Last day of April

The wind has died down alot since yesterday!
Its still there however but only around 7-10mph gusts.
Again a Easterly wind so most of the lake is sheltered.

The weather yesterday has put the fish that little bit deeper as Member Jim McGinley is proving, long leader and a cats whisker, fished around 5-6 ft down. He has had three bows, to his net so far.

The forecast for today is good, and hopefully the wind will almost completely die off leaving us with a slight breeze to create that perfect ripple across the lake.

Also a quick note if anyone can see the Green "Curleys Cafe" sign that used to over hang the road, as the wind seems to have claimed it yesterday, and its totally disappeared!!

UPDATE:
Mr Ian Aspinall within minutes of arriving at the lake side, hooked into a nice bow, he has netted a futher 2 fish all to a bloodworm buzzer, fished static under a indicator.
The suns out and it seems to be remaining so.
Ive seen several daddy long legs out and about today!
The usual midge hatch is starting to take place with the previous damp and current warming conditions, its going to be a excellent day for hatches!

Lovely day here at Curleys Trout Fishery!

Forecast = Highs of 16 degrees today!
Tightlines!
Nath

Sunday 29th April

Well it looks like April is going out with a bang! Very high winds at the fishery and everywhere else today. Not much chance to wet a line, maybe use the time to give your fly fishing equipment a service? Fly lines in particular respond really well to a good cleaning, not only making them cast better but also prolonging it's life. For a basic clean just strip the line off the reel into a bowl of lukewarm water and swill it around, then pull it through some kitchen paper as you wind it back onto the reel. Do not use any detergents or washing up liquids. For a much better clean use a proprietary line cleaner, I think the best one is the 3m line cleaner that comes as a container of cleaning fluid and small cleaning cloth. This really cleans the line and makes it float high in the water again. If you are not in the habit of doing this maintainence then you will be amazed at how well your line performs and shoots line! Once your line is clean a quick way of maintaining it is to use a car cleaning product like the silicone impregnated dashboard wipes but in gloss not Matt. These will keep your line slick and clean between "proper" cleans. Take your reel apart and clean out the interior with water and then wipe clean. You can use a reel lubricant but use very very sparingly. Your rod also can be cleaned using a damp cloth, wipe down the rod blanks and eyes. Then use one of the green plastic kitchen abrasive pads to give the handle a clean with water again no detergents etc. You will be amazed at how the cork will clean up and look much better and give you better grip. All in all plenty to do when you can't get into the water!

Saturday morning

With the forecast i expected curleys to be similar to the sea with the height of the waves, however! the wind is north-easterly, so most of the lake is sheltered, and virtually a flat calm in some areas.

Member Jim McGinley arrived bright and early, and its payed off with two bows to his net already!
Floating line, long leader and a green/white cats.

Safely returning a bow.

The odd fish rising, but not as many showing as yesterday, so possibly try a little bit deeper, this cold wind will be putting them down.

UPDATE:
The winds died down slightly but with some strong gusts every now and then.
The top half of the reservoir is sheltered, the suns even made an appearence, with clear sky in the distance.


Tightlines,
Nath

Friday 27th

Better day today to start off with at least. Fairly mild, slight Northerly breeze, water temperature still low at 6 degrees.

A few fish moving in the surface, should be a decent day for fishing.
Update later......

10.00am - turning out to be a really nice day, the clouds have broken up and the sun is out, sparking off a buzzer hatch. Should be some good dry fly action to be had.

Thursday

The weather is completely different to yesterday, no gale force winds today, just a slight westerly breeze.
First thing fish are rising in numbers again towards the cafe bank.

A few fish were caught to stripping lures at a fair pace over the last couple of days, cats whisker caught a few fish for Jim McGinley.
Just subsurface, within the top couple of feet the fish seem to be hanging, so keep your flies with this zone and you will be in for a good days angling.

I will keep blog viewers updated on the weather conditions and catch rate as the day goes on.

UPDATE:
The wind is virtually non existant, a slight westerly.
Fish rising all over the lake, and black knats outs in massive numbers again.
Plenty of fish taking advantage of the black knats on the surface, floating line, longer leader and a single imitation plopped on their nose and they wont refuse, they have well and truely switched on within the last 30minutes.


Tightlines
Nathan

Mike on the Radio

For any one interested I will be on Martin James' programme "At the water's edge" on Thursday 26th at 7.00pm on Radio Lancashire.
Click here for a link to listen to it for up to 7 days after the normal transmission date.

Today's prospects Wednesday 25th April - an Easterly wind today blowing towards the embankment. Is forecast for some showers but it does look quite clear at the moment. Really good days fishing yesterday with quite a few fish caught - should be the same again today.

Tuesday

Cold start to the morning but fish are consistantly rising.
Slight South-Westerly breeze, creating a slight ripple covering most of the lake.
Yesterday fish were caught on a variety of methods, including boobies popped through the surface late evening, dwial bachs and some suspender buzzers.

The trout without a doubt are still cruising very close to the surface, so cast at the rising fish correctly and you will be rewarded with a hook up.

Member Jim McGinley has had 6 fish to his net so far, with two bows around 4-5lb range.
(pictured below)

Estimated to be around 4lb, with a spade for a tail, it put up a excellent account for itself!

So if your paying a visit to Curleys today, dont forget your floating lines and suspender buzzers!

CATCH UPDATE:
Jim McGinley has netted 8 fish to the ever succesful cats whisker.
Gary Stanley has caught 6 fish to suspender buzzers.
Jack Szymanek has had the 2 fish upto now, to a red bodied klinkhammer.
J Grimshaw has secured the one fish currently.

The fishing has gone off with a Bang this morning!
Fish being caught all over the lake to a varied array of patterns, from cats whisker to suspender buzzers.


Tightlines,
Nathan

Monday

Overclouded with a easterly wind, only a slight breeze. Fish are showing themselves along the ripples edge, towards the fishery tackleshop.
The temperature is around the same as it has been over the last few days, consistant weather patterns is what we want as the fish have chance to adapted to the temperature.

Early morning on Curleys trout lake

Gary did very well yesterday and managed 16 fish (including a nice blue of around 4lbs) mostly to a suspender buzzer, black with a gold ribbing.
The fish have been feeding very close to the surface over the last few days, and just slightly sub-surface flies have been doing the business.

UPDATE:
Member Gary Stanley had 3 fish to buzzers fished about 3-4ft down, floating line long leader.
Two anglers who were total beginners, rented tackle and had two fish between them to a dwial bach and a black & green booby.
Tightlines,
Nathan

Sunday afternoon

What a change in the weather!
The sun is out but the westerly wind has picked up to roughly 15mph, blowing in gusts.

The rod average for today is 3.8

The fish seem to be close to the surface still even with a breeze. Within the top few feet, suspender buzzers with either a booby or a foam bottomed blob to attract the aggressive fish.

It will be worth trying a booby popped along the surface, ive had many fish at curleys to this method.
It seems to trigger the natural aggressive instincts of the trout.

Tightlines,
Nathan

Cracking 4lb Blue

Yet again Gary is making it look easy!
With 11 fish to his net and 2 lost at the net, hes doing extremely well to suspender buzzers.
A very nice Blue pictured below was a solid lump, we didnt weigh it as it was caught on a C&R basis. Both myself and Garys Estimated weight was a touch over 4lb, compared with his capture recently of 3lb 11oz, this fish was well and truely 4lbs.

 Sorry about the poor photo, however you can see the size of this georgous blue trout.
It was safely returned, handled with wet hands and was out of the water for no more than 10seconds.

Tightlines,
Nathan

Sunday

Wind is minimal, westerly. Its suprisingly mild with the odd spot of rain.
Although the weather man hasnt been kind to us over the weekend, it seems to be holding off, the odd dark cloud about but generally its overcast and mild.

Good fish catching weather and theres plenty showing near the surface. Its looks as though they are feeding just slightly sub-surface.
The Washing Line method, seems to be the way forward again.

Update: The wind has picked up slightly but its only 5-6mph.

Member Gary Stanley has just arrived at curleys and has had two trout within just as many casts.

Again to a Home tied suspender buzzer, dark olive in colour, fished within the surface film.

The weathers the same on and off with the rain, with a good hour between down pours.

(good water proofs needed today!)

Tightlines and i look forward to see plenty of anglers out on the water today.
Nathan

Fly life

Interesting photo displaying the current fly life here at Curleys.

Please click on the image for a magnified view.

For those that are into imitating the natural fly life here at curleys, this is what i managed to collect today.

If your not 100% sure on which fly imitates a certain insect, ask me when you pop into the fishery office/tackle shop.

Tightlines,
Nathan

Saturday 21st

The forecast isnt too good for today, but its a absolute flat clam at curleys this morning.
Next to no wind ( a very slight westerly), fish are rising all over the lake but mainly towards the boat pontoon.

Again suprisingly mild, with the damp conditions over night im sure a few hatches will be in process already.

I will keep anglers update as the day goes on.
No rain as of yet!

Update:
Without a doubt the fish are feeding just subsurface, on small black pupae.
The empty shells of which are littering the shoreline towards the cafe, when you pop down to curleys today, take a look around the pontoon (pictured above), its totally surrounded with empty buzzer shells floating on the surface!
The winds picked up abit, 10mph westerly gusts. Weathers holding off, no rain, with the sun making the odd appearence throughout the last hour.
Tightlines,
Nathan

Afternoon Update

A Chunky Bow caught to a black suspender buzzer pattern, fish in the surface film.
Floating line, long leader.



Gary Stanley with his best catch of the day, overall Gary had 7 fish to his net!
Good Angling!

Weighing in at 3lbs 11ounces.

Tightlines,
Nath

Washing line method

The washing line method can be a very effective way of catching subsurface feeding fish.
Using this method it allows your flies to remain in the top couple of feet if fish on a floating line, and deeper if fished on a intermediate line.
Ive created a very crude drawing, just to give an example of how its created.

Washing line method - floating line.

In This example it involves a floating line with a 2 dropper set up.
A Booby or other bouyant fly on the point, foam bottomed blob, suspender buzzer etc.
Fished static and allow the flow of the water to do the work, keeping the line tight so you can feel the take.
However mostly a buzzer or nymph can be taken with little or slight movement to the fly line in your hand.
Keep a eagle eye on the very tip of the fly line, and watch for the slightest bit of movement.
Any movement gentle lift the rod.

Again sorry for the crude drawing but it does show the basic workings of this method on a floating line.

It keeps the flies in the fish feeding zone, currently at curleys within the top couple of feet.

Tightlines,
Nath

Friday 20-4-12

Not a bad start to the morning weather wise, not as cold as it has been over the last couple of days, and the wind is minimal, westerly.
Fish rising along the ripple, without a doubt still feeding on small black buzzers, just subsurface.
I fished Curleys myself yesterday, so from personal experience and that of the few anglers that were out, slow retrieve, virtually static and a team of buzzers.
Pink and orange blobs also catching a few fish, slowly retrieved and left to sink to roughly 2-3 foot down.

I will keep blog viewers updated as the day goes on, with the weather and catch rates.

AM Update:
Still next to no wind, Member Gary Stanley is doing extremely well to the washing line method, foam blob or suspender buzzer on the point, team with 2 buzzer patterns on middle and top dropper.
I believe hes had 5 to his net already and many more to come, hes found the killing method!

Water Temp - 6 Degrees.

Tightlines,
Nath

Thursday 19th

Same as yesterday in terms if temps both air and water. However the breeze has changed direction to a Westerly but it is just a breeze no problems for casting.
Although the water temps is still only 5 degrees fish are still rising for an early buzzer hatch.
Showers are forecast throughout the day.

Wednesday 18th

Fairly cold today with showers forecast more or less all day. A few fish are showing even with low water temps around 4 degrees. As I was taking the water temp Jim McGinley hooked onto a pretty good fish to a black buzzer but didn't manage to keep it attached.

One good thing about this run a awful weather is that at least it is constant so the fish will get on with it to some extent but the temperatures are still keeping activity to a minimum.
Today I would use a sink tip with a reasonably long leader of about 15ft. Sink tips give you the ability to fish a range of depths a little slower than with a full sinker.
If you haven't git a sink tip line then use an intermediate/slow sink or fast sink poly leader to do the very same job. Just loop to loop it to your floating fly line and then att your leader as normal.
Polyleaders are a real get out of jail tactic and for only £3.99, a much cheaper option than another line!

Tuesdays update

With a bit of a rough start to the morning, it looks to be clearing, suns showing through the clouds. However some strong 20mph gusts from the west.
Intermediate line to carry your flies through the wind, couple of anglers braving the conditions currently.

Its suprisingly mild even with a fairly strong wind, Evening and early mornings have been the best fish catching periods over the last week, with alot of fish showing from 2pm onwards.
Some very large buzzer hatches, and a few sedges making the odd appearence.

Black, red and olive buzzers doing the business, over the last few days.
With the good old cats whisker, and white zonkers, catching the odd fish or two.

UPDATE:
Geoff the other bailiff here at curleys has had 2 fish to a yellow dancer, fished no more than 3 ft down. The weathers looking better, suns out and the wind has died down a little. Making it easier casting. There still seems to be fish feeding but a little deeper with the wind pushing them that little bit deeper than usual.

Tightlines,
Nath

Tuesdays prospects

Today the temperature is sitting at 9-10degrees in about a foot of water, with it being slightly colder with depth. At 3-4ft its a little colder between 8.5 degrees.

The weathers been kind today, sunny with the old bit of cloud cover. Fish rising all over the lake, as usual at this time of evening.
Its looking good for tuesday, with a mixture of cloud cover, with the odd rain showers, and the occasional appearence from the sun. Early and late afternoon will be the most successful periods of the day, fish are showing and alot more confident to take a fly within these periods.


Forecast:
Dry and largely sunny for a time. Showers soon developing however, and continuing through the afternoon. Slight breeze, forecasted westerly.

Curleys Youtube channel Will be up and running a fully functional with a mixture of pictures and videos of general fish captures and events held here at Curleys Trout Fishery. Watch this space!

Tightlines,Nathan

Monday Update

Funny thing nature it can always surprise you! About half an hour ago a good hatch of sedges  appeared almost all over the lake and the trout are going mad for them.
Time to break out the G&H sedge patterns, normally the black version does better than the natural colour, but balloon caddis and elk hair caddis patterns can also work well.

Monday 16th

A busy weekend for the fishery plenty of anglers were out trying their best. Most people caught with a few 6's, 4's and 3's and a rod average of about 3 fish per session. The water temps have taken a plunge again down to 4 degrees. Don't let the sunshine fool you it's back to intermediates and sinkers or long leaders with a floater.
Weather good today if you are wrapped up warm and particularly pleasant in the sun, slight breeze , maybe a hatch later if the water temps rise at the surface a little.

Changeable Conditions

Today has been a mixture of conditons, this morning it started to warm up with the sun climbing higher in the sky, Fish were rising everywhere. Now its overcast and the temperature has dropped dramatically from earlier, along with a biting breeze, and this has pushed the fish deeper.

The wind has also changed direction, westerly. Some nice fish coming out earlier to "The Fly of the Month", White Zonker and Cats.

Intermediate lines and a team of Nymphs fished with a Zonker or cats on the point. Fish will still be feeding but alot deeper than they have been over the last few days.
Another excellent fish catching method at Curleys, team up some buzzers on a floating line and very long leader to reach the fish feeding zone.

Chop & change and vary the depth!
Find the right depth and the trout will take opportunity of a correctly presented buzzer sinking past their noses.

Tightlines,
Nathan

First thing

The sun is out! Clear skies and a slight North Westerly wind. Although its a little bit chilly first thing, it will soon warm up when the sun climbs.
Im expecting another explosion of hatches today, over the last couple of weeks when its been warmer theres been hundreds of black knats and midges all around the lake.
With it being slighty cooler early morning there isnt much showing, however that will soon change as they gorge on hatches, as the water warms.
Overall its looking good! warm weather, and some good fishing to be had.

Jim McGinley is leading the way this morning, with a few fish to his net already and a cracking bow of around 4 1/2lbs. To a white goldhead lure, floating line, fished no more than 2 feet down.

On my initial walk around the fishery, i spotted this little critter.
On closer inspection and a quick look through the essential book, "Waterside Guide". It is without a doubt a sedge, the description that best matches or the correct name, "small yellow sedge" which can vary from a brownish colour to a yellow-brownish colour. Exists in running water as well as stillwaters/lakes, 5-6mm in length. Although it is a little early, they are in larger numbers from Late May through to September.

Example Imitations- Small Muddler, Invicta etc.

Curleys Competition Click HERE

Tightlines,
Nathan

Friday 13th

It maybe unlucky for some but the date hasn't effected the catch rates today at the fishery.
We have quite a few fly fishers on board and almost all are catching.

A whole variety of tactics being used - lures, buzzers, indicators, dries etc etc.
The fish are still only half interested yet as the water temps have fallen over the last few days making them fairly docile. As soon as the temps even off and start to rise a bit then this water will explode - It might be tomorrow???

Thursday Morning

Next to no wind, a complete flat calm across the entire lake. However this doesnt seem to be putting the fish off feeding, again just subsurface on midges.

The water temperature is currently at 7degrees within a foot of the surface, and about 6degrees roughly 3-4foot down.

Very Mild, although rain is forecast today, it doesnt seem to be showing as of yet.

A couple of snap shots taken of Mr Phil Reece's catch. To a mixture of buzzers and nymphs, caught on wednesday. Both Phil's bagged fish were roughly between 2lb - 21/2lb, but he stated he had a nice fish of around 31/2lb and lost a nice fish that was on the larger side of 4lb. Thats Fishing

The smallest fish caught by Phil, but perfectly formed trout, and what a tail!

Tightlines, Nathan.

Results & update

Fish coming out to red ribbed dwial bachs, every 20-30minutes or so, the fish suddenly switch on to small midge hatches, alot of surface activity!
Klinkhammers without doubt will catch a few fish today, ideal, as the majority of the fly sits just sub-surface (within the surface film), therefore the fish take it alot more confidently than a surface fly.

UPDATE
Mr Phil Reece had 5 fish over all, to a mixture of buzzers and dwial bachs. Fish no more than a couple of foot down, most of his fish took as soon as the flies touched the water. Good angling!

All anglers caught, to a array of different methods, however the method that stood out the most was fishing with a team of buzzers/nymphs. Floating line, long leader.

Tightlines,
Nath

Wednesday Morning update

Over clouded with a slight breeze creating a ripple across some of the lake, westerly. Fish rising all over the lake, although it is colder than it has been (still mild), i assume their feeding on the back end of the buzzer hatches weve had on the warmer days.

The water temperature is around 7 degrees just below the surface and 5.5 at 4ft.


Just had a good walk around the lake and without a doubt the fish are feeding on small black buzzers just subsurface. Alot of fish moving along the ripple.
First angler out on the water!

Tues 10th

After a hectic weekend I guess we are back to some sort of "normality" now all the Easter eggs have been eaten!

Good fishing results over the bank holidays especially from this group of friends from Southport

who came over on yesterday and had a good day. Mr Seddon was top rod with 6 fish with a mix of Zonkers, Cats and Montana nymphs.

Today quite miserable, rain showers and a gusty westerly but the fish are still here waiting for you!

Curleys Fly Fishing Competition

We are possibly looking at introducing one or two fly fishing competitions at Curleys, through out the year. We have a few ideas, but would like to hear what Blog viewers would like in a competition?

Not too serious, purely for fun.

If your interested please email me
nath_bailiff@hotmail.co.uk

Please include:
Your name, what month would best suit a comp, and generally if you would be interested in this coming into action in the future, and comments/ideas etc.

Regards,
Nath

Easter Monday 9th April

Plenty of rain showers about early morning but a good chance it could clear away as the day progresses. No wind today making casting easy all over the lake. Plenty of fish caught over the last 2 days and shouldn't be any different today.

Zonkers doing the business!

Zonkers seem to be catching the majority of the fish yet again, white and natural zonkers doing the business so far, with the good old cats whisker catching fish.
The weather isnt as bad as forecast, wind is minimal, westerly. However it is raining, but it isnt putting off the anglers on the lake today!


Its suprisingly mild, with fish very close to surface, trout rising all over the lake and are continuously doing so.

First cast brings a fish to a zonker, for our member Mr J. Donohue.
Plenty of fish being caught first thing, mainly to lures upto now.

Heres a picture taken of a stunning slender fully finned bow, look at the tail on it! No wonder it put up a good account for itself!

Tightlines, Nath.

Silver humungus!

Some nice fish coming out today, the largest was a 8lb Bow caught on a Green ribbed dwial bach. Captured by Mr Brown.

Below are a couple of photos.

A nice slender silver Bow (although it does look silver due to the camera flash), Caught on a Silver Humungus.

Member Gary Stanley with his catch. Caught on Red Buzzers and (as mentioned above) Silver humungus

Saturday

Gentle Easterly breeze creating a nice ripple across the lake, Lots of fish moving early hours, most of them seem to be rolling on the surface on the head of the wind, where the flat water meets the ripple. Bit colder today than it has been, but the fish seem to be within the top few feet of water, Jim McGinley has had one fish to a zonker upto now so today is looking good to the natural and white zonkers again.

As the day goes on and the water warms up, im expecting to see a few buzzers coming off again, as theres been lots of hatches over the last few days around midday when the weathers warmed up abit.

I will keep anglers updated on the latest catch reports as the day goes on, as well as changes in weather etc.

Catch update: (weathers warming up, fish rising to what seems to be small olive buzzers)
Mr Brown has had 4 fish to his net, to a goldhead damsel pattern. Including a nice bow of around 3lbs taken to a green ribbed dwial bach.(pictured below) Mr Brown has also just netted a 8lber! to a dwial bach.

Mr Jim McGinley is doing well with 6 fish in upto now, taken on natural and white zonkers, no more than a couple of feet down. Floating line.

Geoff the other bailiff has had 6 fish currently to a homemade pattern similar to a dawsons olive, fished no more than a couple of feet down, most fish have taken this pattern static.

Generally speaking everyones catch, a good number of fish, two 5lbers and one 8lb bow that also come out. Plenty of fish gulping small midges just off the surface. Plenty of insect life flying about, midges, black knats and the occasional daddy!


Tightlines,
Nath

Easter Saturday's prospects

Friday has ended with a mixed bag of results. Best catches today were Jim McGinley with 4 all on zonkers both white and natural and Dave Cadman with 4 on tadpoles and minkies.

Definately intermediate or slow sinkers are the way to fish water temperatures are dropping even more.

Tomorrow is forcasted to be the best of the easter break, easing winds and a little warmer although without the brisk Westerly it may feel a whole lot warmer! Fish stocks in Curley's are at a high for this time of the year, you just need to find that critical depth.

Good Friday

Pretty good day weather wise, fairly gentle westerly blowing over the dam wall towards the cafe.
Has been raining earlier in the morning but clear now. Still a bit of a nip in the air so wrap up warm.

Intermediate lines would be the preferred choice maybe with a team of buzzers or a bit of lure bashing if you wanted.

There have been some massive hatches of large buzzers over the last few days but not much surface feeding because of the water temp, currently only 4 degrees at a depth of 4ft. The fish will be feeding on these buzzers but at depth.

My set up would be intermediate line,  6lbs fluoro leader of about 16ft with 2 droppers and a point fly - droppers about 4 ft apart. The flies would be buzzers, one black, one olive and one red all size 10. Extremely slow retrieve only pulling about 3 inches of line at a time or a slow figure of eight. Then I would vary the length of time before starting the retrieve to allow the buzzers to sink to varying depths till I found some action.

I have lessons all day today but will try to update with catch info as and when I can.

Completely different day!

What a change from yesterday! slight ripple North Easterly, and the suns out, which will soon warm up the water as it climbs higher in the sky.
Few fish rising first thing, on the tail end of the wind.

A typical spring morning!
Lots of fresh fully finned stockies waiting for that fly to land on their nose.
Buzzers will come into their own as the water warms up a little, im expecting to see a few terrestrials dabbling the surface as the day goes on.

A picture to wet your appetite, the conditions are excellent. Sun and a slight ripple.
The water temperature is currently sitting at 4.5 degrees about 4ft down and 5-6 degrees nearer to the surface.

Small black knats and midges are out in very large numbers again! as the suns warmed the water up, its suprisingly mild now and it shows with the large number of insects about.

Tightlines,
Nath

Very High Winds

Unfortunately, the fishery is being pounded with very high winds today.
So stay at home and tidy your fishing bag out, clean your rod, line and reel, sort out your flies and see you tomorrow instead!

Forecast for tomorrow much better.  The Tackle shop will stay open till midday.

Fresh Stockies

Curleys stocking!

Curleys has just been stocked with fully finned hard fighting bows and blues.

A mixture of both bows and blues have been introduced into curleys today.

Some nice bows in the 3lb bracket. With the odd suprise, for the lucky anglers.

Fish handling:

Please when handling any trout at curleys do it as quick and efficient as possibly, preferably not taking the fish out of the water. Handle the fish with wet hands. If you have to take the trout out of the water please return it within 30 seconds (chances of survial drop a large percentage, when the trout is out of the water longer than this). So please if you can keep the fish in the water when you unhook it. Give the fish concerned plenty of time to recover. Curleys is barbless only to aid in this process.

Tightlines, Nathan.

Waterproofs!

Its a little bit damp at curleys today, with intervals of light rain, 15mph westerly wind rolling off the dam wall.
Intermediate lines, to carry your cast through the wind is recommended.
Will keep viewers updated over the day, on the latest catch reports and more.

Update
The water is 8degrees near the surface, 3-4ft down its roughly 7degrees.

Catch report upto now:
J McGinley has had 2 fish to his net, to a yellow dancer goldhead and a black and green fritz.
Geoff has had the one fish on a zonker pattern.
Both on floating lines and no more deeper than 2-3 feet down.

Tightlines,
Nath

Stocking taking place on tuesday

A stocking is taking place on tuesday (3rd april) a good number of fish will be between 4-6lbs a mixture of bows, blues and some special suprises for a few lucky anglers!

Between 100-200 fish will be stocked depending on how many is needed to top up the numbers.
A good amount of fish per acre, plenty for the fly fisher to cast too.

No doubt the curious stockies will be after anything big and fritzy.
As the fish acclimatise they will start to feed on naturals, as their natural feeding instincts kick in. Chronomidae and terrestrials becoming stuck in the surface will be will the target for many trout on tuesday.

We now have available a evening ticket, which amoungst the usual tickets, we now have a 2hour 1 fish ticket for £12.00, last tickets sold will be at 6:30pm and the 2hr ticket is available from 5.00pm.

Mondays update

Zonkers catching the fish today, white and natural zonkers being the key patterns.
Intermediate/slow sinking fly line followed by a single zonker pattern.

Mr A Robinson landed 6 fish all to zonkers, fished on a sinking, all of his fish were taken about 4 foot down. Slow but steady retrieve.

Mr Fielding had 3 fish overall, to a similar technique.

Member John Donohue managed 3 fish again to zonkers, white and natural in colour.
He stated he had more bites than fish landed. Maybe it may be worth trimming a few zonkers back to make them that little bit shorter (if they seem to be plucking at the fly) to expose the hook that little bit more, making for more solid hook ups.

Weathers not been to bad wind is westerly, towards Bullrush bank. (towards the cafe,see new water map in tackle shop). A cold wind will put the fish down that little bit more, especially with the warm weather suddenly changing to much colder more spring like conditions.

Tightlines,
Nath

Fool's Day

Fool's day it maybe but the fish don't know that - rises all over the lake this morning with a massive buzzer hatch. Yesterday Nathan reported a sighting of Hawthorn flies - I need to do some more entomology training with him - they were very large Gnats and I would guess this is what the fish are feeding on now.

So size 10 buzzers probably black, should do the trick. Fish with a greased up line, or washing line or under an indicator, Kiwi Dropper or bung fly, your choice?

Enjoy!

Sunshine, no wind, fairly calm water but I am sure this will change and we will get a bit of wind to stir up the surface a little.