Saturday 30 June 2012

Saturday 30th June

Mild day today as promised! Nice ripple across the water 5-6mph easterly.
Not a great deal of fish come out so far, but the majority of which have been taken to egg flies, fished static under a indicator.

With the surface water being a little colour from previous days heavy rain, the fish will be deeper.

The water wont take long to clear up again, as experienced about a week ago, heavy down pours the water clouded up and after less than a day the clarity returned.

Plenty of midge hatches and the occasional mayfly still making an appearence.

UPDATE:
A couple of stages today weve had lighting, please dont carry on fishing if you hear thunder and see lighting.
Carbon Fibre rods are the worse possible thing you could have in your hand at this time.
Put your rod down, and make your way to the safest point, this being the cafe.

Tight Lines,
Nathan

Friday 29 June 2012

Weekend prospects

Supposedly a good start to saturday weather wise, mild with a slight breeze is forecast.
Gentle south westerly breezes, picking up slightly later on, with 10-mph winds forecast, which will create a ripple across the lake but allow anglers to cast with ease.

Rain starting from 2pm til 5pm, so the best time to get some fishing done on saturday and not get wet seems to be early to mid morning.
Obviously the weather reporters dont always get it right, infact very rarely!
So i will post a blog up as soon i arrive at curleys early morning, to notify of any drastic weather changes.

With damp conditions over night and a warm mild start to the morning on Saturday, its looking promising for a few early morning hatches!

Get down to Curleys early, the biggest catches have come early to mid morning, with some nice fish amoungst the usual stocking size, quite a few fish around 31/2lb to 41/2lb mark.
Tickets will be on sale at 7:30am.


Tight Lines,
Nathan
nath_bailiff@hotmail.co.uk





Thursday 28 June 2012

Quick reminder

Members evening session starts on the 4th July, wednesday. From 6:30pm til late.

Further details click here

We already have the majority of the Member list attending, but just incase you havent seen the blog or sign in the fishery office. Annual Members evening session! Catch plenty of trout and meet your fellow members in the process!

Thursday 28th June

The weathers not too bad this morning, plenty of cloud cover with the odd fine rain showers.
The wind is a mild easterly, around 7mph. The majority of the lake is virtually a flat calm due to the surround tree line around the smaller coarse lake taking the brunt of the breeze.
Not many hatches acuring at this moment in time, although prime conditions for a few decent hatches later on. Mild and damp overnight.

We have now reached over thirty thousand blog views! the blog is becoming more and more popular every month, with the views climbing every week!

Member Paul Knight had a good evening session yesterday, he managed 3 fish within a short couple of hours! Good Angling! Some nice sized trout coming out lately, quite a few in the 31/2-5lb range.

Overall the conditions are looking good, the water has returned back to its normal clarity after a few days of rain previous, and theres plenty of fish showing along the ripple, just sub-surface.

The killing patterns have been varied over the last week, black fritz doing well, as well as the good old cats whisker, white zonkers, although black and olive buzzers seem to be doing the most damage. Team of buzzers fished on a floating line, long leader and fish them virtually static.





PS. Dont forget you can comment on the blogs, or even email me your days fishing experience at curleys (a short write up of how you got on), along with any pictures you may have of previous catches. Cheers.

NEW* to Curleys tackle shop!!!

For further information on what Tenkara fishing is all about click here.


Tight Lines,
Nathan
nath_bailiff@hotmail.co.uk

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Wednesday 27th June

Excellent conditions here today, overcast, westerly wind 10mph.
Some nice fish come out today, Top Rod goes to Member Phil Rees, had a excellent day to buzzers fished under a "indicator fly" Netting 5 fish overall, and one cracking bow of exactly 4lb.
All his fish have been caught within the top few feet of water.


Tight Lines,
Nathan
nath_bailiff@hotmail.co.uk

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Tenkara Rods & Accessories now available.


Tenkara rods and accessories now available at Curleys Trout Fishery Tackle Shop! 
To see what Tenkara is all about please view the video below & check out the offcial website




A Wide range of flies tied specifically for the Tenkara technique.
Various accessories and rods available in the Tackle Shop.

 Why not pop down to Curleys and have a look yourself!

Tightlines
Nathan
 

Tuesday 25th June

Its been a great day here at Curleys, the weathers held off, and the sun was shining for most of the day.
A slight mild easterly breeze was upon us for most of the day, with it picking up slightly in strength as the day progressed.  Plenty of trout showing just under the surface, although alot of anglers were fishing dries today, it sometimes pays off to fish within the surface film or just subsurface. Quite a few anglers mentioning today that they had plenty of bites but no "Hook-ups". It can be difficult to imitate a dry on the surface when the water is flat calm or when the flies themselves dont correct present themselves to the fish. Your fly concerned could be twisting or sitting incorrectly on the surface, always check your dry is sitting correctly on the water before you commence fishing.
As always, grease and degrease up your leader to conceal the line from the trouts vision.
Simple "leader mud" and "mucilin silicone" will do the trick!

Few fish caught today, but it has been hard work for those concerned. The trout that have been caught today were all a good size, at least a pound above average stocking, 31/2lb +

Midges are the most common hatch taking place virtually all day, especially easy to spot when some of the lake is flat calm.

Please Read:
Both myself and Geoff will be re-creating the path down to the boat pontoon over the next couple of weeks so please be careful when walking along to the boat pontoon, dont worry no noise will be created throughout this time, and absolutely no disruption to the fishing.


I would just like to point out at Curleys weve strive for 100% truthful and factual daily blogs.
Some fisheries lie to get more anglers fishing. Here at Curleys we offer factual and truthful daily blogs to encourage Anglers on to the lake. Alot of Anglers travel far and wide to come fish Curleys and alot of these anglers like to check the Blog to see what patterns are working and hotspots etc. If we were to simply make random things up, then the blog would be pointless and useless.



Tight Lines,
Nathan

Monday 25 June 2012

Monday 25th June

Much better conditions at Curleys today, the wind has calmed down, still remaining westerly around 5mph.
Plenty of fish now showing on the surface, mostly nearer to the dam wall, as the strong winds on previous days have churned the water up and taken the warmer water towards the dam.

Midge hatching quite regularly, and the occasional pond olive and mayfly making an appearence.
Lots of trout showing now all across the lake just sub-surface.

Floating line with a team of suspender buzzers or klinkhammers, and you cant go wrong!

Check this video out of Proffessional Fly Fishing & Casting Instructor and Curleys Trout Fishery Manager Mike Roden on a lesson with Mr Phill Williams

Curleys YouTube channel

Tight Lines,
Nathan J
nath_bailiff@hotmail.co.uk


Sunday 24 June 2012

Sunday 24th June

Much better conditions today! A Slight westerly wind, around 5-6mph creating a nice ripple across the lake.
A very light misty rain is currently present, but according to the forecast, it will soon fade away.
The Anglers that braved yesterdays conditions were rewarded, For example Mr Tom Dobby with 2 fish on a 2 hours sport ticket, taken to a black fritz.

With the conditions much more favourable today, the catch rate will rise, with more anglers out on the water.

Dont forget next months Curleys Annual members evening meet up which starts on the 4th July at 6:30pm til late.
Click here for futher details.

Fish showing on the surface this morning, the rain fall weve had over the last couple of days has cooled the water temperature down slighty after the hot days prior.
So in theory the fish will be sat no more than 3-4ft down, as the water temperature is ideal for trout at these depths.

Looking forward to seeing plenty more anglers out on the water today, ideal conditions, there should be some nice fish caught today! Lots feeding just sub-surface on what appears to be a midge hatch.


UPDATE:
The wind has picked up slightly to around 10mph.
Black patterns seem to be doing the business currently, black fritz and black epoxy buzzers.

Tight Lines,
Nathan J

Saturday 23 June 2012

Saturday 23rd June

Unfortunately we've been blessed with strong westerly winds again, although not as bad as yesterday and some areas of the lake are easily still fish able.
However, there is no rain as of yet, unlike yesterdays heavy down pours.

The weather over the next few days is forecast to improve, going on Sunday morning the suns supposed to be making an appearance and the wind will hopefully calm down.

UPDATE: [02:30pm]
The wind is starting to die down now, Still Westerly around 10-15mph with strong gusts occasionally.

PLEASE CHECK BACK EVERY HOUR FOR UPDATES, HOPEFULLY THE WIND WILL QUIETEN DOWN!


Bailiff Geoff pictured with a small Pike around 3.5-4lb.


Tight Lines,
Nathan J
nath_bailiff@hotmail.co.uk

Friday 22nd June

Unfortuneatly friday was virtually un fishable, with gale force winds and consistant heavy down pours.
One angler braved the conditions but only lasted a hour, the conditions were that severe!

Please be wary if your planning a trip to Curleys over Saturday, the heav down pours resulting in a few flooded roads.

The weather is forecast to calm down alot over the weekend, a warm sunny day on sunday apparently.

When the weathers been more favourable over the last week, weve seen some mayflies flying about and witnessed a few laying their eggs on the surface only to get gobbled down by a hungry trout.
(see the photo below).
Photo taken on thursday evening when the weather died down, hatches galore on thursday!!

Tightlines,
Nathan

Thursday 21 June 2012

Thursday 21st June

Rather different conditions that what weve been used to for the last few days!
Strong gusty winds, easterly. However some of the lake is sheltered due to the trees and embankment.
The odd small shower every now and then, overclouded.

Fish close to the surface, suprisingly in these conditions there are quite a few fish rising.

The weather is suppose to improve over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With highs of 16degrees on saturday, so hopefully the nice weather will return and the rain and strong winds fade away towards this evening.

UPDATE:
The wind has died completely down, a virtually flat calm across the lake and midges hatching in their hundreds! & the occasional mayfly. Pictures of these mayflies will  be uploaded to the blog early saturday morning.
Fish rising all over the lake, taking advantage of the easy pickings available at this time of day, late evening can be a very productive time to fish Curleys.
With the weather cooling and hatches taking place all over, its prime dry fly or buzzer fishing.
 Tight Lines,
Nathan

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Wednesday 20th June

Lovely day here, suns out occasionally and a slight easterly breeze.
Very Mild with plenty of insect life aroud after damn conditions last night.
Midges are out in numbers, but the non biting kind, so not to worry.

A Few anglers arriving bright and early this morning to catch the early morning rise!
The odd black/brownish sedge about also, although not in great numbers.

Later on as the sun picks up in the sky and the temperature rises, its recommended to fish a slow sinking line, or a intermediate. Although the fish may be showing around midday near the surface, they may be heading back to the cooler shaded depths before returning to the surface again.

The members sign is sheet shows that supender buzzers have been catching most fish recently, either black or olive in colour. Floating line and long leader, this will work more effectively in clouded conditions and the trout will rise more confidently to a pattern presented on the surface/sub surface.

A cast to the spring inlet and west overhang.

Mild and very little wind, around 5-6 mph easterly.
Curleys Annual Members Evening meet up July 2012! See here

For some interesting videos on Chronomidae click here

Evening rise

This evening looks set for a evening rise feeding frenzy, the suns now gone behind cloud cover, and the temperature is starting to drop, more than likely the trout will work their way closer to the surface. A lot of hatches taking place currently, mainly midges, but brownish/black sedges are making an appearence now. With more fish showing themselves just under the surface.


Tight Lines,
Nathan

Monday 18 June 2012

Monday 18th June

Lovely day here weather wise, suns out, very little wind and fish rising all across the lake.
Fish caught yesterday, fell to mainly lures, the old school appetiser and black fritz doing well.

A cracking fully finned silver bow caught by Member Gary Stanley to a suspender buzzer.
[Caught 17/06/12]

Alot of fly life out early this morning, the usual midges and the odd dark brown sedge spotted already.
The prospects for today are looking good, and the weather looks as though its going to be kind to us for a change.

Intermediate lines and lures to first find the depth and the trout, then possibly switch to a team of buzzers to pull the larger feeding fish out of your swim.

A Beautifully fully finned, 4lb bow just this minute come out to a black & green tadpole.
Caught By Bailiff Geoff.


Tight Lines,
Nathan

Saturday 16 June 2012

Friday & Saturday 16th June

See here for the Members fishing meet-up throughout July 2012

Friday 15th June Report

A difficult day weather wise, strong winds and heavy rain at certain points during the day.
However plenty of fish caught and the top rod was Member Gary Stanley with 6 trout to his net, one to a red buzzer and the others to the F-fly. Member Gary Stanley also managed 8 fish the previous day to buzzers, good angling!
Although the weather took a turn for the worse, the fish were still feeding very close to the surface!

Saturday 16th June

Although the forecast isn't too exciting, it seems most of rain fall happened over night.
A very light mist/rain today, although its still quite mild and theres virtually no wind, a very slight easterly with 5-7mph gusts.

Although 90% of fish over the last week have been caught to dries, it seems today they have gone a little deeper, and as Gary Stanley showed yesterday, a team of buzzers can work very well in these conditions.

With damn conditions over night and continous mild weather, its prime hatching conditions for midges!
The follow videos are well worth a watch and are very interesting, i have viewed these videos and tied a few patterns based on the clips below:

Emerging Chronomids
Wriggling Bloodworms
Under a microscope

A good tactic is when approaching a water is too have a good look around, to see whats hatching, and which is more common, imitating certain chronomidae can be quite easy to do, as they start to emerge from their pupae shell, suspender buzzers imitate this stage. Deeper down, standard buzzers etc. Finding the correct shade and size is important and you can simply do this by examining the body of water around your fishing peg.

Todays conditions*

UPDATE:
The odd light rain shower, over clouded, 5-6mph NE wind, no where near as bad as predicted.


Tight Lines,
Nathan

Thursday 14 June 2012

Curleys Members evening session!

For todays report click here.


Annual Members of Curleys Trout Fishery are invited to attend a evening fishing event held four times a month, initially through the month of July 2012, as a trial, if successful this could run through to the end of the year.

The Fly Fishing sessions will be held at 6:30pm til dark. 
Meet your fellow members! and catch a few fish in the process!

The dates for this event are shown below:
July 4th, 11th, 18th and finally the 25th 2012.

Drinks and snacks available from the cafe til 8pm.

If you wish to attend please email me.
Or
Ring the tackle shop/ fishery office - 01204691199

Tightlines,
Nathan

Buzzerday 14th June

A Perfect day for buzzer fishing!

Excellent weather here, suns out with the odd cloud cover, shielding us from the sun every now and again.
Alot of midges hatching still, but not too the same standard as later on in the evening.
The wind is a very mild easterly breeze, alot of fish feeding very close to the surface, buzzers fished no more than 2-3ft down have done very well over the last week, and most fish have been caught to surface or slightly sub-surface flies.

Klinkhammers, G&H Sedge, Daddies and Suspender buzzers etc, all catching fish currently. The trout appear to take the slightly sub-surface flies with a lot more confidence, resulting in a more solid hook up.
Quite a few anglers have commented on missed takes to the dry fly. It maybe the case that the trout appear to take the fly, when infact they are simply coming up to take a look, and turning away at the last second, resulting in a surface ripple effect, similar to a rising trout.

Suspender buzzers, or black and olive buzzers fished under a indicator appear to be the working method for Member Phil Reese. (watch this space! some very nice photos of trout that Phil has netted today!).

UPDATE:

A 2lb 12oz Bow for Member Phil Reese, caught to a black buzzer under a bung. No more than 2-3ft down.

__________________________________________________
New* Stock of flies have now been arranged in the Fishery Tackle Shop/ Office.

A Large range of various flies, from buzzers to dries, to a blob!
Need to stock up your fly box, pop down to Curleys!
Any 10 flies for £6.50 - Thats 65p per fly!



The above photos display a small selection of what we have here at Curleys Trout Fishery!
__________________________________________________

Tight Lines,
Nathan

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Wednesday 13th June

Late last night was a typical classic evening rise, after 5:30pm the trout were rising all over the surface, to a mixture of fly life, although mainly midges, the odd sedge was seen.

Member Gary stanley did very well last night to a Suspender Buzzer!
[Green ribbed tinsel, and black thread]

Today has been a very still day, hardly any wind at all, a slight easterly earlier however this has completely died down now to form a mirror like appearence across the lake, flat calm.
A quite day Angler wise today, however the ones that fished, did well, Member Jim McGinley had 2 fish within a couple hours to suspender buzzers.
Currently a few anglers out on the water, with fish rising all around them!
They appear to be taking midge pupae rather than the adult.
So a small olive or black buzzer fished newzealand style under a klinkhammer or dry, or a team of buzzers with a Booby or bouyant fly on the point to keep the buzzers near the surface, the second mentioned is called the "Washing Line" technique. A very successful method here at Curleys Fishery.

Later on in the evening the midges hatch in their hundreds!! so either insect repellent or a hat with a mesh covering is recommended!

Tightlines
Nath

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Tuesday 12th June

A nice day here at Curleys, the suns out and virtually no wind, a bare minimal easterly.
Plenty of hatches taking place, mainly midges, the most common food source for the trout here at Curleys.

Upturned a few stones this morning to find a lot of water hog louse, clinging on. The trout will without doubt be feeding on these this time of year, although they tend to be found in relatively shallow water, towards the margins.

On a day like today, with the sun being out and previous damp conditions, there will be plenty of continous hatches. Spanflex flexi bloodworm pattern, fished a little deeper, or various coloured shuttlecock or suspender buzzers will do well.
A Stunning fully finned silver bow, well fed on midge pupae!
The trout have been very close to the surface over the last few days, and dries have caught more fish over any other method.
A picturesque day here at Curleys Trout Fishery.


 

Tight Lines,
Nath




Monday 11 June 2012

Monday 11th June

Click here to see Sundays updated report!  - Sunday! excellent dry fly sport, virtually all day!


Nice day, overcast slight easterly wind. Lake virtually a total flat calm currently, trout showing all across the lake.
A lot of anglers having fish to dries over the last couple of days, therefore in theory the fish are close to the surface, which would make sense as the ideal water temp for trout is 11-14 degrees, and the top few feet of water is currently sitting around 12-13degrees.

Member Jim McGinley has done well today, 2 fish to a zonker pattern.
Mr John Whittaker has landed 3 fish to dries, and lost another few fish.

Tips for dry fly fishing, the trout will come up to take a well presented fly off the surface, dont strike almost immediately, wait for the trout to turn back down with its mouth closed before you strike. I.e count to 4 seconds before you lift your rod into a fine fighting fit trout.

The usual midge hatches taking place at regular intervals across the entire lake.
The odd small brown sedges showing themsevles, along with some large daddy long legs.


A angler approaching the water, a virtual flat calm and fish showing all across the lake!

Tightlines
Nathan

Sunday 10 June 2012

Sunday 10th June

At last some ideal trout catching weather, with a mixture of cloud cover and the sun peaking through, occasionally, earlier on there was a virtual flat calm across the entire lake. A slight westerly breeze, causing a slight ripple every now and then.
Trout have been very close to the surface today, within the top few feet.
Caught to various methods, but mainly different dries, such as klinkhammer & G&H sedge patterns.
This morning with the lake being a total flat calm, fish were rising constantly from 8am through til midday. The majority of which appeared to be taking emerging midges.

As the day progressed the wind picked up and the fish appeared to be a little deeper down, although still showing near the surface.

Plenty of fish caught, apologise that i have no pictures of them! but it was my day off and i was sat out in the middle of the lake, float-tubing!
Excellent fun! the trout just didnt seem to care that i was within reach, rising within a few feet of my tube!

The weathers looking excellent again for monday, cloud cover, with the odd splash of sun shine around late evening time. The weather also looks as though it will remain consistant for this week, which is excellent news. The trout dislike rapid water temperature changes, and with the weather "hopefully" staying pretty consistant, the catch rates will continue to climb.


- - Catch report - -

Members Jim McGinley had a excellent day with 8 fish to his net, to a mixture of patterns.

Mr Hardman managed 9 fish, mainly to dries!
Mr Catts had just the one fish.
Mr Martin netted 5 fish over all.
Mr Andy Wilson had the one trout.
Mr Bates hooked 3  fish on a 2 hour sport ticket.
Mr Fouracre managed to catch his bag limit with 2 fish to his net.

Today was a excellent day for floating lines and well presented dries!


Tightlines,
Nathan

Saturday 9 June 2012

Friday & Saturday 9th June

Friday 8th June

The weather conditions were against us yesterday, heavy rain and strong winds.
Very few anglers out on the water, difficult casting conditions.
Trout still seemed to be congregating around pontoon 7 towards the dam wall, with a few rolling under the surface.

Saturday 9th June

Conditions are better today, rather foggy early morning but starting to clear now. Wind is around 12-15mph westerly, coming over the dam wall heading towards the coarse lake.
Light rain showers, a few anglers out bright and early, all fishing various methods, intermediate line and fritz's to floating line and dries.

The water temperature is still ideal, in theory the trout will be sat between the surface and 5-6ft down.
Dwial bachs and buzzers have been catching fish still over the week, fished around 4ft down, on floating lines.

Zonkers and fritz's have been doing well fished on a floating line and steadily stripped back around 3-6ft down.


UPDATE: [3:00PM]
Unfortuneatly the weathers taken a nasty turn for the worse, constant heavy showers, and the wind has picked up to around 25mph. Few anglers still out on the water braving the difficult conditions.
Lets hope the forecast for Sunday is correct! It should be a miles better day.
Tight Lines,
Nathan

Thursday 7 June 2012

Thursday 7th June

Although rain is forecast today, it seems to be holding off so far. The wind is around 12mph South Easterly.
A few fish showing near the surface, various methods have been catching fish over the last few days.
Indicator with a egg or gold head fritz blob, dries from G&H sedge to daddy longlegs imitations.

The water temperature is around perfect for trout now, after warm weather weve had recently, the water has cooled down to around 13 degrees 4.5-5ft down, Which is ideal for trout.

So in theory they should be pretty close to the surface, and it showed yesterday with most fish coming out to dries and suspender buzzers.
Trout will always look up for food, so a well presented dry will gain their interest.
Although the majority of the fish will be feeding around 3-6ft down, teams of diwal bachs and buzzers fishing well at these depths currently.


The top half of the lake is sheltered by the trees, and this area is  flat calm.
UPDATE:
The wind has died down alot, to around 5-6mph [11am]
Constant light rain unfortuneatly now, as forecast.
Although the trout are showing quite close to the surface still, quite a few rolling towards pontoon 6/7.
See curleys water map HERE.

Tight Lines,
Nathan


Wednesday 6 June 2012

Wednesday afternoon

Catch report & update [12:45pm]

Some nice fish coming out now, a mixture of both blues and bows.
Most if not all off the surface, the trout are even having a go at indicators!
Throw anything at them on the surface today and they will have a look


A nice fully finned chunky bow to a Black and tinsel ribbed suspender buzzer, caught by a Member Mr Ian Aspinal.

Still witnessing plenty of trout attempting to make small roach a meal.
Trying my best to get a video of this in action! Amazing to watch trout swirl and small roach jump out of the water followed by a hungry bow/blue, witnessed by several anglers now.

Float tubing at curleys
Click here
If you wish to float tube at Curleys it is essential that you ring and book. Limited spaces per day.
Tackle Shop & Fishery Office number : 01204 691199

Tight Lines
Nathan

Wednesday 6th June

Please take your time to read over this previous post if you havent already, thanks.
Fish handling and welfare


Todays report : [08:45AM]

The weathers ideal again, overcast, and a little cooler than it has been.
Complete flat calm across the entire lake, very slight SW wind.
Alot of fish cruising just subsurface taking what appears to be, small black buzzers (emerging midges), not in great numbers but quite a few areas of hatches taking place currently, more so towards pontoon 7 (see curleys water map click here). Between pontoon 6 and 5 is also fishing well currently.

Light rain has just set in, but it shouldn't last long, according to the forecast. With some possible clear skies later on.

The Boat dock fished very well a couple of days ago, to a olive fritz gold head blob, fished under a indicator. Six trout came out to this method for one angler, fished very deep around 15ft down.

Overall its looking good for today, after the hot weather we've  had recently and it now cooling down dramatically, the catch rates are climbing again. With 6-7 fish per session not uncommon.

Currently the rod average is sitting at 4.2 Some nice blues coming out also, to various methods.
Between 3-4lb fully finned silver bars, alot of anglers have commented on how "blue" the blue trout actually are, almost fluorescent blue across the back, and the usual comments "they fight extremely well", Blues are renown for this. The biggest blue in the water currently is 9lb, catch this fish and you will have your knots tested!

UPDATE [11:15am]
The wind has picked up to around 10mph westerly. Cloud cover is breaking up with the odd patch of clear sky occasionally.
The fish are still showing near the surface.
A few midge hatches taking place, and the occasional dark brown/black sedges making an appearence.


Tight Lines,
Nathan

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Tues 5th June

Anyone had enough of the Jubilee stuff now? Is it time to do some fishing?
Well ,for those of you who think some fishing time is appropriate for today, the prospects are decent.
South Westerly wind currently, so the water is fairly sheltered with the wind blowing towards the corner of the road and embankment direction. Some showers are forecast but hopefully won't add up to much.
Water temps have come down slightly with the last few days weather and will come down more with the weather to come for the rest of the week.
Tightlines

Monday 4 June 2012

Fish handling and welfare.


For Monday 4th June and Sundays report - click here

Please Read:

Regarding fish handling and release. Especially important at this time of year, with the warm water temperatures!

Most anglers do the above correctly, but over the course of the weekend Ive noticed a few anglers "mis-handling fish". They may or may not be aware of the effect of keeping a trout out of the water for more than 20secs.Their chances drop dramatically of the fish fully recovering. Handling the fish with dry hands can remove the protective slime covering their body, with leaves them open to infections etc.
Even if handling with wet hands this can still happen, but minimises the risk of damaging the trout.
Ideally keep the trout in the water and get the fish in as fast as possible, the longer you play the fish the more lactic acid that builds up in the muscle tissue of the trout, and makes releasing the fish a lot more problematic.

Once you have landed the fish:
These are not rules, more guidelines so that we can keep the fish returned healthy and happy.

  1. Try not to take it out of the water, at all, and unhook it while its still secure in the net. Care must be taken not to touch the fish with dry hands at this stage.
  2. If the fish must be taken out of the water, wet your hands, and keep the fish within the net rather than have it riggle about all over the peg. Grabbing a trout and holding it too your clothes, ie. chest to help remove the hook is possibly one of the worst things you could do. This will well and truely remove a good chunk of the protective slime layer the fish needs to fight off infections etc.
  3. When releasing, keep the fish within the net, try not handle the trout unless you have too. Again with wet hands. The trout must not remain out of the water for more than 20-25seconds. If the hook cannot be removed within this time, please re-enter the fish into the water inside the net, for a 10 or so seconds, and then try again. If the hook still wont come out please cut the line.
  4. Allow the trout to fully recover, this doesnt mean a simple dip in the water and the fish will slowly swim off, give the trout time to recover from its fight. If the trout turns belly up, simply wet your hands and up-right the fish.
  5. If the trout isnt showing any forms of wanting to be returned to its home, then slowly (with wet hands) gain a hold of the trouts tail, and slowly rock the fish back and forth to allow the gills a sudden burst of Oxygen, the trout should usually kick with its tail while your doing this as its gaining strength and energy.
  6. Then release if all is well.
Thanks for taking your time to read this and the majority of anglers that fish curleys handle the trout conerned extremely well, so thank you.
If your not too sure on how to correctly handle a trout, or are new to the sport please, email me or mention it in the tackle shop.

Tight Lines,
Nathan

Sunday & Monday morning

For futher information on using float-tubes and kayaks at curleys
click here

Sunday 3/6/12
Very few anglers on yesterday, the conditions where poor, strong winds and heavy rain virtually all day.
Although the anglers that did persist with the conditions where rewarded, Mr Whalley had 2 fish to his net on a 2 Hour sport ticket, a bow and a blue.
Both fish caught on a black and green tadpole.

A nice fully finned slender bow, caught by Mr Rick Mather.

Monday 4/6/12
A good start to the morning, plenty of cloud cover, no rain! and a slight North Westerly wind.
Few anglers out on the water already, so i will keep the blog updated on the catch report and the weather conditions as the day goes on.
The water is starting to cool down a few degrees, which will bring the fish closer to the surface, and they will be much more active.

Floating lines worth a try initially, lures seem to be fishing better currently, tadpoles and cats whisker doing well.
Black & Green Tadpole and above, the good old Cats Whisker!
 If the trout dont seem to be within floating line depth, try a intermediate and work the depths.

UPDATE:
The black and green tadpole is doing the business again early morning,
Jim McGinley has netted 3 fish so far and alot more fish showing near the surface.

The rain over night and the colder conditions, have dropped the water temperature quite abit, around 13-14 degrees 4.5ft down. Which is ideal trout temperatures, so floating lines seem to be the way forward today.

Our newest member Mr Paul Knight with a nice 2 3/4lb blue trout.  Caught to a Black Zonker.



The trout are really starting to wake up now and the rod average is climbing again, after the very humid hot days weve had recently, the waters cooling, and the fish are coming up to feed. Its looking good for this week if the weather is consistant.

Tightlines,
Nathan

Saturday 2 June 2012

Saturday 2nd June

A slight easterly breeze this morning, most of the lake is sheltered and virtually a flat calm.
Surprisingly even though the top few layers of water are still quite warm, the fish are showing, and rolling just under the surface.
With it being a damp Friday night, and a mild start to the morning, there should be quite a few hatches taking place currently.

Overall its looking good for today, its overcast with a slight wind.
Floating line and a team of buzzers or nymphs will catch plenty of fish today.
Dwial bachs, olive buzzers and black buzzers have been doing well.


Today's fish catching team!?

A lot of dark brown sedges out in numbers yesterday, but the fish didnt appear to be taking them off the surface in great numbers, so more than likely the case that they will be feeding on the previous stages of the sedge but deeper down where the water is cooler and more ideal for trout.

I look forward to seeing plenty of anglers out on the water today, taking advantage of the conditions!

UPDATE:
The fish have stopped showing near the surface, first thing this morning, there was a lot more trout rising,  with the current water temp still quite high, the fish will be well and truely deep down.
Sinking lines and slow retrieve.


Tight lines,
Nathan

Friday 1 June 2012

June 1st Float Tubing

A perfect day for float tubing next to no wind, Mike Roden on his float tubing lesson.
Mike Roden and Ian Long making their way out into the centre of the lake from the float-tube launching bay.
A distance shot of Both Ian and Mike out in the centre of the lake.

If you wish to float tube at Curleys, please ring through and book before you pop down.

Tightlines,
Nathan

Friday 1st June

Another month has gone by - where is the time going, this year is flying by!
Another respectable day for fly fishing - cloud cover and pleasantly warm with a little breeze. Should be good for a buzzer hatch today.
Don't forget that chironomids (buzzers) hatch in the silt in the bed of the lake and fish can feed on them anywhere from the bottom of the lake to the surface. So don't be fooled by little or no surface action - they could be 20ft, 15ft, or 10ft deep but still feeding merrily. Long leader and floating line or an intermediate or even a long leader with buzzers under a bung or indicator can work well.
Some sedges have been coming off most of the week, again if there is little surface activity try a sedge pupae pattern(available form the shop!)
I'll be dong a float tubing lesson today - first of the year, should be good fun
Tightlines