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ANGLING IN THE LAKE DISTRICT - An update from Patrick Arnold - 5th May 2001

PROSPECTS FOR ANGLING SLOWLY IMPROVING IN THE NORTH OF THE COUNTY

ANGLERS must continue acting in a very responsible way, especially as Foot and Mouth Disease is spreading in South Cumbria. The County’s Chief Vet has warned that the Furness area could face a Foot and Mouth Disease Crisis similar to the one in the North of the County. The Disease in this area is not under control and the movement of people and vehicles is contributing to it’s spread.

It is, however, possible that more waters could be opened to angling in the North of the County in the foreseeable future. Angling Clubs considering opening waters should request a Risk Assessment to be undertaken by the landowners. Guidance should also be sought from MAFF and the Environment Agency. Also it is imperative to fully consult with neighbouring farmers. In the case of lakes not controlled by clubs interested anglers should also seek Risk Assessments from landowners. Before requesting these assessments anglers should carefully consider whether or not the movement of people to and from waters would put farming at risk.

A TALK “Salmon Fishing in Russia and Alaska” by Jack Ewins and Paul Little has been organised by the Lakeland Fly Dresser’s Guild at the Gatebeck Workingmen’s Club, Endmoor, on Wednesday 9^th May at 7.30 p.m. This talk will be illustrated with slides. New members and guests are welcome. There is a nominal entrance fee.

ANGLING WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION

The Westmorland Gazette would like to congratulate Patrick Arnold, “Buzzer”, on receiving a Commendation for his Articles from the Angling Writers’ Association at their recent Annual Dinner and Prize Giving. George Melly, the famous actor and angler, presented the prizes.
His speech was humorous and contained numerous anecdotes. Also amongst the guests was Paul Young, actor, angler, writer and known to many for his filmed angling programmes - another angler with a wicked sense of humour. The venerable body assembled had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

WEATHER

LAST MONTH was the fourth consecutive wetter–than–average April, over most of the
Country. There were some very heavy downpours. The month continued cold, with mainly Northerly winds, many overnight frosts and snow on the Fells during the last few days. Water temperatures remained lower than normal. Hatches of flies were sparse, only occurring during
the occasional milder periods. As May is the first month of summer hopefully there will be an improvement in angling conditions.

RIVERS

General : most rivers are CLOSED due to the Foot and Mouth Disease Crisis. The only changes since the Report on the 21^st March 2001 are :- small stretches of the Eden controlled by Lazonby Estate, Warwick Hall Estate and Carlisle Angling Association in the town at Carlisle have been opened.

LAKES

General : it is crucial that anglers stay away from all Lakes and Tarns in the Lake District, that have not been opened, until further notice to help prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease to farming stock and wild life. ALL Lakes and Tarns are in Infected Areas.

The position is being reviewed regularly.

Where Lakes have been opened it is essential to rigidly adhere to the disinfecting procedures in place and to stay away from prohibited areas.

WINDERMERE

This Lake is open to boat anglers provided that their boats are kept on non-agricultural land and where access is now permitted or boats are launched at Ferry Nab after being disinfected. Anglers wanting to launch at Fell Foot must first take their boats to Ferry Nab for disinfecting, obtain a certificate and immediately go to Fell Foot. Boat anglers must only go ashore at designated landing areas. Bank anglers can only fish on foreshore away from agricultural land and livestock which has been opened to the public – such as Miller Ground and Fell Foot.
If in any doubt whatsoever seek advice from the Lake Wardens prior to fishing.

There has been a slow start to fishing this Season mainly due to the winter being colder than we have been used to during the past two to three years. There have been isolated hatches of small Black Buzzers (size 12) in the South Basin. Boat anglers fishing over the 10’ drop-offs have been catching the occasional Brown Trout. Whilst numbers caught have been down on last year the size of the fish is average with at least two fish of 2 lbs. 4 ozs. being recorded. The most successful tactic is to use a Fast Glass (Slime) Intermediate Line – sink rate 1.5 inches per second. Successful patterns include Bibio (top dropper), Mallard & Claret, Claret Bumble, Black Pennell and Blae & Black. Use size 10 in a wave and size 12 in calmer conditions.

There are no reports of any fish being taken in the North Basin. Fishing in this area is normally three or four weeks after fishing starts in the South Basin.

The best time has been 2.00 and 6.00 p.m. The evenings have been too cold for any rise.

CONISTON WATER

This Water is open for boat fishing only provided that boats are launched at Coniston Boating Centre and all rules for disinfecting are strictly adhered to. Bank fishing is still prohibited.

There are no reports of any anglers being out.

ULLSWATER

Boats may be launched at the Steamer Pier at Glenridding or Waterfoot near Pooley Bridge. Boats – together with trailers and vehicles if they are entering the water – must be disinfected prior to launching. The same disinfecting procedure must also be undertaken when taking boats out of the water. Bank anglers can only fish from the foreshore, away from agricultural land and livestock, that is open to the public. There are a number of areas off the Glenridding to Pooley Bridge road on the northern shore adjacent to the roadside. If in any doubt whatsoever seek advice from the National Park Rangers at the Blencathra Centre.

There has been a good start to the Season for boat anglers on this Water with bags between 9 and 14 fish taken per angler (up to 20 per boat with 2 anglers). Most of the fish average 12 ozs. but a number of fish up to 1 lb. 4 ozs. have been taken.

The depth fished is crucial as most of the fish are bottom feeders except when there are exceptionally good hatches of flies. Seek the ledges where there is 10’ of water – anglers not familiar with this Lake are advised to bring a depth finder. Most of the fish have been taken fishing a depth of 4’ – 8’ using Slow Intermediate Lines – 1 to 1.5 inches per second. The best conditions are when there is a wave. Late forenoon and afternoon are the best times with around 4.00 p.m. being prime time.

Successful patterns include Bibio, Diawl Bach, Alder Larva, Blae & Black, Gold Butcher and Black Zulu. A bright coloured pattern can work as an attractor. Use size 12 in a wave and size 14 in calm conditions. When smaller fish are moving use a small gape hook.

There should be hatches of May Fly from the middle of May onwards and depending on the weather these can continue to mid-June.

STILLWATERS

General : all Clubs and Associations have CLOSED their Waters. Some Commercial Fisheries are closed but others remaining open are subject to special conditions. All anglers are asked to abide by these new rules. The only change since the last Report on the 4^th April 2001 is :

BLENCARN LAKE FISHERY
J. K. Stamper tel. no. 01768 88284

This Water OPENED at 8.00 a.m. on Saturday the 5^th May. All anglers visiting this Fishery must fully comply with the disinfectant procedures in place to help prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease.

As no anglers have so far this season been on this water it should fish well on Opening Day.

This 15 acre Lake is situated in peaceful farming countryside, near the village of Blencarn in Cumbria and within easy reach of the M6 Motorway (Junction 40) and the A66 (between Appleby and Penrith). It lies in the Eden Valley well known for it’s scenic beauty. A splendid panorama of the Pennines, dominated by its highest peak Cross Fell 2,930 ft. can be enjoyed from the Lake Shore.

The Lake is stocked regularly with Rainbow Trout with an average weight of 2 lbs. and a number of fish in the 3 – 4 lb. range.

The Season is from 1^st April (opened 5^th May 2001 due to Foot and Mouth Disease) to 30^th October. Fishing is from 8.00 a.m. until sunset.

Facilities :

Lodge with men and ladies toilets
Kettle (in the Lodge)
6 of the piers have access for the disabled angler
The Lake is available for private hire to parties of 15 or more

Fees :

Full Day Ticket 8.00 a.m. to sunset £16.00 - 4 Fish Bag Limit
5 Hours Ticket £10.00 - 2 Fish Bag Limit

Catch & Release prior to catching Limit

Reservations are advisable

Accommodation :

All types of accommodation for the angler and his family are available in the locality. Though fishing may be the main attraction, Blencarn Lake is situated in a prime holiday area. The Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, the Roman Wall and the Solway Coast are all within easy reach. The whole area is rich in natural history and geological interest.

FISHERIES CURRENTLY OPEN

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE PRECAUTIONS : all Fisheries that are open have introduced stringent precautions to prevent the spread of this dreadful disease. At some Fisheries specific areas are out of bounds. Anglers are requested to adhere to these precautions and act in a responsible manner at all times.

ESTHWAITE WATER
David Coleman tel. no. 015394 36541

This Fishery is OPEN to boat anglers and bank anglers may fish from the area between the Ticket Office and the corner of the South Basin as there is no farmland between the main road and the Water.

Bank Angling from the fields is PROHIBITED and boat anglers must NOT land anywhere other than on the pier at the Ticket Office. Stringent rules are in place for disinfecting boots, etc.

All anglers MUST report to the Ticket Office prior to fishing and respect these essential precautions.

This Water is again producing some excellent double-figured bags for boat anglers fishing Four Tree Bay and off the Car Park. The successful tactics continue to be sinking lines and either mini-lures or nymphs using a very slow retrieve.

As the fish are moving up and down in the water as conditions (wind and light) change it is crucial to fish at the right depth. Use either a Wetcel Sink V (the current line is a Uniform Sink) or a Wetcel IV HI–Speed HI-D. Both these lines have approximately the same sink rate of between 4 and 6.5 inches per second (the 4 relates to a line rated 6 and the 6.5 relates to a line rated 10). The favoured flies at the moment are two Hare’s Ear on the two droppers, with an Orange Booby on the point. Use a slow figure of eight retrieve with the occasional long pull followed by a pause. It is essential to hang the flies just below the surface at the end of the retrieve as many fish are taking at this point. Using this method (in competitions fished to International Rules it is not permissible to use a weighted fly – in this case on the point) the Wetcel IV Hi-Speed Hi-D which sinks belly first is preferable to the Uniform Wetcel Sink V which sinks tip first. This is because the Booby on the point pulls the tip of the Uniform Wetcel Sink V up in the water creating a curve in the line/leader.

When the wind has dropped there have been hatches of large fawn buzzers, then the fish have been feeding nearer the surface. In these conditions change to a floating line with imitative patterns.

Other anglers have been taking good bags using Epoxy Buzzers fished deep and static. Len Armstrong landed a Rainbow Trout of 7 lbs. Many anglers have caught fish over 4 lbs.

The Troutmaster Fish-Off was won by Patrick Arnold, with 6 fish weighing 17 lbs. 4 ozs. including time bonus. He now goes through to the Final at Grafham Water in September.

The third heat of the Shakespeare Esthwaite Open Pairs was won by Howard Croston and David Carrick with 12 fish for 25 lbs. 8 ozs. including time bonus. In Second place were Graham and Mick Taylor with 11 fish for 20 lbs. 9 ozs. Both pairs go through to the Final in September. In a previous session Howard Croston landed 30 Rainbow Trout up to 4 lbs. on mini-lures and nymphs.

In the Lancaster Police Fly Fishing Club Competition 11 anglers landed 65 fish weighing 132 lbs. 4 ozs. The winner was Richard Morgan with 6 fish for 14 lbs. 12 ozs. and in second place Ian Dickinson with 6 fish for 14 lbs.

Individual Fly Fishing Tuition, Courses, Junior Days and Corporate Days with Patrick Arnold can be arranged.

WYCH ELM
Ken Gill tel. no. 01524 781499

This Fishery is open and all anglers must report to the Owner’s house (adjacent to the Fishery) prior to entering the Fishery and co-operate with the stringent controls for disinfecting.

Here again this Fishery is producing many double-figured bags.

Roy Anderson recording 15 Rainbow Trout and 2 Brown Trout, taken on mini-lures and buzzers, Chris Doyle 16 Rainbow Trout using Black Buzzers and Andrew Gaunt 6 including a Rainbow Trout of approximately 13 lbs. taken on buzzers. This large fish was witnessed by the Fishery Owner, prior to being returned to the water. The next day an unusual occurrence happened when Chris Little landed a Rainbow Trout of 12 lbs. 10 ozs., using a Claret Buzzer and a 4 lb. leader. On weighing in the Fishery Owner recognised it as the same fish caught the previous day. Doug Taylor landed 3 Rainbow Trout weighing 6 lbs. 8 ozs., 6 lbs. and 5 lbs. all taken on Pheasant Tail Nymphs.

TEWITFIELD
Brendan O’Hara tel. no. 01524 730331

Many double-figured bags have been recorded including Paul Proctor landing 26 Rainbow Trout, Paul Simpson from Ireland with 25 and Brian Pickthall with 24. All these fish were taken on a dark imitative nymph pattern. Dave Kettlewell landed 21 Rainbow Trout up to 4 lbs. on Black Suspender Buzzers and Ray Maguire 20 up to 5 lbs. using Black Buzzers and Oliver Buzzers. The winner of the Troutmaster Fish-Off was Chris Stephenson with 4 fish weighing 12 lbs. 3 ozs. including time bonus. He also goes through to the Final at Grafham Water in September.

In calm conditions some anglers have been catching on size18 Klinkhammer patterns, fished on a 4 lbs. fluorocarbon leader.

Floating lines with imitative patterns out perform sinking lines with lures. Any angler requiring some recommended techniques should look back to the report dated 17^th April, 2001.

This is an excellent venue to both learn and improve imitative tactics – Patrick Arnold runs Courses at this Fishery.

CONDER VALLEY
Colin & Ken Newsham tel. no. 01524 752566

Here anglers are returning some excellent catches - up to 16 Rainbow Trout per session, using small Black Buzzer patterns. Other good bags are being taken using Black Pennell and Damsel Patterns.

As soon as the weather warms up there will be some excellent surface sport on this water when the falls of Hawthorn flies and Black Gnats occur.

May is one of the best months on this Water and a visit can be very rewarding.

The _ mile stretch of the River Conder is “out of bounds” during the Foot & Mouth Disease Crisis.

Individual Fly Fishing Tuition, Courses and Corporate Days with Patrick Arnold can be
arranged.

BANK HOUSE
Jan Dobson tel. no. 01524 770412

A new record was set by Michael Lyons landing 27 Rainbow Trout up to 8 lbs.10 ozs., all taken on Black Buzzers.

Anglers with the patience to stalk fish in the margins during warmer spells are experiencing some remarkable catches.

Paul Rump landed 17 Rainbow Trout including one of 13 lbs. taken on Black Zulu and Montana Nymphs. K. Horsfield had a Brown Trout of 11 lbs. 6 ozs. taken on an Appetizer, Keith Cubbitt a Tiger Trout of 5 lbs., a Rainbow of 6 lbs. 8 ozs. and a Brown of 4 lbs. taken on Green Damsel and Gold Head Daddy Longlegs. D. Cunningham landed a Rainbow Trout of 14 lbs. 8 ozs. taken on a Damsel. Many other double-figured bags have been recorded.

As this is a shallow Water a floating line with imitative patterns is the best approach.

STOCKS FLY FISHERY
Ben Dobson tel. no. 01200 446602

FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE PRECAUTIONS as recommended by the Association of Stillwater Game Fishery Managers (A.S.G.F.M.) are in place. All anglers MUST abide by these stringent precautions.

Bank angling is restricted to the West Bank and all anglers must adhere to the notices forbidding access to certain areas and pathways that lead to farmland.

This water is fishing consistently well - 390 anglers have caught 1443 fish, giving an averagea
of 3.7 fish per angler, during the past fortnight.

Boat anglers continue to record some good catches. The best areas are at the Dam in the Southern end of the Reservoir, the Willow Island and the Willows in the Northern end of the Reservoir.

Igor Biluba and his 14 year old son Anthony, set a new record weight for a bag of 4 fish. Anthony caught a Rainbow Trout of 14 lbs. 4 ozs., together with a Brown Trout of 5 lbs. and 2 other Rainbows there bag weight totalled 25 lbs. 14 ozs. Boat angler, Mike Baker, landed a Rainbow Trout of14 lbs. 3 ozs.

Bank anglers are also doing well. Anthony Hooley caught a Brown Trout weighing 11 lbs. 2 ozs. taken on a Mackay Nymph from Hollins Bay. John Bankcroft landed a superb over-wintered Brown Trout weighing 9 lbs. 12 ozs. taken on a Montana Nymph.

Tactics/favoured flies : a floating line with a team of Olive Black Buzzers (sizes 10 – 14) has been the best method from the boats. In the right conditions small Black Shipmans and CDC Buzzers have been very effective.
Bank anglers are recording good catches of Brown Trout taken on Cat’s Whiskers and Olive Fritz.

KILLINGTON
Tickets available from Carlson’s Fishing Tackle Shop, Kendal.
Vera Carlson tel. no. 01539 724867.

Anglers can fish from the roadside bank.

The fish are in the top 2’ of water and are being taken on floating lines with mini-lures.

NEARBY WATERS IN NORTH LANCASHIRE OPEN FOR COARSE FISHING Include :

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE PRECAUTIONS : all Fisheries that are open have introduced stringent precautions to prevent the spread of this dreadful disease. At some Fisheries specific area are out of bounds. Anglers are requested to adhere to these precautions and act in a responsible manner at all times.

Cleveley Bridge : this was the venue for the 8^th and Final Round of the Windermere Anglers/Kendal & District Angling Club Winter League.

The winner was Martin Bailey (aged 14) with 3 Carp weighing 24 lbs. 13 ozs. taken on pole tactics with sweetcorn as bait. In second place was Grahame Hall with a bag of Bream, Roach and Skimmers, weighing 11 lbs. 7 ozs., followed by Steve Grainey with a bag containing 2 Bream and Roach weighing 6 lbs. 3 ozs. These bags were taken on pole tactics with red maggot or caster as bait.

The overall winner of the Winter League was Graham Dawes with 275 points. In second place Grahame Hall with 261 points and in third place Martin Bailey with 248 points.

Other anglers have had some good sessions on these waters.

Thursland Hill : is producing Carp up to 10 lbs., and anglers should fish the margins using maggot as bait.

Wyreside Lakes, Dolphinholme : anglers are catching Carp using boilies and method feeder.

Copthorne : is fishing well. The Fishery has opened a Beginner’s Pool and have a PAA Instructor often in attendance.

Lancaster Canal : further sections of the canal have been opened for fishing but anglers should check their website : www.britishwaterways.co.uk prior to setting out.

For further information on these Lancashire Fisheries contact Phil Evans at Something Fishy, Forton, tel. no. 01524 792696.

SEA ANGLING

General : sea anglers and bait diggers must not go onto any foreshore where animals graze and footpaths across farmland, as these areas are officially CLOSED. Areas CLOSED include Roanhead, South End of Walney Island, Plumpton, Priory Point, Black Wall and Tridley. This is not a complete list. In some areas, particularly Roanhead, vandals have torn down Notices – if anyone is in doubt as to whether or not access is permitted they should keep away.

Boat anglers : some boat anglers have been out but there are no confirmed reports of catches.

Shore anglers : continue to catch flatfish from Askam pier on Black Lugworm. The Furness Fishing Association (Beach Section) G. Andrews Memorial Trophy Club Competition was held at the Deep Water Berth at Walney Channel. The winner was Charlie Wright with a Plaice weighing 1 lb. 14 ozs. followed by Keith Kendal with a Flounder weighing 12 ozs. These were the only 2 fish weighed in by 24 anglers! This competition was restricted to local members.
The Ulverston & District Sea Angling Club held a competition from the Kingfisher Car Park at Priory Point. 24 anglers landed 40 Flounders weighing 37 lbs. 5 ozs. The winner was Wayne Fisher with 11 Flounders weighing 8 lbs. 8 ozs., in second place was Phil Doughty with 5 Flounders weighing 5 lbs. and in third place Paul Walsh with the heaviest fish – a Flounder weighing 1 lb. 11 ozs.

Author - this report (which will be updated every two weeks) is submitted by Patrick Arnold : Local Angler regularly Fly Fishing the Cumbrian Stillwaters, Lakes, Tarns and Rivers for Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Sea Trout and Salmon. Patrick is Angling Correspondent for : The Westmorland Gazette (“Angling in the Lake District” by Buzzer); Fishing in the English Lake District www.lakedistrictfishing.net ; Angling News and Northern Game Angler Magazine www.northerngameanglermag.co.uk He is Public Relations Officer for the Confederation of English Fly Fishers, Secretary of the North West Fly Fishers Federation and a Member of the Furness & South Cumbria Fisheries Consultative. Patrick is a full time Fly Fishing Instructor, Guide and Ghillie offering Instruction Courses, Fly Fishing Days/Holidays and Corporate Hospitality Days. Patrick Arnold Game Angling Services is an Approved Test Centre for Greys of Alnwick (fly fishing rods) www.greysrods.co.uk – the latter is based at Esthwaite Water.
For further information e-mail – patrickarnold@englishlakesflyfishing.fsnet.co.uk
Tel: 01229 889792/01229 889365 Address : “Fellside”, School Road, Kirkby-in-Furness, Cumbria LA17 7UF.