10/10 perfect week. Fishing on fire. Dry Fly Heaven!
The past few days have seen the most memorable fishing we’ve had in our time at Chatton. The rises have to be seen to be believed. Saturday afternoon, in particular, may live in many peoples memories, but there have been moments on most afternoons that would get most anglers blood flowing. It has been something else and the fish haven’t been too cautious, taking static imitations very freely for some incredible catches. The key instigator has been the thing anglers dread most – bright sunshine. As soon as the sun injected some warmth, the beetles soon followed and it was carnage. ‘Bright and Breezy, Never Easy’ has never been a bigger lie than this past week.
In general, it has been a hard shelled brown Heather Beetle causing the stir. For hook size, the natural is about 0.5cm, but anglers have been catching plenty on hooks as big as Size 16. And if that wasn’t enough, we now have another dry flyers dream moment – the first Hawthorns of the season were seen on Friday. Pack a few beetles and black dries would be the advice. The forecast would suggest it is more of the same upcoming.
The more recent stock fish have been taking brighter coloured flies freely, either fished on intermediates or under an indicator, especially on the windward banks. The dry fly risers have mostly been sharp finned residents, with some incredible specimens coming out and plenty of line being stripped off reels. Afternoons have been the prime time for dries, so mix your tactics up as the fish tell you. Small Diawl Bachs, PTNs and Buzzers are getting clattered either side of the rises, so every method is in the game. Add to all of this its been lovely weather to be outside and you can see why its been a 10/10 week.
Four very special mentions go to Michael Lambert, Jed Emery, Keith Burn and Marlowe Parker, who all caught their first ever fish on fly. Very well done to all of you and welcome to the club. It was great to see your faces. Marlowe was in a lesson with Stuart Ingledew Fly Fishing and landed an incredible 12 fish at the ripe old age of 12, including an overwintered specimen of 4lb using a small beetle. His 4hrs included a lot of casting practice without hooks and Stuart says he will definitely be an outstanding fisherman very quickly. He couldn’t believe it was his first ever attempt at fishing. Well done Marlowe – we are certain we will see you soon! What a day.
Now take a look at these catches below – its not a bad sign when people are losing count. The problem with so many fish getting caught is the list of flies would be endless, hence ‘Various’ – but the general gist is dry flies and small nymphs for the bulk of the big catches.
Ryan Matthews – 25+ – Various
Dean Appleby – 25+ – Various
Stuart Ingledew Fly Fishing – 25+ – Beetles
Jordan Firby- 25+ – Various
Carl Nixon – 25+ – Various
David Parker – 25+ – Various
Barry Nicholson- 25+ – Dries
Glenn Appleby – 25+ – Various
James Stephenson 25+ – Various
Tristan Lincoln – 25+ – Various
Craig Crompton – 25+ – Various
Mickey Bell – 20 – Dries
John Barnes – 19 – All sorts
Alistair Douglas – 19 – Dries
Zack Scott – 16 – Dries/Lures
Michael Airey – 15 – Dries/Buzzers
Gary Scott – 15 – Buzzers
Tiddles – 14 – Dries and Buzzers
Dean Hedley – 14 – Beetle
John Pringle – 13 – Daddies/Beetles
Joe Hall – 13 – Dries
Marlowe Parker – 12 – Beetles/Snakes/Slushies
John Nicholson – 12 – Green Eggs
Steve McMorn – 10 – Lures
Bob Black – 10 – CDC
Tiddles spectacular 6lb Brown Trout caught on a beetle off Chatton Lake dam wall was perhaps the best looking fish of the week and gave a brilliant fight. Owen Palmer also had a brownie estimated at 7lb on a beetle. Superb angling one and all.
On what was probably the worst day of the week fishing wise, we welcomed the Chatton Cadence Codgers, who had another cracking day disposing of 26 Cheeseburgers and a boatload of sweet stuff – in between catching plenty of fish. It was another very sociable day in great company. Thank you and see you again in May.
Lake Closures Saturday, 2nd May
Ross Lake and Dunnydeer will be CLOSED to Day Ticket anglers this coming Saturday as we are hosting the Final of the Big One Competition. Chatton Lake and Reddis Bait Lake will be open to day tickets as usual. Good luck to all participants who are fishing for one of the biggest prizes in fly fishing.
Wednesday Night Club
Discounted evening ticket back for the summer! Starting 29th April! Full details in ‘Noticeboard’ below. £15 ticket MUST be bought between 5pm and 6pm and you can fish to closing time whenever that is (9pm at present).
Free Cheeseburger or Bacon Sarnie
First person that correctly names the bird species sat on top of the yellow gorse in the photos wins a cheeseburger on their next visit. Not the clearest when zoomed in, but thats the challenge. Put your guess in the comments section in our associated facebook post. We will announce the winner so keep guessing until it is finalised. No cash alternative available – just a bit of fun obviously.
Fishing Forecast
Another pearler. Warm and sunny to start with changing to more cloudy from the weekend with lovely light westerlies. Expect another week of very special dry fly fishing. Maybe an occasional shower between brighter spells but overall as good as it gets for fly fishing.
First Cast – 8.30am.
Last Cast – 9.00pm every day. Except Saturday, which is always 5.00pm.
Predicted Fly Box
Beetles (Size 16 and Smaller), Black Hoppers, CDCs, Shipmans, Buzzers in Black/Green, Black Bunny Leech, Cormorants, Diawl Bachs, White Snakes (5cm).
See you all soon!
David and Gemma
———> NOTICEBOARD <——–
CHATTON LAKES WEDDING VENUE AND CARAVAN PARK – New Website!
We have recently launched our new Chatton Lakes Caravan Park and Wedding Venue website www.chattonlakes.co.uk
Looking for a special and unique wedding venue in rural Northumberland? Why not have your big day in the stunning surrounds of Chatton Lakes? Click for a nosey on the Weddings page.
We have 11 Hardstanding Caravan and Motorhome pitches available to book from 1st April to 30th September. You can now check availability and book directly through the Caravan Park page.
Fly Fishing Lessons
All tackle and permit included. 365 days a year. Fully licensed coach available 7 days a week. Booking essential. Suitable for complete beginners, those wanting to catch more fish or know more about the hotspots. Have a look at the website.
Enquire by email: stuart@cadencefishing.co.uk or via website www.siff.uk
WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLUB
Wednesday Night Club is back! Starting Wednesday, 29th April. Discounted evening ticket based on the following rules:
– £15 catch and release only ticket.
– MUST be purchased between 5pm and 6pm
– Wednesdays only
– No booking required
– Stop fishing at designated closing time at the time (presently 9pm)
THE BIG ONE – Competition
Grand Final: 2nd May.
Final lake closure for the foreseeable. Both Ross Lake and Dunnydeer will be CLOSED to day ticket anglers on this day only. Chatton Lake and Reddis Bait Lake will be open to day tickets as usual.
Spring Opening Times
From 1st March, the lodge will be open 8.30am to 2.00pm every day. We will be serving food and drink during these hours. Day tickets also available to buy during these times. Fishing will remain open until the stated times.
Please keep an eye out in the Events section of our facebook page and future reports.