PENNINE FISHERY REPORTS
The fishing has been good on most stillwaters up to now. The good weather at the start of the month saw a decline in daytime fishing as the hot bright sun took its toll. Many rivers have had a turbulent couple of months up to July but some good fish have been taken in some rivers like the upper Ribble and Colne Water.
The best fishing during the next month is likely to be for the first hour or two after sunrise and for the hour around sunset, especially if the day-time temperatures are high and the sun is bright. It’s good weather for holiday-makers but “dog days” for fly fishermen. My wife thinks I’m odd when I wake up in the morning and say “Oh, good! It’s raining!” or “Thank God it’s clouding over!” She just does not understand!
Wharncliffe, West Yorkshire (Tel: 0114 2845759)
Small weighted nymphs have been accounting for good fish at this friendly fishery. Depending upon conditions, sedges and hoppers have been doing well and many fish over 5lbs have been netted in recent weeks. Buzzers and small lures are recommended for daytime fishing and sedges in the evenings.
Raygill, West Yorkshire (Tel: 01535 632500)
An excellent fishery that has fish for all anglers, whatever your ability. The Quarry Lake is like a huge aquarium with very clear water and fish very visible on wind-free days. Many of these fish are quite wary and the quandary is how light to fish without the risk of being broken? There are many double figure browns here and Zonkers fished deep may be the best bet. Having hooked one of these magnificent fish the next challenge is to get it into your net.
I had one hooked a couple of weeks back and my net was too small. I could not get the fish in to it and attempted to rest the fish across the top of the frame and lift it to the bank. As soon as I tried, all the tension inadvertently went out of the line and the barbless hook just popped out of the trout’s mouth. Her trouty little eyes met mine for a brief second before she contemptuously rolled back into the water and, with a quick flick of her tail (trout equivalent to two fingers?), she sped away into the depths.
The top lake has big rainbows and they have been feeding in the upper layers of the water up to now. Long leaders are recommended but sport is brisk especially “early and late.” On a hot and bright day there is little cover around the margins and the fish tend to sink well down in the water until the day wears on or some substantial cloud cover arrives.
Wharfe Lake – A Salmon & Trout Association Water (Tel:01200 423954)
This lovely water is tucked away off the M6 Motorway a few miles from the Lancaster exit. It is regularly stocked with quality rainbows that rise freely and fight well. Because it is rather small, the quieter and more stealthily that you fish, the better the results. The fish will rise to the dry fly; have a look at what is hatching and then try a size 14 fly to match. Good results also from GRHE nymphs fished a couple of feet down and CDC buzzers in the surface film.
Barnsfold Water Lancashire (Tel: 01995 61583)
My first choice at this time of year when fishing at Barnsfold is a black buzzer fished just under the surface. These are two big and beautiful waters and I always try and ascertain where the fish are moving rather than just occupying a stretch of bank for two or three hours and hoping that some fish will venture into your patch of water. If you find the fish at Barnsfold the sport is good. I prefer evenings and, if not too windy, try dry flies on long leaders for some exciting sport with many rainbows over four pounds in feeding mode.
Stocks Reservoir Lancashire (Tel: 01200 446602)
Another big water where it is essential to consult fishery staff to find the best areas to fish – otherwise you may have a frustrating day. There are some huge fish lying quite close to the banks and they will respond to buzzers, CDCs, GRHEs, Black Gnats; in fact either ask the staff or try your favourites until you get a response; many patterns are taking fish. I try and find an area where there are no fishermen wading. In fact I’ve watched a few at Stocks who seem to have either a complete absence of fear or a death wish! I sometimes find wading fishermen a distraction so what the fish make of them I don’t know. I think the sensible approach would be to fish the water from the bank outwards with an absolute minimum of water disturbance.
Churn Clough Reservoir Lancashire (Tel: 01282 697679)
Churn Clough has quietened down during the day but is really coming on song between 5 am and breakfast time and then again about 7.30 pm, with aggressive rainbows in the two pound category supplying much of the sport. For every five of these you are likely to hook a heavier fish. The water is clear and the fish are so full of fight that I would not consider anything less than a 6lb leader, preferably fluorocarbon.
This is usually a windy venue but I was caught last week when I strayed into a sheltered zone opposite the car park, the midges got me! They are the very small and very pale variety that appear not to cause too much of a problem, but in the three days since my arms have been on fire! I sprayed my head and neck prior to fishing but I must have forgotten my arms and I have been very uncomfortable since. The fly life here is quite amazing and great hatches of different flies take place simultaneously within yards of each other. Black Spiders and Blue & Blacks, Sedges and Olives in different patterns will attract fish whether on the top or just under the surface. If no response try fishing deeper with a gold head nymph on a long leader near the dam wall.
Laneshaw Reservoir Lancashire (Tel: 01535B634420)
Laneshaw (pronounced “Lannsher” by the locals) has been fishing well. This is another high level water that is often at the mercy of the wind. Fish have been taking all over with dries, wets, nymphs and lures all doing well depending upon the time of day and conditions. It’s quite lightly fished and a favoured method is to walk the bank and stalk individual fish with an Olive nymph or a GRHE nymph. The fish vary from 2-4lbs and always give a good account of themselves, boring deep and walking on the water in equal measure. Laneshaw lends itself to a good walk with easy accessibility and is firm under foot all the way around. Healthy fishing!
Tight Lines!
Eddie Caldwell.
