Sounding like a stuck record – fishing continues to be excellent! New closing time.
While conditions have generally been a little cooler and the breeze has kyboshed the mega rises on some days, the fishing remains top grade, no matter what the conditions. The only way to put it is the fish seem very peckish and game to try anything. Pulled lures and indicators are getting more than their share but dry flies and nymphs are still way ahead on the catch returns.
Hawthorn fly season is getting into full swing and we are still getting any amount of beetle drops. Even on the cooler, breezier days, you can still find rising fish on the sheltered banks. You don’t need to wait till the hatches appear – the fish are keyed into both flies.
Fish seem very well spread over all three lakes with every bank populated.
WELCOME ALLAN!
Some of you may have already met Allan Goodwill (see photo above!) – a regular angler at Chatton who is now on manoeuvres in the Lodge at weekends. A big welcome and thank you to Allan, who has already got his first nerve-wracking shift completed very well, after arriving from Lapland following a busy winter.
CLOSING TIME
Due to the extra daylight, closing time is now 10pm. This extends the value of the Wednesday Night Club ticket even further – see details in Noticeboard below if you fancy 5hrs catch & release for £15.
LITTER
As many will have already seen on facebook, we’ve had issues with litter being left last week – one day in particular on Reddis Bait Lake. It is arrogant and entitled and won’t be tolerated. If anyone thinks it is ok to leave for someone else to pick up, you will be asked to leave the fishery and not to come back. We don’t want anyone who thinks this is ok fishing at Chatton.
We understand folk may occasionally drop something out a pocket accidentally, but this was beyond accidental and will be acted upon in future.
WEEKLY CATCHES
It has been another week dominated by dries and nymphs, with junior super-duo Zack Scott and Jack Woods setting everything rolling with an incredible 52 fish between them over two short sessions on surface flied. Top performance lads.
Large catches continue over most days, with nearly all anglers catching and the proportion of overwintered fish now getting caught compared to stock fish on the dries is very high.
David Parker – 25 – Various
Anthony Foggin – 25 – Beetles
John Pringle- 20+ – Nothing Fly
E Hancock – 17 – Lures
N Todd – 15 – Damsels & Beetles
M Airey – 15 – Buzzers
G Scott – 15 – Buzzers
Richard Barnes – 15 – Beetles & Top Hats
Alec Harvey – 13 – Snakes & Cheese Minnow
Johnny Reader – 12 – Hawthorn & Nothing Fly
Andy Hopper – 12 – Dries & Lures
Julian Bales – 12 – Pheasant Tail Nymph
Alastair Dougles – 12 – Black Gnats
Brian Scrowther – 11 – Nymphs
Barry Purcell – 11 – Hawthorn
Lee Rankin – 10 – Hawthorn & Top Hats
Fishing Forecast
Yet another decent one for fly fishing. The weekend especially looks good, with gentle westerlies and good overheads. Dry fly should be good even though the temperatures are still a bit cool for the time of year. Tomorrow and Friday generally decent, if a little breezy. After the weekend, temperatures might go up a few degrees.
With a little recent rain greening things up, the fishery is looking stunning after its weekly trim and more good fishing is expected. You truly are missing out if you haven’t been recently, as many anglers will tell you.
First Cast – 8.30am.
Last Cast – 10.00pm every day. Except Saturday, which is always 5.00pm.
Predicted Fly Box
Nothing Fly, 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 <——–
WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLUB
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 10pm)
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 or those just wanting to catch more fish. Have a look at the website.
Enquire by email: stuart@cadencefishing.co.uk or via website www.siff.uk
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.
Please keep an eye out in the Events section of our facebook page and future reports.