Chew in top form

9:49am Monday 11th August 2008

WITH mixed weather conditions last week Chew produced some excellent sport for fishermen who rose early and stayed out late when fish were found feeding close into the margins and willing to take nymphs and dries.

North Shore, Villice and Nunnery were worth a visit. Corixa, snail and bloodworm patterns fished very slowly have worked well.

Boat anglers enjoyed excellent sport at times. Areas worth a try are the middle of the lake and the shallow areas near weed beds at Villice, Nunnery, Moreton, Spring Bay and East Shore.

At Blagdon the North Bank is still best for bank anglers even if the wind at times makes it difficult. Perseverance here is well worth the effort as there are fewer fish off the weedier South Shore. Nymphs, buzzers and mini-lures seem to be the best patterns.

Barrow No 2 has reopened and all three tanks are continuing to produce good sport. Look out for moving fish early and late taking on dries and small buzzers. Use nymphs and small lures during daytime.

Chew produced a total catch last week of 1256 fish averaging 2lb 5oz, topped by a brown of 5lb 9oz and rainbow 7lb 10oz, with 71 limit bags.

At Blagdon 399 fish averaging 2lb 8oz were taken, topped by a brown of 5lb and rainbow 5lb 8oz with 14 limits. The Barrows yielded 160 fish averaging 1lb 12oz, topped by a brown of 3lb 1oz and rainbow 2lb 4oz.

The National Lexus finals were fished at Chew.

In heat one 54 anglers caught 358 fish with a rod average of 6.63 and an average weight of 2lb 3oz. In heat two 54 rods took 303 fish a rod average of 5.61 and average weight of 2lb 4oz. Most fish were taken on floating line tactics.

Mid-Northants Team Loop UK topped heat one with 53 trout weighing 139lb 12oz and Gareth Headland was the top individual with 10 fish for 30lb 14oz.

In heat two Foremark Falcons took team honours with 52 fish for 118lb. Nigel Evans took the individual best award with 10 fish for 32lb.

Andrew Haskins took a fine 7lb 10oz rainbow.

Trout fishermen found mixed sport on the Wessex Water trout fisheries last week.

Clatworthy still fished well with 249 fish taken. Buzzers and small sedge patterns are best fished at a depth of about six feet.

The dam area is still going well as is the bay and the far end at Rowes End.

Fred Yeandle took a nice 5lb 8oz rainbow and Richard Hawkins took a five fish limit fort 15lb 6oz.

At Hawkridge just 48 fish were taken. Most were taken on sinking lines from the boats but top of the water fishing proved successful in the mornings and at dusk.

Fish were hard to catch at Sutton Bingham where 49 fish were taken.

HAVE you got an angling story for the Wiltshire Times or Chippenham News?

• Had a good day on the river, lake or at sea and taken a specimen fish or a match-winning catch. Send the details, with your name, address and telephone number - and a picture if you have one - to mbristow@newswilts.co.uk

Theatre, Art & Cinema