BRISTOL WATER FISHERY REPORTS
17th – 23rdMay 2013
TOTAL FISH TAKEN TO DATE17,220
Weather:Settled conditions for the first few days but colder and breezier again by the end of the week. Little rain but not much in the way of sunshine or warmth for the time of year.
Water:All the lakes remain very clear except on lee shores. The very first signs of a little weed growth in places. Water temperatures are still lower than normal at this time of year at about 12.5 ºC.
Amazing fishing at both of the main lakes with hundreds of limit bags and very high average weights. Chew valley has seen two rainbows over 9lbs.
CHEW VALLEY Fantastic fishing for everyone throughout the week. Things started well when on the weekend in an England qualifier 36 of the 38 anglers took at least 8 fish, 30 of them completing their 12 fish catch and release quota. As well as these catches many other boats have caught well and ‘bagged up’ on the fantastic Chew trout. Two huge overwintered rainbows were taken from the boats – one, the best rainbow of the season so far, tipped the scales at 9.12. This fish was landed by CHRIS HARTLEY from Yorkshire. He hooked the fish in Herons Green bay using a Rio Midge Tip, and a #14 diawl on a washing line. He also landed another r/b of 6.06. The other fish weighing 9.02 was caught by Chew regular TONY GOURLAY. Another remarkable catch was again from the boats by TONY LING. In one day Tony landed, and returned four fish of 7lbs and over. He also had other fish of 5lbs & 6lbs all from the Stratford area of the Lake. A number of other 5 & 6lb fish have been taken this week by other anglers all helping to give an incredible average weight per fish of 2.14.
Fish seem to be present and feeding in most areas of the Lake but the favoured places have been Villice, Herons, East Shore and the Island. Bank anglers have also done well at Woodford, Walley and North Shore. Methods vary and conditions can decide how you fish but sinking lines with boobies and nymphs has been very successful but floating lines with straight nymphs have also caught well. Try fishing in shallow water and don’t move your flies too quickly. Very little in the way of moving fish still.
Catch this week: 1980 fish to 312 rods, a rod average of 6.4at an average weight 2.14.
Catch to date:8086 fish to 1643 rods, a rod average of 4.9 at an average weight of 2.12
BLAGDONGreat sport here too this week with bank and boat fishers getting in on the action. The fresh winds have made fishing a little more difficult at times but most days have seen fish in most of the shallower spots of the lake as well as Butcombe and in front of the Lodge. Similar methods and flies to Chew Valley. Bank anglers are also taking fish from Green Lawn, Rainbow, Holt Bay, Rugmoor and Ash Trees.
Catch this week:1026fish to 241 rods, a rod average of 4.3 at an average weight 2.11
Catch to date:7533fish to 1696 rods, a rod average of 4.4 at an average weight 2.10.
BARROWSThis week has at last brought rising and moving fish to the Barrows. Although still cool there has been good hatches and those prepared to try very small buzzers and dries have been rewarded by some excellent top of the water sport. Even if there appears to be no fish on the surface try fishing a floating line with flies only a couple of feet below the surface as the clear water means the fish can see everything and will ‘rise’ to take your flies. With more fish stocked into both tanks this week the weekend’s fishing should be very good.
Catch this week: 185 fish to 61 rods, a rod average of 3.0 at an average weight 1.12
Catch to date: 1601fish to 560 rods, a rod average of 2.9 at an average weight of 1.09
After meeting with the engineers at Barrow we have been informed that we will not be able to stock or fish Barrow 3 for the remainder of this season. The works being done has overrun the planned finish date and the level will remain very low until September. While this situation continues we cannot stock the lake or allow anglers access on to the shores on health & safety grounds.
The winners of the weekly draw this week are Paul Golding and Neil Miller. They win a complimentary boat for two.
The new Bristol Water Fisheries website is now up and running. Please have a look at for more up to the minute reports, news, pictures and other fishing related subjects and interest.
Bristol Water Fisheries, Woodford Lodge, Chew Stoke, Nr Bristol, BS40 8XH.
Tel 01275 332339, Fax 01275 331377, email