All of the South West Lakes trout fisheries are now open for the 2021 season. They continue to operate under strict Covid19 restrictions, in line with the Angling Trust and Government guidelines. This means that the fishing will be available to local anglers only, until the current travel restrictions are lifted. The on-site permit rooms remain closed, so day tickets, season tickets and boats should be pre-booked online.

Fishing:

Kennick – The water is still cold, and fish remain in the deeper water, so fishing with sinking lines, or intermediate lines fished with a weighted fly and long leader and a slow retrieve, is proving to be the most effective method.

The fish are eager to feed and weekly rod averages vary between 3 and 3.5 fish per angler, with Clampitts Bay, Forest Bay, Boat Bay and Oak Tree Point proving to be the most productive areas for both boat and bank anglers. Weighted single lures (Boobies and Blobs), along with Montanas, Damsels and Diawl Bachs, have all been catching well, with fish often taking on the drop.

While no big fish have yet been caught, many anglers are bagging up with fish up to 3lb. Matt B caught 15 fish from a float tube in Boat Bay and Kevin Primmer also caught 10 fish from a float tube.

Siblyback – As the water temperatures start to rise, Siblyback’s fish are becoming more active and looking to feed, with a few surface feeders on warmer days. Anglers averaged just under three fish per rod over the month, with Stocky Bay, North Shore and Two Meadows producing the best sport.

A variety of lures (Tadpoles, Orange Blobs and Cats Whiskers) and nymphs (Montanas and Damsels), fished on intermediate or sinking lines, produced the best results, with Mr. G.Hext catching 10 rainbows up to 3lb 1oz on one visit and eight rainbows to 2.2lbs on another. John Rumbold caught rainbows of 2.2lb and 3lb in one session.

The Siblyback boats are not yet available but are due to be launched shortly.

Burrator – In spite of the cold conditions and easterly winds, the season at Burrator opened with some superb fishing. The fish were eager to feed (anything flashy on a sinking line seemed to work) with anglers averaging 5.3 fish per rod on the opening weekend and 4.4 fish per rod over the month.

Although boat anglers were able to reach the deeper water, finding fish at Discovery Bank, Sheepstor Bank, Pig Trough Bay and the central water, bank anglers also enjoyed excellent sport, particularly at Longstone and Discovery Bank.

Bags of 12 fish were caught by a number of anglers, including Al Lawson, Ian Foxley, Kevin Sellar and B.Prout, while Simon Jefferies caught 9 fish to 3lb. Boobies and Blue Flash Lures proved effective, as did Montanas, Nomads and Kennick Killers, with the fish really starting to feed in the mid-afternoon.

Stithians – Although the weather was cold and variable early in the month, a few fish were already coming to the surface to feed and, by the end of the month, fish were being regularly taken on dry patterns although, generally, deeper-fished lures (Cats Whiskers, Cormorants and Orange Blobs) or nymphs (Damsels and Buzzers) produced the best results.

Fish have been well spread out, with anglers catching well at Dam Bank, Hollis bank, Goonlaze, Pub Bay, Pipe Bay and Carnmenellis. Rob Stephens caught a rainbow of 2lb 15oz and Warren Chegwidden landed a rainbow of 2lb 12oz (using an orange-head Damsel), with plenty of fish over 2lb coming to the net over the month.

Colliford – This fishery got off to a tremendous start to the season, with anglers averaging 6.5 fish per rod - a mixture of overwintered and freshly stocked browns.

With hatches of dark upwing flies on the water, plenty of fish were rising to feed and anglers enjoyed great surface sport using Beetles and Sedge patterns. As the fish were keen to feed, a wide variety of sub-surface patterns also worked well, particularly Crunchers, Soldier Palmers, Diawl Bachs, Black and Peacock Spiders, with the best fishing to be found in Fishery Hut Bay and the East Bank.

Simon (from St Austell) caught 17 fish to 1lb 12oz in one session, using foam beetles, Soldier Palmers and Crunchers. David Pilkington caught 12 fish to 1lb using Bibios, Orange Tags, and Spiders and Dean Boucher caught eight fish to 2lb using Zonkers, Tadpoles and Soldier Pamers.

Fernworthy – This Dartmoor brown trout fishery also started the season well, with anglers averaging 3.5 fish per rod, and the Thornworthy Bank proving to be the best location. Blue Damsels, Dry Bibio Hoppers and mini black lures were the most successful patterns.

Gary Stickland (from Chagford) caught the best bag – nine fish (all released) up to 1lb 4oz, using Black Lures and Hoppers.

Roadford – There was a slower start to the season here and, although a few fish were seen rising on warmer days, all fish caught were taken sub-surface, with Olive damsels, Soldier Palmers, Black and Peacock Spiders the most productive patterns. Deep-fished Black Tadpoles also prove deadly in the early season at Roadford.

The best locations included Shop Bay and North Gaddacombe Point, with boats able to access some of the deeper water. 

 

Please find information on this website regarding the latest Covid19 updates, as well as details on ticket prices, fishery information, clubs, competitions and boat availability.