The bank fishing at Foremark reservoir is superb early season and I got to sample some for myself this morning. I have been fishing Foremark sice it first opened, in those days with my Dad usually for an evening ticket after school. The fishing has varied over the years but the current management have a good stocking policy which reaps dividends in the spring. It was a spring day as the early morning mist burnt off to reveal gorgeous weather although perhaps a little bright when I packed up around 1130 ish.
I was the first angler round to Sunblest Bay and after starting off on a floating line and buzzers I soon managed to match the hatch with a black tadpole on an intermediate line (thanks Mick). This fly is a little out of vogue now but I have always found it a good early pattern. The fish were as usual in great condition and you have to go a long way to find harder fighting trout. I would recommend the bank fishing up until the end of May when it starts to get a bit tough.
These fish were taken on my old Shakespeare Sigma rod which is now over 25 years old and has banked many trout. The line will positively wizz through your fingers when one of these fish take. I had intended to take a stockie for my dinner but the fish are above average size at the moment and the one in the fridge is a good 2.5lbs.As I was walking back to the car I took the shot below of Flamingo Bay. This is now a very popular spot when the reservoir first opens as you can see from the knitting match. These guys were all fishing into a flat calm and I'm sure would pick up the odd fish. There was a slight breeze into the opposite bank but only one angler and I saw him take a couple in the time it took me to walk round the bay.
In the late 70's this bay was alive with fish through the season and a good evening rise was almost guaranteed. The fishing has changed significantly over the years with a lot of the bank fishing now closed. The Ticknall bank used to be a favourite spot of mine but now there is no fishing on this bank.
In the late 70's this bay was alive with fish through the season and a good evening rise was almost guaranteed. The fishing has changed significantly over the years with a lot of the bank fishing now closed. The Ticknall bank used to be a favourite spot of mine but now there is no fishing on this bank.
However, for those wanting some early season sport with tip top fish you cannot go far wrong at the moment.
Nice blog Dave
ReplyDeletePerhaps you can join us for some small river barbel fishing on the Erewash this summer or maybe go for the bigger ones at Elvaston with me and our kid, all free fishing to you of course.
Nice to see a variety of fishing as fly blogs are becoming a bit common and repetitive nowdays.
Mick
Thanks Mick, you were dead right about holding onto the rod, I'd forgotten how hard Ifor's fish pull.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Dave.
PS forgot to say thanks for the kind offer of fishing Mick. I'd love to have a bash on the Erewash hopefully we'll be able to sort something out.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Dave.
I've really enjoyed reading through your blog, Dave. But I think it's your posts about Foremark that have interested me the most. It was here where I first started fishing with my father, he would take me for the odd evening out on a boat after he came back from work - which sounds very similar to how you started fishing it. It's made me a little reminiscent and nostalgic. Well done!
ReplyDelete