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July 28th - August 3rd

73 anglers caught 192 fish of which 149 were returned.

Best Fish
• 10lb 4oz Alan Rennocks, Kettering, red Diawl Bach, boat

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, boat bay
Boat - east arm, down middle, anchored off dam (in a north wind)

Best Patterns
Apps bloodworm, red or green Diawl Bach, damsel, daddies, wet hoppers, orange blob. Fishing is difficult at the moment, especially for bank anglers. On most days a few boats manage to get a good bag of fish even when others are struggling. Trout usually shoal up in extremes of water temperatures so it's worth keeping on the move until you find them. There continues to be fish feeding on damsels, both nymph and adult. Water clarity has greatly improved over the last few days and slightly cooler weather will have the fish feeding more regularly.


July 21st - 27th

93 anglers caught 405 fish of which 244 were returned.

Best Fish
• 12lb 2oz Boris, Stanion, olive buzzer, boat
• 4lb 2oz Reg Bellham, Northampton, grhe, boat
• 4lb 0oz Colin Harvey, Stamford, boat

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

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, dry damsel, daddy, red Diawl Bach, red cruncher, wet or dry hopper, black or olive buzzer, orange blob

A surprisingly good rod average for the end of July made possible by some great results for boat anglers. Bank fishing is difficult in the hot weather with anglers doing well to catch a couple of fish. Boat anglers are catching well targeting damsel feeders on the surface or fishing deeper down the middle. Although there is an algal bloom, visibility is at least 4 foot in most areas.

Next Stocking: August 1st.

July 14th - 20th

80 anglers caught 214 fish of which 156 were returned.

Best Fish
• 6lb 6oz Michael Bownes, Stamford, black cruncher
• 4lb 8oz Mr Bodkin, Hopper
• 4lb 6oz Peter Hookham, Farcet, black parachute

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay (in a northerly wind), coarse bank (in a southerly wind).

Best Patterns
Damsel, red Diawl Bach, red cruncher, hoppers, CdC buzzers, daddies.

Not so many anglers visited during the hot and humid weather last week. The fishing was predictably tricky but above average for the end of July. Fish continue to be taken on or near the surface. Generally it has been best to fish at the top of the wind where the water is algae free. Damsels continue to be the major food source. Numerous good quality fish between 2.5 and 3.5lb are being taken.

July 7th - July 13th

134 anglers caught 478 fish of which 349 were returned

Best Fish
• 6lb 8oz Mel Gloster, Stilton, black blob, boat
• 4lb 14oz David Mills, Cambridge, damsel, boat
• 4lb 8oz Mark Britten, Brington, daddy
• 4lb 3oz Darren Trumper, Ely, black hopper, boat

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, lagoon, east arm, boat bay
Boat - west arm, pylon point, down middle

Best Patterns
Daddy, damsel nymph, adult damsel, black or brown hopper, shipman’s, black buzzer with white cheeks, orange blob

A decent week albeit the rod average was improved by a few boats and the odd bank angler having exceptionally good bags. Dries or washing line are still the best methods although boats are still taking some fish in the deeper water. Huge hatches of damsels are keeping the fish preoccupied during the day. Bank fishing continues to be a challenge and anglers are advised to bring waders to make it easier landing fish. With the weed growth this season fishing from the bank in most areas is restricted to fishing on or near the surface. No weed cutting has taken place this year. The predominant weed is Elodea Crispa which is an excellent oxygenator and preventer of large algal blooms. Hopefully this approach will see less stressed fish during the summer.

Next Stocking: July 18th.


June 30th - July 6th

102 anglers caught 328 fish of which 206 were returned.

Best Fish
• 7lb 9oz Steve Lane, Holbeach, daddy, boat
• 6lb 2oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, olive spider
• 5lb 4oz Alan Rennocks, Kettering, black/white buzzer, boat
• 5lb 1oz Trevor Partridge, Corby, red CDC, boat

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

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, dry damsel, red Diawl Bach, red cruncher, hopper boobies, daddies, olive or black buzzers.

As normal for July and August fishing can be difficult although the rod average was still a respectable 3 fish per rod. Weed growth restricts bank anglers to fishing on or near the surface but on most days there are fish rising to damsels. Boat anglers have the option of fishing deeper water down the middle. A floater or midge tip with a long leader and a gold head damsel on the point with Diawl Bach and cruncher on the droppers has been successful. Boats are also getting good bags by fishing dries in either arm. As long as the weather doesn't get too hot the fishing should remain good considering the time of year.

June 23rd - 29th

123 anglers caught 397 fish of which 266 were returned

Best Fish
• 10lb 2oz Trevor Partridge, Corby, red CdC, boat
• 8lb 0oz Paul Knights, Cambridge, damsel, boat
• 6lb 1oz Bob Senior, Stamford, boat
• 5lb 14oz Jim Gray, Daventry, daddy
• 5lb 12oz Mike Creamer, Oakley
• 5lb 3oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, olive spider
• 5lb 1oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, damsel

Best Areas
Bank - dam, east arm, boat bay, lagoon
Boat - down middle

Best Patterns
Dry damsel, damsel nymph, daddy, black hopper, cruncher, Muddler, orange blob.

Generally a warm week and its getting to the time of year when the fishing gets harder. However the rod average was still above 3. Bank anglers caught fish early mornings or when there was cloud cover. Otherwise it was a struggle. Weed growth is prolific this season which has greatly improved insect life but means that in most areas you can only fish on or near the surface.

Boat fishing has been more consistent but certainly not easy. Dries have worked well early and late in the day. During the middle of the day it is worth fishing the deeper water down the middle with a team of buzzers or lures on a sinking line.

Next Stocking: July 4th.


June 16th - 22nd

165 anglers caught 690 fish of which 446 were returned.

Best Fish
• 8lb 6oz Alex Smith, Northampton
• 8lb 3oz Dave McEwan, Sandy, green Diawl Bach
• 6lb 12oz Michael Bownes, Stamford, damsel
• 6lb 8oz Mark Britten, Brington, black buzzer
• 6lb 0oz Alwyn Fuggle, Market Harborough, olive buzzer, boat
• 5lb 3oz John Barratt, Corby, red buzzer
• 5lb 2oz Mark Britten, black hopper
• 5lb 2oz Allan Donaldson, Corby, daddy
• 5lb 1oz Mark Britten, black hopper

Best Areas
Bank - dam, east arm, boat bay
Boat - pylon point, down middle, east arm

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, dry damsel, daddies, cruncher, Diawl Bach, GRHE, black or olive buzzer, black or claret hoppers. 

At the start of the week the cooler weather gave bank anglers some great sport with dries or nymphs fished just under the surface doing well. As the temperatures rose the boat anglers had the advantage. Once again dries worked well early and late in the day. However the big bags of fish came by fishing buzzers and Diawl Bach's deeper down the middle. Water remains completely clear and prospects are good with the forecast for cooler conditions.


June 9th - 15th

138 anglers caught 398 fish of which 272 were returned

Best Fish
• 6lb 8oz George Brock, Corby, GRHE
• 6lb 3oz Pete Welch, Boston, olive buzzer
• 5lb 14oz John Castle, Derby, damsel
• 5lb 4oz Brian Crowhurst, Wellingborough, black buzzer, boat

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, coarse bank, dam, boat bay
Boat - pylon point, east arm, west arm

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, dry damsel, daddies, red cruncher, black buzzer, GRHE, black hopper.

The hot weather last week made the fishing much harder, especially from the bank. However catches improved dramatically today, Monday 16th, with four anglers catching double figure bags as the cool breeze and cloud cover kept fish on the top for most of the day. Best method from the bank has been floater and washing line with a dry damsel or hopper on the point, black buzzer in the middle and cruncher on the top dropper. Boat anglers are also catching with this method as well as straight lining a team of buzzers over the deeper water. Prospects for the coming few days will be governed by the weather . If the cooler temperatures continue Elinor is worth a visit.

Next Stocking: June 20th

June 2nd - 8th

153 anglers caught 522 fish of which 355 were returned.

Best Fish
• 14lb 6oz Matt Tuck (photo right), Huntingdon, black buzzer, boat. 
• 6lb 6oz George Brock, Corby, GRHE
• 6l3oz Phil Harman, Nottingham, damsel, boat
• 6lb 0oz Dave Crowhurst, Wellingborough, black/red buzzer, boat
• 5lb 9oz John Davies, Market Harborough, cats whisker, boat
• 5lb 6oz Peter Gathercole, Peterborough, damsel, boat

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

Best Patterns
Damsel, black buzzer, cruncher, GRHE, shipman's, hopper

On Sunday the best fish for 3 years was caught by Matt Tuck weighing 14lb 6oz. Matt was anchored off Pylon Point over deep water using a long leader and a team of buzzers. The fish took a size 12 black buzzer on the point. The fish was carefully returned after weighing. Fishing was steady last week with anglers needing to work hard for a good bag. Trout on the surface during the day are taking damsels, both nymph and adult. Some fish when spooned have also had snails inside. During the evening there has been a huge hatch of small sedges along with small buzzers. Good evening rise as long as the wind is not too strong. Providing the weather doesn't get too hot the bank fishing should continue to produce with the high water level meaning the weed growth is not a problem. Boat anglers are catching good bags apart from on windy days when presentation is difficult.

Next Stocking: June 13th

May 26th - June 1st

167 anglers caught 752 fish of which 466 were returned.

Best Fish
• 7lb 0oz Michael Bownes, Stamford, GRHE
• 6lb 7oz David Grant, Coleshill, damsel. boat
• 6lb 5oz John Rogan, Bedford, orange fritz, boat
• 6lb 4oz Derek Benamore, Finedon
• 6lb 2oz Martin Fairbrother, Northampton, olive buzzer
• 6lb 0oz Luke Powell, Irthlingborough, black buzzer, boat

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, dam, boat bay, gravel bar
Boat - anywhere down middle

Best Patterns
Damsel, GRHE, cruncher, red or green Diawl Bach, hoppers, bobs bits, white/green or black/green lures. A wet week but the anglers who visited enjoyed good sport on most days. The cloudy conditions kept fish feeding on the surface much of the day taking damsels and pond olives. The water level is high but clarity still good. Dries such as s14 big black, claret bits and shipman's have caught well during the evening rise when fish are taking small emerging buzzers and sedges. Best methods during the day are washing line with hopper or damsel booby or weighted lure on the point and hares ear and cruncher on the dropper. Next Stocking: June 4th.


May 19th - 25th

158 anglers caught 603 fish of which 366 were returned

Best Fish
• 10lb 2oz Paul Dickie, Castle Ashby, boat
• 6lb 1oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, black buzzer, boat
• 6lb 0oz Colin Harvey, Stamford, grey wulff, boat
• 5lb 4oz Barrie Cowland, Peterborough, damsel, boat
• 5lb 4oz Brian Crowhurst, Wellingborough, boat
• 5lb 4oz David Winser, boat
• 5lb 2oz Lee Cartmail, Middlesborough, boat
• 5lb 1oz Richard Winser, boat
• 4lb 14oz Jim Sheehan, Oundle, black/green lure, boat
• 4lb 13oz Mr Butler, cats whisker, boat
• 4lb 12oz Steve Johnson, Raunds, green buzzer, boat
• 4lb 12oz Mr Nightingale, black/green lure, boat

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

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, cruncher, Diawl Bach, damsel booby, hopper booby, black hopper, black or brown shipman's, GRHE, white/green or black/green lures. Plenty of rain last week but the cloud cover kept the fish on the surface for much of the day. Best method has been a small imitative booby on the point with a Diawl Bach in the middle and a cruncher on the top dropper. Dries have also scored well on calmer days and evenings.

Boat anglers have also found fish between 5 and 10 foot down with a floater and epoxy buzzers or a slow sinker and lures. Quite a few Mayfly hatching as well as numerous damsels and a prolific evening sedge hatch. Next Stocking: May 27th

Competition News

Scierra Pairs Heat Saturday May 24th

An awful forecast with torrential rain proved correct, at least for the first 3 hours of the match. However all 8 pairs turned up and while tackling up were encouraged to see pleasure anglers catching and plenty of fish rising.

As the 10am hooter sounded, 7 boats decided to start around the boat dock or dam area with 1 boat (Steve Parker/Pete Welch) motoring to the entrance of the East Arm. Richard Winser was first off the mark with a fish within minutes followed by Jim Parr and Roy Whitwell. Heavy rain showers and a couple of changes in wind direction made the fishing harder and the anglers that changed the depth that they were fishing prospered with fish being taken right off the top to up to 10 foot down.

Roy Whitwell/Steve Johnson were first back to the jetty with 12 fish by 3.24pm. 8 of their fish took black or olive buzzers, 1 on a damsel, 1 on a Diawl Bach all on floating line plus 2 fish were caught on a di5 with white/green tadpole. They fished 3 different spots down the middle in front of the boat dock and off the dam. Next to finish were Steve Parker/Pete Welch at 3.35pm. They fished the far end of the lake all to themselves during the morning and consistently caught on weighted black/green lures (10 fish) and fritz damsel (2 fish).

Floating line but fishing the flies between 5 and 10 foot down. Despite two limits the result was still in doubt right up to the 5pm whistle with rumours of quite a few large fish being caught which could easily negate the small time bonuses earned. At the weigh in 16 anglers caught 59 fish for a rod average of 3.68, a proper match with the result not decided on an early limit of idiot stockies! Everyone caught fish. 6 fish over 4lb caught
Full Result:
1. Whitwell/Johnson 12 fish 3.24pm 23lb 9oz + 3lb 0oz time bonus 26lb 9oz 
2. Parker/Welch 12 fish 3.35pm 22lb 2oz + 2lb 8oz time bonus 24lb 10oz
3. D. Winser/Parr 11 fish 21lb 4oz
4. Haddow/Beattie 7 fish 16lb 14oz
5. R. Winser/Dowsett 7 fish 15lb 1oz
6. Cartmail/Crisp 3 fish 12lb 0oz
7. S Winser/Broome 3 fish 6lb 10oz
8. Hollick/Miller 4 fish 6lb 0oz 
Best Fish: Rainbow 5lb 4oz David Winser

Winners Steve Johnson (left) and Roy Whitwell (right)

2nd place Steve Parker and Pete Welch Biggest fish, David Winser

Anglers waiting for the 10am start Happy Qualifiers!

May 12th - 18th

211 anglers caught 998 fish of which 648 were returned.

Best Fish
• 10lb 7oz Ken Nicholls, Farcet, hawthorn fly
• 9lb 3oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, amber hopper
• 7lb 3oz Trevor Griggs (right), Rushden, GRHE
• 6lb 0oz Mr Bowman, boat
• 5lb 12oz Finbarr McSweeney, Rushden, black buzzer
• 5lb 8oz Pet Welch, Boston, black buzzer
• 5lb 6oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, s14 grey buzzer
• 5lb 4oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, s14 olive buzzer
• 5lb 3oz Mr Spratt, Corby, black/green lure, boat
• 5lb 1oz Trevor Griggs, Rushden, grhe
• 5lb 0oz Alan Mason, Holme, boat

Best Areas
Bank - East arm, brook side, dam
Boat - Down the middle

Best Patterns
Damsel, GRHE, black or olive buzzer, hoppers, shipman's, cats whisker, black/green lures. The hot weather at the weekend made bank fishing much harder but boat anglers continued to catch well fishing 6-10 foot down with buzzers or weighted lures. The damsel hatch has started a few days earlier this season and these will be a major food source for the next two months. Over the last couple of days the evening rise has not been prolific with a cool East wind not helping fly hatches although some anglers have taken fish on CDC, shipman's and hoppers.

Next Stocking: May 20th, 22nd, 27th.

Sunday May 18th

13 members of Alex Booth Flyfishers held a bank match in hot, bright conditions. A total of 45 fish were caught of which 34 were weighed in. Winning bag taken on Diawl Bach.
1. John Marshall, 6 fish ( + 8 returned ) 11lb 0oz
2. Baz Street 6 fish ( + 3 returned ) 10lb 8oz
3. Ian Footman 5 fish 9lb 9oz
4. Mike Smith 3 fish 6lb 11oz
5. Jeff Savidge 4 fish 6lb 8oz

Saturday June 7th
Elinor is holding a heat of the TEFF Greys National Bank Championship with the final to be fished at Elinor on Saturday 11th April 2015 to decide the England Bank Team. Entry forms available at the lodge or www.te-ff.org

May 5th - 11th

117 anglers caught 480 fish of which 289 were returned.

Best Fish
• 7lb 2oz Gary Martin, Corby, black buzzer, boat
• 6lb 8oz Mr Denton, Northampton, boat
• 6lb 5oz Ronnie Madder (right), Oundle, black buzzer, boat
• 5lb 5oz James Gray, Devon, black shipman's
• 5lb 2oz Steve Cracknell, St Neots, black/green lure, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, Brookside, east arm, boat bay
Boat - All areas producing fish

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, red or green Diawl Bach, cruncher, GRHE, damsel, shipman's, black hopper, cats whisker. Not as many anglers visited last week with plenty of strong winds and rain. On the calmer days the fishing was superb with some massive rises to buzzers, pond olives and hawthorn. Bank anglers continue to catch on cloudy days, boats doing better in sunshine. This week has started well with numerous fish over 4lb. The weather forecast for the next few days should provide some great imitative sport.

Next Stocking: May 16th.

Competition Result

Sunday May 11th Elinor held the Tommy Wood Memorial Bank Match

A very strong West wind all day could have made catching tricky as anglers were restricted to a floating line and buzzer imitations. However plenty of cloud cover and skilful angling saw 8 anglers catch 35 fish.
1. Pete Welch, Boston, 6 fish 10lb 13oz
2. Steve Johnson, Raunds 5 fish 10lb 1oz
3. Roger Bosence, Corby, 6 fish 9lb 15oz
4. Phil Wagstaff, Eye, 6 fish 9lb 9oz
5. Steve Parker, Burton Latimer, 4 fish 6lb 9oz

A fantastic total of £556.00 was raised for Sue Ryder, Peterborough.

Saturday May 24th - Elinor is pleased to be holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs boat competition. Only a couple of boats still available.
Full details/entry form at www.scierrapairs.co.uk

Saturday June 7th - Elinor is holding a heat of the TEFF Greys National Bank Championships with the final to be fished at Elinor on Saturday 11th April 2015 to decide the England Bank team. Entry forms available at the lodge or www.te-ff.org.

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April 21st - 27th

169 anglers caught 824 fish of which 594 were returned.

Best Fish
• 10lb 4oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, black/red buzzer, boat
• 7lb 8oz George Brock, Corby, olive buzzer
• 7lb 0oz Fred Tarry, Northampton, boat
• 6lb 8oz Alan Bettles, Wigston, white/green lure
• 5lb 7oz Phil Smith, Nottingham, black shipmans
• 5lb 6oz Dave McEwan, Sandy, red/green buzzer
• 5lb 6oz Trevor Partridge, Corby, black buzzer, boat
• 5lb 0oz Mr Earl, Norwich, gold head damsel, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, Brookside, gravel bar, shallow bay
Boat - all areas holding fish but especially good at gravel bar and boat bay

Best Patterns
black or olive buzzer, red Diawl Bach, small black dries, GRHE, small damsel, cruncher or hopper booby, orange blob, cats whisker. On windier days the fish were preoccupied with buzzers slightly deeper down although an intermediate line worked well for boat anglers with a damsel or cats whisker on the point and Diawl Bach and hares ear on the droppers.

When the wind dropped the fish were right on top with some spectacular rises. Today, Monday, there was a huge hatch of small black and olive buzzers along with the first sign of hawthorn fly and there were fish rising all day although not easy to catch! Anglers using dry fly have had most success using size 14 or smaller although as the fish get used to the hawthorn they should take larger dries such as a black hopper.

Washing line has also worked well with an imitative booby on the point with small Diawl Bach's or buzzers on the dropper. There is a good evening rise almost every night from around 7.30pm particularly on the dam, boat bay, gravel bar and shallow bay. The lake is crystal clear now so anglers are advised to use fluorocarbon or a clear mono leader.

Next Stocking: April 30th, May 6th

Sunday May 11th - Tommy Wood Memorial bank competition. Free entry, everyone welcome in this friendly match. Proceeds of the raffle to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. 9am - 4pm. Anglers may fish wherever they wish but may only use buzzers on a floating line.

Saturday May 24th - Elinor is pleased to be holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs boat competition. Only a couple of boats still available. Full details/entry form at www.scierrapairs.co.uk

Saturday June 7th - Elinor is holding a heat of the TEFF Greys National Bank Championships with the final to be fished at Elinor on Saturday 11th April 2015 to decide the England Bank team. Entry forms available at the lodge or www.te-ff.org


April 14th - 20th

195 anglers caught 1092 fish of which 738 were returned.

Best Fish
• 10lb 9oz Jim Sheehan, Oundle, black buzzer
• 9lb 4oz Keith Whittingham, St Neots, damsel, boat
• 8lb 1oz Borislav Rasic, Brigstock
• 7lb 8oz Dave McEwan, Sandy, olive buzzer
• 7lb 0oz Paul Mortimer, Thrapston, black buzzer
• 6lb 9oz Phil Wagstaff, Eye, black buzzer
• 6lb 8oz Ken Grigg, Kettering, goldhead damsel
• 5lb 10oz Alan Foster, Desborough, black buzzer
• 5lb 7oz Mark Cranfield, Stibbington, diawl bach, boat
• 5lb 5oz John Graham, Leicester, cats whisker, boat
• 5lb 4oz Steve Parker, Burton Latimer, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, lodge bank, Brookside
Boat - gravel bar, dam, down middle

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, red or green Diawl Bach, GRHE, damsel, white/green lures, orange blob.

A good week with a rod average of over 5. Buzzer fishing is in full swing with cracking catches from bank and boat. Many fish are still being taken 4 to 8 foot down but there is more surface activity especially on cloudy days. There is an evening rise most nights now with the chance to catch on small black or brown dries such as hoppers, shuttlecock CdC and shipman's.

Next Stocking: April 24th, 30th

Competition Results

Sunday 13th April Iain Barr/Airflo World Bank Masters

One day this final will be held in good weather with a lighter wind! A good class field of 98 anglers caught 242 fish but had to cope with a strong WNW with at least four of there 11 half hour sessions casting into the wind. The winner who won £2000 plus tackle and sunglasses, Peter Appleby from Peterlee, caught 14 fish from 5 pegs on an olive zonker, apps bloodworm and beaded buzzer. There were some superb prizes down to 20th provided by sponsors Airflo, Costa sunglasses, Snowbee, Iain Barr Flyfishing and Palm Springs.
1. Peter Appleby, 14 fish from 5 pegs 19 points
2. Mike Dixon, 8 fish from 7 pegs 15 points
3. Charlie Abrahams, 10 fish from 5 pegs 15 points
4. Andrew Scott, 8 off 6 14 pts
5. Ryan Mathews 9 off 5 14 pts
6. Andy Grabham 8 off 5 13 pts
7. Brad Gifford 8 off 5 13 pts
8. David Hoppe 9 off 4 13 pts
9. Chris Gheyssens 8 off 3 11 pts
10. Ed Foster 5 off 5 10 pts
11. Owen Murray 5 off 5 10 pts
12. Nigel Tranter 5 off 5 10 pts
13. Pascal Rommelaere 6 off 4 10 pts
14. Martin Burgess 6 off 4 10 pts
15. Fen Oakley 7 off 3 10 pts
16. Brian Kerr 7 off 3 10 pts
17. Ian Greenwood 5 off 4 9 pts
18. Andrew Griffin 5 off 4 9 pts
19. Harry Upton 5 off 4 9 pts
20. Roger Abnett 4 off 4 8 pts 

Sunday May 11th - Tommy Wood Memorial bank competition.
Free entry, everyone welcome in this friendly match. Proceeds of the raffle to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. 9am - 4pm. Anglers may fish wherever they wish but may only use buzzers on a floating line.

Saturday May 24th - Elinor is pleased to be holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs boat competition
Full details/entry form at www.scierrapairs.co.uk

April 7th - 13th

191 anglers caught 1270 fish of which 892 were returned (not including Iain Barr bank match Sunday 13th)

Best Fish
• 9lb 2oz Fen Oakley, Sudborough, Pitsford pea
• 8lb 6oz Paul Haskey, Rugby, cats whisker
• 6lb 12oz Stuart Parker (top right), Letchworth, black buzzer, boat
• 6lb 8oz John Thompson, Peterborough
• 6lb 1oz Michael Bownes, Stamford, black buzzer
• 6lb 0oz Ken Nicholls, Farcet, damsel, boat
• 5lb 11oz Paul Dunstan (middle right), Towcester, small black buzzer, float tube
• 5lb 9oz Adrian Wilkinson, Spaldwick, red dancer
• 5lb 8oz Huw Morris (bottom right), Belfast

Best Areas
Bank - Dam, boat bay, Brookside
Boats - all areas producing

Best Patterns
Black buzzer, red Diawl Bach, damsel, cats whisker, yellow dancer, orange blob.

Elinor fished superbly on calmer days with big hatches of buzzers. On windy, bright days the bank fishing was much harder with fish being caught from deeper areas but the shallower bank areas didn't fish well as the fish moved out too far. Generally the best depth to fish has been between 4 and 8 foot but there are plenty of fish nearer the surface on cloudy days and a good number rising most evenings. Size 10 or 12 buzzers fished under a bung or straight lined is the deadly method in good conditions. Lures on a slow intermediate line are working well in a good wave.

Next Stocking: April 18th.

Competition News

April 13th Iain Barr Airflo World Bank Masters Final
Full report to follow next week - Top 3:
1. Peter Appleby 14 fish from 5 pegs 19 points
2. Mike Dixon 8 fish from 7 pegs 15 points
3. Charlie Abrahams 10 fish from 5 pegs 15 points

Sunday May 11th - Tommy Wood Memorial bank competition.
Free entry, everyone welcome in this friendly match. Proceeds of the raffle to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. 9am - 4pm. Anglers may fish wherever they wish but may only use buzzers on a floating line.

Saturday May 24th - Elinor is pleased to be holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs boat competition.
Full details/entry form at www.scierrapairs.co.uk

March 31st - April 6th

185 anglers caught 1288 fish of which 958 were returned.

Best Fish
• 10lb 0oz Mike Bownes, Stamford, black buzzer
• 6lb 10oz Richard Slater, Mawsley, sunburst blob
• 6lb 8oz George Brock, Corby
• 6lb 6oz Roy Whitwell, Whittlesey, corixa
• 6lb 2oz Dave Crowhurst, Wellingborough,
• 6lb 0oz Dave Crowhurst, Wellingborough
• 5lb 12oz Phil Cross, Northampton, damsel
• 5lb 8oz Mr Taylor, boat
• 5lb 6oz Dennis Shannon, Wellingborough, yellow dancer
• 5lb 3oz Jim Wilson, Stafford, olive buzzer, boat
• 5lb 0oz Mr Fowler, Alconbury, cormorant
• 5lb 0oz Bryce Hanlon, GRHE

Best Areas
Bank - Brookside, lodge bank, dam
Boat - Gravel bar, dam, east arm, shallow bay

Best Patterns
Black buzzer, GRHE, white/green lures, orange blob, damsel, red or black Diawl Bach. A cracking week for both bank and boat anglers with the rod average almost reaching 7. On windier days lures worked best on either a floater or intermediate line but on calmer mild days buzzers and nymphs caught the best bags. Fish remain well spread around the lake and they are fighting fit right now. A few fish are rising in the evening but most anglers are catching 2- 6 foot down. There should be more surface activity as we get further into April.

Please note that there will be no bank fishing available to non competitors on Sunday April 13th as Elinor will be hosting the Iain Barr/Airflo World Bank Masters Final. Boats are available as normal.

Next Stocking: April 8th, 11th

Competition Results
Wednesday April 2nd Troutmasters Fish-Off.

A strong Westerly wind kept most anglers on the lodge bank. Best methods were damsels, buzzers or Diawl Bach's on a floater. Rod average was 5.
Top 3:
1. Paul Haskey, Rugby 6 fish 17lb 6oz
2. Steve Johnson, Raunds 6 fish 17lb 1oz
3. Pete Welch, Boston 6 fish 13lb 3oz
Paul Haskey will represent Elinor at the Troutmasters Final at Grafham on September 15th.

Saturday April 5th Iain Barr/ Airflo heat

24 anglers caught 178 fish for a fantastic rod average of 7.4 for this five hour bank match. A strong SSW wind made it more comfortable to peg the Brookside bank unless you were a left hander! The wind meant that lures such as cats whisker and orange blobs out fished nymphs.
Top 12:
1. Brad Gifford , Kettering, 15 fish from 7 pegs
2. Steve Parker, Burton Latimer 14 fish from 6 pegs
3. Danny Keane, 11 fish from 7
4. Roger Abnett, 12 from 6
5. Pete Andrews, 12 from 6
6. Dave Franklin, 9 from 7
7. Ed Foster, 9 from 6
8. Richard Kesek, 7 from 6
9.. Fen Oakley, 9 from 4
10. Stan Suddick, 6 from 6
11. Harvey Mobbs, 7 from 5
12. Michael Mohan, 7 from 4

Sunday May 11th - Tommy Wood Memorial Bank Competition.
Free entry, everyone welcome in this friendly match. Proceeds of the raffle to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. 9am - 4pm. Anglers may fish wherever they wish but may only use buzzers on a floating line.

Saturday May 24th - Scierra Pairs
Elinor is pleased to be holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs boat competition. Full details/entry form at www.scierrapairs.co.uk.

March 24th - 31st

143 anglers caught 813 fish of which 568 were returned.

Best Fish
• 10lb 8oz Alwyn Fuggle, Market Harborough, black buzzer
• 9lb 10oz Ken Grigg, Kettering, black/green lure
• 7lb 0oz Peter Oldham, Saffron Walden, black/green buzzer
• 6lb 4oz Mr O'Brien, Watford
• 6lb 2oz Bob Walmsley, Desborough, white/green lure
• 6lb 2oz Derek Benemore, Finedon, Sweeney Todd
• 6lb 0oz Mr Grattan

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, Brookside, dam, pensioners point, goodfellow bay
Boat - boat bay, gravel bar, shallow bay, anchored off dam 

Best Patterns
Black buzzer, black or red Diawl Bach, damsel nymph, bloodworm, black/green or white/green lures, orange blob. A very good week with the best rod average of the season so far of 5.6. The mild weather has got the fish switching to buzzers with many good bags being taken on black buzzers either straight lined or under an indicator at 2 to 5 foot down. On calmer days there are fish rising and it looks likely that Elinor's superb evening rises will start early this year. As well as buzzers the fish are feeding on the numerous corixa in the margins and small immature damsel nymphs. Boat anglers have almost managed to keep up with the bank anglers this week and fish continue to be caught from all parts of the lake.

Next Stocking: April 4, 8th.

Competition News

Saturday March 29th British Float Tube Association
12 float tubers took part in this event. Temperatures were pleasantly high although breezy bright conditions meant the fish didn't give themselves up easily. A total of 94 fish were caught of which 24 were returned. An excellent rod average of nearly 8 and everyone caught a minimum of 5 fish!

1. Andre Russell, 14lb 7oz

2. Dave Carrie, 12lb 7oz

3. Carl Ward, 12lb 6oz

4. Jez Dye, 12lb 5oz

5. Gary Cragg, 12lb 2oz

Iain Barr/Airflo World Bank Masters

There is a last chance qualifier on Saturday April 5th. www.iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk. Its also an ideal chance to practice for the final on the following weekend. Sunday May 11th - Tommy Wood Memorial bank competition. Free entry, everyone welcome in this friendly match. Proceeds of the raffle to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. 9am - 4pm. Anglers may only use buzzers on a floating line.

Scierra Pairs
Saturday May 24th - Elinor is pleased to be holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs boat competition. Full details/entry form at www.scierrapairs.co.uk


March 17th - 23rd

154 anglers caught 622 fish of which 389 were returned

Best Fish
• 9lb 8oz Dan Sugars (photo Right), Irthlingborough, black buzzer
• 6lb 14oz Steve Ward, Cambridge, damsel
• 6lb 4oz Steve Parker, Burton Latimer, white/green lure
• 6lb 3oz Stuart Fowler
• 6lb 0oz Mr Lonsdale, Norwich
• 5lb 11oz Paul Aston, Worcester
• 5lb 10oz Bill Stewart, Corby, Sweeney Todd
• 5lb 8oz Michael Bownes, Stamford, black buzzer
• 5lb 8oz Roly Stanford, Finedon
• 5lb 2oz Roger Carlton, Market Harborough, white/green lure

Best Areas
Bank - All areas producing fish but dam, goodfellow bay and gravel bar best.
Boat - Anchored off dam or gravel bar

Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green lures, orange blob, bloodworm, black buzzer, red or black diawl bach

Fishing was much harder on the windy days last week with many areas difficult to fish. However the rod average still reached 4. Lures are working best during the morning but anglers fishing nymphs from 11.30am onwards are catching well in the more sheltered areas. Bank anglers continue to catch better than boats although not many anglers went afloat in the poor conditions. All we need is a few calmer days for the buzzer fishing to take off. Next Stocking: March 24th, 27th.

Competition Results
Sunday March 23rd Fly Dressers' Guild Spring Bank Competition. 25 anglers fished this inaugural event in a strong cold Northwest wind. At the weigh in 115 fish were caught for a rod average of 4.4 Excellent angling skills in the conditions. 

Top individuals
1. Chris Reeves, Surrey, 12 fish
2. Malcolm Price, Ringwood, 10 fish
3. Les Cooke, Wiltshire Chalk streams, 10 fish

Teams of Three
1. Surrey 21 fish
2. Wiltshire Chalk Streams 19 fish
3. Odds and Ends 16 fish

Forthcoming Competitions
Iain Barr/Airflo World Bank Masters. There is a last chance qualifier on Saturday April 5th. www.iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk. Its also an ideal chance to practice for the final on the following weekend.

Sunday May 11th - Tommy Wood Memorial Bank Competition. Free entry, everyone welcome in this friendly match. Proceeds of the raffle to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. 9am - 4pm. Anglers may only use buzzers on a floating line.

Saturday May 24th - Elinor is pleased to be holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs boat competition. Full details/entry form at www.scierrapairs.co.uk.


March 10th - 16th

197 anglers caught 1070 fish of which 733 were returned.

Best Fish
• 8lb 6oz Tony Nolan (top right), Stevenage, Montana, boat
• 8lb 0oz Pete Jinks, Peterborough, black buzzer
• 7lb 14oz Frank Disandolo, Peterborough, black tadpole
• 7lb 4oz Peter Appleby, Peterlee, yellow apps
• 7lb 2oz Neil Groves, Oundle, white fritz
• 6lb 4oz Brian Crowhurst, Wellingborough, black/green
• 6lb 2oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, Montana, boat
• 6lb 2oz Finbarr McSweeney, Wellingborough, Montana
• 5lb 8oz Bill Stewart, Corby, Sweeney Todd
• 5lb 6oz Steve Parker (bottom right), Burton Latimer, tequila blob
• 5lb 6oz Chris Gardener, Banbury, red Diawl Bach
• 5lb 3oz Finbarr McSweeney, Wellingborough

Best Areas
Bank - All areas fishing well
Boat - anchored off dam, gravel bar

Best Patterns
Montana, small cats whisker, orange blob, red yellow or pink apps, cormorant, black buzzer, small damsel, red or black Diawl Bach. An excellent week with the rod average hitting 5. Bank anglers still doing best but boats catching well on calmer days.

Fish are still well spread around the lake with nearly every angler catching and nobody hogging a hotspot. Long may it continue! Small lures continue to take plenty of fish on floating or intermediate lines but many anglers are fishing nymphs with success. A black buzzer or damsel on the point with a black Diawl Bach or red ribbed Diawl Bach on the dropper being the best imitative approach. Numerous fish over 3lb being caught. Many anglers are getting broken at the moment. There is no need to use fine leaders at this time of year. The fish are in prime condition and fighting very hard.

Next Stocking March 21st

Competition Results
Saturday March 15th Iain Barr/Airflo World Bank Masters Heat

A bright and very windy day greeted competitors. Usually not great for trout fishing. However Elinor fished superbly with 26 anglers catching 155 fish and no blanks.. Not bad for a 5 hour match.

The 8 qualifiers who go forward to the final on April 13th are:
1. Peter Appleby 15 fish from 7 pegs 
2. Bob Barr 13 fish from 8 pegs
3. Brad Gifford 13 fish from 7 pegs
4. Glen Appleby 12 fish from 7 pegs
5. Richard Slater 11 fish from 7 pegs
6. Keith Jones 11 fish from 6 pegs
7. Roy Lewin 7 fish from 7 pegs
8. James Morgan 8 fish from 6 pegs

There is a last chance qualifier on Saturday April 5th. www.iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk. Its also an ideal chance to practice for the final on the following weekend. Saturday May 24th - Elinor is pleased to be holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs boat competition. Full details/entry form at www.scierrapairs.co.uk


March 3rd - March 9th

142 anglers caught 578 fish of which 351 were returned

Best Fish
• 6lb 2oz Frank Disandolo, Peterborough, goldhead hares ear
• 6lb 0oz Bryan Swain, Brampton. Sweeney Todd
• 6lb 0oz Ken Grigg, Kettering, black/green lure
• 5lb 11oz Carl Jones, Nottingham, Montana
• 5lb 8oz Trevor Partridge, Corby, black/green lure, boat
• 5lb 2oz Ray Ward, Olney, black Minkie, boat
• 5lb 0oz Terry Breen, Wymington, black lure

Best Areas
Bank - All areas producing fish
Boat - anchored off dam or pylon point, gravel bar

Best patterns
black/green lures, white/green lures, orange blob, apps bloodworm, gold ribbed hares ear. A good week with a rod average over 4 and still improving each day. It is pleasing that all areas of the lake are holding fish.

Bank and boat anglers are having equally good sport. At last some anglers are starting to catch on more imitative flies with black buzzers, Diawl Bach, crunchers and corixa all worth trying.

Elinor's superb buzzer fishing should in full swing over the next couple of weeks with the forecast mild weather. Last week most spooned fish revealed corixa, small immature damsels and hoglouse.

Next Stocking March 13th

Competition News

Saturday March 15th - Heat of the Iain Barr/ Airflo Bank masters. There are still a few places left in this match and your chance to qualify for the final at Elinor on April 13th. Full details at www.iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk

Saturday May 24th - Elinor is pleased to be holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs boat competition. Full details/entry form at www.scierrapairs.co.uk.

Feb 24th - March 2nd

88 anglers caught 205 fish of which 116 were returned.

Best Fish
• 8lb 10oz Roly Stanford (right), Finedon, Montana
• 6lb 8oz Jeff Brown, Milton Keynes, green/black tadpole
• 4lb 14oz Roy Whitwell, Whittlesey, black/silver humongous
• 4lb 11oz Jim Harris, Coventry, damsel
• 4lb 10oz Steve Parker, Burton Latimer

Best Areas
pylon point, coarse bank, the creek, east arm

Best Patterns
black/green or white/green lures, damsel, apps bloodworm.

A much better week with the rod average on some days over 3 and improving all the time as the water clarity improves. Visibility is now almost 12 inches in some areas. Although lures are still taking the majority of fish it will only be a matter of days before fish are being taken on buzzers. Some good size black buzzers are hatching early this season. These will be the main food source for fish in the next couple of weeks along with a huge population of corixa in the margins and small immature damsel nymphs. Bank anglers are still having the best sport. Most fish continue to be caught fairly high in the water, 2 to 4 foot down. Stocking this week. Prospects are at last excellent and Elinor is worth a visit.

Elinor is now a stockist of the full range of Iain Barr flies with all the new 2014 patterns.

Elinor will be holding the final of the Iain Barr/Airflo Bank Masters Final on Sunday April 13th with the chance to win £2000 and many other prizes. This is a friendly event and an ideal first try at competition fishing. Qualifying heats at Elinor will be on March 15th and April 5th. Places still available for both heats. Full details and entry forms at www.iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk


February 15th - 23rd

93 anglers caught 142 fish of which 63 were returned

Best Fish
• 8lb 5oz Valentin Kruglov (top right), Leicester, black/yellow dancer, boat. Valentin Kruglov from Leicester caught the biggest fish of the season so far at Elinor. The 8lb 5oz Rainbow took a black/yellow dancer on a floating line on the hang right by the boat. Unfortunately his rod broke during the fight but he still managed to land it.
• 5lb 2oz Mr Jones
• 5lb 0oz Mr Southgate, Kings Lynn, cats whisker
• 4lb 10oz Ken Gates (bottom right), Leighton Buzzard, black tadpole

Best Areas
Bank - Coarse bank, pylon point, east arm
Boat - East arm, west arm, boat bay

Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green lures, large hares ear nymph, Sweeney Todd, apps bloodworm.

Over the last three days the rod average has risen to two. Still poor for the time of year but improving each day as the water gradually clears. Best method has been an intermediate with black/green or white/green lures 2-3 foot down. A few anglers are catching on the bung at the same depth. Elinor is full of trout right now! Catches will rise as the water clarity improves.

Elinor will be holding the final of the Iain Barr/Airflo Bank Masters Final on Sunday April 13th with the chance to win £2000 and many other prizes. Qualifying heats at Elinor will be on March 15th and April 5th.

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

Elinor opened on Saturday February 15th.

Gale force winds meant that boats weren't able to venture out. The handful of anglers that turned up struggled as the wind had coloured the water.

Best method has been a floater or intermediate with black or black/green tadpoles, white or yellow Minkies with a very slow retrieve.

Fishing will improve as the water clears over the next few days with no extreme weather forecast.

If you are planning a visit please phone the lodge or email me for the latest news.