All of the South West Lakes Trust trout fisheries continue to be operated under strict Covid 19 restrictions, in line with the Angling Trust and Government guidelines. At the time of writing the on-site permit huts are still not yet open, so day tickets, season tickets, and boats should be pre-booked online (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing). Water levels are currently about 80% full.

 

Fishing:

Kennick 

July was a month of very mixed weather, with a cool start, then heavy rains, followed by a minor heatwave (with air temperatures up to the high twenties, bright sunshine, warm nights, and swiftly rising water temperatures), with the fish heading to the cooler deeper water. Subsequently boat anglers faired better than those fishing from the bank as the month progressed, with sunk patterns on an intermediate or sinking line, or on a floating line with a long leader producing the best results (in spite of some prolific midge and sedge hatches). Early mornings and evenings proved to be the most productive times to fish, with The Narrows, Top End, Clampitts, and Poplar Bay all producing some exciting sport. A slow figure-of-eight retrieve was the most effective method, with successful flies including Diawl Bachs, Buzzers, Montanas, Damsel Nymphs, Vivas, and Kennick Killers. Anglers averaged around three fish per angler; a number of full bags caught over the month, with David H and Dick Y having the most successful day, catching 20 rainbows up to 2lbs between them from a drifting boat using sinking lines in Clampitts Bay.

 

Photos: Stephen N

Siblyback 

the fishing became more challenging as the month progressed and the water warmed, although good bags were reported throughout July. Stocky Bay, Two Meadows, and West bank all produced consistent fishing, with a variety of depths and retrieval methods all getting results. A selection of floating beetle patterns and dry Sedges attracted fish to the surface, while nymphs, Buzzers, Montanas and a selection of deeper fished lures (Cats Whiskers, Boobies, and Blobs) caught sub-surface feeders. Simon W caught six rainbows to 3lb using Blobs and Beetles, Rich T caught ten rainbows using a deer-hair sedge, and Matt C caught five rainbows to 3lb using an orange FAB and a red crisp packet buzzer on a floating line with washing line set-up.

 

Burrator 

The fishing improved as the month progressed, with a  final weekly rod average of just over two fish per rod, with anglers catching fish at a variety of depths on both floating and sinking lines, and in spite of beetles being blown onto the surface, most fish were caught on sub-surface patterns, (Hares Ears, Diawl Bachs, Buzzers, Damsel Nymphs, and Black Crunchers), with only the occasional fish coming up to a beetle imitation. Longstone Point was the most productive location, and Mike E caught the best bag – nine rainbows from a boat.

 

Photos: Alan Lawson

Stithians 

Rods averaged 1.75 fish per angler, with fish well spread out across the lake. Floating lines with or without a sink tip and slow or figure-of-eight retrieves produced the best results, with dry patterns (try sedges, beetles, Adams, Hoppers, and midge emergers) catching plenty of fish; Daiwl Bachs, Damsel Nymphs, Buzzers, and Orange Blobs accounted for most of the deeper feeding fish. Clive P caught three rainbows, the largest of which weighed 3lb 8oz; Simon P caught nine rainbows, all at about 2lb, using the washing-line method, with a FAB on the point, and a Pennel/Peackock on the droppers. Mark W caught a 2lb Rudd on a Black Buzzer. At the end of June Adam P caught a beautiful wild Brown trout of 7lb.

 

Photo: John Hedges

Colliford 

The banks by the dam, as well as West Bay and Redhill Downs produced the best fishing, although the sport this month has proved to be more challenging at Colliford. Fishing on or near the surface has proved to be the most productive, with successful patterns including Foam Beetles, Black Gnats, Black Spiders, Bibios, Olive Emergers, and Damsle Nymphs. Chris T caught three browns up to 32cm, fishing a static dry fly in one evening, and six up to 30cm in another session.

 

Photo: Zoe Thomson

Fernworthy 

Midge hatches are producing a good late evening rise, while beetles have been blown onto the water off the North Bank during the day with plenty of fish feeding. Lowton Bay, Permit Hut Bay, Thornworthy and South Banks have all produced some good sport, with fish eagerly taking Coch-y-bondhu, Black Sedge, Black Gnat, Sedgehog, and Hawthorn patterns, with anglers mainly using a slow retrieve on a floating line. Stuart D caught a 30cm brownie using a black Gnat, while Gary Stickland caught eight browns using a Bibio and a Wooly Bugger; Terry H landed eight browns, and lost as many any again, using a coch-y-bondhu.

 

Roadford 

Bank and boat anglers have both enjoyed good sport this month, either fishing deep with a sinking line, or a floating line with a sink-tip. The Oaks, Wortha Bay, and Grinnacombe produced the best sport, with fish often rising to CDC Emergers, Coch-y-Bondhus, and Black Gnats; otherwise, deeper fished Damsel and Montana Nymphs as well as Appetisers produced results. Paul T enjoyed a great session from a boat off North Wortha Bank, using a sinking line – catching the largest brown caught this season, a beautiful fish weighing in at just over 6lb, along with seven other browns.

Photos: Paul Tyson Plumber

 

Please visit the South West Lakes Trust website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for the latest Covid19 updates, as well as details on ticket prices, fishery information, Clubs, competitions, and boat availability.