Churn Pool Fishery

I am glad to report that the lake is now pretty much fully defrosted!

Brave anglers Mac Lowe and Colin Stuart braved the icy conditions yesterday, catching two and four fish respectively in a short space of time.

Well done guys.

While on ice smashing duties this afternoon, a group of trout were turning and flashing in the disturbed water right underneath my feet!

Finding it hard to resist, I snuck out this little beauty on an apse bloodworm fished right under the tip!

It just goes to show just how close the trout come in and how they feed.
Before going to get a rod, I was watching two Tigers physically digging at the bottom of the lake, clouding the water up, feeding aggresively.

Unfortunately, due to the extreme cold temperatures, we are fully iced over.
I will update on here when we become fishable again.

If you would like to check with me before travelling out, feel free to contact me on
07817 703 641
or
tom@churnpool.co.uk

Tom

A very cold start to this morning, at opening time it was -4!
A cold, crisp and beautiful morning though has seen a few brave souls on the bank, I shall let you know how they got on later!

As we head into 2012, we are preparing for a busy and prolific few months.
Traditionally, January, February and March always offer superb sport for our customers who are brave enough to venture out into the cold conditions.
The lake is currently very well stocked and the trout are feeding well, with most anglers having good sport.
The trout we stock with are fighting fit, and I beleive the best fish we have ever had.

Unfortunately its ‘that’ time of year again and subscriptions are due for our season members, both new and returning. For payments, please see me at the lake or drop me line on 07817 703 641 to arrange payment.

All the best for the new year
Tom

As we head towards a new year, the time leading up to it should be pretty exciting for anyone without work, Xmas shopping or decorating commitments. We have a fresh batch of over 200 trout due w/c 19th December and if the water stays ice-free, some great winter fishing conditions should await us.

For those wishing to carry a Season Ticket through next year, we should have details and a ticket price available by 21st December so check the ‘Trout Fishing’ section of this site for full details. Needless to say, you won’t be restricted by the number of visits allowed as per the rules of many fisheries in the area. In fact, many of our season ticket holders save over £400 as opposed to buying Day Tickets alone. We don’t think anyone offers the same value, friendliness and endless cups of tea. Not only that, but (weather permitting) we will be open every day over the holiday season including Christmas day.

A stormy week accounted for a low volume of fishermen on the bank for much of the week, buy with more settled weather on Friday, it was good to see some nice fish starting to show. The last few days have seen the usual Cat’s, Damsels and Diawl Bachs do well, often in quite slim form. The fish have ranged from 1.5 to 4.5 lbs. We also look forward to a delivery of around 200 fish towards the end of the month.

<- Mike Waring with his 4lb 6oz catch

The Tiger captured by Dan Jeans ->

Unfortunately, there appeared to be a large increase in stray line and flies (below) left around the fishery and carpark recently. Dropping line is easy to do, but so is securing it in your pocket. Lets tighten things up and maintain a clean fishery.

The resident fish had some new neighbours on Tuesday in the form of a smashing delivery of Rainbows, Tigers and Brown Trout. George Peck has been lucky enough to land a 3lb tiger trout already. Phil Martland also managed a 3lb 14oz rainbow. While Saturday proved hard going, but rewarding in the end, Sunday really came alive, especially towards the afternoon with a load of missed fish and many on the bank. Most were caught on the cats whisker within a few feet of the surface. Well done to all.

The fish are quite aware of people on the bank so fishing where you wouldn’t usually and trying new methods could be the way forward for a successful day, but new tactics often take practice. There are plenty of fish in the margins so do patrol the banks, keeping low and presenting carefully. As usual, Damsels and Cats Whiskers have done well. I suspect a team consisting of a PTN, Hares Ear and Diawl Bach in whatever combo you choose) could have good results. I’ll give it a shot this weekend and report back. Tippet material is also an important factor. If it’s not too windy, 8lb Stroft gives remarkable presentation.

Last but certainly not least, Churn Pool member, Trevor Marsch secured top spot in the recent Cheltenham & Gloucester Fly Dressers Guild tying competition, tying an Invicta that put all others to shame. Top man.

With the strong winds from the east starting to ease, the westerly blasts were a bit more drafty than we’d ask for, but welcome anyway. We saw a drop in catch rates through the week, but that all changed at the weekend with a good few fish lost and a few on the bank including tigers and browns caught tight to the margins. Rainbows were found further out on Diawl Bachs. Favoured fly patterns were the Cats Whisker, Damsel Nimph and Apps Bloodworm fished within a a few feet of the surface on floating lines.

We have another delivery of fine fish due mid-week to keep you busy so start tying those flies or pop in to your local shop.

Burford & Bath - Orvis

Cirencester – D & J Sports

South Cerney – Tackle Den

The past week has seen a lot of action for many on small lures at all depths and areas of the fishery. John Harrison brought four fish to the bank mid-week at an estimated 13lbs between them leaving the rest to catch up, which Alan Christopher promptly did towards the end of the week. Not happy with such a thrashing by John, Mike Waring pulled out one after the other during a rematch on Saturday morning which saw fish everywhere until just after noon. Damsels again proved to be an absolute killer with rainbows shooting up from the deep water and fighting hard. It was nice to see the odd blue trout make an appeanace too.

So what’s worth a look apart from Damsels? The Cats Whisker is still doing well along with size 12 Montana and PTN patterns. Buzzers have been reported in despatched fish, but the buzzer fishing is certainly harder than in previous months, especially with so may fly in the water. The Silver Butcher could also be a good option.

The next few days offer little variation in weather conditions apart from being brighter on Sunday so the fishing should stay constatant.

Sunday Update…

I managaed a swift hour on the bank before anyone dropped in on Sunday morning. With nine lost and one on the bank, I had a great time, but it was pretty nippy. The rest of the moring was slow, but the afternoon soon picked up with a few fish rising and most being taken on Cats & Damsels. My thoughts of the Silver Butcher (or my presentation of the fly) didn’t work out as well as planned. The afternoon brought a bend in the rod for most and it was great to see a decent rise towards the evening. Not missing a trick, Rich Waller whipped out a hopper and landed a couple of rainbows and a brownie. Great work!