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July 29th - August 4th

95 anglers caught 389 fish of which 247 were returned.

Best Areas
Bank - East arm, Brookside, dam
Boat - East arm, boat bay, pylon point 

Best Patterns
Wet or dry daddy, GRHE, red or green apps, white lures.

At last the temperatures have dropped which is a relief to both trout and anglers. Last week the fishing was still difficult for bank anglers but some boats are doing very well by either targeting rising fish in the morning then fishing down the middle over the deeper water in the afternoon. While the water is still warm please could I remind anglers to take extra care when releasing fish as they are easily stressed at this time of year.

Next Stocking: August 1st, 16th.

July 15th - 28th

119 anglers caught 438 fish of which 285 were returned

Best Areas
Bank - East arm, dam
Boat - East arm, pylon point, down middle

Best Patterns
Daddies, black hopper, GRHE, red or green apps, orange blob, cats whisker.

The fishing continues to be challenging during the hot weather. Rod average has varied wildly from as little as one on the warmest days up to six when conditions have been less harsh. Boat anglers are still getting the best sport with wet or dry daddies, hares ear and apps bloodworm fished high in the water or mini lures/buzzers fished 5 to 8 foot down. Fish are preoccupied with damsels, both nymphs and adults during the day and a few are taking sedges late evening.

Next Stocking: August 1st

July 8th - 14th

88 anglers caught 209 fish of which 104 were returned 17 fish over 3lb.

Best areas
Bank - dam, east arm, boat bay
Boat - down the middle

Best Patterns
Dry or wet daddy, black hopper, olive or hears ear CdC, red Diawl Bach, orange blob, black or white booby.

The hot weather continues to make the fishing challenging, especially from the bank. Boat anglers are getting action by concentrating over the cooler water down the middle. There are some fish moving on the surface with daddies and CdC's working. Otherwise its worth anchoring off the pylon and fishing deeper with sinking line and boobies or a long leader and buzzers. Norfolk and Suffolk Flyfishers braved the scorching temperatures on Saturday. Best bag was by Peter Roberts of Wymondham who took 6 fish for 15lb 4oz.

July 1st - 7th

125 anglers caught 370 fish of which 214 were returned.

Best Fish
• 4lb 11oz Jim Peters, Banbury, dry daddy, boat
• 4lb 6oz Gary Lines, damsel, boat
• 4lb 4oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, orange blob 

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, boat bay
Boat - anchored off pylon, down middle 

Best Patterns
Dry or wet daddy, black red or olive CdC, damsel, orange or tequila blob.

The hot weather has made the fishing very hard for bank anglers but the boat anglers have managed to boost the rod average to a respectable level although the fishing hasn't been easy while afloat either. There are plenty of fish rising over the deeper water down the middle where either dries or a blob/Muddler pulled through the surface have produced. On the warmest days it has also been worth fishing an intermediate line down the middle of the lake with a team of crunchers, buzzers and Diawl Bach's to get down to the cooler water.

Next Stocking: July 12th.

June 24th - 30th

183 anglers caught 376 fish of which 188 were returned.

Best Fish
• 7lb 13oz Peter Ris, Northampton, black CdC, boat

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, boat bay, coarse bank
Boat - anchored off pylon, down middle

Best Patterns
CdC in orange hares ear or olive, dry or wet daddy, fritz damsel, orange blob.

Another difficult week at Elinor with a rod average just scraping 2. There are plenty of fish rising especially in the morning and the best bags have come to dries such as CdC, hoppers, big red or big black and daddies. As usual for this time of year the boats are providing the most consistent sport. Some anglers are catching down the middle by fishing deeper with a team of buzzers or a damsel and crunchers, 5 to 6 foot down. There is a good hatch of sedges in the evening and some success has been had by pulling a Muddler or wet flies through the surface.

Next Stocking: July 5th.

June 17th - 23rd

163 anglers caught 409 fish of which 185 were returned.

Best Fish
• 6lb 3oz George Brock, Corby, green dancer
• 5lb 2oz Ken Grigg, Kettering, black cdc
• 4lb 14oz Tom Smith, damsel
• 4lb 12oz Mike Creamer, Oakley
• 4lb 8oz Mr Clay 

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, dam, coarse bank
Boat - east arm, down middle 

Best Patterns
Orange blob, white and green lures, damsel, daddies, red Diawl Bach, GRHE, black CdC, hares ear CdC.

Another challenging week at Elinor with a rod average of 2.5. The wind has been changing direction almost daily with a huge variation in temperature. Fishing has been particularly tough on windy days for both boat and bank anglers. Best methods have been cdc dries, damsel booby with Diawl Bach and crunchers on dropper or a lure pulled back just under the surface. On warmer days there have been damsels hatching and during the evening there are finally a good number of sedges as well as tiny buzzers. Hopefully a double stocking this week will liven up the residents!

Next Stocking: June 25th, 28th.

June 10th - 16th

183 anglers caught 528 fish of which 306 were returned.

Best Fish
• 5lb 11oz Dave Cartwright , Norwich, damsel, boat
• 5lb 5oz John Gray, Cambridge, olive hopper

Brown
• 4lb 6oz Jean Clarke, Wellingborough, black buzzer

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, lagoon, dam
Boat - all areas holding fish

Best Patterns
Small damsel, GRHE, orange or amber hopper, red or green Diawl Bach, tequila blob.

The fishing was harder last week with a rod average just under 3. Lots of buzzers hatching but they are very small and difficult to imitate. Anglers using s14 or s16 olive or hares ear CdC have had some success. When the sun is shining the damsel hatch continues with fish taking both the nymph and adult. For the nymph feeders try a Fraser nymph or un weighted s12 damsel. A foam daddy has taken some of the fish feeding on the adults. Fish are still spread round the lake with bank and boat anglers having plenty of rising fish to cast at.

Next Stocking: June 17th, 25th, 28th.

June 3rd - 9th

227 anglers caught 923 fish of which 611 were returned.

Best Fish
• 11lb 12oz Pete Welch, Boston, GRHE
• 11lb 2oz Dennis Shannon, Wellingborough, fritz damsel

All areas holding fish

Best Patterns:
• Lures- orange blob, tequila blob, cats whisker
• Nymphs- GRHE, cruncher, small damsel, olive or black buzzer
• Dries- black or orange hopper, small hares ear CdC, olive shipman's, daddies 

Despite the constant cool NE winds there are lots of fish rising during the day and evening. Small damsels are the main food source during the day but they are proving tricky at times with anglers better off using un weighted or semi buoyant imitations rather than a goldhead.

If the wind drops then there have been good hatches of small buzzers with a size 14 or 16 needed to match them. The majority of fish are being caught in the top two feet with many taken right off the surface. The water is very clear and the temperature lower than normal for mid-June so the surface feeding should continue. Giles Cadman (above) caught this fine specimen on his secret dry fly, I wonder what it was? Raid his box when he's not looking ...

Next Stocking: June 13th, 17th.

May 27th - June 2nd

203 anglers caught 1040 of which 662 were returned

Best Fish
• 12lb 8oz Roy Swinfield, Leicester, black/red buzzer
• 5lb 15oz David Rudge, Teeton, olive hopper, boat
• 5lb 12oz James Daneforth, Cambridge, olive buzzer
• 5lb 7oz John Steels, Banbury, orange blob
• 5lb 2oz Pete Welch, Boston, black/white buzzer

Best Areas
Bank - lodge bank, Brookside, dam, east arm
Boat - all areas fishing well

Best Patterns
Olive or black buzzer, cutthroat cruncher, GRHE, wet or dry orange, olive or brown hopper, GRHE, orange or tequila blob.

Fish are still being taken from everywhere on the lake, mostly on floating line or intermediate. As long as its not too windy there are fish being taken in the top 2 foot on lures, nymphs and dries. The evening rise continues to be excellent with a size 14 hares CdC working best along with shipman’s and small hoppers. The first of the damsels have started to hatch and they will be the major food source for the next few weeks as well as buzzers and daphnia.

Next Stocking: June 4th & 7th.

May 20th - 26th

177 anglers caught 951 fish of which 624 were returned

Best Fish
• 7lb 10oz Steve Freeman, Cambridge, boat
• 6lb 8oz Finbarr McSweeney, Rushden, brown buzzer
• 5lb 12oz Roy Swinfield, Leicester, cruncher
• 5lb 9oz John Carr, Stoke, cruncher
• 5lb 8oz Brian Crowhurst, Wellingborough, boat
• 5lb 8oz Mr Burton, Burton Latimer, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, east arm, 
Boat - deep hole, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, cruncher, black or brown hopper, orange or tequila blob.

On days with less wind the surface sport has been superb at Elinor. A good method has been a small booby, blob or hopper on the point with a cruncher and buzzer on the dropper. There are also plenty of fish taking buzzers deeper, especially from a boat with a team of buzzers and Diawl Bach's on a floater or midge tip working well or a bung with buzzers at 3, 6 and 9 foot. Dry fly is the best way to target the late evening rise with hoppers, shipman’s and cdc buzzers. Fish are being caught from everywhere on the lake and prospects look good for more imitative sport.

Next Stocking: May 29th, 31st.

May 13th - 19th

191 anglers caught 1164 fish of which 743 were returned

Best Fish
• 8lb 4oz Mike Creamer, Oakley
• 6lb 13oz Brian Roe, Haynes, red/green buzzer
• 5lb 14oz Glenn Harwood, Chelveston, brown buzzer
• 5lb 4oz Trevor Partridge, Corby, olive buzzer, boat
• 5lb 2oz Mr Newbold, St Neots
• 5lb 2oz Mr Mallett, Norwich, boat
All areas holding fish. Calmer areas of the lake best for rising fish.

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, GRHE, red Diawl Bach, black or claret hopper, black or fiery brown shipman’s.

On the kinder weather days Elinor has been fishing superbly. Hawthorn and black or olive buzzers have brought the fish to the top for some belated dry fly sport during the day as well as the excellent evening rise. Imitative patterns readily out fished lures apart from in cold windy conditions. Most anglers are catching in the top two foot.

Sunday May 19th Tommy Wood Memorial
16 anglers fished this event on a lovely warm day with good fly hatches, perfect for the rules of this friendly competition, floating line and buzzers. 70 fish were weighed in with many more released. £562.00 was raised for Sue Ryder, Peterborough
1. Phil Wagstaffe, Eye, 6 fish 13lb 14oz
2. Steve Parker, Burton Latimer, 6 fish 11lb 5oz
3. Geoff Makin, Leighton Buzzard, 6 fish 11lb 1oz
4. Tony Pointer, Corby, 6 fish 10lb 13oz
5. Steve Johnson, Raunds, 6 fish 10lb 6oz
6. Fen Oakley, Sudborough, 6 fish 10lb 3oz

Next Stocking: May 21st, 24th

May 6th - 12th

141 anglers caught 480 fish of which 287 were returned

Best Fish
• 10lb 2oz Dale Wilkinson, Kettering, white fritz, boat
• 7lb 11oz John Howells, Coventry, olive buzzer
• 6lb 8oz Mark Cranfield, Stibbington, Diawl Bach, boat
• 6lb 6oz Graham Day, Nottingham, black buzzer

All areas holding fish

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, Diawl Bach, GRHE, bloodworm, yellow dancer, black/green lure.

A generally windy cold week kept rod numbers down. Fish are feeding well on buzzers during the day, mainly 2-4 foot down and only coming to the surface in the evening when hoppers and shipman’s are working. A good method has been a hopper booby on the point with a size 12 buzzer and Diawl Bach on the droppers. When some normal May weather arrives there will be a good rise during the day as well as evening. Buzzers will dominate catches for the next couple of weeks as the damsel hatch looks like being delayed until June with the cooler water temperature. The fish are in excellent condition just now with a 2lb + fish giving a real battle!

Sunday 12th May
Alex Booth Flyfishers held their annual club match from the bank. 13 anglers caught 57 fish + a few more C&R.
1. Baz Street 6 fish 13lb 9oz (best fish 3lb 10oz)
2. Terry Smith 6 fish 11lb 1oz
3. Jeff Savage 5 fish 10lb 10oz

Sunday May 19th
Tommy Wood Memorial bank match 9am - 4pm. This is a free to enter roving bank match with anglers limited to a floating line and buzzer imitation. The winner will receive a Snowbee Diamond rod (donated by John Wildman). All proceeds from the raffle go to Sue Ryder Care, Peterborough.

Next Stocking: May 15th, 17th

April 29th - May 5th

223 anglers caught 901 fish of which 584 were returned.

Best Fish
• 10lb 7oz Denis Rait, Hemingford Abbots, yellow dancer, boat
• 9lb 1oz Alan Mason, Holme, yellow dancer, boat
• 8lb 8oz Glenn Harwood, Chelveston, brown buzzer
• 6lb 14oz Dick Oakley, Geddington, diawl bach, boat
• 5lb 10oz Pete Welch, Boston, black buzzer
• 5lb 10oz Glenn Harwood, Chelveston, brown buzzer
• 5lb 8oz Arthur Matcham, Kettering, olive buzzer

Best Areas
Bank - Brookside, boat bay
Boat - all areas producing fish. Dale Wilkinson (above) from Kettering had a great day … It was his first fishing trip this year (Bank holiday Monday), first fish of the day and also a new personal best. It weighed in at 10lb 2oz. The specimen was caught on a white fritz and intermediate line, a really nice fish and he says that he can’t wait till his next trip to the fishery. Ps: This was part of a 4 fish catch.

Best Patterns
Black buzzer, black Diawl Bach, gold ribbed hares ear, bloodworm, black/green lures, white/green lures, black shipman’s, black hopper. A good hatch of buzzers over the holiday weekend. Fish are feeding on them deep during the day, especially for boat anglers but there has been a great evening rise 8.30pm onwards as long as the wind isn't too strong. The usual May hatch of olive buzzers started yesterday and along with pond olives should encourage some fish on the surface during the day. Anglers are catching all around the lake and water clarity continues to improve.

Sunday May 19th
Tommy Wood Memorial bank match 9am - 4pm. This is a free to enter roving bank match with anglers limited to a floating line and buzzer imitation. The winner will receive a Snowbee Diamond rod (donated by John Wildman). All proceeds from the raffle go to Sue Ryder Care, Peterborough.

Next Stocking: May 7th, 9th.

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April 22nd - 28th

324 anglers caught 1749 fish of which 1232 were returned.

Best Fish
• 10lb 14oz Fen Oakley, Sudborough, White Minkie
• 10lb 2oz Troy Colver, Market Harborough, Diawl Bach, boat
• 8lb 2oz Alan Rennocks, Kettering
• 7lb 13oz Roy Swinfield, Leicester, black buzzer
• 6lb 2oz Derek Benamore, Finedon
• 6lb 2oz John Wildman, Peterborough
• 5lb 8oz Troy Colver, Market Harborough, Diawl Bach, boat
• 5lb 7oz George Brock, Corby, GRHE
• 5lb 4oz Mike Creamer, Oakley

Best Areas
Bank - all areas holding fish 
Boat - anchored off dam, boat bay, east arm

Best Patterns
White/green or black/green lures, yellow dancer, orange blob, black buzzer, black Diawl Bach, GRHE, bloodworm. A busy week with the better weather and anglers practicing for the Airflo Bank Masters. On the windy days there were plenty of fish taken on lures but calmer conditions saw buzzers scoring well.

17 year old England youth team member Fen Oakley (above) from Sudborough caught the best fish of the week, a 10lb 14oz Rainbow on a floater and white Minkie.

He caught it in the recent Airflo World Bank Masters on his way to 3rd place. The tag in the dorsal fin won him a £250 voucher for Iain Barr flies. The fish was carefully released.

If the wind dropped in the evening Elinor's superb evening rise started. The fish are much higher in the water now with most fish being taken by bank anglers in the top 3 foot. Boat anglers are still taking some fish deeper but there is no real need for using anything but a floater or intermediate. Fish are well spread now with catches coming from all over the lake. Buzzers and Diawl Bach’s will almost certainly be the best patterns over the next couple of weeks with the chance of some good dry fly sport in the evening using shipman’s or cdc.

Competition News

Sunday 28th was the final of the Iain Barr Airflo World Bank Masters. Anglers from all over the UK and Europe descended on Elinor for this prestigious event. The strong South Westerly wind made many areas tricky to fish but a top class field caught well and ensured a close finish. Many congratulations to Pascal Rommeraere from Belgium who caught off all six of his afternoon pegs to take the £2000 first prize. Pascal used a combination of orange blob, black and pearl ptn and red thorax cruncher on either a floater or slow intermediate. The top ten all received tackle prizes from sponsors Airflo, Costa sunglasses and Snowbee. England Youth team member, Fen Oakley from Sudborough, Northants produced a great performance in 3rd and also caught a tagged 10lb 14oz rainbow which won him £250 of Iain Barr flies.
Top 12:
1. Pascal Rommeraere (qualified in Belgium) 10 fish from 7 pegs 17points
2. Andrew Scott (Blackdyke) 10 fish 6 pegs 16pts
3. Fen Oakley (Elinor) 9 fish 6 pegs 15pts
4. Andy Grabham (Stocks) 8 fish 6 pegs 14pts
5. Ciaron Mellon ( Woodford Ireland) 8 fish 5 pegs 13pts
6. Den Appleby (Selmuir Scotland) 9 fish 4 pegs 13pts
7. Peter Appleby (Draycote) 7 fish 5 pegs 12pts
8. Patrick De Schutter (Belgium) 7 fish 5 pegs 12pts
9. Dave Johns (Innis) 8 fish 4 pegs 12pts
10. Dave McGuiness (Annaginney Ireland) 7 fish 4 pegs 11pts
11. Glen Appleby (Selmuir Scotland) 7 fish 4 pegs 11pts
12. David Hoppe (Draycote) 7 fish 4 pegs 11pts 

On behalf of all the competitors I'd like to thank Iain Barr for running a superb competition. Special mention also to all the controllers who gave up their day and signed anglers scorecards so that all fish could be returned.

Sunday May 19th Tommy Wood Memorial bank match 9am - 4pm

This is a free to enter roving bank match with anglers limited to a floating line and buzzer imitations. The winner will get a Snowbee Diamond rod (donated by John Wildman). All proceeds from the raffle go to Sue Ryder Care, Peterborough.

Next Stocking: May 7th, 10th.

April 15th - April 21st

197 anglers caught 1331 fish of which 922 were returned

Best Fish
• 11lb 0oz Keith Fairey, Northampton, black/green lure, boat
• 8lb 2oz J. Phelps, East Lexham, goldhead hares ear
• 7lb 12oz Dave Shorthouse, Stafford, bloodworm
• 7lb 8oz Mr Mason, Northampton, white/green lure
• 7lb 0oz Mick Johnson, Peterborough, Montana
• 6lb 4oz Dave Shorthouse, Stafford, damsel
• 5lb 13oz Eamon Murphy, Peterborough, boat
• 5lb 12oz Paul Laundon, Bedford, black/green lure
• 5lb 4oz Pete Welch, Boston, black/green
• 5lb 2oz Trevor Partridge, Corby, black/green, boat
• 5lb 2oz Steve Johnson, Raunds, cruncher
• 5lb 0oz Pete Welch, Boston, black/green

Best Areas
Bank - lodge bank, dam, Brookside
Boat - boat bay, east arm

Best Patterns
Black/green lures, white/green lures, black buzzer, GRHE, bloodworm. Keith Fairey (above) from Northampton used a black/green lure anchored off the boat bay to take this best of the week 11lb 0oz Rainbow.

A milder week saw the fish really switch on the feed with a rod average of 6.75 despite much of the week suffering from strong winds. There are a few fish rising in the day but many of the best bags have come fishing 3 - 6 foot down. Most of the lake is holding fish. Lures are doing best in the morning but buzzers are working well midday onwards. If the wind drops in the evening there has been a small evening rise to adult buzzers. Spooned fish have been eating hog louse, small black buzzers and immature damsels. Bank fishing still has the edge on boats with plenty of fish being taken within 10 yards of the shore.

Sunday 28th Airflo World Bank Masters

Elinor is closed for bank fishing apart from qualifying anglers. Boats are available as normal. We still require a few more marshals for this match. Fishing is 9am until 4.30pm. Lunch and a tackle goody bag is provided. Please email me if you are willing to help out.

Next Stocking: April 22, 25, 27.

April 8th - 14th

160 anglers caught 880 fish of which 532 were returned.

Best Fish
• 9lb 10oz Shane Else, Northampton, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, boat (shown in the photograph on the right)
• 8lb 2oz Mr Rankine, Black fritz, boat
• 8lb 1oz Dennis Shannon, Wellingborough, Pitsford pea
• 8lb 0oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, Black hopper
• 7lb 4oz Mike Creamer, Oakley, Yellow dancer
• 6lb 8oz Adrian Thirkhill, Northampton
• 6lb 0oz Jason Cooke, Roade, boat
• 5lb 10oz Bill Stewart, Corby, Sweeney Todd
• 5lb 9oz Pete Welch, Boston, black/green fritz
• 5lb 6oz Dean Igoe, Crowland, white/green lure
• 5lb 4oz Rex Barton, Sutton Bridge, boat
• 5lb 4oz Dean Igoe, Crowland, white/green lure
• 5lb 0oz Derek Lenton, Roade
• 5lb 0oz Rex Barton, Sutton Bridge, Boat

Best Areas
Bank - fish being caught everywhere now
Boat - lodge end, east arm

Best Patterns
White/green or black/green lures, orange blob, black buzzer, small damsel, grhe

At last the wind changed to a South Westerly and the milder weather arrived. Elinor fished well all week apart from in the near gale force conditions on Sunday. With the lodge end difficult to fish in this wind anglers fished areas that have been hardly touched all season and caught from almost everywhere. Bank anglers are still enjoying best sport with the shallower water seeing the early hatches of buzzers and pond olives. Boats are catching well on calmer days. 11am until 3pm has been the most productive period. Plenty of fish over 4lb are being caught. Another week of milder temperatures will see the evening rises start.

Competition News
Sunday April 28th is the final of the Airflo World Bank Masters at Elinor. There will be no bank fishing for non-competitors but boats are available as usual.

Sunday 19th May is the date for the Tommy Wood Memorial bank match. 9am - 4pm. This is a free to enter roving bank match with anglers only allowed to use a floating line and buzzer imitations. All proceeds from the raffle go to Sue Ryder Care, Peterborough.

Next Stocking: April 17th, 19th.

April 1st - 7th

155 anglers caught 987 fish of which 692 were returned.

Best Fish
• 12lb 0oz Roger Bosence, Corby, black/green tadpole
• 10lb 2oz Mr York, Market Harborough, black/green lure
• 10lb 0oz Steven Allison, black buzzer
• 8lb 2oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, orange blob
41 fish over 4lb

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, brookside bay
Boat - anchored off dam, down middle

Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green lures, orange or tequila blob, bloodworm, black buzzer, hares ear, damsel. A few more anglers about this week especially at the weekend when the sun finally came out and the wind dropped. A rod average of over 6 shows that Elinor is on good form with plenty of bigger fish being caught.

Best method during the morning has been a floater or slow intermediate with mini lures retrieved very slowly. In the afternoon there a lots of fish being taken on bloodworm, black buzzer and black Diawl Bach. Water clarity continues to improve and is approx 3 foot now. I would expect buzzers to take the best bags for the next few weeks particularly on mild calmer days.

Thursday April 4th - Troutmasters fish - off
Pete Welch, Boston, 6 fish 14lb 6oz
Tony Pointer, Corby, 6 fish 7lb 14oz
Jim Gallagher, Corby, 3 fish 5lb 2oz
Steve Johnson, Raunds, 2 fish 3lb 3oz
Best of luck to Pete Welch who will represent Elinor at Grafham in September.

Sunday April 7th - Airflo World Bank Masters heat
31 anglers caught 168 fish for a 5.4 rod average which was excellent considering the match consisted of only eight 35 minute sessions. The 4 sessions before a lunch break were a little slow with some ice still around the margin. There were more fish taken in the afternoon with a few of the top ten gaining there place in the final during the last session.

Top ten qualify for the final:
Paul Haskey, Rugby 12 fish 17 points
Geoff Makin, Leighton Buzzard 12 fish 16 pts
Richard Slater, Northampton 10 fish 15 pts
David Broome 9 fish 14pts
Simon Lehane 7 fish 12pts
Peter Burnett 6 fish 11pts
Adam West 7 fish 11pts
Fen Oakley 7 fish 11pts
Martin Burgess 7 fish 11pts
James Morgan 7 fish 11pts.

Next Stocking: April 10th (browns) and April 12th

March 25th - 31st

90 anglers caught 637 fish of which 417 were returned

Best Fish
• 10lb 2oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, black/green lure
• 8lb 12oz Andre Russell, Leicester, orange blob, float tube
• 7lb 4oz Pete Welch, Boston, black/green lure
• 7lb 0oz Pete Welch, Boston, black/green lure
• 6lb 1oz Mr Borris, black/green lure
• 5lb 9oz Jim Russell, Leeds, bloodworm, boat
• 5lb 8oz Stuart Fowler
• 5lb 6oz Derek Benamore, Finedon
• 5lb 4oz Mike Creamer, Oakley
• 5lb 2oz Dean Igoe, Crowland, black/green lure
• 5lb 2oz Kevin Primmer, Newport

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, brookside
Boat - anchored off dam, down middle

Best patterns
Black/green lures, white/green lures, orange blob, bloodworm, black buzzer

It was another week of freezing cold North Easterly winds with only a few anglers braving it. Those that did saw a big improvement in the fishing with the rod average just over 7, easily the best of the season so far. Water clarity continues to get better with a decent proportion of fish being taken on buzzers and bloodworm as well as the usual early season lures. The key to success is to fish either static or with a very slow retrieve. Bank fishing has been better than from a boat, especially in the strong wind, with many fish being taken very close in.

Saturday March 30th - The British Float Tube Association held their annual competition at Elinor.
12 anglers caught 58 fish with everyone catching.
1. Andre Russell, 5 fish 17lb 2oz
2. Steve Naylor, 6 fish 16lb 5oz
3. Carl Ward, 6 fish 14lb 4oz

They all deserve a medal for going out in that weather!

Its your last chance to enter the heat of the Airflo World Bank Masters at Elinor on Sunday 7th. Heat winner will get a pair of Costa sunglasses and the top 25% will go through to the final at Elinor on April 28th. Full details at www.iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk

Next Stocking: April 5th

March 11th - 24th

102 anglers caught 429 fish of which 255 were returned

Best Fish
• 11lb 14oz Roy Swinfield, Leicester, Montana
• 10lb 4oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, orange blob
• 8lb 8oz D. Broome, Bedford, black/green lure
• 7lb 10oz Steve Freeman, damsel, boat
• 7lb 8oz Ken Nicholls, Farcet, fritz damsel
• 6lb 15oz John Graham, Coventry, apps bloodworm
• 6lb 3oz Tim Garside, Bedford, montana
• 6lb 1oz Roger Bosence, Corby, Orange blob

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, brookside
Boat - anchored off dam

Best Patterns
Montana, Pitsford pea, orange blob, fritz damsel

The weather has kept angler numbers well down over the last two weeks but plenty of fish over 4lb are being caught including a best of season 11lb 14oz which was safely returned. There has been no further flooding and water clarity is still improving with visibility as much as 2 foot in some areas. Most anglers are concentrating on the lodge end of the lake where at least the cold NE wind is behind them. With minimal fly life hatching lures fished slowly are taking most fish but it surely can't be long before the buzzer fishing starts.

There are still a few places left in the Elinor heat of the Airflo World Bank Masters on Sunday April 7th. Full details at www.iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk.


March 4th - 10th

120 anglers caught 563 fish of which 314 were returned

Best Fish
• 10lb 4oz Mick Tracey, Bedford, cormorant, boat - (photograph below)
• 7lb 0oz Andrew Johnson, Wisbech, orange blob, boat
• 5lb 6oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, damsel
• 5lb 4oz David Humpherson, Oundle, black/green lure, boat
• 5lb 3oz Brian Williams, Banbury, montana
• 5lb 0oz Loren Serrano, Leicester, cats whisker, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, goodfellow bay
Boat - anchored off dam, down middle

Best Patterns
Black/green and white/green lures, orange blob, apps bloodworm, GRHE. Cold East winds again so there is very little fly life hatching. Most anglers are catching well on mini lures with a very slow retrieve.

The lodge end of the lake is the most sheltered in this wind and the water seems slightly clearer here. One difference from last week is that more fish are being taken higher in the water with 2-3 foot down being the crucial depth especially 11am onwards.

Don't forget the Airflo World Bank Masters heat at Elinor on Sunday April 7th. Its a friendly event and ideal for anglers wishing to try a competition for the first time. Full details at www.iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk

Next Stocking: March 19th, 22nd.

February 25th - March 3rd

122 anglers caught 469 fish of which 264 were returned.

Best Fish
• 10lb 8oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, orange lure, boat
• 10lb 7oz David Shaer, Bretton, GRHE, boat
• 10lb 2oz Michael Bownes, Stamford, black/green lure
• 8lb 14oz Jason Smith, Nottingham, apps bloodworm
• 7lb 4oz Bob Senior, Stamford, orange blob, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, Brookside
Boat - off dam, boat bay, down middle

Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green lures, orange blob, apps bloodworm, grhe .

The lake is gradually clearing and the fishing improving by the day with the rod average now just shy of 4. Visibility is now 12-14 inches. On most days sport has been better after 10am. The water is still very cold so a slow retrieve is best. Along with the early season lures a few fish are being taken on nymphs, hares ear and black Diawl Bach are worth using on a dropper.

Usually the bank fishing outscores boats at this time of year but good catches are coming from open water as well as the margins. On less cold days there are a few fish rising to minute black buzzers. Bigger fish are feeding now the water clarity has improved. David Shaer (photograph above right) from Bretton, Peterborough included this 10lb 7oz Rainbow in a 12 fish haul from a boat. The specimen fell to a gold ribbed hares ear.

Iain Barr is holding the Elinor heat of the Airflo World Bank Masters on Sunday April 7th. All entrants receive a fly line and a selection of his flies. Qualifiers will go through to the final on Sunday April 28th at Elinor with the chance to win the £2000 first prize as well as many tackle prizes. Sky Sports are once again hoping to televise the event.

Full details/entry forms at www.iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk.

Next Stocking: March 5th, 8th.


February 18th – 24th

82 anglers caught 299 fish of which 176 were returned.

Best Fish
• 4lb 8oz Mel Gloster, Stilton, black/green lure
• 4lb 5oz Ian Newbold
• 4lb 0oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, fritz damsel

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, Brookside
Boat - anchored off dam

Best Patterns
Black/green lures, Orange Blob, apps bloodworm.

Visibility is improving each day. On the opening weekend it was only 4 inches but is now 10-12 inches. Consequently the rod average has risen from 1.3 to 3.6 fish. With no more flooding Elinor should fish its head off. On Friday the first few fish fell to buzzers and Diawl Bach's. There haven't been many anglers prepared to brave the bitter East wind and those that did concentrated on the sheltered lodge end. I'm sure there will be fish caught from all around the lake when the wind allows. Earlier in the week when the water was still coloured, Leicestershire anglers Loren Serrano and Kelvin Tallett took a boat out and fished superbly to land 24 fish between them and losing many more using black/green lures fished deep and slow.

Iain Barr is holding the Elinor heat of the Airflo World Bank Masters on Sunday April 7th. All entrants receive a fly line and a selection of his flies. Qualifiers will through go to the final on Sunday April 28th at Elinor with the chance to win the £2000 first prize as well as many tackle prizes. Sky Sports are once again hoping to televise the event.

Full details/entry forms at www.iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk.


February 16th -17th

105 anglers caught 142 fish of which 63 were returned.

Best Fish
• 5lb 2oz Geoff Makin, Leighton Buzzard, black/green lure
• 5lb 0oz Sam Edmonds (top right), Ware, orange blob 

Best Areas
Bank - most areas producing a few fish
Boat - anchored off dam 

Best Patterns
Black or black/green lures, orange blob. Lovely weather for opening day but unfortunately the floods of last Thursday had made the water coloured and visibility only 4-5 inches. Fishing will improve dramatically as the water clears. A dry week is forecast. Anglers fishing lures slowly or under a bung caught most of the fish. Afternoons seem better than morning. Sunday saw a slight improvement with Alan Rennocks from Kettering managing 8 fish from the lodge bank on a black/green fritz. Boat anglers Mr Zihni and Mr Freeman catching 18 fish between them from a boat anchored off the dam using UV black cats on floaters or intermediate. David Portman (bottom right) from Bretton, Peterborough caught this 3lb 8oz overwintered Rainbow on a black booby on an intermediate line from the lodge bank on opening day.

Next Stocking: Feb 22nd