The Complete Fisher Forum

[DW]

After reading last year about 'Blankdon', I thought this year must be better. So Patrick and I set off yesterday morning in wonderful weather, what a change after Wimbleball! There was a contingent of Irish and Welsh lads having a day out - and obviously looking to enjoy themselves.
Patrick and I blanked completely - not a pull, not a tug, not a flash of colour - remarkably quiet even by my low standards1
I spoke to the Irish lads after and they'd had a quiet day too - some blanks and some caught one or two.
I don't know whether it was just me being overly sensitive, but I didn't feel particularly welomed there. More a case of being put up with. Most fisheries there's a little 'craic' with the staff, but not here.
How have others got on at Blagdon this year? Is it just my lack of skill, or is someone stealing all the bloody fish! Is there a subterranean stream that leads to Chew, which the fish follow after dark?
cheers
DW
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cheers, David dw
''It's better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.''

[C.B]

Hi David.

Blagdon can be a notoriously difficult water, even in the middle of what is shaping up to be a good season.

With a lake of that size actually being tuned into the bank telegraph and knowing where the fish are is vital.

If in doubt on that matter drop Trout a P.M, he usually knows where they're catching.

As for the lack of welcome. Did you mean the ranger at the lodge ? or the other anglers ?

I haven't honestly found it to be particularly unfriendly , mind you having said that I've never received much of a welcome either

Just to give you a little inspiration I once endured 5 Blanks on the trot at good old Blaggers

C.B
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" Have a nice day"

[DW]

Blimey Mike, 5 consecutive blanks - I'd have gven up long before- you've got more staying power than me!
Next time I shall give Trout an email and see what's happening and where. As you say,It's a big sheet of water to search.
The anglers were fine, it was more the ranger or 'warder' really -but I don't want to be unkind, perhaps he'd just had a bad morning!
Considering it was the first time there for both of us, we didn't get any information offered or advice given - just get on with it.
Are you going to Thornton? I'm hoping to be able to get there.
best wishes,
David DW
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cheers, David dw
''It's better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.''

[C.B]

Hi David.

No I'm not going up to Thornton.

As always, this time of year I seem to spend time on the Carp fishing

I guess I'm a bit of a 'Spring Fly Fisher' as Allrounder will no doubt confirm

C.B
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" Have a nice day"

[Allrounder]

[Koz]

I blanked when i fished there a six weeks or so ago , On the subject of the staff , i know what you mean DW i did nt find the rangers particularly friendly so your not the only one . Saying that its a fantastic venue and the fly life was incredible . Will be back soon . Maybe Trout might turn up and give me a few tips next time Luke
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Sure 'nuff baby sure 'nuff 'n yes I do

I salute the Captain ...

[trout]

well limits were taked from orcherd bay this evening and north sure i know is fishing well.

the rangers dont spend much time "on the bank" and i dont think they all fly fish or know much about fishing,ive never seen the rangers around the water, other than checking permits. i think. weve all blanked at blagdon even wen others are catching.


give me a pm next time you go down and i'l try and point you in the good places etc.
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Trout

[DW]

Thanks Trout - you've just depressed me again. After the other lads comments I'd began to think I'd done well not catching on only one visit (my only one mind!)
Like Luke, I liked the insect life, but i thought the lake was a little featureless - is this heresy to criticise Blagdon? I appreciate your thoughts next time I visit - I'll drop you a pm if that's ok? what were you catching on Trout?
cheers all ,
David DW
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cheers, David dw
''It's better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.''

[C.B]

David.

Although Blagdon is considered one of the most picturesque lakes in the country, I too think that it's a little overrated

You have to remember that it was one of the very first reservoirs to open it's gates to fly fishing over a hundred years ago and I've no doubt then it was the Mecca for flyfishing..

I think it's reputation is based all those years ago and somehow it still seems to maintain a 'draw' for some people who come as far away as Scotland ( Jim Doyle) to fish it.

I guess there's a parallel with Avington and 'Big fish waters.

Maybe the first is the best...................maybe not

C.B
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" Have a nice day"

[KZ]

A bunch of chaps from my local guild branch make the pilgrimage every year for a few early season days at Blagdon. They have done so for decades, and insist that they catch fish every year... must be something going for it. I must confess though that I'm always more tempted to keep going into Wales when I drive that far to fish.

[KZ]

A bunch of chaps from my local guild branch make the pilgrimage every year for a few early season days at Blagdon. They have done so for decades, and insist that they catch fish every year... must be something going for it. I must confess though that I'm always more tempted to keep going into Wales when I drive that far to fish.

[DW]

Thanks Lads some very valid points about Blagdon. Mike I take your point about it being the first. I likened it to St Andrews and its role in golf when I described it before hand to Patrick. I can well understand anyone wanting to have fished there, and yet when one pays nearly £50 for a boat for the two of us, then I felt we deserved just a little better. The fly selection was poor and relatively expensive. The 'shop' in fact was very basic. No electic motors for hire - one 'urn' for coffee etc' etc'. The boats seemed old and tired compared to Wimbleball, and to Chew for that matter. I don't believe that anywhere can live just off its reputation - you have to make customers feel valued - to my mind anyway.
Not catching fish was the least of my concerns - I can happily put that down to my being a poor angler rather than the venue. I just left feeling a little disapointed - Patrick looked back as we drove off and said, ''Well i won't be coming back here - I 'd rather go back to Hawkridge.'' Shame really!
Still, I shall return at some point, and try my arm again, but I certainy won't rush.
best wishes,
David DW
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cheers, David dw
''It's better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.''

[dipper]

Clatworthy !!,If you want scenery , fit fish and a honest friendly welcome in somerset you wont find better, Dave the ranger is a gent, facilities are well basic but that isnt too important in my book .Now is a good time to be going there, lots of top of the water sport ,ask WCB more challenging than Hawkridge but worth the effort .I must admit Im drawn to Blagdon , but have found the quality of the fish going down hill over the past few years and the welcome and advice from the lodge at best variable ,cheers
Dipper

[C.B]

David.

Just as an afterthought to your Blagdon post.

Bristol Water are, to some extent obsessed with 'Tradition' as far as Blagdon goes.

I remember two years ago when the first small Jack Pike started turning up, there was panic and anglers were instructed to remove and kill all Pike.

Predictably things have now gone quiet and I guess a good Prey/Predator balance is in the making as it is over at Chew.

C.B
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" Have a nice day"

[Koz]

I just had a bit of a flash back to my visit . The gate was shut and locked at the lodge , so i left my car on the road in front of it because there was no where else to park .( you cant park on the grass blagdon is a sssi ) . So i phoned the number on the sign , a ranger answered and rather patronisingly told me to hang on ten minutes and the ranger on duty would be along to put out the half day / evening tickets . Anyway the rangers turned up whilst i was standing there with a Welsh bloke i just met , who was just as bemused as me as to the proceedure at Blagdon . He walked up to us guns blazing banging on about SSI 's in a slightly off manner i thought . I then went into the shop once id filled out my ticket and attempted to buy some tackle ( no change ), he also did nt have a bloody clue what was what in there , so i had to kind of lean over the counter to point out what i needed . After that the bloke id met outside the lodge mentioned that he was fishing on his own and did i want to share a boat ? I really wanted to as i just overheard a conversation that the boats were doing well . That meant asking to change my ticket ( do you think i really wanted to at this point ) NO WAY !! It was a pretty poor show im afraid , and judging by this thread i think some of the staff at old Blagdon ( Mecca of Ressie fishing as we know it ) need a few lessons in customer relations .
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Sure 'nuff baby sure 'nuff 'n yes I do

I salute the Captain ...