Welcome to our Elinor Trout Fishery Reports for 2019 ...
To view any particular months report, please just click on that month you wish to read shown below.

February         March         April          May         June         July         August         September         October         November         December

December 9th - 15th

43 anglers caught 108 fish of which 91 were returned.

Best Areas
Bank - lagoon, shallow bay, gravel bar, boat bay, brookside
Boat - dam, gravel bar

Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green lures, white minkie, red apps, hares ear, black buzzer, black cruncher, tequila fab/blob.

Last week started off well but unfortunately there has been further flooding on Friday and the fishing has slowed right down now the water is coloured. Prospects are not good for the rest of this week. Hopefully clearer water will see things improve next week. Last day of the season is December 31st. Season permit holders only can bank fish during January.
The 2020 season starts on Saturday February 8th.

The Perfect Christmas Gift
Fishing ticket vouchers make a great gift. I can supply anything from a half day permit to a full season permit. Please email me your requirements and they will be posted you. Payment can be made when you receive the vouchers. Last day of the season is December 31st. Season permit holders only can bank fish during January. The 2020 season starts on Saturday February 8th.

Forthcoming C&R Match Competition 
Christmas Holiday Competition
On Saturday December 28th, between 9am - 3.30pm Mark Haycock is running a Christmas Holiday competition. £35.00 entry fee includes your fishing permit. (Discount for season ticket anglers). Barbless or debarbed flies for this catch & release match. Anglers will be pegged and move every 30mins so they fish the whole match length. Limited to the first 50 anglers that enter. Payment in advance to secure your place please via PayPal (using friends & family option) to elinorTF@aol.com. Otherwise email me for bank details.

Next Stocking: December 19th

December 2nd - 8th

101 anglers caught 441 fish of which 340 were returned.

Best Fish
9lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, white snake
6lb 10oz John Parker, Cambridge, white apache
5lb 8oz Mal Broughton, Grantham, boat
5lb 5oz Pete Welch, Boston, white/green fritz
5lb 2oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, bloodworm
5lb 2oz David Robus, Wellingborough
5lb 0oz Doug Scott, Northampton, bloodworm

Best Areas
Bank - lagoon, shallow bay, gravel bar, boat bay, brookside
Boat - dam, gravel bar

Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green lures, white minkie, red apps, hares ear, black buzzer, black cruncher, tequila fab/blob.

Water clarity continues to slowly improve and the rod average rose to 4.3 with some quality fish caught including a number of blues. Bank anglers are generally taking the best bags. On Friday, Colin Ashpole took 15 from shallow bay on bloodworm and hares ear. Nigel Cheetham caught 16 on Saturday from four different bank areas (creek, east arm, brookside point, dam) using a floater with fabs or white/green mini lures. Alan Rennocks caught 14 from shallow bay on a tequila fab with red diawl bach. Also on Saturday, Peter Skelton’s party had four boats. 9 anglers caught 32 fish with the best fish a 5lber.

The Perfect Christmas Gift
Fishing ticket vouchers make a great gift. I can supply anything from a half day permit to a full season permit. Please email me your requirements and they will be posted you. Payment can be made when you receive the vouchers. Last day of the season is December 31st. Season permit holders only can bank fish during January. The 2020 season starts on Saturday February 8th.

Forthcoming C&R Match Competition 
Christmas Holiday Competition
On Saturday December 28th, between 9am - 3.30pm Mark Haycock is running a Christmas Holiday competition. £35.00 entry fee includes your fishing permit. (Discount for season ticket anglers). Barbless or debarbed flies for this catch & release match. Anglers will be pegged and move every 30mins so they fish the whole match length. Limited to the first 50 anglers that enter. Payment in advance to secure your place please via PayPal (using friends & family option) to elinorTF@aol.com. Otherwise email me for bank details.

Next Stocking: December 19th

November 25th - December 1st

72 anglers caught 279 fish of which 235 were returned

Best Fish
5lb 2oz Ray Ward, Olney, black/orange lure, boat
5lb 2oz Mick Moseley, Rushden
5lb 1oz Mark Burdett, Thornby, boat
5lb 0oz Terry Barley, Wellingborough

Best Areas
Bank - lagoon, shallow bay, gravel bar, boat bay, dam, brookside point
Boat - dam, gravel bar

Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green lures, red apps, hares ear, black buzzer, black or natural cruncher.

Elinor is fishing much better now. Rod average rose to 3.8 from 1.2 two weeks ago. Water clarity is around 12 inches and improving daily. Along with usual late season lures anglers are catching well on nymphs such as buzzers, hares ear and cruncher. The fish are in sparkling condition with most areas producing. Boat and bank equally good. With at least two more stockings before the end of the month it’s definitely worth a trip in December. Last day of the season is December 31st. Season permit holders only can bank fish during January. The final pike fishing weekend was generally slow with just a few jacks caught. However on Saturday 30th Mark Simmonds and boat partner managed a 16lb and 13lb fish.

Forthcoming C&R Match Competition 
Christmas Holiday Competition
On Saturday December 28th, between 9am - 3.30pm Mark Haycock is running a Christmas Holiday competition. £35.00 entry fee includes your fishing permit. Barbless or debarbed flies for this catch & release match. Anglers will be pegged and move every 30mins so they fish the whole match length. Limited to the first 50 anglers that enter. Payment in advance to secure your place please via PayPal (using friends & family option) to elinorTF@aol.com

Next Stocking: December 3rd

November 18th - 24th

84 anglers caught 108 fish of which 62 were returned.

Best Fish
7lb 1oz Matt Skinner, Rushden, black snake, boat
6lb 3oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, white/green lure, boat
6lb 3oz Gary Martin, Corby, black/green tadpole, boat
5lb 4oz Jeff Newman, Melbourne, red apps
5lb 0oz Matt Skinner, Rushden, black snake

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, brookside point
Boat - dam, east arm

Best Patterns
Black snake, black/green lure, white/green lure, bloodworm, black buzzer.

Last week started off with limited water clarity and consequently catches were slow. There was definitely an improvement at the weekend as visibility improved to 6-8 inches and slowly getting better daily. On Sunday most anglers managed two to four fish with the top angler managing 9 using an indicator with a bloodworm and black buzzer. Some excellent quality fish are being landed and Elinor will soon be back on form.

Forthcoming C&R Match Competition 
Christmas Holiday Competition
On Saturday December 28th, between 9am - 3.30pm Mark Haycock is running a Christmas Holiday competition. £35.00 entry fee includes your fishing permit. Barbless or debarbed flies for this catch & release match. Anglers will be pegged and move every 30mins so they fish the whole match length. Limited to the first 50 anglers that enter. Payment in advance to secure your place please via PayPal (using friends & family option) to elinorTF@aol.com

Next Stocking: TBA

November 11th - 17th

44 anglers caught 50 fish of which 36 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 5oz Paul Mortimer, Thrapston, red apps
5lb 8oz John Parker, Cambridge, white snake

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay, brookside point
Boat - dam, east arm

Best Patterns
Black snake, black cruncher, humungus, white/green lure, bloodworm.

Please be aware that the water at Elinor is badly coloured after yet more rain last Thursday. Fishing is likely to be extremely difficult this week. The forecast weather is much better for the next few days so clarity will gradually improve.

Next Stocking: November 20th

November 4th - 10th

166 anglers caught 473 fish of which 319 were returned

Best Fish
7lb 8oz Jordan Spolton, Kettering, orange fritz lure
6lb 2oz Ken Nicholls, Farcet, black bunny leech
5lb 10oz Matt Collerson, Desborough, diawl bach
5lb 1oz Roy Brown, Rushden, black tadpole, boat
5lb 1oz Jason Spolton, Kettering, fritz damsel

Best Areas
Bank - dam, boat bay
Boat - dam, shallow bay, east arm

Best Patterns
Black snake, black/silver humungus, black cruncher, diawl bach, red apps.

Last week started brilliantly with quality fish caught from both bank and boat. Alan Rennocks had 3 trips from the bank catching 9, 12 and 15 using washing line or red apps from many areas of the lake. Unfortunately since Thursday the torrential rain coloured the water and the fishing has been much harder with limited visibility. The next couple of days are bound to be difficult but things should improve as we reach the end of the week.

Half day day tickets are now valid 7am until 2pm or midday until dark.

Invicta Fly Fishers
On Saturday the 9th of November, 9 members of Invicta Fly Fishers held their fur & feather. Conditions were awful with the water badly coloured from heavy rain on the preceding two days. Only 12 fish were caught.

•  Alan Briggs was the star with 4 fish on a white snake.
•  Gary How took 3 on black snakes.


Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
On Sunday the 10th of November 10th, Elinor held the Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather. Despite the coloured water there was a fantastic turnout of 47 anglers who caught 77 fish for a 1.6 rod average.

1. Andrius Papeika, boat, 6 fish 11lb 14oz (Black Snake on a slow glass)
2. Roger Adams, boat, 5 fish 10lb 9oz
3. Vince Sparrow, bank, 5 fish 7lb 13oz
4. Barry Chillingworth, boat, 3 fish 7lb 10oz
5. Mark Malyon, boat, 4 fish 7lb 3oz
6. Geoff Alsop, bank, 2 fish 6lb 7oz
7. Richard Slater, bank 3 fish 6lb 5oz
8. Steve Harris, boat, 2 fish 5lb 13oz
9. Phil Harris, boat, 3 fish 5lb 6oz
10. Albert Coales, bank, 2 fish 4lb 13oz
•  Biggest fish - 4lb 4oz Geoff Alsop

The raffle raised a brilliant £529.00. Local company, Scott Bader from Wollaston near Wellingborough, have made a superb gesture to double the amount raised. £1058.00 will be equally shared by Northants Air Ambulance and The British Heart Foundation. Many thanks for everyone’s generosity. There were 64 raffle prizes donated!

Pike Fishing
Elinor will be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike from boats. Always check to see if we have had any cancellations for days marked "fully booked".
November 16th fully booked
November 17th fully booked
November 30th 2 boats available
December 1st fully booked

•  Six boats are available for each day.
•  7.30am until dark.
•  Lures or sea deadbaits only. Payment in advance to secure booking.
•  Single angler boat £27.50
•  Two anglers in a boat £45.00
•  Bookngs/further info by email or telephone 01832 720786

Next Stocking: TBA

Competitors for the 2019 Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather match.

October 28th - November 3rd

128 anglers caught 407 fish of which 273 were returned

Best Fish
8lb 5oz Mike Bownes, Wilsthorpe, black buzzer
6lb 12oz Nigel Cheetham, Thrapston, cormorant, boat
5lb 14oz Simon Harris, Nuneaton, black cruncher
5lb 0oz Paul Mortimer, Thrapston, black uv cruncher

Best Areas
Bank - Brookside, gravel bar, dam
Boat - All areas producing fish

Best Patterns
White/green or black/green lures, black cruncher, black/red buzzer, minkie, black or white snake, bloodworm.

Despite the high water level and some colour last week Elinor had a rod average of over 3 with conditions improving daily. Boat and bank anglers are enjoying equally good sport. Lures are scoring early morning but washing line with a booby and buzzers/crunchers best in the warmest part of the day in the top two foot of water. Unlike the backend of the season last year when the majority of fish were at the lodge end, this November fish are coming from all parts of the lake. Numerous fish of 2lb 8oz + are showing. Prospects for the F&F on Sunday are excellent. Half day day tickets are now valid 7am until 2pm or midday until dark.

Thornton Fly Fishers
On Sunday November 3rd, Thornton Fly Fishers held a club bank competition 9am until 3pm with no time bonus. 13 anglers took 46 fish + a further 10 returned.
1. Ray Jordan 6 fish 13lb 7oz
2. Dave Leavesley 6 fish 12lb 6oz
3. Richard Dayman 6 fish 12lb 1oz
4. Tony Smith 4 fish 11lb 3oz
5. John Kirk 5 fish 10lb 10oz
Biggest fish 4lb 6oz by Mick Norman

Pike Fishing
Elinor will be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike from boats. November 16th & 17th and November 30th & December 1st. Six boats available each day. 7.30am until dark. Lures or sea deadbaits only. Payment in advance to secure booking. Single angler boat £27.50. Two anglers in a boat £45.00. Bookings/further info by email or telephone 01832 720786.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; November 8th

October 21st - 27th

138 anglers caught 492 fish of which 388 were returned.

Best Fish
10lb 2oz Brian Cooper, Great Linford, white/green minkie, boat
7lb 14oz Mick Moseley, Rushden, black snake, boat
7lb 8oz Pete Lehrer, Cambridge, diawl bach
7lb 3oz Jurgis Mikalauskas, Peterborough, hares ear, boat
5lb 12oz Brian Cooper, Great Linford, cat’s whisker, boat
5lb 2oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, boat
5lb 2oz Gary Martin, Corby, black/green lure, boat

Pike Fishing
Elinor will be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike from boats. November 16th & 17th and November 30th & December 1st. Six boats available each day. 7.30am until dark. Lures or sea deadbaits only. Payment in advance to secure booking. Single angler boat £27.50. Two anglers in a boat £45.00. Bookings/further info by email or telephone 01832 720786.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; November 8th

Brian Cooper from Great Linford caught and released this 10lb 2oz rainbow on a white/green minkie.

October 14th - 20th

129 anglers caught 302 fish of which 170 were returned.

Best Fish
8lb 4oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, white minkie
14 other fish over 4lb

Best Areas
Bank - All areas producing fish
Boat - All areas producing fish

Best Patterns
Black snake, black/green lure, white/green lure, humongous, black hopper, black cruncher, black buzzer, wet daddy, hares ear.

Coloured water that hampered catches last week is clearing quickly and Elinor is fishing much better again with smaller flies coming into their own. Bank anglers have no need to wade with fish being caught just a few yards out. Boat anglers continue to catch down the middle. Black patterns are best although some of the better fish are taking white or white/green lures. Nearly all the he fish are being caught in the top 2 foot on floating or intermediate lines.

Despite poor water clarity at the weekend there were some notable catches: Andrius and Tomas caught 12 & 9 from their boat on Saturday using snakes, blobs and apps. Boris managed 9 from the bank of which 3 were over 4lb. On Sunday John and Darren Oram took 11 & 9 fish on black snakes/floating line.

Half day day tickets are now valid 7am until 2pm or midday until dark. No report next week. Please phone the lodge for latest info with our next update to be on the 5th of November.

Pike Fishing
Elinor will be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike from boats. November 16th & 17th and November 30th & December 1st. Six boats available each day. 7.30am until dark. Lures or sea deadbaits only. Payment in advance to secure booking. Single angler boat £27.50. Two anglers in a boat £45.00. Bookings/further info by email or telephone 01832 720786.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; October 24th & November 1st

October 7th - 13th

128 anglers caught 443 fish of which 318 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 3oz Ralph Grace, Higham Ferrers, orange blob, boat
5lb 4oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, black snake, boat
4lb 12oz Mathew O’Key, Earls Barton, black/green lure
4lb 12oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, white snake, boat

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, lagoon, east arm, dam (in a north wind)
Boat - look for clearest water, top of wind best

Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green lures, black hopper, black buzzer, black snake.

Last week saw a decent rod average of almost 3.5. Unfortunately there has been lots of rain on Sunday then all through the night on Monday. Water has plenty of colour. Since Tuesday 15th the boat fishing has been poor although bank anglers are finding fish in the margins. Best method has been a floater with anything black. Also a few fish on white/green lures. Search for the clearest water, generally at the top of the wind. The water level has started to drop but clarity is unlikely to be great for the rest of this week.

Pike Fishing
Elinor will be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike from boats. November 16th & 17th and November 30th & December 1st. Six boats available each day. 7.30am until dark. Lures or sea deadbaits only. Payment in advance to secure booking. Single angler boat £27.50. Two anglers in a boat £45.00. Bookings/further info by email or telephone 01832 720786.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; October 18th

September 30th - October 6th

126 anglers caught 311 fish of which 244 were returned.

Best Fish
7lb 2oz Danny Tolton, Kettering, pitsford pea, boat
6lb 12oz Dave Miles, Wellingborough, red cruncher, boat
5lb 9oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, white/green lure, boat
5lb 6oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, white snake, boat
5lb 6oz Jim Davis, Luton, foam daddy

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, brookside, boat bay, dam (in a north wind)
Boat - most areas producing fish

Best Patterns
Wet or dry daddy, black hopper, red cruncher, small black shipmans, hares ear, black/green lure, candy booby, white/black snake.

Another wet week with many anglers only fishing a few hours. Luckily there has been no further flooding and the water although at a high level is clearing quickly. A rod average of 2.4 is not as good as I expect in October but it’s pleasing that fish are being caught from most areas of the lake. Despite the rain there are only a few daddies on the water but anglers continue to catch on wet and dry imitations.

Pike Fishing
Elinor will be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike from boats. November 16th & 17th and November 30th & December 1st. Six boats available each day. 7.30am until dark. Lures or sea deadbaits only. Payment in advance to secure booking. Single angler boat £27.50. Two anglers in a boat £45.00. Bookings/further info by email or telephone 01832 720786.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; October 11th

Danny Tolton from Kettering caught and released the biggest fish last week. This 7lb 2oz rainbow was taken on a floating line and small Pitsford Pea.

September 23rd - 29th

108 anglers caught 347 fish of which 261 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 9oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, red apps, boat
5lb 8oz Ray Ward, Olney, black buzzer, boat
5lb 3oz Reg Hawes, Sandy, daddy, boat
5lb 2oz Derek Benamore, Finedon

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, brookside, boat bay, dam (in a north wind)
Boat - most areas holding fish

Best Patterns
Wet or dry daddy, black hopper, black buzzer, red or black cruncher, black/green lures, white/black/pink snake.

A reasonable week with a rod average of 3.2. Plenty of surface activity over most of the lake during cloudy conditions. Good numbers of daddies hatching with anglers catching on both wet and dry imitations. Water temperate has dropped to 14.9C. Heavy rain this week has brought the level up just over a foot. There is a slight tinge of colour which will drop out quickly. Tuesday this week fished exceptionally well despite the clarity with all 11 anglers who braved the dire forecast catching between 2 and 13 fish. Today was harder with sun all day but there still 3 anglers who managed there 6 fish limit and a number of 3's, 4's and 5's.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; October 4th

September 16th - 22nd

136 anglers caught 404 fish of which 276 were returned.

Best Fish
7lb 2oz Ray Ward, Olney, black buzzer, boat
6lb 9oz Ray Ward, Olney, black buzzer, boat
6lb 8oz Chris Selby, Yaxley, pink snake
6lb 0oz Bob Senior, Stamford, daddy, boat
5lb 12oz George Lyall, Oakham, black buzzer, boat
5lb 7oz Ray Ward, Olney, black buzzer, boat
5lb 6oz Steve Freeman, St Neots, pheasant tail, boat
5lb 2oz Mick Tracey, Bedford, orange fab, boat

Best Areas
Bank - brookside, east arm, boat bay, dam
Boat - well spread down the middle

Best Patterns
Back buzzer, red cruncher, black hopper, black spider, dry or wet daddy, white/green lures, pink or black snake.

During bright sunshine the fishing was tricky, especially from the bank. Boat anglers continued to catch if they fished 2 - 4 foot down with a floater/midgetip with a washing line set up or an intermediate with lures. When there is cloud cover there are plenty of fish rising to hatching buzzers. Fish are well spread with most areas producing apart from the West arm.
The rain this week should allow some daddies to hatch. There continues to be a good number of 4lb+ fish caught.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; September 27th

September 9th - 15th

167 anglers caught 456 fish of which 341 were returned.

Best Fish
9lb 12oz Brian Coe, Kettering, black/green lure, boat
6lb 8oz Nigel Cheetham, Thrapston, pheasant tail, boat
6lb 7oz Simon King, Finedon, cat’s whisker, boat
5lb 7oz Steve Johnson, Raunds, black/white buzzer, boat
5lb 3oz Mick Moseley, Rushden, hothead damsel, boat
5lb 1oz Mike Bownes, Wilsthorpe
5lb 0oz Simon King, Finedon, cat’s whisker, boat

Best Areas
Bank - boat bay, east arm, dam, coarse bank
Boat - well spread down the middle

Best Patterns
Black buzzer, black cruncher, daddy, black hopper, white/green lure, black/white/pink snake

The start of last week continued to be difficult but there has been a marked improvement since Friday with some particularly good boat bags at the weekend. Fish are widely dispersed for both bank and boat anglers. Bank sport improvement was mainly limited to cloudy conditions but the boats are taking fish in all weather. Buzzers on a floater or snakes on an intermediate were the wildly differing top methods. Now the damsel hatch has finished the main food source is black buzzers. On warmer days fish have been taking dock beetles blown onto the water. The ground has been too solid to allow many daddies to hatch yet. The cooler water has seen the fish fighting extremely hard again and there continues to be good numbers of 4lb+ specimens showing.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; September 20th

September 2nd - 8th

112 anglers caught 218 fish of which 158 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 2oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, black buzzer, boat
6lb 0oz David Lawson, Kempston, orange sedge pupa
5lb 1oz Matt Tuck, Yelling, white/green lure, boat
4lb 12oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, pink snake, boat
4lb 9oz Tim Green, St Albans, black hopper, boat
4lb 8oz Nigel Cheetham, Thrapston, black snake, boat

Best Areas
Bank - fish well spread
Boat - pylon point, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Black & red buzzer, red apps, black cruncher, hares ear, black hopper, foam daddy, white/green lure, black/green lure, black/white/pink snake.

A rod average of almost 2 last week was very disappointing. I’m at a loss to explain why. Water temperature has dropped to 15.6C so Elinor should be fishing much better. On a positive note the fish are spread over the whole lake again and there are good numbers of 4lb+ fish as well as some nice browns being caught. Mornings are particularly slow, afternoons are better, evening fishing generally best. Good hatches of black buzzers from 11am onwards. Despite only 60 fish taken away last week there is another good stocking going in on Friday. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Elinor is full of fish and will switch on anytime!

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; September 13th

August 26th - September 1st

95 anglers caught 298 fish of which 227 were returned.

Best Fish
7lb 2oz Steve Lane, Spalding, white/green lure, boat
6lb 3oz Mitch Brown, Northampton, red diawl bach
5lb 6oz Mitch Brown, Northampton, foam daddy
5lb 0oz George Lyall, Oakham, grhe, boat
Brown 6lb 2oz Mitch Brown, Northampton, foam daddy

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, coarse bank
Boat - pylon point, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Black & red buzzer, red apps, black cruncher, black hopper, foam daddy, white/green lure, black/white/pink snake.

Monday and Tuesday were quiet as the mini heatwave continued. However there was an improvement in catches towards the end of the week so that the rod average was a respectable 3.1. Lower night temperatures have helped the water drop to 18.5C today. Weed beds are starting to break up and water clarity continues to improve. Fishing should get better each week from now on. Most of the damsels have now hatched with buzzers being the main food source along with snails and daphnia. The best catches have generally been from 10.30am onwards. Although there are decent numbers of fish rising the best boat bags have come to anglers fishing buzzers or lures fished 6-8 foot down.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; September 6th

August 19th - 25th

116 anglers caught 324 fish of which 255 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 1oz Paul Mortimer, Thrapston, black buzzer, boat
4lb 14oz Jim Grayson, Coventry, black shipmans, boat
4lb 8oz Phil Musgrove, Sawtry, damsel

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, coarse bank
Boat - pylon point, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Black & red buzzer, red apps, black cruncher, black hopper, white/green lure, black snake.

At the start of the week there was a decent improvement in catches. When wind direction allowed, bank anglers caught well in the east arm. The heatwave over the bank holiday weekend was bound to slow bank sport although boat anglers did remarkably well if they were prepared to fish deeper in the cooler water. Nigel Cheetham caught 16 on Saturday using a fab with two heavy black/red buzzers giving them plenty of time to sink. On Sunday, regulars Andrius and Tomas shared 22 fish to their boat using a mixture of blobs and snakes. Gary Ashman landed 8 on deep buzzers. Today Andy Coleman landed 6 by lunchtime-using mainly buzzers. It looks as we’ll have lower temperatures towards the end of this week.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th. £25.00 entry fee (£5.00 for season ticket holders) includes fishing fees. Same price for bank or boat anglers. Please book boats in advance. 9am - 3pm
6 fish limit then 2lb an hour time bonus. Prizes for top 10. Proceeds from the raffle will be shared between the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

Next Stocking; August 29th & September 6th

August 12th - 18th

90 anglers caught 201 fish of which 137 were returned.

Best Fish
4lb 11oz Peter Jenkins, Ashford, black diawl bach, boat
4lb 3oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, black snake, boat
4lb 2oz Philip Slane, Old Weston, black hopper

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, coarse bank
Boat - pylon point, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Black hopper, daddy, small black buzzer, black/red cruncher, white/green lures, black/white/pink snake.

Water temperature has now dropped to 18C which is excellent for August. The algae is subsiding with clarity improving each day. Last week’s rod average was just over two so hard fishing for most anglers. Washing line with small black buzzers on the dropper has been the best method closely followed by snakes on a slow intermediate. Dry black hopper has been best for bank anglers. The fishing is sure to improve within the next couple of weeks as the fish come out of their summer inactivity. Plenty of work filling potholes has been completed on the track down to the lake.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; August 23rd

August 5th - 11th

74 anglers caught 185 fish of which 156 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 13oz Trevor Maycock, Northampton, Griffiths sparkle gnat
5lb 8oz Steve Freeman, St Neots, red diawl bach, boat
5lb 3oz Stephen Pope, Luton, black hopper, boat

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, coarse bank, gravel bar
Boat - pylon point, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Black hopper, red/black diawl bach, black buzzer, bloodworm, foam daddy, tequila fab/blob, black/white/olive snake.

The strong winds at the weekend kept rod numbers lower. However the wind and rain has helped to cool the water further. At midday today at 2 foot down the temperature is 18.9C. This is lower than usual for mid August and should see the fish switching back on much earlier this season rather than last year when things didn’t improve until late September. Damsels continue to hatch in good numbers. It’s also pleasing to see the return of some buzzer hatches especially during the evening. Elinor has continued to stock during the summer and has built up a good head of fish. For example, last week’s anglers took away only 29 fish and Thursday saw a stocking of 233 rainbows.

Please take extra care when returning fish, especially during the summer. Leave the fish in the net while still in the water and remove the fly without touching or gripping the fish.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; August 23rd

July 29th - August 4th

118 anglers caught 284 fish of which 201 were returned.

Best Fish
7lb 11oz Alan Rennocks, Kettering, uv cruncher, boat
4lb 14oz Mal Broughton, Grantham, black diawl bach, boat
4lb 12oz Tony Courtney, Northampton, black suspender buzzer
4lb 8oz Alan Calver, Oundle, black buzzer, boat

Best Areas
Bank - brookside, east arm, coarse bank
Boat - pylon point, down middle, dam end in a north wind

Best Patterns
Red or black diawl bach/cruncher, foam daddy, black hopper, damsel nymph, candy booby, black or olive snake.

Another tricky week which is usual for July/August. Lots of fish continue to feed on damsels but they are difficult to tempt when concentrating on the adults. A foam daddy or muddler/booby pulled across them has been successful. Barring another heatwave the fishing should improve later on this month as the water has a chance to cool during the longer nights. For bank fishing in particular you stand a much better chance on a day with cloud cover.

Please take extra care when returning fish. Leave the fish in the net while still in the water and remove the fly without touching or gripping the fish. Although there is some algae there is plenty of clearer water to fish at the top of the wind. Water temperature is at a reasonable 20.2C.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; August 8th

July 22nd - 28th

58 anglers caught 164 fish of which 135 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 6oz Nigel Cheetham, Thrapston, black buzzer, boat

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, east arm
Boat - pylon point, down middle

Best Patterns
Red or black diawl bach, red apps, damsel, black/red buzzer, olive snake.

Monday to Friday last week saw few anglers fishing in the heatwave. Those that did found the fish very reluctant to feed. Water temperature on Thursday peaked at 24.6C. The cooler conditions over the weekend switched the fish back on the feed quicker than I expected. On Saturday Paul Mortimer and Roly Stanford shared a catch of 14 fish to their boat using bloodworm, buzzer and redhead diawl bach. Keith Chapman landed 7. From the bank David Lawson caught 6 from the coarse bank on diawl bachs. On a wet Sunday there were also some good boat catches:

• Lazloe Boden 18 fish on a silver muddler and red diawl bach.
• Alan Rennocks 16 fish on a candy booby and black diawl bach.
• Mike Edwards 8 fish on assorted diawls.

Please take extra care when returning fish. Leave the fish in the net while still in the water and remove the fly without touching or gripping the fish. Although there is some algae there is plenty of clearer water to fish at the top of the wind. Water temperature at midday today has dropped to 20.9C

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; August 8th

July 15th - 21st

143 anglers caught 301 fish of which 248 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 2oz Steve Freeman, St Neots, black bits, boat
5lb 5oz Graham Dawson, Leicester, foam daddy

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, coarse bank, dam(in a north wind)
Boat - pylon point, entrance to east arm, down middle, dam(in a north wind)

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, dry damsel, damsel booby, red diawl bach, red cruncher, black/red buzzer, white snake, white/green lure

As expected the hot weather has made sport increasingly hard. Last week’s rod average of 2.1 is likely to be even lower this week. Mornings are your best chance before the water warms up too much. Don’t forget that boats are available to go out from 7am. Please take extra care when returning fish. Leave the fish in the net while still in the water and remove the fly without touching or gripping the fish. Best results have been to target the damsel feeders on the surface or fish at 6-10 foot down the middle where the water is cooler. Although there is some algae there is plenty of clearer water to fish at the top of the wind. Many thanks to the good number of anglers who are still visiting Elinor during the difficult conditions.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; July 26th

July 8th - 14th

154 anglers caught 530 fish of which 340 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 7oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, boat
6lb 6oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, black/red buzzer, boat

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, east arm, dam (in a north wind)
Boat - pylon point, down middle, dam (in a north wind)

Best Patterns
Red diawl bach, black/red buzzer, damsel nymph, dry blue damsel, daddy, olive hopper, white/green lure, tequila blob, black or white snake.

On first glance the rod average of 3.4 last week was good for mid July. However the results were helped by a few boat anglers catching good bags:

•  Nigel Cheetham, 24 fish, fab & buzzers, deep water off pylon
•  Andrius Papeika, 24, white snake or dry blue damsel, anchored off dam
•  Alan Rennocks, 15 bloodworm, red diawl
•  Steve Loveridge 15 candy booby, red diawl
•  Chris Redhead, 14, deep buzzers
•  Ian McGregor, 14, size16 red head diawl
•  Matt Collerson, 14, dry damsel, sedge, red diawl

Bank fish in particular was hard with 2 or 3 fish a good score. Plenty of boat anglers also struggled but everyday last week there were a few boats who cracked the method.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; July 26th

July 1st - 7th

161 anglers caught 467 fish of which 355 were returned.

Best Fish
7lb 0oz Mr Lamont, boat
6lb 7oz Luke Key, Market Harborough, foam daddy, float tube
6lb 3oz Jurgis Mikalauskas, Peterborough, damsel, boat
6lb 1oz Steve Johnson, Raunds, black/white buzzer, boat
5lb 12oz Derek Coombs, St Ives, green cruncher, boat
5lb 10oz George Lyall, Oakham, boat
5lb 4oz Keith Chapman, Cambs, white/green lure, boat
5lb 0oz Frazer Magee, boat

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, east arm, boat bay, dam (in a north wind)
Boat - pylon point, dam, down middle

Best Patterns
Red diawl bach, black/red buzzer, damsel nymph, dry damsel, foam daddy, black or olive hopper, candy blob/fab, white/green lure.

July and August are usually the trickiest months for trout fishing but anglers still managed a respectable rod average of 2.9 last week. Bank anglers had to work hard for their fish in bright conditions but there were fish caught on olive hoppers, black hoppers and foam daddies. Boat anglers had 4 methods that were successful:

•  dries targeting the adult damsel feeders
•  fab with diawl bach and cruncher
•  long leader and a team of buzzers fishing over the deeper water
•  di3 or fast glass with a white/green lure or damsel and blob on dropper

On a boiling hot Friday, Ray Buckland fished buzzers deep off pylon point to boat 19 fish. Saturday saw Gordon Curtis land 12 fish on a morning boat off the dam using a di3 and lures. Keith Chapman managed 10 on a di5 with white/green lures down the middle. Richard Pelley and Tim Sykes shared a boat on Sunday and used dry blue damsels around the weedbeds to tempt 13 quality fish. Alan Beech caught 9 using dries in the morning then deep nymphs in the afternoon.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; July 11th

June 24th - 30th

151 anglers caught 586 fish of which 438 were returned.

Best Fish
12lb 2oz Dave Miles, Wellingborough, green diawl bach
6lb 8oz Bob Senior, Stamford, boat
5lb 11oz Matt Tuck, Yelling, green diawl bach, boat
5lb 5oz Simon King, Finedon, red diawl bach, boat
5lb 2oz Simon King, Finedon, red diawl bach, boat

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, east arm, boat bay, dam (in a north wind)
Boat - down middle

Best Patterns
Red or green diawl bach/cruncher, damsel nymph, dry damsel, black or olive hopper, white/green lure.

The high temperature on Saturday certainly slowed sport down over the weekend with less fish rising despite the large quantities of damsels hatching. Although the bank fishing has remained slow this week the boats were soon back on form early this week with Alan Rennocks catching 15 and Steve Loveridge 9 on Monday in single boats. Today, Tuesday, Derek Benamore and boat partner Graham Kempton shared 18 fish using a blue flash damsel with black buzzers on the dropper. The cooler temperatures this week should see more surface activity. During the morning the fish are concentrating on damsel nymphs but in the afternoon they switch to the adults and can be difficult to tempt. Anglers have had some success using a foam daddy or a dry blue damsel.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; July 11th

June 17th - 23rd

209 anglers caught 891 fish of which 678 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 12oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, red diawl bach, boat
6lb 9oz Matt Tuck, Yelling, bloodworm, boat
6lb 4oz Terry Barley, Wellingborough, damsel
6lb 2oz Richard Hunt, Irchester, tequila fab, boat
5lb 15oz Dave Rowell, Peterborough, klinkhammer, boat
5lb 6oz Clive Trundle, Siverstone, boat
5lb 4oz Nigel Cheetham, Thrapston, cdc hares ear, boat
5lb 3oz Ken Nicholls, Farcet, black buzzer, boat
5lb 2oz Pete Welch, Boston, red cruncher, boat
5lb 2oz Mike Edwards, Nether Heyford, boat
5lb 1oz Ken Nicholls, Farcet, black buzzer, boat
5lb 0oz Gil Mundin, Earls Barton, sunburst blob, boat

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, east arm, coarse bank
Boat - all areas holding fish

Best Patterns
Olive or black hopper, damsel nymph, foam daddy, red apps, red cruncher/diawl bach, tequila fab, white/green lure.

Eleven fish over 5lb last week with many more seen taking damsels off the surface. End of June last year the water temperature had hit 23C. This week the water is hovering around 18C which has kept the fish feeding most of the day and spread over most of the lake. Bank fishing is still ok with anglers doing well on hoppers, foam daddy and small damsel nymphs. Boat anglers are also catching on dries as well as washing line with diawl bach or cruncher on the dropper. There are some fish getting caught by fishing deeper down the middle on white/green lures or a team of epoxy buzzers.

Kirby Fly Fishers
On Sunday June 23rd, Kirby Fly Fishers held a boat pairs competition. 10 anglers caught 35 fish with the best fish of 4lb 11oz to Tim Ward. The winning pair of Richard Dayman and John Foster caught 12 fish weighing 27lb 2oz.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; June 28th

June 10th - 16th

133 anglers caught 582 fish of which 459 were returned.

Best Fish
8lb 6oz Ben Brown, Finedon, damsel, boat
7lb 4oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, cdc shuttlecock, boat
6lb 10oz Nigel Cheetham, Thrapston, daddy, boat
6lb 8oz Pete Welch, Boston, red cruncher, boat
6lb 8oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, red buzzer, boat
6lb 5oz Ben Brown, Finedon, damsel
6lb 0oz. Adrian Wilkins, Spaldwick
5lb 10oz Steve Owen, Kettering
5lb 8oz John Oram, Desborough, boat
5lb 8oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, cdc shuttlecock, boat
5lb 6oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, diawl bach, boat
5lb 2oz Graham Wright, Peterborough, damsel

Best Areas
Bank - east arm, coarse bank, boat bay
Boat - all areas holding fish

Best Patterns
Damsel nymph, adult damsel, red diawl bach, red cruncher, red apps, olive or hares ear cdc, foam daddy.

A very wet week kept most anglers away from Monday to Thursday. Despite the heavy rain there has been no flooding and the water remains clear and much cooler than this time last year. The rough conditions certainly didn’t put the larger fish off with a total of 13 fish over 5lb recorded last week. Vast numbers of damsels are hatching on most days with fish taking nymph and adult. The evening rise continues to feature hatching buzzers and small sedges. Fish are well spread with most areas producing fish and with no high temperatures on the horizon the fishing should remain good.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; June 21st

June 3rd - 9th

167 anglers caught 801 fish of which 661 were returned.

Best Fish
13lb 4oz Brian Coe, Kettering, damsel
7lb 1oz Simon King, Finedon, damsel, float tube
6lb 0oz Peter Sharples, Corby, Brown cdc, boat
5lb 6oz Richard Winser, Perry, cruncher, boat
5lb 2oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, bloodworm, boat
5lb 2oz Pete Welch, Boston, bloodworm, boat
5lb 1oz Phillipa Winser, Perry, damsel, boat
Brown 3lb 8oz Bob Senior, Stamford, green diawl bach, boat
+ 14 other fish over 4lb

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, east arm, gravel bar, shallow bay, boat bay
Boat - all areas holding fish

Best Patterns
Damsel, olive or black cdc shuttlecock, yellow owl, apps bloodworm, red or plain diawl bach, black or olive hopper, foam daddy.

An excellent rod average for the time of year of 4.8. Brian Coe caught the biggest fish of the season so far. The 13lb 4oz rainbow took a damsel fished from the bank in the east arm.
Boat anglers continue to take fish from all parts of the lake. Bank anglers are doing best on the coarse bank or east arm. The damsel hatch is keeping fish active near the surface on warmer days with both nymph and adult imitations working. The evening rise is remains excellent with large hatches of buzzers and small dark sedges. Rain and cooler weather this week will keep the water temperature down and catches consistently good.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; June 14th

May 27th - June 2nd

244 anglers caught 994 fish of which 777 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 5oz Matt Skinner, Rushden, red cdc, boat
6lb 0oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, red buzzer, boat
5lb 2oz Anthony Scott, Wellingborough, diawl bach, boat
5lb 0oz Theresa Chambers, Spalding, boat
+ 15 other fish over 4lb

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, east arm, gravel bar, shallow bay, boat bay
Boat - all areas holding fish

Best Patterns
Damsel, olive or black cdc shuttlecock, bloodworm, red or plain diawl bach, black or olive hopper, foam daddy.

Lots of surface activity whatever the weather last week. Damsel nymphs and adult damsels are keeping the fish occupied during the day. Large hatches of small sedge and buzzers in the evening. Although boats are having the biggest bags there are plenty of fish in range of bank anglers especially on the coarse bank. Dry fly had the most success closely followed by floater/washing line. Over the deeper water straight lined nymphs are working with a bloodworm or small damsel on the point with diawl bach and cruncher on the droppers.

Over the the weekend there was a good turnout of anglers from completefisher.com. Alan Shearn was top dog with 6 fish on Saturday and 18 on a breezy Sunday. Alan fished dries with assorted colours of bobs bits and small klinkhammers. Kevin Dewey was the most consistent float tuber. Chris Cook under instruction from his dad finally managed to catch a fish.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; June 3rd & 7th

May 20th - 26th

214 anglers caught 1029 fish of which 778 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 3oz Derek Hiscocks, Cardiff, cruncher, boat
5lb 7oz Ray Ward, Olney, blueflash damsel, boat
5lb 5oz James Drage, Walsall, damsel, boat
5lb 1oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, boat
5lb 0oz Keith Chapman, Cambs, boat
+ 14 other fish over 4lb

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, east arm, gravel bar, shallow bay, boat bay
Boat - all areas holding fish

Best Patterns
Yellow owl, black dries, bloodworm, red or green diawl bach, damsel, olive snake.

The beginning of last week saw Elinor’s good form continue. However the strong winds over the bank holiday weekend affected boat catches with anglers struggling to get good presentation during the day until calmer conditions in the evening. Damsel nymphs are keeping the fish occupied during daytime along with buzzers and mayfly. During the evening rise fish are feeding on small hatching buzzers and sedges. Its pleasing to see more anglers fishing dry fly this season.

Trout & Salmon Magazine
The April/May edition of Trout & Salmon includes a cracking article on spring fishing at Elinor.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; May 29th

May 13th - 19th

242 anglers caught 1251 fish of which 888 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 14oz John Oram, Desborough, candy fab, boat
5lb 8oz Phil Musgrove, Sawtry, damsel
5lb 6oz Fred Bezuidenhout, candy blob, boat
5lb 3oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, black snake
5lb 2oz Charles Clarke, Norwich, olive cdc, boat

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, shallow bay, lagoon, coarse bank, east arm
Boat - fish coming from everywhere

Best Patterns
Yellow owl, olive or black cdc, daddies, olive buzzer, red diawl bach, damsel, candy blob, olive or black snake.

Elinor continued its rich vein of form with another week of great surface sport. Fly hatches have been the best for a few years with buzzers, pond olive, daddies, the first few damsels and a significant mayfly hatch. The majority of fish caught are 2lb + with plenty over 4lb. Although the biggest bags have come from the boats there are plenty of fish in range of bank anglers with dries scoring best although some have had success on snakes or damsels on an intermediate. Floater or midge tip with a washing line or dries are the best boat methods. Water remains crystal clear and at 16.8 C, two foot down at midday.

Competition Results
Scierra Pairs Sunday May 19th 9.30am - 4.30pm
Great weather with fish rising all day. First boat back to the jetty with a 12 fish limit were Anthony Meadows/Paul Pratt at 1.15pm using washing line anchored off the coarse bank. Shortly after Ben Fox/Daniel Tranter bagged up at 1.34pm with some quality fish caught on yellow owls and cdc. 8 pairs caught 74 fish. See photographs below.

Best Fish
4lb 7oz Ben Fox
3lb 4oz Shane Else

1. Fox/Tranter 1.34pm 28lb 1oz + 5lb 8oz bonus = 33lb 9oz
2. Meadows/Pratt 1.15pm 23lb 14oz + 6lb 8oz bonus = 30lb 6oz
3. Kerrison/Griffin 4.14pm 26lb 1oz + 8oz bonus = 26lb 9oz
4. Bowman/Edwards 2.29pm 22lb 4oz + 4lb bonus = 26lb 4oz
5. Cuccurullo/Cuccurullo 3.57pm 24lb 2oz + 1lb bonus = 25lb 2oz
6. Cooke/Else 9 fish 20lb 8oz

Trout & Salmon Magazine
The current April/May edition of Trout & Salmon includes a cracking article on spring fishing at Elinor.

Forthcoming Competitions
Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; May 20th, 24t, & 29th

Scierra Pairs 2019 - Winning pair Ben Fox & Daniel Tranter

Scierra Pairs 2019 - 2nd place qualifiers Anthony Meadows & Paul Pratt

Scierra Pairs 2019 - Biggest fish of 4lb 7oz by Ben Fox on a yellow owl.

May 6th - 12th

221 anglers caught 1178 fish of which 817 were returned.

Best Fish
7lb 6oz Gary Martin, Corby, black/green lure, boat
6lb 4oz Steve Freeman, St Neots, shipmans
6lb 2oz Mr Harrison, grhe, boat
6lb 1oz Steve Quartley, London, black buzzer, boat
5lb 12oz Greg Potts, Whittlesey, olive cruncher, boat
5lb 7oz Mark Kirkland, Rushden, olive buzzer, boat
5lb 6oz John Thomson, Corby, orange blob, boat
5lb 3oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, orange blob, boat
5lb 0oz Steve Quartley, London, olive cruncher, boat

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, gravel bar, shallow bay, lagoon
Boat - west arm, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Olive buzzer, red cruncher, olive cruncher, grhe, yellow owl, small cdc, white/green lures, black snake.

The superb surface sport continues at Elinor with fish moving during most of the day. There tends to be a lull in mid afternoon then a spectacular evening rise from 8.30pm onwards. Despite the bright conditions the bank anglers had a much better week than recently with the coarse bank and east arm producing during the day and gravel bar and shallow bay full of fish in the evening. Boat anglers are catching fish from most areas. A mixture of methods worked last week including floater/washing line, dries, or snakes/damsels on an intermediate. The water remains crystal clear with some great fly hatches. Olive or black buzzers and pond olives are the main food source but some mayfly have also appeared this week.

Trout & Salmon Magazine
The current April/May edition of Trout & Salmon includes a cracking article on spring fishing at Elinor.

Forthcoming Competitions
Scierra Pairs
On Sunday May 19th, Elinor is holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs. Entry forms available at Elinor or www.scierrapairs.co.uk. One in four pairs will qualify for the Grafham final on September 8th.

Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking; May14th & 17th

April 29th - May 5th

230 anglers caught 1145 fish of which 869 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 8oz Paul Gillies, Desborough, FAB, boat
6lb 2oz Bob Senior, Stamford, black buzzer, boat
6lb 2oz Chris Holland, Church Langton, damsel, boat
5lb 8oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, boat
5lb 2oz Ray Ward, Olney, olive shipmans, boat
5lb 0oz Nigel Cheetham, Thrapston, black buzzer, boat
5lb 0oz Mr Goodwin, boat

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, shallow bay, lagoon, coarse bank, east arm
Boat - whole lake fishing well

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, red cruncher, olive cruncher, foam daddy, black hopper, yellow owl, olive shipmans, black or white snakes.

Another week of fish surface feeding on buzzers and pond olives with also a few hawthorn fly around. The west arm continues to be the area with the most fish rising throughout the day and evening. All areas of the lake are holding fish though. Dries took plenty of fish. On Monday, Luke Key enjoyed great sport catching 20 fish on small yellow owls and Jason Ball managed 28 in an evening session on assorted dries. Washing line on a floater also continues to work well. Anglers using lures had success on black or white snakes on an intermediate. Boats are in demand at the moment, so please book in advance.

Competition Results
Geordie Mountford Memorial Pairs
Sunday May 5th Geordie Mountford Memorial Pairs 9am - 4pm. 12 boats took part fishing to a 12 fish limit for the boat. Weather conditions were excellent with a light wind and plenty of cloud. First boat back to the jetty at 11.17am was Steve Johnson/Matt Tuck. They fished the west arm with a floater, washing line, fab and buzzers. The winners, Dave Etty/Ollie Mills also fished the west arm and bagged up at 12.16pm with bigger fish. A fantastic total of £302.00 was raised for Sue Ryder, Peterborough. The results were:

1. Dave Etty/Ollie Mills 12.16pm 31lb 11oz
2. Steve Johnson/Matt Tuck 11.17am 31lb 0oz
3. Mike Edwards/Ian Ashby 1.36pm 30lb 11oz
4. Scott Bowman/Richard Winser 1.37pm 28lb 14oz
5. Trevor Pywell/Alan Veal 11.53am 28lb 5oz
6. Alan Brighton/William Baron 2.46pm 24lb 13oz

Trout & Salmon Magazine
The current April/May edition of Trout & Salmon includes a cracking article on spring fishing at Elinor.

Forthcoming Competitions
Scierra Pairs
On Sunday May 19th, Elinor is holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs. Entry forms available at Elinor or www.scierrapairs.co.uk. One in four pairs will qualify for the Grafham final on September 8th.

Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking;May 10th

The winners: Dave Etty and Ollie Mills fished the west arm

April 22nd - 28th

183 anglers caught 1191 fish of which 925 were returned.

Best Fish
12lb 12oz Tomas Maciunas (poto below), Northampton, cat’s whisker, boat
9lb 14oz Scott Bowman, Weedon, black buzzer, boat
6lb 6oz Paul Haskey, Rugby, red diawl bach
6lb 3oz Trevor Partridge, Corby, red cdc, boat
5lb 8oz Pete Welch, Boston, white/green fritz, boat
5lb 6oz Steve Johnson, Raunds, olive buzzer, boat
5lb 2oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, hares ear cdc, boat
5lb 1oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, buzzer, boat
5lb 0oz Tom Boden, boat
5lb 0oz Ray Weekly, Daventry, black buzzer, boat
Brown 4lb 9oz Wayne Allen, Stoke Doyle, diawl bach, boat

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, shallow bay, dam, east arm
Boat - west arm, east arm, down middle

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, bloodworm, small damsel, olive cruncher, red diawl bach, small black or olive dries, white/green lures.

Some prolific fly hatches at Elinor has kept the fish feeding near the surface. Olive and black buzzers in a mixture of sizes, pond olives and alder fly have all been on the menu. Anglers fishing imitative patterns have had the best bags with floater/washing line or dries the best methods. Although boat fishing has easily been the most productive there have been plenty of fish in range of bank anglers off the gravel bar, shallow bay and lagoon. The best fish of the season so far was caught on Sunday by novice Tomas Maciunas, see photograph below. The 12lb 12oz overwintered rainbow took a cat’s whisker fished from a boat in the west arm.

Competition Results
Sunday April 21st Kirby Flyfishers had 5 boats with 10 anglers taking 39 fish.
1. Tim Ward 6 fish for 14lb 6oz
2. Richard Dayman 6 fish for 12lb 12oz
3. Glenn Foyster 6 fish for 12lb 0oz
4. Frank Parker 6 fish for 10lb 15oz
5. Russ Jackson 6 fish for 10lb 10oz
Best Fish 5lb 12oz by Tim Ward

Troutmasters
Tuesday April 23rd Troutmasters fish off 9am - 3pm
7 anglers fished with the winner representing Elinor at the Draycote final in October.
1. Paul Haskey 6 fish for 15lb 11oz + 5lb 8oz time bonus = 21lb 3oz
2. Roger Bosence 2 fish for 3lb 6oz
3. Trevor Maycock 1 fish for 2lb 11oz
Paul Haskey fished the coarse bank with a floating line, fab and 2 olive buzzers to bag up by 12.18pm.

Trout & Salmon Magazine
The current April/May edition of Trout & Salmon includes a cracking article on spring fishing at Elinor.

Forthcoming Competitions
Scierra Pairs
On Sunday May 19th, Elinor is holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs. Entry forms available at Elinor or www.scierrapairs.co.uk. One in four pairs will qualify for the Grafham final on September 8th.

Dave Hughes Memorial Fur & Feather
Sunday November 10th

Next Stocking
2nd May

Tomas Maciunas from Northampton caught the biggest fish of the season so far on his first ever fly fishing trip!
The 12lb 12oz overwintered rainbow took a cats whisker from a boat in the West arm.

April 15th - 21st

230 anglers caught 1275 fish of which 1025 were returned.

Best Fish
12lb 6oz Andy Lane, London, olive buzzer, boat
11lb 2oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, black buzzer
7lb 8oz Trevor Partridge, Corby, olive cdc, boat
6lb 12oz Gary Ashman, Peterborough, damsel, boat
6lb 3oz Pete Welch, Boston, black buzzer, boat
6lb 2oz Pete Welch, Boston, black buzzer, boat
6lb 2oz Mitch Sharman-Else, Northampton, black buzzer, boat
6lb 0oz John Oram, Desborough, blob, boat

Dean Barkersee photograph below, fly fished for pike from a boat and had a cracking 22lb 8oz specimen.

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, east arm
Boat - west arm, east arm, dam

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, small damsel, olive cruncher, red diawl bach, olive shipmans, olive or black cdc/suspender, white/green lure.

A busy week at Elinor with the warmer weather bringing some great buzzer hatches. Bank anglers had to work hard for fish with the sun and incredibly clear water pushing fish at full casting range until the evening rise. Boat anglers had a stunning week with fish feeding through most of the day and evening with numerous double figure bags. Washing line with a floater was the best method although many fish were also caught on dries. Anglers who targeted the dam end continued to catch best by fishing buzzers or damsels deeper whereas most other areas saw fish in the top two foot. Many of the buzzers now are a good size with size 10 or 12 imitations working. The fish are in fantastic condition with 3 and 4lb specimens regularly taking anglers down to the backing.

Trout & Salmon Magazine
The current April/May edition of Trout & Salmon includes a cracking article on spring fishing at Elinor.

Forthcoming Competitions
Geordie Mountford Boat Pairs
Sunday May 5th, open to everyone. A memorial match to commemorate a superb flytyer and all round top bloke. You fish with your partner. 12 fish limit for the boat. 9am - 4pm. Entry fee including fishing permits £70 per pair. Richard Winser has kindly supplied a stunning trophy for the winners along with medals for the top 3 pairs. Tackle prizes will also be on offer. Come and fish a friendly competition at peak buzzer time!

Scierra Pairs
On Sunday May 19th, Elinor is holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs. Entry forms available at Elinor or www.scierrapairs.co.uk. One in four pairs will qualify for the Grafham final on September 8th.

Next Stocking
26th April & 2nd May

Dean Barker had a couple of days in a boat targeting pike on the fly and was rewarded with this 22lb 8oz

April 8th - 14th

174 anglers caught 1046 fish of which 871 were returned.

Best Fish
6lb 9oz Jurgis Mikalauskas, dry fly, boat
6lb 8oz Mr Ashman, black buzzer, boat
6lb 3oz Simon King, Finedon, damsel
6lb 1oz Al Steels, Peterborough, damsel
6lb 0oz Mr Ashman, black buzzer, boat
5lb 6oz Peter Winston, Milton Keynes, olive buzzer
5lb 4oz Pete Welch, Boston, bloodworm, boat

Best Areas
Bank - east or west arm, coarse bank
Boat - west arm, dam

We’ve had 12 days of cold NE or E winds but the fishing remains excellent for boat anglers and good for bank anglers who are prepared to fish the far end of the lake. On days with a light wind there are good numbers of fish rising with dries or floater/washing line the best methods. In a stronger breeze the fish have dropped down to 2-4ft with a small unweighted damsel or apps bloodworm on the point and small buzzers or diawl bachs on the dropper. At the lodge end of the lake the fish continue to be out of range of bank fisherman. Boats are using a team of buzzers or weighted damsels 8-12ft down to locate fish. The forecast milder weather over the Easter period should see larger buzzers hatching and even more surface activity.

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, small damsel, bloodworm, olive cruncher, red diawl bach, tequila blob, olive shipmans, olive cdc.

Trout & Salmon Magazine
The current April/May edition of Trout & Salmon includes a cracking article on spring fishing at Elinor.

Forthcoming Competitions
Geordie Mountford Boat Pairs
Sunday May 5th, open to everyone. A memorial match to commemorate a superb flytyer and all round top bloke. You fish with your partner. 12 fish limit for the boat. 9am - 4pm. Entry fee including fishing permits £70 per pair. Richard Winser has kindly supplied a stunning trophy for the winners along with medals for the top 3 pairs. Tackle prizes will also be on offer. Come and fish a friendly competition at peak buzzer time!

Scierra Pairs
On Sunday May 19th, Elinor is holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs. Entry forms available at Elinor or www.scierrapairs.co.uk. One in four pairs will qualify for the Grafham final on September 8th.

Next Stocking
April 19th & 22nd

April 1st - 7th

169 anglers caught 959 fish of which 779 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 14oz Peter Sharples, Corby, black lure, boat
5lb 11oz Alan Rennocks, Kettering, black buzzer, boat
5lb 10oz Peter Sharples, Corby, black lure, boat
5lb 8oz Pete Jinks, Peterborough, black buzzer
5lb 8oz Mr Brockman, boat
5lb 6oz Roly Stanford, Finedon, damsel, boat
5lb 6oz Luke Maylin, Desborough, tequila booby, boat
5lb 5oz Ray Brown, boat
5lb 3oz Neville Silver, Godmanchester, orange blob, boat
5lb 2oz Dave Rowell, Peterborough, black buzzer, boat
5lb 2oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, white snake, boat

Best Areas
Bank - gravel bar, east arm, coarse bank
Boat - west arm, east arm, dam

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, olive cruncher, red diawl bach, candy or tequila fab, olive shipmans, white/green lures.

Boat anglers had the biggest bags and largest fish last week with many fish feeding in open water. The fish are stuffing themselves on mainly olive buzzers with a few black. Most are around size 14 but a few larger ones are starting to hatch. At the lodge end the boats are fishing the buzzer pupae deeper at 8-12 foot deep with good results. In the west arm the fish are much higher with washing line the preferred method. Bank anglers covering plenty of water are finding spots where the fish are feeding in range during the day. Mr Bradbeer did a couple of circuits of Elinor on Saturday using small olive buzzers and caught 18 fish trying places that often get overlooked. As long as the wind doesn’t blow too hard the famous Elinor evening rise started last week. Shipmans or cdc buzzers did well along with crunchers. Water temperature is an ideal 9.5c and numerous anglers have commented how hard the fish are fighting.

Trout & Salmon Magazine
The current April/May edition of Trout & Salmon includes a cracking article on spring fishing at Elinor.

Forester Fly Boys
On Sunday the 7th of April, Forester Fly Boys had 5 boats. 10 anglers caught 57 fish with buzzers, damsels, blob/fab taking most fish. Competitors killed 3 fish then catch & release. The bigger fish came on the feed later in the match and had to be returned (thankfully!)

Heaviest 3 fish bag:
1. Ian Ashby 5lb 12oz
2. Colin Forrester 5lb 10oz
3. Paul Mortimer 5lb 9oz

Most fish:
1. Paul Mortimer 12
2. Mike Edwards 10
3. Scott Bowman 9

Forthcoming Competitions
Geordie Mountford Boat Pairs
Sunday May 5th, open to everyone. A memorial match to commemorate a superb flytyer and all round top bloke. You fish with your partner. 12 fish limit for the boat. 9am - 4pm. Entry fee including fishing permits £70 per pair. Richard Winser has kindly supplied a stunning trophy for the winners along with medals for the top 3 pairs. Tackle prizes will also be on offer. Come and fish a friendly competition at peak buzzer time!

Scierra Pairs
On Sunday May 19th, Elinor is holding a heat of the Scierra Pairs. Entry forms available at Elinor or www.scierrapairs.co.uk. One in four pairs will qualify for the Grafham final on September 8th.

Next Stocking
April 12th

March 25th - 31st

259 anglers caught 1033 fish of which 905 were returned

Best Fish
8lb 4oz Mick Moseley, Rushden, white/green lure, boat
8lb 1oz Steve Quartley, North London, black buzzer, boat
7lb 6oz Rob Edmunds, Thrapston
7lb 3oz Steve Quartley, North London, black buzzer, boat
7lb 2oz Shane Else, Northampton, damsel booby, boat
6lb 4oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, black buzzer, boat
6lb 2oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, black buzzer, boat
5lb 6oz Mr Bayford, Keyston, black/green snake, boat
5lb 5oz Liam Johnson, Rushden, boat

Best Areas
Bank - most areas holding fish
Boat - west arm, east arm, dam

Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, damsel, bloodworm, tequila blob, hares ear, red diawl bach.

A busy couple of weeks at Elinor. On warmer days there have been some great buzzer hatches with sizes ranging from 16s - 10s. Bank fisherman found it more difficult on bright days in the clear water but had good sport in overcast light winds. The west arm is holding big numbers of fish with washing line the best method over the shallower water. The rest of the lake has seen fish feeding deeper with damsels and buzzers fished 8- 12 foot down getting the big bags. On most evenings there has been an evening rise to small hatching buzzers. If the wind drops there was a spectacular rise. Small shipmans or cdc in darker shades proved effective.

Iain Barr World Bankmasters
On the March 30th & 31st, 50 anglers fished the singles event with competitors from Belgium, Norway and Finland up against UK anglers. The whole lake was pegged with anglers fishing 11 sessions of 30 minutes and doing a complete circuit. Bright sunshine and calm conditions prevailed for most of the match. Dan Swales put in a fantastic performance to catch 15 fish off 9 of his pegs using damsels on an intermediate or a chamois worm under an indicator to scoop £1100.00 with the top 10 all receiving cash. A couple of photographs are shown below.

1. Dan Swales 15 fish off 9 = 24 points
2. James Stephenson 15 off 7 = 22pts
3. Rob Edmunds 13 off 8 = 21 pts
4. Andrew Scott 13 off 7 = 20pts
5. Dave Nielsen 11 off 7 = 18pts
6. Dean Appleby 16pts
7. Pete Appleby 15pts
8. Graham Willis 12pts
9. Glenn Appleby 12 pts
10. Christian Jadoille 10pts

Sunday 31st saw 17 pairs compete. The wind changed to a brisk NE with an extra three layers of clothing required. 10 sessions of 30 minutes. Damsels, buzzers and assorted worms fished deep and slow did the damage.

1. Rob Edmunds/Andrew Scott 15 fish from 11 pegs = 26 points
2. Anthony Meadows/David Nielson 16 off 9 = 25pts
3. Dean Appleby/Craig Crompton 15 off 8 = 23pts
4. Glenn Appleby/Pete Appleby 12 from 10 = 22pts
5. Mark Haycock/Phil Shaw-Browne 12 from 8 = 20pts

Next Stocking: April 5th

March 18th - 24th

270 anglers caught 1231 fish of which 914 were returned.

Best Fish
8lb 2oz Mel Dunn, Eye, damsel
7lb 2oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, black buzzer, boat
7lb 0oz George Brock, Corby, bloodworm
6lb 5oz Alan Rennocks, Kettering, olive buzzer, boat
6lb 5oz Dan Roberts, Rushden, bloodworm, boat
6lb 3oz Jim Nixon, Kettering, black buzzer
6lb 2oz Mr McNamara, Peterborough, boat
6lb 1oz Dave McEwan, Sandy, red apps
6lb 0oz Mr Wenman
6lb 0oz Ivor Fisher, Peterborough, black buzzer, boat
5lb 14oz Steve Johnson, Raunds, neon buzzer, boat
5lb 14oz Dave Rowell, Peterborough, black buzzer, boat
5lb 10oz Dave Rowell, Peterborough, boat
5lb 8oz Ryan Quinn, Corby, blueflash damsel, boat
5lb 8oz Nigel Cheetham, Thrapston, damsel, boat
5lb 8oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, hothead damsel, boat

Invicta Fly Fishers
On Saturday the March 23rd, Invicta Fly Fishers held their Norman Shipley Memorial bank match. A bright day with an overnight change in the wind direction made bank fishing difficult. 20 anglers caught 53 fish.
1. Steven Brennan 10 fish
2= Paul Heavens 6 fish
2= Mark Searle 6 fish
2= Graham Bodsworth 6 fish
5= Gary How 4 fish
5= Tony Smith 4 fish

Next Stocking: April 5th

March 11th - 17th

91 anglers caught 385 fish of which 321 were returned

Best Fish
Brown 7lb 2oz Scott Bowman, Weedon, boat
Rainbow 6lb 12oz Paul Mortimer, Thrapston, peacock buzzer
6lb 5oz Brian Dawkins, Coventry, pitsford pea, boat
5lb 2oz Clive Trundle, Siverstone

Best Areas
Bank - coarse bank, east arm, gravel bar
Boat - west arm, dam, gravel bar

Best Patterns
tequila blob/fab, candy blob, red apps, red diawl bach, grhe, black buzzer, damsel.

Another windy week with the boats only able to go out on Monday and Sunday.
A combination of sun and wind made the fishing tricky but there were good catches to be had with plenty of cloud cover.
This week looks perfect with fish guaranteed to be feeding on buzzers.
Despite the storms the water remains clear.

Sunday March 17th - TEFF Southern Regional Bank Final
AT TEFF Southern regional bank final 24 anglers had qualified with the top 12 going through to the National final at Ellerdine. Sun and a cold, strong westerly wind made bank fishing difficult with only 50 fish landed.

Top 12 qualifiers:
1. Leigh Pond 7 fish from 3 pegs = 10 points
2. Andrew Scott 5 off 3 = 8 pts
3. Mark Haycock 4 off 3 = 7 pts
4. Craig Barr 4 off 3 = 7 pts
5. Dave Johns 3 off 3 = 6pts
6. Gary Morris 3 off 3 = 6pts
7. Andy Taylor 3 off 3 = 6pts
8. Graham Willis 3 off 3 = 6pts
9. Ian Watts 2 off 2 = 4 pts
10. Colin Fitzjohn 2 off 2 = 4pts
11. Graham Watts 2 off 2 = 4pts
12. Joel Bilner 2 off 2 = 4pts

Iain Barr World Bank Masters - Saturday March 30th
Last chance to enter! Entries close on Sunday March 24th. There are still a few places available for the Iain Barr World Bank Masters. Saturday March 30th is the individual competition. Sunday March 31st is the pairs match. Thousands of pounds in cash and tackle up for grabs. All anglers are welcome to enter this catch & release event. Rules & entry forms are available at: iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk or at the Elinor lodge.

If anyone is free to help marshal the World Bank Masters competition on Saturday March 30th please let me know. You will be signing competitors scorecards when they release a fish and ensuring they are using debarbed flies.

Next Stocking: March 15th

March 4th - March 10th

85 anglers caught 441 fish of which 378 were returned

Best Fish
7lb 14oz Marius, Slough, black snake, float tube
6lb 9oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, black buzzer, boat
6lb 4oz James Stuart, Kibworth, damsel
6lb 4oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, white/green lure, boat
6lb 2oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, tequila booby, boat
5lb 12oz Mal Broughton, Grantham, ally mccoist, boat
5lb 10oz Steven Wright, Cardiff, boat
5lb 8oz Neville Silver, Godmanchester, damsel
5lb 5oz. Chris Selby, Yaxley, olive snake
5lb 4oz Clive Trundle, Silverstone, damsel
5lb 0oz Mal Broughton, Grantham, ally mccoist, boat
5lb 0oz Chris Selby, Yaxley, pitsford pea

Best Areas
Bank - lagoon, boat bay
Boat - west arm, dam, boat bay

Best Patterns
Damsel, small black/green or white/green lures, bloodworm, hares ear, red diawl bach, black buzzer, olive or black snakelet

Wet and windy weather kept many anglers away with boats not being able to go out on 3 days. Despite the wild conditions the water remains clear and anglers who did fish had good sport on most days. There have been plenty of fish in the sheltered areas so there is no need to cast into the wind. Despite only 63 fish removed last week there is a further stocking on Friday to keep up the excellent start to the season.

If anyone is free to help marshal the World Bank Masters competition on Saturday March 30th please let me know. You will be signing competitors scorecards when they release a fish and ensuring they are using debarbed flies.

There are still places available for the Iain Barr World Bank Masters. Saturday March 30th is the individual competition. Sunday March 31st is the pairs match. Thousands of pounds in cash and tackle up for grabs. All anglers are welcome to enter this catch & release event. Rules & entry forms are available at: iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk or at the Elinor lodge.

Next Stocking: March 15th

February 25th - March 3rd

191 anglers caught 975 fish of which 778 were returned

Best Fish
10lb 3oz Steve Loveridge, Kettering, red apps
7lb 4oz Mark Phillips, Northampton, bloodworm, boat
6lb 10oz Ian McClements, Stevenage, bloodworm, boat
6lb 8oz Sean Marriott, Market Harborough, hothead damsel
6lb 8oz David Mason, bloodworm, boat
6lb 8oz Nigel Cheetham, Thrapston, black snakelet, boat
6lb 6oz Graham Dutton, Market Harborough, hothead damsel
6lb 5oz Graham Dutton, Market Harborough, hothead damsel
6lb 4oz Mr Rowe
6lb 2oz Ken Nicholls, Farcet, red diawl bach, boat
6lb 1oz Mel Dunn, Eye, damsel
5lb 12oz James Stewart, Kibworth, black/green lure
5lb 8oz Ian McClements, Stevenage, bloodworm, boat
5lb 6oz Darren Oram, Aldwincle, white snake
5lb 6oz Chris Selby, Yaxley, olive snake
5lb 6oz Steve Loveridge, Kettering, bloodworm

Best Areas
Bank - lagoon, dam, gravel bar, shallow bay
Boat - west arm, dam, boat bay

Best Patterns
Red or pink app bloodworm, damsel, white/green lures, hares ear, black or olive buzzer, orange/tequila blob.

Colder conditions meant there were fewer buzzer hatches although some fish continued to rise in the west arm. Best method was a floating line with a bloodworm or damsel on the point and a hares ear or red diawl bach on the dropper with a slow retrieve. Snakes and other large lures did well on the rougher days. Fish are being caught from the whole of the lodge bank. Despite the winds on Sunday the water remains clear. Lots of 4lb+ fish continue to be caught from boat and bank.

There are still places available for the Iain Barr World Bank Masters. Saturday March 30th is the individual competition. Sunday March 31st is the pairs match. Thousands of pounds in cash and tackle up for grabs. All anglers are welcome to enter this catch & release event. Rules & entry forms are available at: iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk or at the Elinor lodge.

Next Stocking: March 8th

February 18th - 24th

262 anglers caught 1281 fish of which 954 were returned.
(Last week’s report was incorrect. There were 1164 fish returned and 298 taken)

Best Fish
7lb 9oz John Parker, Cambridge, cats whisker
7lb 2oz Paul Laundon, Bedford, blueflash damsel
7lb 2oz Mel Dunn, Eye, damsel
7lb 0oz Mr Clay, boat
7lb 0oz Paul Mortimer, Thrapston, black buzzer, boat
6lb 14oz Mick Moseley, Rushden, red apps
6lb 8oz John Oram, Desborough,
6lb 8oz Mr Hobson, damsel
6lb 5oz Steve Owen, Staffs, damsel,
6lb 0oz Adrian Wilkins, Easton, snake
5lb 14oz Dean Igoe, Crowland, hothead damsel, boat
5lb 11oz Noel Doran, London, goldhead hares ear, boat
5lb 8oz Bob Symes, Geddington, boat
+ 10 other fish over 5lb

Best Areas
Bank - lagoon, dam, boat bay
Boat - west arm, dam, boat bay

Best Patterns
White/green lures, olive or black snakes, damsel, grhe, red diawl bach, apps bloodworm, olive buzzer, black buzzer.

The great weather continued with another busy week. Although lures fished deep and slow continued to catch, anglers using nymphs in the calm, bright conditions have been doing well. Good numbers of fish are rising to small hatching buzzers although most fish are being taken 4-6 foot down. The water remains gin clear so a fluorocarbon leader is a must.
Lots of 4lb+ fish being caught from boat and bank.

There are still places available for the Iain Barr World Bank Masters. Saturday March 30th is the individual competition. Sunday March 31st is the pairs match. Thousands of pounds in cash and tackle up for grabs. All anglers are welcome to enter this catch & release event. Rules & entry forms are available at Iainbarrflyfishing.co.uk or at the Elinor lodge.

For a taste of the the fishing last Wednesday at Elinor please click below to take a look at a YouTube video called ‘A great February day at Elinor Trout Fishery’.

Next Stocking: February 26th & March 1st

February 11th - 17th

245 anglers caught 1462 fish of which 298 were returned.

Best Fish
10lb 6oz Mick Roche, Great Addington, black/silver humongous
8lb 4oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, white/green lure, boat
8lb 1oz David Chappell, Westoning, blueflash damsel
8lb 0oz Mr Herridge, Essex, boat
7lb 4oz Paul White, Northampton, cats whisker
7lb 4oz Pete Welch, Boston, black uv booby
7lb 2oz Roy Swinfield, Leicester, black buzzer
7lb 2oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, white/green lure, boat
6lb 12oz Sean Roe, Kettering, black/green lure
6lb 12oz Chris Redhead, Whittlesey, white/green lure, boat
6lb 9oz Derek Benamore, Finedon, olive snake
6lb 8oz David Chappell, Westoning, blueflash damsel
6lb 8oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, yellow dancer, boat
6lb 8oz Mr Curtis, Peterborough, black buzzer, boat
6lb 7oz Mel Dunn, Eye, white/green lure
6lb 5oz Ken Nicholls, Farcet, boat
6lb 4oz Tony Cefai, Fordham, tequila fab

Best Areas
Bank - lagoon, dam, boat bay
Boat - west arm, dam, boat bay

Best Patterns
White/green lures, olive or black snakes, damsel, grhe, red diawl bach, bloodworm, olive buzzer.

A busy week in the mild February conditions. Catches were generally excellent although bright sunshine made the bank fishing harder in the clear water as the fish moved further out. Thursday & Friday were tricky but Saturday once again excellent in overcast light winds. Nymphs are catching as many fish as lures with anything olive working. A few fish rising in calmer water but most fish are 3-5 foot down. Anglers are catching from both ends with only the east arm quiet.

For a taste of the the fishing last Wednesday at Elinor please click above to take a look at a YouTube video called ‘A great February day at Elinor Trout Fishery’.

Prospects remain good with a great chance of catching a 4lb+ specimen.

Next Stocking: February 18th & 21st.

Luke Maylin from Desborough caught & released this 6lb 0oz rainbow from a boat anchored off the lagoon on a floating line and blueflash damsel.

Opening weekend, February 9th & 10th

38 anglers caught 470 fish of which 418 were returned.

Best Fish
5lb 14oz Clive Trundle, Silverstone, white/green lure
5lb 12oz Rob Armitage, Cambridge, cats whisker
5lb 9oz Mike Edwards, Nether Heyford, orange blob
5lb 8oz Steve Cracknell, Huntingdon, white/green lure
5lb 3oz Clive Trundle, Siverstone, black/green lure
4lb 14oz Sean Roe, Kettering, black/green lure
4lb 12oz Scott Bowman, Weedon, cats whisker

Best Areas
Bank - most areas holding fish
Boat - shallow bay, lagoon, boat bay

Best Patterns
White/green or black/green lures, gold head damsel, red apps, grhe.

A gale on Saturday and rain on Sunday resulted in fewer anglers than usual but the bank fishing was superb. Most anglers used lures fished slowly 2- 5 foot down. The water remains clear so the fish will soon wise up to lures. Nymphs that have worked today include red apps, grhe, olive buzzer. Plenty of 3lb+ fish being caught. The few boats that went out caught well as long as they fished close to the bank or over shallow water.

Next Stocking: February 15th.

Opening weekend, February 9th

Fly-fishing for Brown & Rainbow Trout, in idyllic surroundings. Our 2019 Season is from 7am on the 9th of February to the 31st of December. Season permit holders may bank fish in January 2020. At Elinor Trout Fishery there are 1.5 miles of superbly accessible bank fishing, which means there is plenty of space without Elinor being too large and daunting. We have a modern fleet of 15 modern boats, plus we have a Wheelyboat available with electric engine and battery provided. We stock weekly with top quality Rainbows and Browns.

Best Fish in 2018
• Rainbow 11lb 2oz Ray Ward, Olney, Damsel Nymph, Boat
• Brown 6lb 6oz Lazloe Boden, Rothwell, Brown Hopper, Boat
Our rods tend to keep only a few fish to eat and this has resulted in a large number of grown-on fish. Also Float-tubers are always made most welcome at Elinor, plus we now have a fleet of 16 "fifteen foot" Coulam boats on the water. Stocking weekly with top quality Rainbows & Browns. Our Gin clear, well oxygenated spring fed water gives a stable environment for our hard fighting, well-conditioned fish to live in. I hope you enjoy a memorable season, Ed.