Fly fishing is the rule at our stocked fisheries, although other fishing methods are allowed at some other lakes.

We are particularly keen to encourage young people and newcomers to take up the sport, and have a number of initiative and events planned during the season, including training courses and taster days. The Trust will be running a series of introduction days in conjunction with the Environment Agency and local qualified instructors - details are posted on the diary page. Under 14's may fish for free when sharing their parents' bag limit.

Boats, providing a loch-style alternative to bank angling are available at major sites on most days. These may be prebooked. You are advised to call in advance to check availability

Most of the major stocked fisheries provide facilities for disabled anglers. Wheelyboats are available which provide access to the water for less able anglers and wheelchair users. These boats must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

A number of the fisheries have local clubs associated with the waters. These are a great way to meet fellow anglers, as well as participating in competitions and social events. We organise three competitions during the season - one at each of the major sites: Wimbleball - boat, Kennick - bank, and Siblyback - team bank). Details and results are posted on the diary and news pages.

please remember:
• permit fees cover the car parking charges made at some sites
• dogs are not permitted to accompany anglers on the bank
• please take all your litter home and keep the countryside clean
• in the interests of hygiene and public safety we do not allow people or dogs to swim in the lakes
• catch returns must be completed on sites where available
• boat anglers MUST wear approved buoyancy aids (available on site) and follow the boat angling code of conduct
• anglers on all our waters must have a valid Environmnt Agency rod licence (available from post offices or via the Environment Agency on 0870 1662662). The only exception may be when attending a bona fide course or a coaching session with a qualified coach - please check beforehand.

We want you to enjoy your fishing, so if you have any suggestions for improvements, please contact Chris Hall on 01647 277587 or e-mail chall@swlakestrust.org.uk.

The South West Lakes Trust is a member of The Angling Trust and the Association of Stillwater Game Fishery Managers.South West Lakes Trout Fisheries Monthly Carch Report July 2010)

Trout Fishing report for the lakes and reservoirs in Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset.

General:
July continued to be dry and warm, and water levels in the reservoirs continue to slowly drop. Water temperatures remained around 20˚C in the upper layers. Sedges, buzzers, and beetles proved to be the staple diet on most of the waters.

Fishing:
Kennick - The fishing at Kennick continued to provide some excellent sport, with both boat and bank anglers catching well, with a rod average for the month of just over 3.5 fish per angler. Success fluctuated on a weekly basis between the boats (when the fish were in the deeper water out in the middle of the fishery) and the banks (when the fish congregated in the shallower top end of the reservoir). There was an abundance of small black buzzers on the water, which meant that small buzzers (size 14) and nymph patterns (Diawl Bach and Pheasant Tails) proved to be particularly successful; when the fish were deeper, it was mainly an assortment of booby patterns or weighted damsel nymphs that were most effective.
Although there were no particularly gig fish caught during the month, the fish are strong and powerful at the moment. The best fish of the month included rainbows of 4lb caught by Hilary Herring (of Thurlstone), Geoff Wheildon (of Seaton), and C. Campbell, while Duncan Kier (of Belstone) caught a bag of 34 fish up to 3lb 8oz
While fishing from a boat on a Catch-and-Release ticket using a Damsel Nymph fished in deep water.

Siblyback - although the fishing became more challenging as the month progressed, the rod average for the month was a respectable 3.5 fish per angler. Both boats and bank anglers caught fish, with the boats catching mainly over The Marshes, and bank anglers in Stocky Bay and by the bird hide. Few fish were taken from the surface - sub-surface nymphs proved the most successful (particularly Diawl Bachs and Montanas), with Orange Lures and Boobies taking the deeper fish.
The best fish of the month was a 5lb 13oz rainbow, caught from the bank by D.Cole of Plymouth.
The Snowbee Team bank competition was fished on 4 July, and was won by the Siblyback Raiders, consisting of Dave Johns, Tony Chipman, Roger Truscott, and Paul Jones.

Wimbleball - the rods continued to achieve good catches throughout July, with a rod average over the month of just over four fish per angler, with the boats achieving marginally better results (particularly by the Dam, in Cow Moor, and Bessoms) than the bank anglers. Early mornings and late evenings, especially at Ruggs and Bessoms produced the best sport from the banks. The main surface activity was during the evenings, when a selection of dry flies (including Hoppers, Sedges and Olives) provided excellent sport.
The best fish of the month included a rainbow of 6lb 4oz, caught by B.Carl, who also had rainbows of 5lb 2oz and 3lb, while fishing from the bank, as well as a 6lb rainbow caught by John Tyzack, using an Orange Leadhead.

Stithians -.Bank fishing with floating lines is producing the best sport, with Yellowort Point, Pub Bay, Sailing Club Bank, and Deep Bank the most productive areas. Good hatches throughout the day, but particularly in the evenings, mean that dry patterns are fishing well, notably Sedges, Black Hoppers, Beetles and Black and Peacock, while sub-surface nymphs (Gold Ribbed Hares Ear and Pheasant Tail Nymphs) and emergers are also catching fish.

Fernworthy - The brown trout at this fishery are still feeding well, with plenty of fish readily rising throughout the day, and an excellent evening rise, and grown-on browns up to 2lb regularly caught. Fish are generally being taken on a selection af dark nymphs (Montanas, Buzzers, and Pheasant Tail nymphs) as well as off the surface, where sedges, Black Gnats, Bibios, and dark Hoppers have all produced good results.

Chris Hall (August 2010)