Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 11:41 am Post subject: Bristol Water Reservoirs 2022
Welcome to 2022! I trust everyone has remained healthy over the Christmas period and like me are now looking forward to the start of the new season on the Bristol reservoirs. It looks like all the reservoirs will be opening earlier than ever which is welcome news with the Barrow Tanks fully open from Thursday 24th February and the both Blagdon and Chew opening a week later on the Thursday 3rd March although you will have to wait until the 10th March if you want a boat on Blagdon. Season ticket holders will enjoy their customary day on the Tuesday before as usual.
BWF have introduced a few changes this time which include the consolidation of the former Chew/Barrows and Blagdon bank tickets into a single 'All waters' permit and the extension of the cheaper 'C&R/2fish' permit to bank anglers fishing at Blagdon which I think most will welcome. Full details can be found by following the links below. While things seem no clearer as to the long term future of fishing on the lakes, it is reassuring to know fishing will continue next season so the best thing we can do in the meantime is support the Fisheries team with our custom and the Bristol Reservoirs Fly Fishing Association when they need us. Personally, I can't wait to wet a line again!
As usual you will find links to webpages below that should tell you all you need to know when planning to fish on the Bristol reservoirs this year. As usual if I've missed anything let me know and please don't forget to contribute your catch reports, thoughts and tips on the Forum throughout the season! If you don't 'use it' we could 'lose it'.
About the reservoirs ...
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 If I have missed any or if the links are out of date, let me know and I'll amend the list accordingly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 Reservoirs Fly Fishers Association website : one of the longest established and most popular fly fishing clubs in the country. Check the site for updates on discussions with Bristol Water and much more. If you are not already a member, please join to ensure anglers have a say in the future of trout fishing on the lakes. Membership £10, concessions £5, juniors free.
You can join onlinehere https://www.brffa.com/
Bristol Reservoirs Fly Fishers Association : Facebook page : for details of fly tying evenings, tackle auctions, competition results and much more
https://www.facebook.com/BRFFA
Blagdon Lake : archived information about Blagdon
http://blagdonlake.wordpress.com/
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.
For more details please contact 'arkle' (John Horsfall) by PM (personal message) via this forum.
Regular fishing reports for Orvis by Martin Cottis from Chew and Blagdon
Completefisher Forum Facebook
Many of you will know that Completefisher now has a complementary group on Facebook for those who prefer to consume their social media this way. https://www.facebook.com/groups/completefisher/
Facebook has the advantage of allowing content including video clips to be uploaded quickly and easily in 'real time'. If you prefer to post fishing reports from the Bristol reservoirs on facebook, then please remember to copy them on this thread as well so that those who do not use Facebook can read them too!
Tightlines in 2022!
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: Tue Jan 04, 2022 8:04 pm Post subject:
Popped into Woodford Lodge to pick up a few odd and ends this afternoon. Nice to see a good stock of tackle and fly tying materials but a bit disappointed that they wouldn't accept the Snowbee gift vouchers I won during a BRFFA match last season in exchange for Snowbee tackle. It seems that as they were issued by Snowbee themselves you can only use them to buy direct from Snowbee.
On my travels I noticed this which may be of interest to those who normally cross over the dam on Chew on their way to fish or visit the Lodge. Expect disruption for the first 3 weeks of the season although note it doesn't necessarily mean the road will be closed for the whole duration ...
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 12, 2022 9:37 pm Post subject:
Just noticed this on the BRFFA facebook page. Probably the right decision, but disappointing all the same.
Bristol Reservoirs Fly Fishers Association
Right then folks due to the present climate of covid at the moment a decision has been made by the brffa Committee to cancel this yrs auction, the forthcoming agm will be postboned to later in the Yr possibly in the spring
After COP 26 I was a bit disenchanted and realised it's down to us (the Governments and corporates are moving way too slowly on Local Heating). I worked out my carbon footprint (over 8 tonnes pa, WWF have a helpful calculator) - of which circa 3/4 of a tonne was due to my driving to go fishing. I struggle to justify this so, "think global, fish local" - and BWF will be seeing more of me at the Tanks and on Chew/Blagdon this season and beyond. I may even try to make opening day on the tanks if it's not arctic. See you around
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:47 pm Post subject:
Fishing more locally makes a lot of sense especially when you have top class fisheries like the Bristol reservoirs to choose from. I look forward to reading your reports in due course!
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: Mon Feb 14, 2022 2:59 pm Post subject:
With BWF's permission (as the site is currently closed visitors passes were required) I spent a pleasant few hours this morning giving someone who has just moved to the area a pre- season guided tour of Blagdon to help him to decide whether to invest in a season ticket this year. Fortunately the rain held off while we were there which was a nice change from the weekend although more rain is needed over the next two weeks if the reservoirs are to fill up before the season starts. This is the current water level at the Blagdon Bywash ...
I also stopped off at Herriotts Bridge on Chew on the way to Blagdon and was pleased to see the recent rain was having an effect but like Blagdon there is fair way to go before the lake is full.
The dam on Chew was fully closed to traffic today so I couldn't do my usual water level pic by the dam. If you are planning to either visit the Lodge or fish the first couple of weeks of the season and your travels take you across the dam on Chew I suggest you factor this in to your travel arrangements.
Alan _________________ Member of ...
The Angling Trust
BRFFA
B.A.S.S.
Pike Fly Fishing Association
I use quite a few of Alan T's hooks a.o. bits of tying gear, it's always been great v.f.m. & top quality. _________________ 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: Wed Feb 16, 2022 2:23 pm Post subject:
The end of an era. I'm a Bloke fly rod fan and over that last 16 years I have accumulated most configurations of his XL50 rods from the #3 to the #9/10. Mick Bell has also provided me with a number of replacement sections at a reasonable cost from time to time with none of the usual 'that rod is discontinued but we can give you a discount against the full price of the replacement model' nonsense so I wish him a long and happy retirement. Good to see that Alan Tait /Rede River is taking over as he also offers genuine value for money tackle and is well worth checking out.
I see Mick is offering a very generous deal on his XL50 XGNP rods with the Graphene impregnated blanks as a parting shot for those on his mailing list including a 10 foot #7 weight which is a rod I was considering. Oh, go on then!
Alan _________________ Member of ...
The Angling Trust
BRFFA
B.A.S.S.
Pike Fly Fishing Association
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 3138 Location: Rhos, West Wales
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2022 11:51 am Post subject:
I love my Bloke rods, having been one of the first to purchase and review one when Mick Bell first started to sell them on Ebay.
Moons later, in 2008 I managed to break the senior 7 weight distance casting record with the BFCC using my Bloke XL50 - casting 123 feet (41 Yards) - and what was nice was that Mick was there to see it happen Still mentioned on the "about us" page of the bloke website to this day. Along with Chris Cook's yellow fin Tuna world record caught using his Bloke rod.
Mick, you're a true gent who deserves to enjoy your retirement - been an absolute pleasure meeting you ...... Tony _________________ Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
I must agree with Alan and Tony 8)It will probably sound like a "Bloke advert" by the time i have finished
I first tried a Bloke fly rod at the "Blagdon social" many moons ago .I think i tried CBs and Tonys rods ,wich led to a pair of 9ft 7wts,reels and lines from Mick
I now have 16 fly rods from a 2wt up to a 13wt.Yes.I have an addiction!! .One of my favourites the 10wt xlp which i landed my personal best Pike on.An amazing day shared with Tony on Chew .Me and Alan have had some memorable days afloat and from the bank after the trout using various Bloke rods over the years
I have fiber glass,XL50s,XLENTs and the new XGNP MODELS(you will enjoy the latter one Alan)
I have drank ,fished and stayed with Mick a few times becoming good friends over the years.Hes funny,helpfull and true gentleman that would do anything for you And he makes an exceedingly good rod.Enjoy your retirement mate.Hope to catch up later in the year Cheers.Steve
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2022 5:15 pm Post subject:
I think it is about time to get this thread back on topic!
With Storm Eunice due to arrive tomorrow BW have closed Chew, Blagdon and the Tanks to visitors. This includes The Woodford and picnic areas Details here
Not sure if they have have fish in cages on Chew but if they have the lake might get an extra stocking tomorrow.
Seriously though, this storm looks dangerous so stay safe folks.
Alan _________________ Member of ...
The Angling Trust
BRFFA
B.A.S.S.
Pike Fly Fishing Association
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Still mentioned on the "about us" page of the bloke website to this day. Along with Chris Cook's yellow fin Tuna world record caught using his Bloke rod.
,fished and stayed with Mick a few times becoming good friends over the years.Hes funny,helpfull and true gentleman that would do anything for you