December 4th - 10th

67 anglers caught 257 fish of which 222 were returned.

Best Fish
10lb 2oz Mel Dunn, Eye, apps bloodworm
10lb 1oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, bloodworm
7lb 6oz Bernard Robinson, Duudington, olive nymph
6lb 11oz Mel Dunn, Eye, apps bloodworm
6lb 9oz Mel Dunn, Eye, apps bloodworm
6lb 3oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, squirmy worm
6lb 3oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, pink blob
6lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, squirmy worm
6lb 0oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, bloodworm

Best Areas
Bank - brookside, dam, gravel bar
Boat - dam end, shallow bay

Best Patterns
bloodworm, small damsel, pitsford pea, tequila/candy blob.

Fewer anglers ventured out in the bad weather but anglers continue to catch good bags of quality fish. The water remains clear and prospects are excellent for the remainder of the season with the final stocking introduced on Friday 8th. Last day for trout fishing is Sunday December 31st although season ticket holders can bank fish in January. The 2018 season starts on Saturday February 10th.

Christmas Present Idea
A fishing ticket voucher makes a great Christmas gift. Please email me for further details: elinortf@aol.com

Elinor is open until December 31st for Trout Anglers
Season permit holders only from the bank in January.
Opening day for 2018 is Saturday February 10th.

Half day permits are now available:
7am - 2pm or Midday until dark

Brown Trout
Brown Trout are now out of season, please return quickly and carefully.

Next Stocking: TBA

Nov 27th - Dec 3rd

82 anglers caught 342 fish of which 291 were returned.

Best Fish
8lb 2oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, bloodworm
8lb 0oz Andy Lane, North London, candy blob
7lb 3oz Brad Gifford, Kettering, candy fab
6lb 4oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, bloodworm
5lb 9oz Bill Stewart, Corby, pink apps
5lb 6oz John Thomson, Corby
5lb 3oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, red apps
5lb 2oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, small damsel, boat
5lb 2oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, pink blob
5lb 0oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, boat (photograph below)
5lb 0oz Gary Turner, Blakesley

Best Areas
Bank - lagoon, shallow bay, gravel bar, dam, boat bay, brookside
Boat - west arm, gravel bar, dam, boat bay

Best Patterns
Small Damsel, GRHE, Black Booby, Pitsford Pea, Red Cruncher, UV Cruncher.

Plenty of cloud cover saw Elinor back on excellent form with a good list of specimen fish and a rod average of just over 4. Fish continue to be well spread with most anglers getting action. Floater with washing line is working well in shallower water. Floater with a mini lure and nymph combination best on windy days or over deeper water. Middle of the day generally best.

Pike Fishing
Pike fishing finished on Sunday. Best fish of the weekend was a 16lb 15oz specimen caught by Daniel Brackley (photograph below).

Christmas Present Idea
A fishing ticket voucher makes a great Christmas gift. Please email me for further details elinortf@aol.com
Elinor is open until December 31st for Trout Anglers
Season permit holders only from the bank in January.
Opening day for 2018 is Saturday February 10th.

Half day permits are now available:
7am - 2pm or Midday until dark

Brown Trout
Brown Trout are now out of season, please return quickly and carefully.

Next Stocking: Dec 8th

Lazloe Boden from Rothwell caught and released this 5lb 2oz silver torpedo on a damsel from a boat in the West arm.

Dan Brackley with the best pike taken on the final weekend of predator angling.
It weighed 16lb 15oz and was taken on a lure.

November 20th - 26th

89 anglers caught 259 fish of which 184 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 2oz Vince Sparrow, Aldwincle, mini cat
5lb 12oz Vince Sparrow, Aldwincle, mini cat
5lb 8oz Pip Weatherley, Oundle, black/green lure
5lb 2oz Dave Miles, Wellingborough, grhe
5lb 1oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, black buzzer

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, Goodfellow bay, dam, brookside
Boat - dam end, gravel bar, west arm

Best Patterns
Small black/green or white/green lures, unweighted damsel, bloodworm, grhe, black snake.

Colder weather saw less anglers out in boats but the bank fishing continues to be good in most conditions apart from bright, windy days when the fish move further out as the water is so clear. Fish are more widely spread than usual for this time of year with only the coarse bank quiet. In calm conditions there are large numbers of fish rising to small black buzzers. A few better pike were caught by predator anglers at the weekend: 19lb and 17lb 8oz on Saturday (lures) and a 16lb 10oz on Sunday (sardine deadbait).

Elinor is open until December 31st for Trout Anglers
Season permit holders only from the bank in January.
Opening day for 2018 is Saturday February 10th.

Half day permits are now available:
7am - 2pm or Midday until dark

Brown Trout
Brown Trout are now out of season, please return quickly and carefully.

November 13th - 19th

125 anglers caught 319 fish of which 196 were returned.

Best Fish
13lb 9oz Toby Craig, Milton Keynes, tequila fab, boat
7lb 3oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, white/green lure
6lb 5oz Roy Jeyes, Kettering, white/green minkie, boat
5lb 8oz Toby Craig, Milton Keynes, tequila fab, boat
5lb 4oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, black snake
5lb 1oz Trevor Maycock, Northampton, muddler

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, shallow bay, dam, brookside
Boat - dam end, boat bay, gravel bar

Best Patterns
White/green or black/green lures, small damsel, grhe, black buzzer, black hopper, tequila blob/fab, snakes.

A slightly trickier week with the fish easily spooked when the sun was out in the incredibly clear water. Fishing can be slow early morning but usually improves 11.30am onwards with fish moving in calmer conditions. Plenty of areas are producing with the fish not tightly shoaled yet. Pike anglers fished at the weekend. Quite a few jacks were caught along with four low doubles and perch to just under 2lb.

Elinor is open until December 31st for Trout Anglers
Season permit holders only from the bank in January.
Opening day for 2018 is Saturday February 10th.

Half day permits are now available:
7am - 2pm or Midday until dark

Brown Trout
Brown Trout are now out of season, please return quickly and carefully.

Next Stocking: November 24th

November 6th - 12th

141 anglers caught 470 fish of which 284 were returned.

Best Fish
8lb 6oz Brian Carter, Peterborough, white/green lure
7lb 3oz Brian Carter, Peterborough, olive nymph
6lb 13oz Matt Tuck, Yelling, bloodworm
6lb 8oz Mike Creamer, Oakley, grhe
6lb 8oz Chris Selby, Yaxley, black/green tadpole
6lb 6oz Chris Selby, Yaxley, black/green tadpole
6lb 4oz Darren Trumper, boat
6lb 3oz Jurgis Mikalauskas, Peterborough, boat
6lb 0oz Voldermar Rumbahs, Corby, white lure, boat
5lb 12oz Keith Nicholson, Tunbridge Wells, black tadpole
5lb 8oz Mr Blackshaw, cruncher
5lb 2oz Andrew Lebish, Linton, pitsford pea
5lb 0oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, Goodfellow bay, gravel bar, shallow bay, brookside
Boat - dam end, gravel bar

Best Patterns
Small damsel, black buzzer, foam daddy, bloodworm, white/green or black/green lures.

Fishing was slightly harder last week although the rod average was still a respectable 3.3. Bank fishing out scored the boats in general. On cold mornings the fishing was slow with sport picking up from 11.30am onwards. Lures took plenty of fish with the usual colour combinations of white/green and black/green favourite on floaters, midge tip or slow intermediate lines. On calmer days there are plenty fish rising to small black midges. Some fry feeders have been seen off the dam. The run of big fish continued with good numbers of 4lb+ silver bars.

Elinor is open until December 31st.
Half day permits are now: 
•  7am - 2pm
•  Midday - dark
Brown trout are now out of season. Please return carefully.

Next Stocking: November 16th

Tunbridge Wells Fly Fishers
On Saturday 11th November 10 anglers from Tunbridge Wells Fly Fishers held a bank match and caught 42 fish

1. Keith Nicholson 5 fish 12lb 4oz
2. Keith Lawrence 5 fish 11lb 3oz
3. Martin Gray 5 fish 10lb 12oz
4. Ian Watts 5 fish 10lb 4oz
5. Ray Burt 5 Fish 9lb 10oz

Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
On  Sunday 12th November a cold and strong NW wind made the fishing difficult although sport did improve for some in the afternoon. Bank anglers did best with 6 limits Only one boat angler got in the top 10. 29 anglers caught 67 fish with 6 fish over 4lb.

1. Matt Tuck 6 fish for 19lb 13oz (gravel bar, bloodworm)
2. Ian Donaldson 6 for 17lb 6oz
3. Dave Roadley 6 for 15lb 6oz
4. Darren Oram 6 for 15lb 4oz
5. Richard Slater 6 for 14lb 9oz
6. Paul Haskey 6 for 14lb 7oz
7. Geoff Alsop 5 for 10lb 12oz
8. Vince Sparrow 4 for 10lb 4oz (boat, gravel bar, white snake)
9. Pete Welch 4 for 8lb 3oz
10. Keith Fairey 2 for 5lb 4oz

Best Fish: 6lb 13oz Matt Tuck

£315.00 was raised from the raffle for the British Heart Foundation and the Air Ambulance. Many thanks to everyone who supported the event.

Top 10 anglers from the 2017 Fur & Feather

Matt Tuck from Yelling near St Neots with the 6lb 13oz fish that helped him to victory in the 2017 Fur & Feather.
Matt used a floater and bloodworm off the Gravel Bar

Paul Haskey enjoying a beautiful moment at sunset

October 30th - November 5th

145 anglers caught 663 fish of which 558 were returned.

Best Fish
9lb 3oz Finbarr McSweeney, Rushden, damsel
9lb 1oz Gary How, Invicta Fly Fishers, black/green tadpole
8lb 8oz Barry Chillingworth, Northampton, white/green lure, boat
8lb 2oz Chris Selby, Yaxley, black hopper
8lb 1oz George Brock, Corby, montana
7lb 8oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, damsel
7lb 4oz Brian Carter, Peterborough, green/white lure
7lb 2oz John Oram, Desborough
7lb 0oz Bob Senior, Stamford, olive hopper, boat
6lb 8oz Mr Key, Market Harborough, black/green zonker
6lb 7oz Roger Bosence, Corby, tequila blob
6lb 7oz Alan Briggs, Invicta FF, green/orange lure
6lb 6oz Chris McLeod, Invicta FF, damsel
6lb 4oz John Oram, Desborough
6lb 2oz Bernard Robinson, Duddington, black pennell
6lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle
6lb 1oz Roger Bosence, Corby, diawl bach
5lb 15oz John Thomson, Corby, hothead damsel, boat
Brown 6lb 4oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, black buzzer

Best Areas
Bank - dam, brookside, boat bay, gravel bar
Boat - lodge end, boat bay, shallow bay

Best Patterns
Dries - black hopper, daddy, black shipmans
Nymphs - small damsel, red diawl, black buzzer, grhe
Lures - white/green, black/green, tequila fab, sunburst blob

Elinor continues on great form with a rod ave of 4.6 and numerous quality fish. On cloudy days the bank is fishing best although boats are scoring well on brighter days. Floater or midge tip with a washing line is generally the best method although some anglers are taking fish on lures using intermediates. Water clarity is superb and prospects are good for the upcoming Fur & Feather.

Invicta Fly Fishers
Saturday Nov 4th - 14 members of Invicta Fly Fishers braved the wet conditions and caught 69 fish.
1. Gary How 13 fish
2. Mark Searle 9
3. John Brown 7
4. Jeff Hickson 7
5. Matt Willett 6
6. Chris McLeod 6

Now the clocks have changed the half day ticket is available:
7am - 2pm
12pm - Close

Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 12th 9am - 3pm. £25 entry which includes fishing fees (£5 for season ticket holders). Boat or bank fishing. Open to everyone. 4 boats still available. 6 fish limit with 2lb/hour time bonus. Proceeds from the raffle will be split between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Pike Fishing
There will be a maximum of 6 boats per day put aside for pike anglers on the following weekends:
•   November 18th & 19th
•   November 25th & 26th
•   December 2nd & 3rd

Payment will be required in advance:
•   Single angler boat £25.00
•   Two angler boat £40.00

Fishing is 7.30am until 5.00pm. Anglers may use lures or sea dead baits only. Bookings/further info via email or telephone: 01832-720786.

Next Stocking: November 10th

October 23rd - 29th

164 anglers caught 726 fish of which 552 were returned.

Best Fish
9lb 0oz Gavin Cairns, Newmarket, cats whisker
8lb 9oz Finbarr McSweeney, Rushden, damsel
8lb 5oz Ian Springett, Harpenden, grey minkie
8lb 0oz Finbarr McSweeney, Rushden
7lb 12oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, black buzzer
7lb 10oz Phil Musgrove, Sawtry
7lb 6oz Finbarr McSweeney, Rushden
7lb 2oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, tequila fab
6lb 12oz Rodger Dickinson, Moulton
6lb 3oz Dave Roadley, Chapel St Leonards, damsel, float tube
6lb 8oz Chris Selby, Yaxley, black hopper
6lb 3oz Derek Benamore, Finedon
6lb 2oz Steve Peppiatt, Olney
6lb 0oz Derek Benamore, Finedon

Best Areas
Bank - dam, brookside, boat bay, gravel bar, shallow bay
Boat - dam, boat bay, gravel bar

Best Patterns
Wet/dry daddy, black hopper, small black buzzer, red diawl bach, red apps, tequila blob, black/green lures.

Better weather last week and plenty of anglers. A fantastic list of big fish were caught with numerous 5lb+ fish not getting a mention. Boat and bank anglers enjoying excellent sport although most of the bigger fish are coming from the bank. On the calmer days there are huge numbers of fish rising to small black emerging buzzers. Washing line on a floater has been the best method closely followed by dries in the right conditions.

Now the clocks have changed the half day ticket is available:
7am - 2pm
12pm - Close

Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 12th 9am - 3pm. £25 entry which includes fishing fees (£5 for season ticket holders). Boat or bank fishing. Open to everyone. 4 boats still available. 6 fish limit with 2lb/hour time bonus. Proceeds from the raffle will be split between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Pike Fishing
There will be a maximum of 6 boats per day put aside for pike anglers on the following weekends:
•   November 18th & 19th
•   November 25th & 26th
•   December 2nd & 3rd

Payment will be required in advance:
•   Single angler boat £25.00
•   Two angler boat £40.00

Fishing is 7.30am until 5.00pm. Anglers may use lures or sea dead baits only. Bookings/further info via email or telephone: 01832-720786.

Next Stocking: November 2nd

October 16th - 22nd

88 anglers caught 299 fish of which 211 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 5oz Ray Ward, Olney, yellow/white lure, boat
6lb 0oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, damsel, boat
5lb 8oz Gavin Cairns, Newmarket, black/green lure
5lb 6oz Gavin Cairns, Newmarket, black/green lure
5lb 4oz Pete Welch Boston, black buzzer
5lb 2oz B. Emery, Northampton
5lb 0oz Jim Nixon, Kettering
5lb 0oz Neil Groves, Oundle

Best Areas
Bank - dam, brookside, gravel bar, shallow bay
Boat - all areas producing but lodge end best

Best Patterns
Small damsel, grhe, red diawl, black buzzer, wet or dry daddy, candy or tequila fab/blob.

Not so many anglers ventured out last week with the very strong winds. This made fishing slightly harder but on the odd calmer day the fishing was excellent from both bank and boat. On softer days there are numerous fish moving all over the lake taking hatching black buzzers. On rougher days anglers are using lures to target the daphnia feeders in the top two foot.

LFF Presidents Bank Match
On Sunday October 22nd eight members of Leicester Fly Fishers held their Presidents bank match.
A very breezy day saw 8 anglers take 23 fish.
1. Norman Sketchley 6 fish 16lb 2oz
2. Dave Roadley 6 fish 12lb 14oz
3. Alastair Smith 6 fish 12lb 5oz
Best fish Dave Roadley 2lb 11oz

Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 12th 9am - 3pm. £25 entry which includes fishing fees (£5 for season ticket holders). Boat or bank fishing. Open to everyone. 4 boats still available. 6 fish limit with 2lb/hour time bonus. Proceeds from the raffle will be split between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Pike Fishing
There will be a maximum of 6 boats per day put aside for pike anglers on the following weekends:
•   November 18th & 19th
•   November 25th & 26th
•   December 2nd & 3rd

Payment will be required in advance:
•   Single angler boat £25.00
•   Two angler boat £40.00

Fishing is 7.30am until 5.00pm. Anglers may use lures or sea dead baits only. Bookings/further info via email or telephone: 01832-720786.

Next Stocking: October 20th

October 9th - 15th

137 anglers caught 557 fish of which 435 were returned.

Best Fish
7lb 8oz Rodger Dickinson, tequila booby
6lb 4oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, pin fry, boat
6lb 2oz Brian Carter, Peterborough, white/green lure
6lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, black buzzer, boat
6lb 0oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, pin fry, boat

Brown
6lb 4oz Dave Anderson, Rothwell, black buzzer

Best Areas
Bank - dam, brookside, boat bay
Boat - most areas producing fish although lodge end best

Best Patterns
Black hopper, wet daddy, black buzzer, red apps, red diawl, Montana, tequila booby.

Another good weeks fishing where the rod average beat 4. The dam end is holding large numbers of fish although good quality trout are coming from all areas. In calmer conditions there are plenty of fish rising to the decent hatches of buzzers. On windy days fish are being taken 1 to 4 foot down with fish feeding on daphnia, corixa and buzzer pupae. If the sun is out then boat anglers are doing best. On the many cloudy days last week the bank sport was as good if not better than boat. The fish are in excellent condition and a good proportion are 3lb+.

Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 12th 9am - 3pm. £25 entry which includes fishing fees (£5 for season ticket holders). Boat or bank fishing. Open to everyone. 5 boats still available. 6 fish limit with 2lb/hour time bonus. Proceeds from the raffle will be split between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Pike Fishing
There will be a maximum of 6 boats per day put aside for pike anglers on the following weekends:
•   November 18th & 19th
•   November 25th & 26th
•   December 2nd & 3rd

Payment will be required in advance:
•   Single angler boat £25.00
•   Two angler boat £40.00

Fishing is 7.30am until 5.00pm. Anglers may use lures or sea dead baits only. Bookings/further info via email or telephone: 01832-720786.

Next Stocking: October 20th

October 2nd - 8th

137 anglers caught 661 fish of which 556 were returned. Rod average 4.8

Best Fish
8lb 0oz Ian Springsteen, Harpenden, daddy
7lb 5oz Pete Jinks, Peterborough, boat
6lb 3oz Jurgis Mikalauskas, Peterborough, red apps, boat
5lb 8oz Roy Leaning, Broughton, boat
5lb 4oz Mr Fairclough, white snake, boat
5lb 0oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, sedge, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, brookside
Boat - all areas producing, especially lodge end

Best Patterns
Black hopper/shipmans, wet or dr daddy, black buzzer, red diawl, damsel, black/green lures, tequila fab/blob.

A very good couple of weeks at Elinor with a rod ave above 4 and good fishing for bank and boat anglers. With excellent water clarity and a cooler surface layer the fish are active on the surface feeding on black buzzer, black beetles, daddies and sedges (evening). A large number of fish over 3lb showing and all fish are fighting fit. It’s a great time of year to be fishing. Lure anglers also catching, particularly from boats or on windy days from the bank.

Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 12th 9am - 3pm. £25 entry which includes fishing fees (£5 for season ticket holders). Boat or bank fishing. Open to everyone. 5 boats still available. 6 fish limit with 2lb/hour time bonus. Proceeds from the raffle will be split between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Pike Fishing
There will be a maximum of 6 boats per day put aside for pike anglers on the following weekends:
•   November 18th & 19th
•   November 25th & 26th
•   December 2nd & 3rd

Payment will be required in advance:
•   Single angler boat £25.00
•   Two angler boat £40.00

Fishing is 7.30am until 5.00pm. Anglers may use lures or sea dead baits only. Bookings/further info via email or telephone: 01832-720786.

Next Stocking: October 13th

September 25th - October 1st

146 anglers caught 673 fish of which 507 were returned. Rod average 4.6

Best Fish
8lb 1oz Nudge Oakley, Sudborough, tequila booby, boat
8lb 0oz Bob Jones, Birmingham, black hopper, boat
6lb 3oz Brian Carter, Peterborough, white/green lure
6lb 0oz Roger Bosence, Corby, red cruncher
6lb 0oz Finbarr McSweeney, Rushden
5lb 4oz Kevin Garn, Northampton, daddy
5lb 0oz David Day, Cambridge, boat

Next Stocking: October 5th

September 17th - 24th

166 anglers caught 499 fish of which 353 were returned

Best Fish
8lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, red diawl bach
6lb 12oz Jim Sheehan, Oundle, green/white lure, boat
5lb 14oz Chris Selby, Yaxley, olive hopper
5lb 10oz Steve Freeman, St Neots, black bits
5lb 2oz Mal Broughton, Grantham, boat
5lb 2oz Pete Jinks, Peterborough, boat
5lb 0oz John Allen, Spalding, daddy, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, brook side, boat bay
Boat - all areas producing fish

Best Patterns
Wet or dry daddy, red diawl, black cdc/shipmans, orange blob, white/green lures, orange or white snakes.

The fishing at Elinor is picking up nicely with a rod average for the week of 3. Water clarity is very good now and at a temperature of 16 deg which is ideal for trout to feed during the day as well as evenings. Rising trout are eating small emerging black buzzers over open water. Fish near the margins are also targeting corixa and the occasional daddy that gets blown on. Prospects are excellent with the difficult summer period out of the way.

Next Stocking: September 27th & 29th

September 11th - 17th

116 anglers caught 516 fish of which 378 were returned

Best Fish
9lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, candy blob, boat
7lb 4oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, candy blob, boat
5lb 8oz Lazloe Bowden, Northampton, muddler, boat
5lb 8oz Mike Bownes, Wilsthorpe, Shipman's
5lb 4oz Shane Else, Northampton, boat
5lb 3oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, red diawl bach
5lb 0oz Dean Yearsley, Northampton, black buzzer, boat
5lb 0oz Voldemar Rumbahs, Corby, white/green lure, boat
+ a further 14 fish over 4lb

Best Areas
Bank - dam, lodge bank, gravel bar, east arm
Boat - most areas holding fish

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, fraser nymph, grhe, red diawl bach, black buzzer with orange cheeks, wet daddy, white/green lures, candy or tequila blob.

The rod average rose to 4.4 last week with a combination of cooler and much clearer water switching the fish on the feed. On cloudy days anglers are having good sport pulling flies through the surface like muddlers, daddies and blobs. Dries doing well in calmer conditions. Fish are well spread around the lake with most areas producing, especially the lodge end now. Plenty of resident 3lb + fish are being caught. 22 fish over 4lb last week. Hopefully there will be some crane flies on the water soon to keep the fish on the top.

Next Stocking: September 27th

September 4th - 10th

109 anglers caught 323 fish of which 209 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 10oz John Oram, Desborough, red diawl bach, boat
4lb 9oz Dave Crowhurst, Wellingborough, red cruncher
Brown 4lb 10oz John Wildman, Peterborough, red diawl bach

Best Areas
Bank - dam, lodge bank, gravel bar, east arm
Boat - most areas holding fish

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, fraser nymph, grhe, red diawl bach, black buzzer with orange cheeks, wet daddy, white/green lures, candy or tequila blob.

Next Stocking: September 22nd

August 28th - September 3rd

108 anglers caught 324 fish of which 243 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 4oz Mr G Curtis, boat
5lb 13oz Alan Rennocks, Kettering, black buzzer, boat
5lb 8oz Dave Crowhurst, Wellingborough, white/green lure, boat
5lb 4oz Pete Welch, Boston, black/green fritz, boat
5lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, red diawl bach, boat
5lb 0oz Steve Cracknell, St Neots, tequila fab, boat

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

Best Patterns
Red cruncher/diawl bach, black buzzer, hothead damsel, brown hopper, tequila fab, white/green or black/green lures.

Rod average has crept up to 3 although boat fishing has been more consistent than from the bank. Water clarity is much better with most of the lake free of algae apart from right at the bottom of the wind. There are plenty of fish rising on calmer days with a reasonable hatch of buzzers plus sedges in the evening. Stocking continues weekly and if the water temperature continues to fall the fishing will take off.

Next Stocking: September 6th & 12th

Next Report: Monday September 18th

August 21st - 27th

101 anglers caught 264 fish of which 184 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 1oz Phil Harris, Stamford, damsel nymph, boat
5lb 8oz John Oram, Desborough, red diawl bach, boat
5lb 2oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, boat
5lb 0oz Darren Palmer, Northampton, boat

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, pylon point, dam(in a north wind)
Boat - pylon point, east arm, boat bay, dam end (in a north wind)

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, red diawl bach/cruncher, grhe, black buzzer, wet/dry daddy, tequila/candy fab.

Fishing has improved since Monday 21st with a rod ave of 2.6 for the week. Boat anglers had reasonable catches whatever the weather although bank anglers struggled on bright, hot days. The top of the wind where the water is clearer continues to be best. A good sprinkling of full tailed 3lb+ fish are showing. There are still a few damsels hatching. Otherwise fish have been feeding on corixa, daphnia and medium sized black buzzers. Cooler temperatures will improve catches further.

Next Stocking: TBA

August 14th - 20th

95 anglers caught 144 fish of which 97 were returned.

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

Best Patterns
Red cruncher/diawl bach, red apps, damsel, wet/dry daddy, tequila fab, hopper booby.

Last week was very difficult with a rod average of just 1.5. However the fishing has been improving rapidly this week with on Monday Phil Harris catching 10 from a boat(damsel & red diawl bach) and Derek Benamore 8/ Mike Bownes 9 from the bank. Today there were excellent catches from Graham Wright 11 and Bryan Swain 9. As well as the usual damsels there have been some flying ants to keep the fish on the top. Fishing at the top of the wind continues to be best where the water is clearer.

Next Stocking: August 24th

August 7th - 13th

102 anglers 194 fish of which 118 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 0oz John Oram, Desborough, red diawl bach, boat
4lb 12oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, daddy
4lb 7oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, damsel
4lb 4oz Mal Broughton, Grantham, orange snake

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

Best Patterns
Damsel, adult damsel, dry or wet daddy, red cruncher, red diawl bach, tequila fab/booby, orange snake.

Another slow week with a rod average of just under two. We continue to stock regularly and very few fish are being killed so the fishing should be back with a bang soon if the water continues to cool. There are still plenty of damsels hatching during the day and a few buzzers in the evening to keep some fish surface feeding. Nymphs and dries with some red in continue to score. Many thanks to all the anglers who've continued to support the fishery during a difficult July/August.

Next Stocking: August 18th

July 31st - August 6th

101 anglers caught 186 fish of which 144 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 8oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, wet daddy
5lb 8oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, olive buzzer, boat
5lb 3oz Barry Cowland, Peterborough, red diawl bach, boat
+ 8 other fish over 4lb

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, boat bay
Boat - pylon point, east arm, brookside bay

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, adult damsel, dry or wet daddy, black hopper, red diawl, small black buzzer, biscuit booby.

Fishing was difficult early last week but as the water temperature dropped the catches were better from Friday onwards. Fish continue to take damsels during the day with very little else hatching. Some fish taking corixa in shallow water. A reasonable buzzer hatch in the evening has seen fish moving in many areas of the lake whereas during the day the fish are more localised. The continued unsettled weather will help to keep the fishing reasonable.

Next Stocking: Aug 18th

July 24th - 30th

88 anglers caught 214 fish of which 172 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 2oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, daddy
4lb 15oz Ken Nicholls, Farcet, black/green lure, boat
4lb 10oz Mr Sharples, Weldon, cats whisker, boat

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

Best Patterns
Dry or wet daddy, black hopper, red diawl, black or olive buzzer, damsel, sunburst or tequila blob.

Another steady week with anglers having to work hard for their fish and a slightly improved rod average of 2.4. On less windy days there are good numbers of fish moving to damsel nymphs and adults. Top of the wind still best in the clearer water. Cooler weather plus the longer nights will drop the temperature of the surface layer to encourage more prolonged feeding. We are now over half way through the summer doldrums!

Next Stocking: August 4th

July 17th - 23rd

121 anglers caught 230 fish of which 171 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 0oz Mike Bownes, Wilsthorpe, tequila fab
5lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, red diawl bach, boat
5lb 1oz James Wilson, Lutterworth, damsel, boat

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

Best Patterns
Red diawl bach/cruncher, damsel, red apps, candy/tequila fab, hoppers.

Another tricky week with the water still warm although anglers are catching fish on cloudier, cooler days. Damsels continue to be the main food source with fish taking nymphs and adults. Boat and bank anglers are finding more fish at the top of the wind where the water is much clearer. Please take extra care during the summer when returning fish. They should be unhooked in the net without removing from the water.

Upcoming Competitions
Sunday November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: TBA

July 10th - 16th

128 anglers caught 242 fish of which 142 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 4oz Steve Loveridge, Kettering, red cruncher, boat
6lb 1oz Arthur Matcham, Kettering, black buzzer, boat
6lb 0oz Mike Bownes, Wilsthorpe, red diawl bach
5lb 4oz Pete Welch, Boston, red cruncher, boat
5lb 2oz Bob Walmsley, Desborough, drawl bach, boat
5lb 0oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, boat
4lb 12oz Roy Leaning, Broughton, black buzzer, boat

Best Area
Bank - east arm, gravel bar, dam (in a north wind)
Boat - east arm, pylon point, dam end

Best Patterns
Damsel, bloodworm, black buzzer, red cruncher/diawl bach, daddy, olive cdc, white/green lure.

A difficult week with the water warming up and the fish feeding sporadically. On most days there has been some surface activity to the massive damsel hatch although boat anglers have had more success fishing deep and slow with some larger fish being caught. Generally it has been best to fish at the top of the wind where the water clarity is good with any algae being blown to the windward bank. Fishing will probably continue to be challenging until we get a cooler spell.

Next Stocking: July 19th

July 3rd - 9th

127 anglers caught 295 fish of which 233 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 5oz Alan Rennocks, Kettering, red apps, boat
4lb 4oz Pete Welch, Boston, red cruncher, boat
4lb 2oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, bloodworm, boat

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, gravel bar, dam (in a north wind)
Boat - pylon point, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, dry damsel, daddy, red diawl/cruncher, red apps, black/green or white/green lure, yellow blob, tequila blob/fab.

A warm week where the fishing was hard especially from the bank. Bank anglers did well if they managed one or two fish. Boat anglers who fished deeper down the middle continued to catch. On Sunday when most people were struggling, Steve Lane used a white/green lure anchored off pylon point to take 13 fish with most coming on the hang, 5-6 foot down. Today, Tuesday, it is much cooler and three anglers have had more than 5 fish each by lunchtime. If you are planning on coming bank fishing try not to pick a hot sunny day.

Next Stocking: TBC

June 26th - July 2nd

155 anglers caught 478 fish of which 346 were returned.

Best Fish
8lb 2oz Steve Quartley, North London, s14 black buzzer, boat
8lb 2oz John Oram, Desborough, diawl bach, boat
7lb 4oz John Oram, Desborough, diawl bach, boat
5lb 12oz Matt Tuck, Yelling, red cruncher, boat

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, gravel bar, lagoon
Boat - east arm, pylon point, down middle

Best Patterns
Olive fraser nymph, damsel, olive or brown hopper, red diawl bach/cruncher, grhe, bloodworm, tequila blob/booby.

Anglers fishing at the top of the wind are having most success with the water being much clearer here. Damsels continue to be the main food source with fish taking adults as well as nymphs. July and August are always the most difficult months of the year but as long as there is no prolonged heatwave the fishing should remain reasonable. Please take extra care when releasing fish into warm water. Boat and bank anglers should keep the fish in the net and not remove it from the water while unhooking. Barbless hooks make the process much easier.

Next Stocking: July 5th

June 19th - 25th

96 anglers caught 218 fish of which 157 fish were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 12oz Reg Hawes, Sandy, cruncher, boat
5lb 9oz Julian Laybourn, Lincs, damsel, boat
4lb 6oz Tony Gill, Lincs, s14 buzzer, boat

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, gravel bar, dam
Boat - pylon point, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, dry damsel, daddy, bloodworm, red cruncher/diawl Bach, tequila blob/booby.

Last weeks hot weather slowed the fishing markedly especially for bank anglers. A few boat anglers did well by fishing deeper down the middle. 5 anglers from Lincolnshire police fished on Thursday when the water was still very warm and did extremely well to catch 31 fish with Tony Gill winning easily with 18 fish. Alan Rennocks didn't let the hot weather deter him and caught a total of 38 fish in 3 boat trips. The cooler weather is finally helping the bank fishing with the first signs of life on Monday this week. Colin Ashpole 7, Paul Laundon 7 and Brian King 10 all did well with most fish taking dries. The continuing lower temperatures and a double stocking this week should keep sport lively.

Next Stocking: June 26th, 30th

June 12th - 18th

158 anglers caught 662 fish of which 529 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 4oz George Mason, Northampton, olive buzzer, boat
5lb 13oz Jack Munro, Crieff, blueflash damsel, boat
5lb 8oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, blue damsel
5lb 3oz Alan Rennocks, Kettering, pink apps, boat
5lb 2oz Alan Rennocks, Kettering, pink apps, boat

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

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, dry damsel, brown hopper, black or olive buzzer, red cruncher, pink/red apps.

Bank fishing has been very difficult in the heatwave with early morning giving the best chance. Boat anglers who fished the deeper water down the middle have kept the rod average up by either targeting the damsel feeders with nymphs or dries or fishing in the deeper, cooler water off Pylon Point with buzzers or apps on a long leader. On a very hot Sunday Matt Tuck caught 18 on black buzzers fished deep and slow and Alan Rennocks tempted 10 on pink apps or red cruncher while out in a morning boat. Water clarity remains good and a return to lower temperatures should help the bank fishing.

Next Stocking: TBA

June 5th - 11th

115 anglers caught 386 fish of which 254 were returned

Best Fish
7lb 1oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, diawl bach
4lb 14oz Peter Brown, Cambridge, damsel
4lb 2oz Bryan Swain, Brampton, diawl bach
4lb 6oz David Wood, Melton Mowbray, olive hopper
3lb 13oz Kevin Saxton, Nottingham, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, east arm, boat bay, lagoon
Boat - dam, pylon point, east arm, gravel bar

Best Patterns
Olive or brown hopper, red cruncher/diawl bach, olive cdc, damsel, fraser nymph, green diawl bach, red apps, tequila booby, white/olive snake.

Fewer anglers fished last week with the constant strong wind. Boats couldn't go out on Tuesday and Wednesday and even from the bank good presentation was difficult. Rod average dropped to 3.3 but should improve with calmer winds. Huge numbers of damsels hatching with fish taking both nymphs and adults. Despite the rough conditions the water remains clear. Best methods have included dries, floating line with a washing line or pulling lures near the surface.

Next Stocking: June 16th

May 29th - June 4th

187 anglers caught 707 fish of which 531 were returned

Best Fish
8lb 1oz Matt Tuck, Yelling, black buzzer, boat
7lb 10oz Steve Freeman, St Neots, fraser nymph
6lb 2oz John Oram, Desborough, boat
5lb 8oz Bob Pittman, Daventry, candy fab, boat
5lb 6oz Steve Freeman, St Neots, fraser nymph

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, dam, gravel bar
Boat - pylon point, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Damsel, fraser nymph, red cruncher/diawl bach, olive cdc, black or brown hopper, tequila/candy fab. Thurs, Frid, Sat were particularly difficult days with hot weather although the rest of the week produced good results for both bank and boat anglers. Plenty of fish taking damsels with an olive cdc working. Boat anglers fishing deeper down the middle have found fish easier to tempt than the surface feeders. If all else fails try pulling a tequila fab/booby or a snake across them! Prospects are better this week with cooler temperatures.

Scierra Pairs Heat
Sunday the 4th - 6 pairs caught 33 fish. The winners were England Youth team members Daniel Tranter and Ben Fox who caught their 12 fish limit at 1.40pm anchored off pylon point using Di5 sweep lines with two boobies and a nymph in between.

1. Daniel Tranter/Ben Fox 12 fish (1.40pm) 25lb 3oz + 6lb 8oz time bonus = 31lb 11oz
2. Scott Bowman/Mike Brassett 12 fish (4.48pm) 22lb 4oz
3. Shane Else/Jason Cooke 2 fish 5lb 12oz
4. Richard Winser/Phillips Dowsett 3 fish 5lb 8oz
5. Rosemary Gunn/Kevin Saxton 3 fish 4lb 14oz
6. David Winser/Walter Haddow 1 fish 1lb 12oz

Biggest Fish: Ben Fox 3lb 14oz and Shane Else 3lb 12oz

Next Stocking: June 9th

England Youth Team members, Ben Fox and Daniel Tranter (above), won Elinor's Scierra Pairs Heat.

May 22nd - 28th

176 anglers caught 555 fish of which 372 were returned

Best Fish
6lb 1oz Gerry Catania, Bedford, orane hopper, boat
5lb 9oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, boat
5lb 2oz Alan Calver, Oundle, boat
4lb 14oz Tim Davis, Taunton, G&H sedge, boat
4lb 12oz Mal Broughton, Grantham, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, gravel bar, boat bay, east arm
Boat - Most areas producing fish but over deeper water in hot weather

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, cruncher, red or black diawl bach, damsel, brown midas, olive or brown shipmans, white/green lures, black or white snake.

A more difficult week with the mini heat wave from Monday to Saturday although fishing is back on great form since bank holiday Monday with huge numbers of fish feeding on the surface taking damsels, buzzers and sedges in the evening. Boat anglers who used a long leader and buzzers fished slow or static over the deep water continued to catch. On a hot Friday Barrie Cowland managed 8 and Chris Holland 10 while many struggled and Matt Tuck caught 30 on deep buzzers anchored off pylon point on Saturday.

Upcoming Competitions
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: May 30th & June 2nd

Top 3 in the recent Tommy Wood Memorial Buzzer Match
L to R:  John Wildman 2nd, Pete Welch 1st, Steve Parker 3rd

May 15th - 21st

181 anglers caught 737 fish of which 522 were returned

Best Fish
8lb 8oz Michael Anderson, Kettering, black/green lure, boat
7lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, diawl bach
6lb 11oz Matt Tuck, Huntingdon, black buzzer
6lb 0oz Bob Senior, Stamford, olive buzzer, boat
5lb 12oz Steve Freeman, St Neots,
5lb 8oz Dudley Burrows, orange booby, boat
5lb 5oz John Wildman, Peterborough, black buzzer
5lb 2oz Adrian Green, boat
5lb 1oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, damsel
5lb 1oz Mr Mosser, black buzzer
5lb 0oz Derek Benamore, Finedon
5lb 0oz John Oram, Desborough, candy blob, boat

Tommy Wood Memorial Buzzer Match
Sunday May 21st - 8 anglers fished this roving bank match with anglers limited to floating line and buzzer imitations. 6 fish limit with no time bonus. All anglers caught with 23 fish being taken. The morning was bright and slow. Most fish were caught during the cloudier afternoon. A total of £243.00 was raised for Sue Ryder, Peterborough.
1. Pete Welch 6 fish 14lb 12oz
2. John Wildman 6 fish 13lb 6oz
3. Steve Parker 2 fish 5lb 12oz
4. Roger Bosence 3 fish 5lb 9oz
5. Matt Tuck 2 fish 4lb 3oz
6. Dave Hants 2 fish 4lb 1oz
7. Gordon Anthony 1 fish 1lb 14oz
8. Phil Wagstaff 1 fish 1lb 6oz

Upcoming Competitions
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: May 24th

Michael Anderson (above) from Kettering caught this lovely overwintered 8lb 8oz rainbow on his last cast!

May 8th - 14th

228 anglers caught 1065 fish of which 780 were returned.

Best Fish
9lb 5oz Liam Johnson, Higham Ferrers, damsel, boat
6lb 11oz John Lashbrooke, Corby, diawl bach
6lb 4oz Pete Welch, Boston, olive buzzer
6lb 0oz Mr Dickens, Northampton, green/white lure, boat
5lb 10oz Barry Chillingworth, Northampton, green/white, boat
5lb 5oz Voldermars Rumbas, boat
5lb 4oz Trevor Maycock, Northampton, damsel
5lb 3oz Derek Benamore, Finedon
5lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, black diawl bach
5lb 0oz Bob McCarthy, St Albans
4lb 14oz Roger Bosence, Corby

Best Areas
Bank - All areas producing fish
Boat - west arm, east arm, gravel bar, down middle

Best Patterns
Small damsel, olive or black buzzer, diawl bach, green cruncher, olive cdc, black or olive shipmans, apps bloodworm, green/white lures, tequila blob/booby.

Another week with big numbers of fish rising. On most mornings there were plenty of fish to cast at, the afternoons quieter then a good late evening rise. Spooned fish have been feeding on assorted sizes of black or green buzzers, pond olive nymphs/emergers, damsel and daphnia. On Tuesday evening there was the first of the mayfly hatch. Along the whole of the brookside bank there were more mayfly then I've ever seen at Elinor. Prospects for dry fly and imitative patterns remain excellent with great water clarity and milder temperatures.

Upcoming Competitions
May 21st Tommy Wood Memorial buzzer match (bank)
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: May 15th & 19th

May 1st - 7th

205 anglers caught 833 fish of which 541 were returned

Best Fish
7lb 8oz Greg Potts, Whittlesey, black buzzer, boat
6lb 3oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, diawl bach
6lb 1oz Mr Phillips, boat
6lb 0oz Matt Skinner, Rushden, boat
5lb 8oz Clive Trundle, Towcester, black snake, boat
5lb 2oz Richard Steels, Stanground, green/white lure, boat
5lb 0oz Al Steels, Stanground, olive buzzer, boat

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, shallow bay, dam, east arm
Boat - west arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Olive cruncher, grhe, olive or black buzzer, black or brown hopper, green/white lures, white snake, tequila blob/booby.

Another week with good numbers of fish feeding on the surface despite the cold N or NE wind. On cloudy days the fish are in range of the bank anglers with dries and washing line scoring. Boat fishing has been consistent with a variety of methods although most fish are being taken in the top 3 feet. Water remains very clear and there are large fly hatches including a few hawthorn along with pond olives, black or olive buzzers and alders.

Alex Booth Fly Fishers Bank Match
Sunday May 7th
15 anglers caught 33 fish
1. Kev Slater 6 fish 14lb 14oz (dries)
2. Roy Lewin 5 fish 9lb 15oz
3. Rob Dobson 3 fish 7lb 2oz
4. Mike Smith 3 fish 5lb 12oz
5. Ian Footman 2 fish 5lb 7oz

Kirby Fly Fishers Pairs Boat Match
Sunday May 7th
12 anglers caught 40 fish
1. Allan & Jimmy Pentney 12 fish 27lb 4oz (white snake)
2. Frank Parker & Russ Jackson 12 fish 23lb 12oz
3. Wayne Lewin & Jim Stiles 5 fish 12lb 11oz

Upcoming Competitions
May 21st Tommy Wood Memorial buzzer match (bank)
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: May 9th & 12th

April 24th - 30th

152 anglers caught 802 fish of which 565 were returned

Best Fish
8lb 4oz Ray Ward, Olney, damsel, boat
8lb 2oz Ray Ward, Olney, green/white lure, boat
6lb 4oz Russell Fletcher, Peterborough
6lb 3oz Russell Fletcher, Peterborough
6lb 0oz Mr O'Neil, boat
5lb 12oz Sean Gardner, Lowick, olive buzzer, boat
5lb 9oz Paul Gomez, Market Harborough, pitsford pea
5lb 6oz John Oram, Desborough
5lb 1oz Phil Musgrove, Sawtry
5lb 0oz Barry Chillingworth, Northampton, green/white lure, boat

Best Areas
Bank - olive cruncher, olive cruncher booby, hares ear booby, olive buzzer, black diawl bach, black cruncher, hoppers, shipmans, white/green lures.

Despite the cold winds there have been good numbers of surface feeders on most days. Dries or floater with a washing line are outfishing straight lined nymphs. Pond olives, olive buzzers and alders continue to be the main food source. The fish are packing on weight and fighting extremely hard. Numerous anglers were broken up last week. Fish are being taken from all areas of the lake.

Troutmasters 2017
Wednesday April 26th Troutmasters Fish-off. 6 anglers took part with the winner representing Elinor at the Draycote final. The match was fished 9am - 3pm to a six fish limit with a 2lb/hour time bonus. First to bag up was Iain Barr with 6 fish weighing 14lb 14oz before time bonus. Iain used a floater with tequila fab and olive cruncher.

1. Iain Barr 6 fish 24lb 6oz
2. Pete Welch 6 fish 19lb 6oz
3. Steve Johnson 6 fish 17lb 13oz
4. Paul Gomez 4 fish 12lb 4oz
5. Dave Miles 4 fish 6lb 4oz
6. Andrew Miles 2 fish 3lb 9oz

Upcoming Competitions
May 21st Tommy Wood Memorial buzzer match (bank)
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: May 2nd & 5th

April 17th - 23rd

242 anglers caught 1122 fish of which 742 were returned.

Best Fish
10lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle
8lb 2oz Ray Ward, Olney, green/white lure, boat
7lb 0oz Gundars Birzins, Corby, black/green lure, boat
6lb 10oz Ray Ward, Olney, green/white lure, boat
6lb 6oz Luke Mason, Glinton, black dry, boat
6lb 3oz Steve Freeman, St Neots, ptn
6lb 2oz Derek Coombs, St Ives, damsel, boat
6lb 2oz Ed Blain, boat
6lb 0oz Dave Thompson, boat
6lb 0oz Liam Johnson, Wellingborough, dry daddy, boat
5lb 15oz Les Cooke, black snake
5lb 14oz Pip Weatherley, Oundle, boat
5lb 8oz Mr McKaye, Dartford, damsel, boat
5lb 6oz Paul Laundon, Bedford, pink apps

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, shallow bay, brookside, dam
Boat - gravel bar, west arm, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, olive cruncher, grhe, small damsel, olive shipmans, white/green lure, pink apps, black snake

A busy week at Elinor with excellent fishing from the boats. Bank anglers had to work harder but had decent catches in good conditions. Lots of fish rising during the day as well as the evening with fish taking hatching buzzers, pond olives and alder fly. Dry flies are taking plenty of fish now along with washing line. The fish continue to be in sparkling condition with plenty of 4lb+ rainbows and 2lb+ overwintered browns being caught.

Competition Results
Saturday April 15th - British Float Tube Association
11 anglers caught 49 fish
1. Carl Ward 6 fish 15lb 14oz
2. Martin Mayers 6 fish 13lb 0oz
3. Ric Dunnett 6 fish 12lb 11oz
4. Andre Russell 6 fish 11lb 14oz
5. Steve Frakes 6 fish 10lb 9oz

Sunday April 23rd - Manor Farm Fly Fishers (boat)
5 anglers took 22 fish
1. Mick Tracey 6 fish 15lb 12oz (best fish 4lb 15oz)
2. David Durrant 6 fish 15lb 7oz (best fish 4lb 10oz)
3. Steve Morey 6 fish 11lb 11oz
4. Hiroshi 2 fish 4lb 6oz
5. Stuart Walsh 2 fish 3lb 9oz

Sunday April 23rd - Fly Dressers Guild Spring Bank Competition
19 anglers caught 75 fish
Top bag Chris Reeves 12 fish 33lb 14oz
Biggest Fish 5lb 15oz Les Cooke
Top Team of 3 - Surrey branch with 27 fish

Competitions
May 21st Tommy Wood Memorial buzzer match (bank)
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: April 26th

April 10th - 16th

182 anglers caught 970 fish of which 745 were returned.

Best Fish
12lb 8oz Gary Martin, Corby, red apps, boat
7lb 6oz Steve Freeman, St Neots, black buzzer
6lb 8oz John Lashbrooke, Corby, green tadpole
6lb 6oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, hares ear, boat
6lb 6oz Mark Waring, Alconbury Weston
6lb 5oz Ray Ward, Olney, damsel, boat
6lb 2oz Mark Waring, Alconbury Weston
5lb 9oz Dudley Burrows, boat
5lb 8oz Steve Blackburn, Kings Lynn, olive cdc, boat
5lb 6oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, yellow marauder, boat
5lb 3oz Bob Beardsley, Kettering, black buzzer, boat
5lb 2oz Ray Ward, Olney, green/white lure, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, brookside, gravel bar, boat bay
Boat - gravel bar, west arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Olive or black buzzer, red or green cruncher, grhe, olive or hares ear cdc, small damsel, pink apps, white/green lures, tequila fab/blob.

Fish are feeding heavily on olive buzzers especially during the morning and late evening. In good fishing conditions there are many more fish feeding on the surface with washing line and dries catching well along with straight lined buzzers. Alder fly are present in good numbers. Usually the Elinor trout ignore them. This season the fish are taking them, particularly browns. A hares ear cdc has worked well. Fish that are being caught deeper have been feeding on immature damsels as well as buzzer pupae.

Competitions
May 21st Tommy Wood Memorial buzzer match (bank)
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: April 19th & 21st

April 3rd - 9th

205 anglers caught 1357 fish of which 1056 were returned.

Best Fish
7lb 4oz Mike Creamer, Oakley, green nymph
6lb 2oz Steve Lane, Holbeach, black buzzer, boat
5lb 8oz Clive Trundle, Towcester, boat
5lb 3oz Ken Nicholls, Farcet, black/green lure, boat
5lb 2oz Derek Benamore, Finedon
5lb 1oz Steve Parker, Burton Latimer, green buzzer, boat
5lb 0oz Steve Lane, Holbeach, black buzzer, boat

Best Areas
Bank - All areas producing fish depending on wind direction.
Boat - west arm, gravel bar, boat bay, dam

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, small damsel, diawl bach, tequila blob/booby, white/green or black/green lures.

A superb week for boat anglers using buzzer imitations either straight lined, washing line or with a bung. Good bags were taken all over the lake with boats well spread on most days. Anglers have mainly been using assorted variations of black buzzers although over the last three days there have been big hatches of olive buzzers. Bank anglers have been more dependant on weather conditions with good catches on cloudy days or when there is not too much wind. The evening rise is happening most nights especially along the lodge bank after 7.30pm with fish coming up to hatching and adult midges. Not easy fishing but great fun.

Competitions
May 21st Tommy Wood Memorial buzzer match (bank)
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: April 14th & 19th

March 27th - April 2nd

191 anglers caught 1092 fish of which 829 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 6oz Brian Carter, Peterborough, red cruncher
5lb 14oz Graham Stone, Norwich, black buzzer
5lb 8oz Matt Allen, boat
5lb 5oz Jason Cooke, Roade, black buzzer, boat
5lb 4oz Pip Weatherington, Oundle, boat
5lb 4oz Mick Tracey, Bedford, boat

Best Areas
Bank - All areas producing fish
Boat - Gravel bar, west arm, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Black buzzer, olive buzzer, bloodworm, red diawl bach, small damsel, tequila fab/blob/booby, white/green or black/green mini lures.

When weather conditions were good there was some superb buzzer fishing at Elinor last week. Boat anglers on Sunday had a field day with Jason Cooke/Shane Else catching 46, Alan Rennocks/Pete Welch 45, Barry Read 21 along with many other good catches. A team of buzzers on a floater fished slowly has been the best method although during the afternoon some fish have moved up in the water and its worth switching the point fly to a booby or fab. Spooned fish are crammed full of buzzers of all sizes as well as a few immature damsels and daphnia. Between 7pm and dark there are good numbers of fish rising if the wind drops with anglers taking fish on shipmans and cdc buzzers. Fish are well spread with bank anglers now finding fish on the coarse bank as well as the usual hotspots.

Competitions
May 21st Tommy Wood Memorial buzzer match (bank)
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: April 4th & 10th

Trevor Partridge, Corby, caught and released this 13lb 7oz rainbow using a black/green lure from a boat.

Ivor Fisher, Peterborough, caught and released this 10lb 8oz rainbow on a black buzzer from a boat.

March 20th - 26th

128 anglers caught 477 fish of which 324 were returned

Best Fish
10lb 2oz Walter Kemp, Chatteris, cats whisker, boat
9lb 7oz Steve Freeman, St Neots
7lb 8oz Mal Broughton, Grantham, boat
6lb 0oz Mr Rubus, boat

Best Areas
Bank - most areas holding fish
Boat - gravel bar, east arm, west arm, dam

Best Patterns
Black buzzer, diawl bach, grhe, small damsel, white/green lures, tequila blob.

Elinor is fishing very well on days with lighter winds although it's been much more difficult when the wind blows. The buzzer fishing has really got started this week with large hatches of black buzzers of all sizes. A good number of fish are rising in the evenings although during the day fish are mainly being caught 4-6 foot down. Water clarity remains excellent and along with the forecast mild temperatures there should be some great nymph fishing over the next few weeks.

Competitions
May 21st Tommy Wood Memorial buzzer match (bank)
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: March 30th & April 4th

March 13th - 19th

167 anglers caught 678 fish of which 551 were returned

Best Fish
10lb 1oz Bob Beardsley, Kettering, black minky, boat
8lb 0oz John Nelson, boat
7lb 0oz George Brock, Corby, damsel
6lb 10oz Steve Freeman, St Neots, black buzzer
6lb 2oz Brian Carter, Peterborough
6lb 1oz Jim Nixon, kettering
6lb 0oz Adam Stone, Bedford, montana
5lb 12oz Pete Welch, Boston, green/white lure
5lb 12oz Ray Ward, Olney, bloodworm, boat
5lb 10oz Mick Moseley, Rushden, bloodworm, boat
5lb 8oz Barry Cowland, Peterborough, boat

Norman Shippey Memorial Trophy
On March 19th, 11 members of Invicta Fly Fishers held an informal bank match for the Norman Shippey Memorial Trophy. A very windy day made for challenging conditions although all anglers managed to catch. A total of 56 fish were landed.
1. Alan Briggs 11 fish
2. David Moore 7 fish
3. Gary Howe 7 fish

Elinor is fishing very well on days with lighter winds although it's been much more difficult when the wind blows. The buzzer fishing has really got started this week with large hatches of black buzzers of all sizes. A good number of fish are rising in the evenings although during the day fish are mainly being caught 4-6 foot down. Water clarity remains excellent and along with the forecast mild temperatures there should be some great nymph fishing over the next few weeks.

Competitions
May 21st Tommy Wood Memorial buzzer match (bank)
June 4th Scierra Pairs heat (boat)
November 12th Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather (bank & boat)

Next Stocking: March 30th & April 4th

March 6th - 12th

207 anglers caught 1156 fish of which 978 were returned.

Best Fish
16lb 9oz Brian Carter, Peterborough, red diawl bach
13lb 7oz Trevor Partridge, Corby, black/green lure, boat
10lb 8oz Ivor Fisher, Peterborough, black buzzer, boat
8lb 2oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, cats whisker, boat
6lb 10oz Ray Ward, Olney, damsel, boat
6lb 8oz Derek Benamore, Finedon
6lb 2oz Jason Cooke, Roade, boat
6lb 0oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, cats whisker, boat

Best Areas
Bank - brookside, dam, goodfellow bay
Boat - dam, west arm, gravel bar

Best Patterns
Small damsel, bloodworm, montana, cats whisker, tequila blob, black buzzer, diawl bach.

Overall an excellent week with a 5.58 rod average. Success was very dependant on weather conditions with the best fishing coming on days with a lighter wind. On bright windy days the fishing was tricky in the clear water although plenty of fish were caught later in the day when the wind dropped for the anglers who stayed later. The daily rod average varied between just under 2 to over 7. Nymphs are scoring well now. Two of the three doubles caught last week were taken on small nymphs. Fish are mostly coming at 3-4 foot down although boat anglers continue to take some fish deeper. A few fish are rising in the evening taking medium sized black buzzers. Good numbers of 4lb+ fish coming out every day. All the fish are in sparkling condition. Next report will be sent on Tuesday March 28th.

Next Stocking: March 15th

Feb 27th - March 5th

121 anglers caught 573 fish of which 425 were returned.

Best Fish
Rainbow
7lb 0oz Roger Goodliffe, Spalding, white/green lure
6lb 4oz Dave Sparrow, Aldwincle, white minkie, boat
Brown
8lb 5oz Zydennas Vaicius, Peterborough
8lb 4oz Mr Wadsworth, Daventry, cats whisker, boat
7lb 3oz Mr Marshall, Rushden, pitsford pea, boat

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, brookside, shallow bay, lagoon
Boat - dam end, gravel bar, west arm

Best Patterns
Small black/green or white/green lures, damsel, orange or sunburst blob, candy fab, black buzzer, black diawl bach, bloodworm, grhe.

Another windy week but a good 4.7 rod average. On most days the afternoon fished much better than mornings, especially for bank anglers. Boat anglers have had unusually good sport for early March using nymphs fished deep and slow. Water clarity remains excellent so bright, windy conditions have kept the fish further from the bank. Fish are well spread with only the coarse bank and east arm not holding good numbers of fish.

Next Stocking: March 7th, 16th.

Feb 20th - 26th

140 anglers caught 648 fish of which 522 were returned.

Best Fish
14lb 10oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, pitsford pea
13lb 15oz Mathew Castle, Wilbarston, sunburst blob, boat
8lb 0oz Mr Parsler, black/green lure
7lb 5oz Mick Moseley, Rushden, white/green lure, boat
7lb 1oz John Lashbrooke, Corby, white tadpole
+ a further 23 fish over 5lb

Best Areas
Bank - lagoon, brookside, dam, boat bay
Boat - dam, west arm

Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green lures, damsel, bloodworm, orange or sunburst blob, black buzzer, grhe.

Although the fishing didn't reach last weeks crazy 8 fish per rod, Elinor still had a good week averaging 4.6 despite the stormy conditions. The day after storm Doris on Friday the water had a minor amount of colour from the turbulence so the fishing was harder. However the lake is now very clear again and is ready to fish superbly when we get some decent fishing conditions. Boat and bank equally good although bank fishing slightly better on windy days. Both lures and nymphs are working with most fish being taken 3-5 foot down. On milder days buzzers are certainly worth using. On Sunday, Alan Rennocks, took a boat to the shelter of the West arm and caught 26 fish using a floating line and two size 12 skinny buzzer imitations.

Next Stocking: Feb 28th

Mathew Castle - superb Rainbow of 13lb 15oz

Feb 13th - 19th

212 anglers caught 1686 fish of which 1391 were returned

Best Fish
10lb 1oz Clive Trundle, Towcester, pitsford pea
9lb 3oz Roger Carlton, Market Harborough, green/white lure
8lb 14oz Steve Cracknell, St Neots, hothead damsel
7lb 2oz Andy Lowther, Spalding
6lb 8oz Al Steels, Peterborough, olive buzzer
6lb 6oz Andy Burgess, Peterborough, boat
6lb 4oz Keith Whittingham, St Neots, boat
6lb 4oz Darren Blackshaw, Blatherwycke, red cruncher
6lb 2oz Paul Mortimer, Thrapston, black buzzer
6lb 0oz Mark Waring, Alconbury Weston
Brown 5lb 5oz Paul Laundon, Milton Keynes, white/green lure

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, brookside, gravel bar, shallow bay, lagoon
Boat - dam end, gravel bar, brookside bay

Best Patterns
White/green or black/green lures, orange blob, damsel, bloodworm, hares ear, black or olive buzzer, red cruncher/diawl bach.

A record breaking week at Elinor with an amazing 1686 fish caught including numerous 4lb+ specimens. Boat and bank anglers having great sport. Lures are still working but each day plenty of fishing coming to nymphs with decent hatches of small buzzers on milder days. Most fish are being caught 3-5 foot down with a slow retrieve although some boats have caught decent bags fishing nearer the bottom. Water clarity remains excellent with some good buzzer fishing in prospect for the next few weeks. Spooned fish have been feeding well on hoglouse, small buzzers and daphnia along with a few caddis.

Next Stocking: Feb 22nd & 28th

Clive Trundle from Towcester caught & released this 10lb 1oz rainbow using a pitsford pea from the lodge bank.

Steve Cracknell, St Neots, c&r this 8lb 14oz rainbow on a hothead damsel from the lodge bank.

Steve Cullen, Rugby, with a quality Elinor rainbow caught from the dam on a chewing gum worm pattern.

February 11th & 12th

46 anglers caught 503 fish of which 449 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 2oz Jurgis Mikalauskas, Peterborough, pitsford pea
5lb 12oz Phil Rennocks, Kettering, candy fab
5lb 9oz Tim Wadwell, Northampton, bloodworm
5lb 8oz Norman Sketchley, Leicester
5lb 2oz Barry Read, Northampton, black buzzer
5lb 0oz Mr Curtis, Burton Latimer

Best Areas
Bank - dam, brookside
Boat - dam

Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green lures, goldhead damsel, tequila blob, bloodworm.

Awful wet and cold weather but fantastic fishing! Only 46 anglers came out to play over the opening weekend but they were rewarded with an amazing 10.9 rod average. Most anglers fished the bank using floaters or slow intermediates with weighted lures. Water clarity remains excellent and along with the preseason stocking of 1600 fish a further stocking will take place this week. Lures taking most fish although a few anglers have caught on buzzers.

Next Stocking: Feb 16th

Opening weekend, February 11th & 12th

Elinor opens for the 2017 season on Saturday February 11th at 7am.

With no flooding this winter the water clarity is superb. On calmer days this week there have been good numbers of fish rising to small buzzers.

Generally the lodge end of the lake fishes best at this time of year with bank angling more productive than from a boat.

The usual early season flies such as black/green or white/green lures always work well although with the incredibly clear water the over wintered fish may well fall to more imitative nymphs such as bloodworm, hares ear and black buzzer.

The preseason stocking of over 1600 fish were silver bars with good numbers of 3lb+ fish and some big fish up to 11lb 8oz.

Although its going to be a cold weekend there is not too much wind and prospects are excellent for a good start.

I hope you enjoy a memorable season.

Ed.