Cooler water revives the sport …
*Please note – our landline number is currently being diverted to the Duty Bailiff ‘phone due to damage suffered to cabling in the office as a result of the lightning strike. If you are ringing to book in please be patient, leave a message with the Duty Bailiff that includes your name and contact number and we will book you in as usual. Many thanks for your patience and co-operation while we resolve this problem.
Occasionally, the weather and atmospheric conditions play havoc with our sport and we have much to complain about! However this past week has seen things change in our favour as cooling water temperatures revived activity in and around the reservoir for anglers and trout alike.
Plenty of trout are now actively chasing coarse fry and are responding extremely well to coarse fry imitations with Cat’s Whisker, white Taddy, minkies (black working particularly well in coloured water), floating fry and boobies all popular and effective choices when fished on a slow sinking line or midge tip. Boats and bank anglers have caught well in all areas during the past week.
Noteworthy returns this week include for Season Permit holder Mr. Paul Walker with 15 fish from the banks on various patterns including mallard & claret, Invicta and Cat’s Whisker ; Season Permit holder Mr. Bill Scarlett returned 9 fish from the banks ; visiting rods Messrs. Page & Bailey recorded a boat total of 16 fish between them with white humungus being their pattern of choice ; visiting rod Mr. E. Ponder returned 11 fish and his companion Mr. M. Cope recorded a total of 18 fish, all safely released after being tempted by Diawl Bach, Hare’s Ear and blobs and visiting rod Mr. Moore who recorded 14 fish caught on patterns including floating fry and Cormorant.
With the fishery open until 30th November there is still plenty of time left to join in the Loyalty Card scheme – each time you pay for a boat or permit your card can be stamped (one stamp per visit) and when you have a line of 5 stamps you can choose from either a free 4 hour permit or 4 hour boat. Please ask for further details if you would like a card.
Don’t forget to enter our monthly prize draw for a chance to win a 4 hour boat ticket or a 4 hour permit – simply submit your return after fishing to be entered into the draw (don’t forget to include a ‘phone number when buying day tickets). Our next draw will take place on 31st October.
Lucky draw winners for September are Mr. David Morris and Mr. Newey – congratulations to both!
Finally this week we are very sorry to share the news that former Blithfield Permit holder Mr. Tony Ward has passed away at the age of 92. Tony was a Member at Blithfield for over 50 years, fishing with his father as a young man and then latterly with his devoted wife Shirley by his side. Many anglers will remember him as a formidable but affable angler, passionate about his sport both at Blithfield and on the salmon beats of Scotland. Tony’s funeral has been arranged for Friday 11th October 3pm at Stafford Crematorium. Tixall Road Stafford ST18 0XZ and all are welcome to pay their respects. We send our sincere condolences to Tony’s wife and to all of their family.
Favourable conditions with cooler nights and overcast skies are predicted for the week ahead and with water temperatures now below 15̊ C and water levels high.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
For the latest returns and information on best areas and flies to use see the full report on our website –
https://blithfield-anglers.co.uk/angling-report
The rod average is 3.46