matt Hunt aged 9 from Warrington took a fabulous rainbow of 12lb 10oz from the South basin on spinner, while fishing with his dad Dave, well done son! (see attached photo)

Heat 2 of the 2012 Esthwaite Water Trout Fishery Open Pairs competition was contested last weekend and qualifying for the final was the top 2 pairs. In second place Barry Brookes and Paul Bland weighed in 12 trout for 16lb including time bonus. Meanwhile in first place Ernie Craster and Peter Crowe weighed in 12 trout for 16lb 5oz, in what was to prove a very close heat indeed. The next heat of this great competition will take place on Saturday 12^th May. Please contact the fishery to book your place!

The Esthwaite Water 2012 Tackle Shop Challenge match was contested last week. Six tackle shops from the North West area competed in this light hearted competition and the winners once again for the second year running were The Northwest Angling Centre in Wigan. Proprietor Dave Hunt and angling partner Scott Graham weighed in a brace of fish weighing 8lb 10oz. Well done to those two, obviously an effective partnership!

Anyone wishing to fish the Esthwaite Water Individual Competition to be contested on Sunday 20^th May should contact the fishery immediately for registration. This new boat fly competition will be a friendly individuals competition and will be fished to Esthwaite Water competition rules. There are some great prizes up for grabs in what promises to be a fantastic new loch style comp’. Entry fee is £32.50 per person and boat allocation will take place on the day. Anyone is welcome!

The next discounted tuition day will take place on Sunday 13^th May, there are still places left for this event, so please contact the fishery A.S.A.P if you would like to learn to fly fish or just brush up on your existing technique and the cost is £10 per person!

Best Regards

David Coleman M.I.F.M

FISHERY MANAGER

Latest Report!

ESTHWAITE WATER TROUT FISHERY REPORT – 17/4/12

The fishing over the Easter period has been little short of spectacular, with some impressive catch returns submitted. Throughout the warmer weather there have been some fantastic hatches of buzzers, olives and alders and top of the water fishing was spectacular at times, however during periods of cooler weather, associated with the April showers and cooler winds, nymphing and lure tactics have been the favoured tactics to adopt!

Season ticket holder Jim Miller from Keswick has been on top form taking 42 fish over 4 visits to the fishery. Jim has taken the majority of his fish on slow sinking lines and cats whisker/ blob and diawl bach combos, fished from the boats. Another season rod that has doing well is John Gardner from nearby Morecambe. John employed cats whisker and damsel patterns and has caught 18 fish in 2 visits, again fishing from the boats. Whereas Richard Maddox has taken 29 trout over 2 visits on fly and spinning tactics.

Over the Easter break, its not just been about the quantity of fish reported, but the quality in some cases has been phenomenal. Indeed Ian Bentley from Ribchester bank fished in Stockie bay and latched into an absolute monster of a rainbow at 13lb, caught on spinning tactics. (see attached photo). Also Lee Gallagher from Windermere also fished in the same area, but from a boat and took 8 trout in total. Lee’s best fish was an 11lb rainbow and a cracking fish also. Lee landed his fish on spinners too.(see attached photo).

John Johnstone from Surrey took the place apart on his latest visit. Fishing from the boats with mainly Damsels and Cats whiskers in conjunction with slow sinking lines John recorded 121 rainbows and browns to 3lb+ over a 10 day period!

Meanwhile England Youth squad member John Macintosh fished the washing line tactic with a booby on the point and a variety of nymphs and buzzers to record 6 rainbows from the boats in the South basin.

Bob Swann from County Durham visited the fishery last week and had 14 rainbows to the boat by employing an intermediate line and dabblers. Bob also took a 15lb Pike which gave him the run around on fly tackle.

Emile Fraczek from Grasmere fished spinner to take a fabulous 7lb 9oz trout from the boats. The fish was returned safely to the water!

The Easter period has seen the kids back on the bank in numbers and plenty of smiling faces with the good fishing that has been experienced lately. The Smith family from Cheshire had a day to remember, landing 12 trout on float fished worm. Oscar, Joe and Eugene all got in on the action to round off a day to remember!

Don’t forget there are still places left for this weekends Open Pairs competition, heat 2 on Saturday April 21^st. If you are wishing to fish the competition please get in touch A.S.A.P to reserve your boat!

Also the next discounted tuition day will take place on Saturday 28^th April. Participants will need an EA licence and a brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses. These courses are not to be missed and only cost £10 for a full 4 hours fly fishing tuition. The course starts at 10 am and finish at 2 pm. Please contact us on 015394 36541 or email trout@hawkshead.demon.co.uk.

Best Regards

David Coleman M.I.F.M

FISHERY MANAGER

Latest Report!

ESTHWAITE WATER TROUT FISHERY REPORT – 30/3/12

TROUT FISHING

The fantastic sport that has been experienced throughout March continues and with the warm weather for the time of year, the buzzer hatches have been immense. Rising fish has been commonplace, even in bright sunlight and overcast days have been electric for top of the water and emerger fishing. The nymph fishing has also been good, especially on days when a cool wind is blowing and there are little signs of surface activity.

Best areas include Weather Bay, Swimming Pool and the boathouse stretch in the North basin. Whereas the ticket office frontage, Strickland bay and 4 tree bay have been the hot spots in the South basin.

The superb catch returns continue to flood in. Ian Singleton and Bill Ethrington  from Barrow had a superb day in Weather Bay from the boats, taking 11 rainbows and 1 Brown Trout, all on the fly!

Season ticket holder Richard Maddox took 4 rainbows and 2 browns all on fly from the boats in the North basin. Meanwhile John Gardner took 4 rainbows on similar tactics.

Venue regular Jim Miller from Keswick fished cats whisker and Montana nymphs to record 6 rainbows to 3lb 3oz from the boats and on a subsequent visit Jim took a 4lb 8oz over wintered rainbow to similar tactics (see attached picture).

Peregrine Team Esthwaite member Adam Larbeleistier experienced a superb practice session on the lake. Fishing from a boat and employing the washing line tactics in conjunction with nymphs and buzzers fished just sub surface, Adam recorded 20+ fish!

Meanwhile Malcolm Robson a HAC member from Morecambe fished cats whisker on a slow sink line to record 10 rainbows in 2 visits to the fishery, again fishing from the boats!

The Troutmasters fish off at Esthwaite Water was won by Mike Laycock who weighed in 6 trout for a total weight of 14lb 12 oz and in second place England Youth squad member John Macintosh weighed in 6 fish for 12lb 4oz. Mike now gets to represent the fishery at the Trout Masters final to be held on Grafham Water in May. Good luck Mike, give ‘em hell!

Also the annual Chaplow’s fun match was contested last week and the day was full of the usual leg pulling and general camaraderie. The winner of the match was Phil Hawkins who weighed in his 3 trout for 5lb 5oz. In second place Ryan Morris weighed in 3 trout for 4lb 13oz and in third place Arthur Laughton weighed in 3 trout for 3lb 11oz.

PIKE FISHING

The warm weather has slowed the Pike fishing some what as they get ready for spawning, however resident Esthwaite guide Alex Barton took a fine conditioned 26 pounder which fell to a lure in the car park area of the lake ( see attached picture ).

Also another guided trip ended in Mrs Jane Shirley from Bedfordshire who took a fine brace of Pike with Esthwaite guide Dave Coleman. Jane landed a 16 pounder on a lure and followed this up with a mint 23 pounder on deadbait to finish off.

The Pike season here on Esthwaite is closed after the end of March and will resume on October 1^st. Anyone interested in fishing the venue for the 2012/13 winter season should contact the fishery on 015394 36541 or email us at trout@hawkshead.demon.co.uk.

Best Regards

David Coleman M.I.F.M

FISHERY MANAGER

Latest Report!

ESTHWAITE WATER TROUT FISHERY REPORT – 15/3/2012

TROUT FISHING

What a fantastic start to the season we have had here at Esthwaite, with many good reports of double figure bags, and all methods producing the fish and some spring like weather to cap it all off, can’t be bad! The lake received its first stocking on the 1^st March and right from the word go, the fishing was excellent. Hawkshead Angling Club member Jamie Timmins enjoyed an epic session, landing 30+ trout from the ticket office banking, mostly Rainbows on worm and spinning tactics, however he accounted for a beautiful over wintered specimen Brown Trout of 4lb+, which was released safely (see attached picture). Also bank fishing David Telford from Bootle landed 8 rainbows to 2lb+ on legered worm. Cameron Johnson aged 13 from Leigh in Lancashire fished worm and sweetcorn from the car park and took another over wintered Brown Trout of 5lb (see attached photo). Meanwhile season ticket holder Joe Reynolds from Barrow landed 8 rainbows on spinning tactics. Mike Japp from Blackpool also fished the spinner and landed a rainbow of 4lb 6oz.

Fly anglers have also been doing well. Richard Maddox from Barrow boat fished the North basin and took 5 rainbows on sinking line and appetiser lures. Fishing similar tactics John Gardner from Morecambe also took 5 rainbows on cats whiskers and orange fritz combo’s.

While practicing for the open pairs heat, HAC member Bob Swann took 20 rainbows from the boats over 2 days. Bob employed a variety of lures and nymphs on a sinking line. Meanwhile Jon Henderson, also on a practice day landed 12 rainbows and a 10lb Pike on similar tactics!

Bill Hethrington, a season ticket holder from Barrow landed 5 rainbows while fishing from the boats. All Bill’s fish were taken on cats whisker and orange fritz, fished on a sinking line. Also Ian Ferguson from Brampton took 8 rainbows to 2lb+ on Dawsons olive’s fished from the boats!

Stephen Fletcher from Consett boat fished the North basin and landed another grown on Brown Trout which was safely returned and must have been 5lb+ (see attached picture). Stephen caught the brownie on fly and landed 4 other rainbows too.

The Peregrine team Esthwaite lads fished the venue last weekend and landed 26 rainbows and 2 brownies between them. All of them boat fished and took fish on early season favourites such as black and green damsels and  boobies fished in conjunction with sinking lines!

Our open day on Sunday 11^th March was a blast. Heat 1 of the 2012 Open Pairs competition was contested with 16 anglers landing 64 rainbows for a total weight of 109lb 1oz. In second place Bob Swann and Colin O’brien weighed in 12 fish for 22lb 2oz and in first place Mike Frith and Mike Henshall weighed in 12 fish for 23lb 6oz, including the time bonus. Both pairs now go through to the final in September. Also on open day James Atkinson and John Macintosh from the England Youth Flyfishing team conducted a fantastic fly tying demonstration which kept everybody amused in the tackle shop. Our discounted fly fishing tuition session was well attended with our resident instructor Ian Jones giving participants all the help they needed to get started. There were many people who just popped down for the craic and the camaraderie was fantastic, as was the weather which stayed mild and spring like for a change!

For all the latest information log onto our website www.hawksheadtrout.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Best Regards

David Coleman M.I.F.M

FISHERY MANAGER

Latest Report!

ESTHWAITE WATER TROUT FISHERY REPORT – 28/2/12

TROUT FISHING

The cold weather, has now been replaced with spring like temperatures and the trout have been moving near the surface and taking the odd buzzer. Catches have been slow still, however there have been a few nice fish taken.

Hawkshead Angling Club member Dave Bell landed a nice brace of Brown Trout, that were successfully released on legered worm from the ticket office banking. Dave’s best fish was a cracking 3lb+ fish.

Meanwhile John Brown from Lancaster fly fished fry patterns from the boats and took 3 nice rainbows to 4lb from the South basin.

The lake will receive its first stocking of the year on March 1^st, so expect sport to pick up no end. The mild winter has had a positive effect on the over wintering stock and so prospects for March are looking very good indeed.

Our open day will take place on Sunday March 11^th. The day will include heat 1 of Esthwaite Pairs competition. There will be a discounted tuition session running from 10am until 2pm. The cost for this is £10 per person, anyone is welcome, just remember to bring a hat and a pair of sunglasses. Each participant will need an EA licence, which will need to be purchased in advance of the day. There will be a fly tying demonstration, conducted by the England Youth squad members and you can learn how to tie that ‘hot’ Esthwaite pattern. Also special offers on fishing tackle and complimentary food and drink will be available, as well as general camaraderie. Feel free to come and chat to our friendly staff, everyone is welcome. Please contact the fishery for further details!

PIKE FISHING

The Pike fishing has been on top form since the thaw and static deadbaits have reigned supreme for the majority of anglers visiting the fishery.

Chris Oakes from Lincoln experienced the best session, taking 5 Pike to 28lb on sea deadbaits from the boats (see attached picture)

Meanwhile Mark Jones from Colwyn Bay employed the guiding service available at Esthwaite and took 2 Pike to 20lb 8oz, again on static deadbaits from the boats.

Peter Bragg from Whitehaven took a 22lb fish on Mackerel deadbait.

Chris Harris lure fished and landed a 20lb 8oz fish, again from the boats!

Paul White from Carlisle used smelt to land a 21 pounder.

H.A.C member Dave Roscoe took a 19lb 4oz fish to similar tactics. Meanwhile Ian Spence from Barnard Castle fished a static deadbait and landed a 21 pounder.

James Goodall from Grasmere took a 25lb 10 oz fish to legered mackerel ( see attached photo) and Mark Billington from Sedbergh fished with an Esthwaite guide and took a cracking 24lb 8oz fish (see attached photo).

Don’t forget the Pike season runs until the end of March, please telephone the fishery in advance to reserve your boat, tightlines!

Best Regards

David Coleman M.I.F.M

FISHERY MANAGER

Latest Report!

ESTHWAITE WATER TROUT FISHERY REPORT – 1/2/12

TROUT FISHING

With the colder weather kicking in, the trout fishing has slowed some what since the exceptional sport we experienced prior to the new year. However one or two fish have been reported on worming tactics.

Hawkshead Angling Club member Dave Bell from nearby Windermere fished legered worm next to the ticket office and landed a fine Brown Trout of 2lb+, which was safely released.

Meanwhile Kate Watson another H.A.C member from Burton in Kendal fished bubble float and worm and took a beautiful 3lb 10oz rainbow.

Don’t forget the fishery will receive its first stocking on March 1^st and our open day will take place on Sunday 11^th March and will include the usual camaraderie of the first heat of the open pairs and a discounted tuition session in the morning. There will be a fly tying demonstration conducted by two members of the England youth fly fishing team and they will be offering practical tips and you can learn how to tie that ‘hot’ Esthwaite pattern. Also there will be special offers on fishing tackle and complimentry food and drink will be available. Feel free to come and chat to our friendly staff, everyone is welcome. Contact the fishery for further details.

Hawkshead Angling Club, which is affiliated with Esthwaite Water is now recruiting for the 2012 season. Membership fees are £135 for adults and £31 for juniors. There is now NO eligibility boundary, so anybody can join, it is no longer restricted to locals. For those who want to take up this fabulous offer, please contact the secretary Dave Armstrong on 01946 691889 or email mrdarmstrong@sky.com. Members benefit from a 60% discount on boat rental.

PIKE FISHING

Well what can I say, the pike  fishing has been fabulous recently with a number of leviathans reported.

First up Robert and Tom Clarke from Fleetwood employed deadbaits from the boats to take 3 pike up to 10lb.

Mike Atherton from Blackpool also deadbaited and took a 16lb snapper. Warren Hessey from Blackpool took an 18 pounder, again fishing deadbaits from the boats.

Meanwhile John Ashurst from Wigan also landed an 18lb 12oz fish from the boats, again static deadbait was the key!

Venue regular Dave Roscoe from Bury took a string of fish with boat partner, young James Macdonald aged 11. They also deadbaited from the boats and landed 4 doubles to 17lb and a 21 pounder , a 22 pounder and a 23lb 8oz specimen respectively! (see attached photo).

John Lodge from Colne in Lancashire fished the ticket office banking on day ticket and took this pb pike, a 28lb cracker. This one fell to a mackerel tail. ( see attached photo ).

However I always save the best until last! Feast your eyes on this Lake District lunker of 30lb 4oz to Nick Stopford from Kendal.( see attached photo ) He enjoyed a fine afternoons deadbaiting from the boats and his mate Graham Mclean also took a 21 pounder to round off.

The coarse fishing is still good. Martin Winward from Barrow has been getting 10lb+ bags every visit and 18lb 8oz of roach and perch on his last visit.

Remember our pike season continues until the 31^st March and our general coarse fishing continues until the end of February. Please contact the ticket office on 015394 36541 to reserve your boat. Or log onto our website www.hawksheadtrout.com for all other information required.

Best Regards

David Coleman M.I.F.M

FISHERY MANAGER

Latest Report!

ESTHWAITE WATER TROUT FISHERY REPORT – 12/1/12

TROUT FISHING

The mild winter continues and so does the excellent trout fishing. The ticket office frontage is still the best place to fish with the worm, however the boat anglers are reporting one or two fish as well.

Fishing legered and float fished worm adjacent to the ticket office seems to be the most popular and effective method and area at present with numerous fish reported from here.

Hawkshead Angling Club member Dave Bell from nearby Windermere has landed 7 trout in 3 visits. Dave has taken both rainbows and browns to 2lb+, all on worm from here.

Also doing well is season ticket holder Richard Maddox who has been catching on similar tactics and methods. Richards best fish was taken over the festive period and weighed in at approximately 5lb.(see attached photo)

Meanwhile Paul Forsyth from Derby fished from the boats with fly to record 4 Rainbows to 4lb+ on sinking line and booby/floating fry combinations.

There are very few Cormorants on the lake this winter, so providing the weather stays mild, prospects for the trout fishing over the forthcoming weeks looks good!

PIKE FISHING and COARSE FISHING

Once again there has been a number of Pike reported in recent weeks. Geoff Birtwistle from Bury has taken quite a few fish over a number of visits. One session produced 3 doubles to 18lb+ on deadbaits from the boats. Other sessions have produced the odd double, however Geoffs best fish was a 21lb beauty taken on a smelt deadbait (see attached photo).

Mike Atherton from Blackpool took a fine 16lb Pike while static deadbaiting from the boats.

Nigel Wood from Lincoln took a brace of snappers. A 9 pounder and an 18lb 3oz fish to similar tactics.

Big s club member Chris Harris has landed plenty to 15lb+ on lures fished from the boat.

Robert and Tom Clarke from Fleetwood also deadbaited and took 3 Pike to double figures.

Chris Presland from Newcastle took a nice 18 pounder on the fly from the boats and new Big s club member Joe Southern from Bacup in Lancashire took a  fine 21lb Pike , again on static deadbaits from the boats.

The coarse anglers are still reporting excellent sport with quiver tipped maggot tactics, with plenty of double figure bags and given the right conditions 20-30lb bags have been commonplace.

Please telephone the ticket office for all the up to date information!

Best Regards

David Coleman M.I.F.M

FISHERY MANAGER