Top sport continues for trout anglers

5:01am Tuesday 13th May 2008

TROUT anglers are continuing to enjoy top class sport on the Bristol Water trout fisheries as the weather warms up.

There was some excellent boat fishing at Chew last week with fish coming from most areas and on all methods. The bank anglers also continue to do well from most shores.

There were masses of hatching buzzers last week often coming off all day but especially later in the evening. Those fishermen who have tried dries and emergers have found some success but the fly has to be presented right in front of the fish as there are many naturals on the water for the trout to choose from.

Other methods have also worked well too. Nymphs fished slowly on an intermediate with a washing line works at all times and during competitions many anglers have pulled blobs and boobies to good effect.

The size of fish coming from Chew is exceptional, with a 10lb 2oz brown topping the list. It fell to Simon Matthews when fishing from the bank at Wick Green and took a small black cruncher.

At Blagdon there were very good catches from boats but it was a little harder from the bank. Nymphs fished slowly and fairly deep are working well and the top end of the lake is still the favourite area.

Two big rainbows were taken last week, a 7lb 6oz specimen for Tony Packer from a boat and a 7lb 4oz specimen captured by Geoff Bray, also from a boat.

At the Barrows more fish are beginning to show especially in the mornings and evenings and small emergers are worth a try. During the daytime small nymphs, goldheads and mice are taking fish from most places.

Chew produced a total catch last week of 988 fish averaging a superb 2lb 8oz, topped by a brown of 10lb 2oz and rainbow 10lb, with 71 limit bags.

At Blagdon 990 fish averaging 2lb 4oz were taken, topped by a brown of 5lb 8oz and rainbow 7lb 6oz, with 63 limit bags. The Barrows yielded 251 fish averaging 1lb 10oz, topped by a brown of 1lb 10oz and rainbow 4lb.

Miles is top rod at Lexus International qualifier

THE team heats of the Lexus International were fished at Chew when 48 anglers took to the water.

At the weigh-in an amazing 332 fish had been taken, with 23 completing limit bags and no-one blanking.

Top rod was Mark Miles, who included a 7lb 15oz fish in his limit bag.

Top teams who qualify for the final at Chew in August were Tight Lines, BRFFA Orvis, Blagdon Fly Fishers Bristol Water, BRFFA Park Retail and Team Snowbee.

Black is best at Clatworthy

THE good fishing also continued on the Wessex Water trout fisheries last week.

At Clatworthy 368 fish were taken. Dudderidge fished very well again mainly from the bank. Some good fish were caught at Rowes Farm end of the lake.

Black was the best colour fly fished down near the bottom. Top bag of the week was a 21lb 8oz limit, which included a fine rainbow of 7lb.

Alan Gale took a limit bag of five for 20lb and Mike Lewis a limit of 20lb 12oz.

At Hawkridge 215 fish were taken. Mark Hughes took a five fish limit for 12lb 4oz, including a 4lb rainbow. Fish are being taken on black buzzers, damsel, gold ribbed hares ear and boobies.

Fishing is still excellent at Sutton Bingham with 514 fish last week. The warmer weather has brought the fish up to midwater so fish are now taking smaller fly patterns due to good hatches.

All banks are fishing well now that the fish are moving around feeding while the few boats that have been going out are taking their limits.

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