Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2017 11:34 am Post subject: Bristol Water Reservoir Reports 2017
It's 2017 folks, so time for a new Bristol Waters Reservoirs thread!
As usual you will find links below that should tell you all you need to know about the coming season on the lakes although if you know of any I've missed, let me know so I can add them below.
Winter trout Fishing with Bristol Water Fisheries
For those who cannot wait until March, Bristol Water Fisheries offer trout fishing throughout the winter months on the Tanks (until 31st January 2017) for just £14 and on Litton Lakes all year round.
Special offer!
During February and March you can fish Litton lakes for the reduced price of £40 per person ! Scroll down here for more details or contact Woodford Lodge on 01275 332339.
Ticket prices including details of the new Monthly Permithere
Beginners guides to fishing Chew and Blagdon by Wilderness TV. Good advice for both newbies ... and not so newbies!!
Chew Valley Lake
Blagdon Lake
Excellent advice for boat and bank anglers fishing Blagdon and Chew. Blagdon first then Chew starts at 32.40
Useful local websites ...
I've also included the usual links to local businesses and organisations that will be of interest to anyone who fishes the lakes. If I have missed any or if the links are out of date, let me know and I'll amend the list accordingly
Bristol Branch of the Fly Dressers Guild : Learn how to tie your own flies in the company of like minded fly fishers/fly tiers. All levels of flytier welcome.
http://www.bristolflydressers.co.uk/#branch
Bristol Reservoirs Fly Fishers Association website : one of the longest established and most popular fly fishing clubs in the country. Membership £10, concessions £5, juniors free. Highly recommended!
http://www.brffa.com/
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:30 pm Post subject:
There was a report from BWF that fish were being caught on lures and sinking lines on No.3 and a stonking Brownie was caught from the roadside bank of No. 2 just before Christmas.
I'm hoping to fish the tanks at some point this week and if I do manage to get out I will post a report.
Alan _________________ Member of ...
The Angling Trust
BRFFA
B.A.S.S.
Pike Fly Fishing Association
Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 300 Location: Somerset, UK
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:01 pm Post subject:
Allrounder wrote:
There was a report from BWF that fish were being caught on lures and sinking lines on No.3 and a stonking Brownie was caught from the roadside bank of No. 2 just before Christmas.
I'm hoping to fish the tanks at some point this week and if I do manage to get out I will post a report.
Alan
Thanks for the information Alan
I might have chance to head out next week, so I shall await your report with interest!
I tried to photograph a 12lb brown at Chew at the end of last season though it was released about a second before I had a chance. Others were also trying with their phones though. It hasn't appeared ( as far as I could see ) on BWW's page. It was caught by the 1st boat out on the day, not far along Woodford & was motored back to the jetty, where a ranger got the scales & weighed it, there were at least a couple more of them there at the time. I've no idea who caught it, or on what fly though, but It had one hell of a kype on it. _________________ Hi there, I have around 40 yrs exp. of tying flies, incl. some semi-pro work. I've taught at adult evening classes, written for and supplied photos for most U.K. fly magazines. Given talks/slide shows/lectures/demonstrations etc. Am founder and life pres. of local Fly Dressers Guild (27years), our members have won more prizes for tying than any other similar club, we've also won several national flyfishing comps. I look forward to both learning from and contributing to this highly respected forum.
I tried to photograph a 12lb brown at Chew at the end of last season though it was released about a second before I had a chance. Others were also trying with their phones though. It hasn't appeared ( as far as I could see ) on BWW's page. It was caught by the 1st boat out on the day, not far along Woodford & was motored back to the jetty, where a ranger got the scales & weighed it, there were at least a couple more of them there at the time. I've no idea who caught it, or on what fly though, but It had one hell of a kype on it.
I was told this was a pike angler who caught it, did it survive the trauma and return?
Apparently a stunner so the rangers told me!
This was most defiantly a brown trout & it appeared to survive. _________________ Hi there, I have around 40 yrs exp. of tying flies, incl. some semi-pro work. I've taught at adult evening classes, written for and supplied photos for most U.K. fly magazines. Given talks/slide shows/lectures/demonstrations etc. Am founder and life pres. of local Fly Dressers Guild (27years), our members have won more prizes for tying than any other similar club, we've also won several national flyfishing comps. I look forward to both learning from and contributing to this highly respected forum.
I think it was a fly, but VERY difficult to see with the reflections, rippled water, harsh sunlight I only had a clear view of it for a second or so.
There was no polarizing filter on the d.s.l.r. which may have helped & also protect the front & most expensive element of the lens (BWW's please note, if you want some info, give me a call). As well as cutting reflections, a lot, they also deepen colour saturation & shouldn't cost more than £20. _________________ Hi there, I have around 40 yrs exp. of tying flies, incl. some semi-pro work. I've taught at adult evening classes, written for and supplied photos for most U.K. fly magazines. Given talks/slide shows/lectures/demonstrations etc. Am founder and life pres. of local Fly Dressers Guild (27years), our members have won more prizes for tying than any other similar club, we've also won several national flyfishing comps. I look forward to both learning from and contributing to this highly respected forum.
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 9:24 pm Post subject:
Well today turned out to be the best day of the week for me to fish the Tanks although it wasn't the best day as far as the fish were concerned. There was a hard frost last night although by the time I arrived shortly after noon, things had warmed up although there was still a cold wind.
I decided to have a look at No.3 to start with after chatting to a couple of anglers fishing to the left of the steps and although they told me had nothing to show for their efforts, I decided to have a wander down the roadside bank. My approach today was a d7 with a 5 foot leader with a Black Booby on the dropper and a White Cats Booby on the point. I tried a few casts towards the top of the bank but the cold wind made things uncomfortable so I carried on around and fished opposite the pipe down towards the inflow by the ramp where the wind was more favourable. The water clarity was excellent - not quite tap water but not far off - and there was not too much weed but I never had a touch so I decided to look at the tanks across the road.
I tried the causeway on No.2 towards the inflow to start with but although it looked promising, the very low water level/high bank and swirling wind made it hard to get a good line out so I decided to try the road bank on No.1 from the corner to the house next. Again I found very good clarity and little weed but unfortunately no fish so my final move was to fish the roadside bank of No 2 from the corner to the steps. I hadn't really given this bank a second glance on my way to the causeway but I should have, because the low water level had left the reservoir lip exposed which made for easy fishing. The weed, although present, was not really an issue and I was sure I would find some fish but by now the sun was dipping over the horizon and I had left it too late.
At least that's my first blank of 2017 out of the way but it would be wrong to leave the impression that the Tanks are not worth a visit. The low water levels and scarcity of weed especially on No 2 makes them very accessible and if we get a warm spell before the end of the month I shall certainly try again. I wouldn't recommend fishing after a hard frost though!
Here are a couple of pics ...
Water levels on No.1 ...
At the moment No.2 is as low as I've seen it for some time . This is the natural bank ...
The lip on the roadside bank of No 2 exposed ...
The natural lakebed below the lip on No 2...
And just because I passed Chew on the way, here is the current water level at the dam ...
I think we need some serious rain soon if our reservoirs are to be fully recharged by Opening Day!
Alan _________________ Member of ...
The Angling Trust
BRFFA
B.A.S.S.
Pike Fly Fishing Association
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 9:55 am Post subject:
I've no idea what the 'rectangular wedges' are for Bill, but they do make very useful casting platforms. A pity there aren't any on the steeper sections of the causeway on No.2 and if you could redirect a few clouds across the Bristol Channel towards the Mendips it would be most appreciated.
No weighted buzzers Dave, but when I got home I found that BWF had helpfully posted a report of an angler holding a 8lb 12oz Rainbow from the Tanks. He also had another weighing 6lb for good measure. Well done, Atsushi!!
While the fishing on the Tanks at this time of year can be really tough, the rewards can be very special.
Alan _________________ Member of ...
The Angling Trust
BRFFA
B.A.S.S.
Pike Fly Fishing Association
For all you predator Hunters - i have just ordered an 11ft 7/8 Shakespeare 4 piece switch rod from John Norris for the princely sum of £69 delivered. The rod has been given good reviews on the salmon fishing forum and I felt that it could be just the beast for my trip to the Thurso in a few months time as some of the water is canal like and the fly needs to be worked. The rod is salmon rated so equates to a 9/10 in trout line terms or there is the 8/9 available which equates to 10/11.
I would have thought this set up with a selection of 10 or 15 ft tapered tips in various densities would be ideal for throwing dead budgies from a drifting boat in a SEATED position either roll/spey casting or double handed overhead. Suitable switch lines can be purchased for between £26 and £39 from the likes of eBay or barrio. If I were a Croc hunter this would most certainly be the route I would take rather than risking life and limb double hauling a #9 10ft single handed trout rod from a standing position, I have even seen some fools doing whilst standing on the boat seats
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but it would be wrong to leave the impression that the Tanks are not worth a visit. The low water levels and scarcity of weed especially on No 2 makes them very accessible and if we get a warm spell before the end of the month I shall certainly try again. I wouldn't recommend fishing after a hard frost though! 
