The water levels are high and the water temperatures still fairly low, which is great news for the trout.

I have left the grass and surroundings to grow a little this season to encourage the natural life to flourish, particuarly on the far bank. I have cut in a path all of the way round to make access easy.

I have also been strategically planting a large variety of new trees to help harbour increased fly life.

The last few days have seen some great hatches late evening, with trout seemingly striking all over the lake.

The tiger trout have been moving well with plenty caught this week, including four in a morning to David Woods, well done David.

There are only a few weeks left of the season now, and its prime time for some exciting dry fly fishing.

Being at the lake early morning and late evening, there have been a LOT of fish moving, definately the times to be there to get amongst them.

The trout are definately spending a lot more time in the upper layers, so its most likely time to put away the sinking lines and lures, and try the buzzers and emerging patterns instead.

As stated earlier in my posts, evening tickets are now available for just £15.

Essential requirements are barbless hooks, but other important items to remember are strong leaders, forceps, a good net and an unhooking tool if you struggle with reach.

Having a look at anglers catching has shown increased levels of fish care, which means everyone will benifit.

Valid from 5pm, cost will be £15, and will have a 2 retained and 2 returned limit, or as most customers opt for, a 4 fish catch and return limit.

With the evenings drawing out and good hatches coming, its time to get the dry flies out!

Now the evenings are drawing out, its well worth trying to catch the evening rise for some good sport on the dry fly

The trout are a delicate fish that need to be handle correctly to ensure their enjoyment for eveyone.

It has come to my attention lately that some anglers have not been handling their catch with the due care needed.
This must stop immeadiately.

Wherever possible, if you are not retaining your catch, please unhook your barbless hook carefully whilst the fish is still in the water.
I understand that some anglers may find this tricky, so I ask is that you please unhook them as carefully as possible. I have chatted with most members about this already.

In coarse fishing, where every fish is catch and release, most venues insist on an unhooking mat for your catch. For serious carp venues, ourselves included in the summer months, fish protection is of the highest importance on any rule list. We (and many others) supply superior unhooking mats and fish care kits for our customers to use.

I may be running off on a tangent here, but just want to ensure our fish are well looked and fighting fit for every angler to enjoy.

If anyone requires help with methods of unhooking, please dont be afraid to ask, I am here to help.
I also have unhooking tools available to buy should anyone wish to purchase one.

Tom

As many of you know, I am a very keen big carp angler, and spend a lot of time researching them. Much of the otter related material relates to them, but the otters will eat all fish, in our case, the trout you are fishing for!

e-petition http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/27441

the korda website http://www.korda.co.uk/news/?id=139

Carpforum discussion http://www.carpforum.co.uk/Shared/Messages.asp?TopicID=285774&ReadAll=1

Over the last week or so the fishing has been a little harder than I expected it to be. The lake has a very good stocking density currently.
I beleive the slightly slower fishing is due to the presence of otters in the westerly corner.
They appear to have been coming in during the cover of darkness, and worn ‘slides’ are evident into the main lake.

The presence of a vicious predator such an otter can really spook the fish, hence the fishing being difficult.
I am onto the problem though, and hope to have their presence eradicated by the early part of the coming week. Lets hope they stay away.

Being someone who appreciates nature, I understand that it is no fault of the otter that it has come here to Churn Pool to hunt. Indeed,when it came across our oily fish rich waters, it must have felt like it had hit the jackpot!
Otters are a lovely creature, but personally I beleive they have no place in todays mainstream countryside environment, especially in their protected status.

Many fisheries and livelyhoods across the country have already been wiped out by them and the problems they cause will only worsen. In the Devon/Cornwall area, the fishing has been decimated by otters, such a sad sign of the times.
Here on the Cotswold Water Park, many fisheries have also been affected, with a few totally wiped out.

At Churn Pool, our fencing system on the far bank has kept them out up until now. I am planning to fence the remainder on the western bank to keep them out.
It may be slightly unsightly for a time, but I would rather have a fence and fish, than no fence than no fish.

Patterns such as Cats Whiskers and Apse Bloodworm are taking the lions share of the fish, but a couple have now been caught on dries also.