Saturday 24th to Friday 30th December
41 Anglers caught 100 fish of which 79 fish were returned.
Best Fish
6lb 10oz Colin Newton - boat
6lb 0oz Mick Revell Stains - float tube
5lb 2oz Ed Foster, white and green tadpole - bank
5lb 1oz Darren Oram, red apps - bank
Strong south-westerly winds kept the rod numbers down for the last week of the year. There were plenty of big fish showing up in catches, with fish over 5lbs being caught every day. Bank anglers had the edge over the boats and the best areas were from the gravel bar around to brookside bay. Anglers have been using a variety of methods ranging from small black nymphs and washing line to white and green snakes.
Best Areas
Bank-shallow Bay, gravel bar, boat bay, dam, brookside - brookside point
Boat-dam, gravel bar, brookside - brookside bay
Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green, pink lures, red apps, black buzzer, black cruncher, red diawl bach, Candy or tequila fabs and orange blobs.
Survey
I have been asked to circulate a visitor survey that is being conducting around the Nene Valley - If you wish to contribute, please use this link.
https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164399705185
Elinor will be back open for the 2023 season on Saturday 11th February. Season ticket holders can fish from the bank throughout January. We wish you a happy new year and would like to thank you for your support throughout our first season. We look forward to seeing you in 2023. The new season's ticket prices will be circulated this week.
Water Temp - 7 degrees
Next stocking - TBA
Saturday 17th to Friday 23rd December
39 anglers caught 136 fish with 96 fish returned.
Elinor re- opened from the freeze on Tuesday and since then the fishing has been fantastic, there have been some excellent bags and really big fish showing up. Chris Selby managed 14 fish in the overflow corner on cat’s whiskers snakes and Mark Culeen had 10 fish on brookside point using washing line tactics. Pete Welsh caught the weeks biggest fish weighing in at 9lb 8oz on a size 14 black buzzer. In bright and breezy conditions, the fishing is trickier with the water being so clear but on cloudy or calm days the fish are in the top of the water and close to the bank. There are good hatches of small black buzzers from mid-morning onwards so washing line on a floater is the best method to target these fish
Best Fish
9lb 8oz Pete Welsh black buzzer - bank
9lb 0oz Darius - boat
7lb 2oz Tim Hodgkinson - bank
6lb 1oz Mark Culeen - black diawl bach - bank
6lb Tim Shepherd Black and green tadpole - bank
5lb 1oz Mark Culeen - black diawl bach - bank
4lb 4oz Tim Hodgkinson - bank
4lb Tom Davies Montana nymph- bank
Best Areas
Bank - shallow bay, gravel bar, boat bay, dam and brookside - brookside point.
Boat - dam, gravel bar, brookside bay
Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green tadpoles/lures, pink lures, red apps, black buzzer, black cruncher, red diawl bachs.
Survey
I have been asked to circulate a visitor survey that is being conducting around the Nene Valley - If you wish to contribute, please use this link.
https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164399705185
Closing
We are shut Christmas Day and Boxing Day for day tickets and closing December 31st reopening on 11th February. Season permit holders only can bank fish during January. May we take this opportunity to wish you all a merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year.
2023 Ticket Prices
Will be announced early January.
Next stocking - TBA
Saturday 10th to Friday 16th December
17 Anglers caught 63 Fish and 49 fish were returned.
Best Fish
7lb 8oz Mick Roache
5lb 11oz Chris Allen Tequila Fab
4lb 2oz John Grey
4lb Tom Davis
A quiet week on the lake due to the frozen conditions, although those who ventured out caught well. Nigel Cheetham had 13 from the boat on Saturday from Brookside Bay to the overflow corner, where the fish have been coming on to feed from about 11am to 2pm.
Predator Weekend
The predator anglers were met with icy conditions, a temperature of -4 degrees and freezing fog, but this didn’t deter them. There were reports of a few small Jack pike, 1 large lost fish and a stunning pike of 16lb caught by Dan Brackley.
Best Areas
Bank - Lagoon, Shallow Bay, Gravel Bar, boat bay, dam and Brookside Point.
Boat - dam, Gravel Bar, Brookside Bay
Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green tadpoles/lures, pink lures, red apps, black buzzer, black cruncher, red diawl bachs.
Survey
I have been asked to circulate a visitor survey that is being conducting around the Nene Valley - If you wish to contribute, please use this link.
https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164399705185
Closing
We are shut Christmas Day and Boxing Day for day tickets, the last day of the season is December 31st. Season permit holders only can bank fish during January.
2023 Ticket Prices
Will be announced early January.
Next stocking - TBA
Saturday 2nd December to Friday 9th December
50 Anglers caught 128 fish, of which 82 fish were returned.
Best Fish
6lb 10oz Noel Ramsey - White Minky
6lb 7oz Dusan Dusan
6lb 4oz Glynn Wood - Blue Flash Damsel
6lb Stephen Illingworth
5lb 7oz Jim Nixon
5lb 3oz Andrius Papeika
5lb Ivor Fisher Black Buzzer
4lb 7oz David Flood
4lb 2oz Clive Trundle
The water clarity is much improved and visibility is at 4ft. The bank has been outperforming the boats and some of our big resident fish have been caught this week. The fish are feeding on small buzzers and roach fry, from the margins of the gravel bar, all the way round to the dam and up to Brookside Bay. During the cold spell the afternoons have been more productive.
Best Areas
Bank - lagoon, shallow bay, gravel bar, boat bay, dam and brookside point.
Boat - dam, gravel bar and brookside bay.
Best Patterns
Black/green or white/green tadpoles/lures, pink lures, red apps, black buzzer, black cruncher, red diawl bachs, candy fabs, tequila fabs, orange blobs and blue flash damsels.
Survey
I have been asked to circulate a visitor survey that is being conducting around the Nene Valley - If you wish to contribute, please use this link.
https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164399705185
Closing
We are shut Christmas Day and Boxing Day for day tickets, the last day of the season is December 31st. Season permit holders only can bank fish during January.
2023 Ticket Prices
Will be announced early January.
Water Temp 8.4 deg
Next stocking - Wednesday 7th December
Saturday 26th November - Friday 2nd December
63 Anglers caught 129 Fish caught with 88 fish returned.
Best Fish
8lb 4oz Nigel Cheetham Black and Red Cruncher
8lb Andy Burgess Damsel Booby
7lb John Watson
6lb 8oz Nigel Cheetham Green and white tadpole
6lb Boris Black Buzzer
4lb 7oz Boris Black Buzzer
4lb 6oz Clive Trundle
4lb 6oz Tim Hodkinson
4lb 5oz Mr Taylor Northampton
Near flat calm conditions all week made the fishing tricky, there were fish showing over the deeper water feeding on small black buzzers but proving difficult to catch. Bank anglers are generally taking the best bags fishing down the edge on a mixture of fabs with black red diawl bachs and crunchers along with the usual white/ green and black/green lures. Water clarity continues to slowly improve, and visibility is at 4ft. The valves are open which will allow the boats back on the landing stages in a week and the track has had its annual repair.
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.
Survey
I have been asked to circulate a visitor survey that is being conducting around the Nene Valley - If you wish to contribute, please use this link.
https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164399705185
Closing
We are shut Christmas Day and Boxing Day for day tickets, the last day of the season is December 31st. Season permit holders only can bank fish during January.
2023 Ticket Prices
Will be announced early January.
Water Temp 8.4 deg
Next stocking - Wednesday 7th December
Saturday 19th - Friday 25th November
73 Anglers caught 129 Fish with 87 returned.
Best Fish
9lb 7oz Mick Mosley
4lb 7oz Nigel Cheetham
4lb 6oz John grey
4lb Ralph Gracie (Blue)
Last week started off well but unfortunately there was further flooding on Tuesday, the water rose to 1ft above the boat jetty’s, and the fishing slowed because of this, however, Chris Selby had a cracking day as the water flowed in from the brook, taking 21 fish on white and green /black and green lures, from the bank of the gravel bar. Visibility is improving by the day and is around 1.5 -2ft throughout the lake. Hopefully, as the water clears the fishing will improve throughout the week.
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.
Survey
I have been asked to circulate a visitor survey that is being conducting around the Nene Valley - If you wish to contribute, please use this link.
https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164399705185
Closing
Our last day of the season is December 31st, and we are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and throughout January, reopening on Saturday 11th February. Season permit holders can bank fish during January.
2023 Ticket Prices
Will be announced early January.
Water Temp 8.4 deg
Next stocking - Wednesday 7th December
Saturday 12th November - Friday 18th November
119 Anglers caught 369 Fish, with 230 returned.
Best Fish
6lb 12oz Ivor Fisher - Blue Flash Damsel Booby
6lb 12oz (Brown) John Mellaway
6lb 11oz Ed Foster - Damsel Booby
6lb 7oz Paul Gillies
6lb 4oz Mr Coupland
6lb 2oz John Mellaway
5lb 4oz Brian Carter - Black Buzzer
5lb 4oz Mike Bownes
Last week started brilliantly large numbers of quality fish were being caught from both boat and bank, with the bank providing the best results; washing line tactics with diawl bachs, hare’s ears and crunchers are working best. Unfortunately, the torrential rain on Thursday coloured the water as the brook flooded into the dam end of the lake, visibility went down 1-2 ft but is clearing daily and is now at 2–3ft and should be clear as we reach the end of the week. Water clarity didn’t hamper the fishing and on Friday Mikey managed a bag of 17 on the bank of the Gravel Bar.
Best Areas
All areas of the lake, close to the bank.
Best Flies
Black CDC buzzers, black and green or white and green lures, pink, black or white snakes, black DB’s, black crunchers, blue flash damsel, olive apps, orange or tequila fabs.
Fur and Feather
Last Sunday Elinor held the annual Fur & Feather. A massive thank you to all those that bought a raffle ticket and donated prizes - we raised a whopping £700 for the Air Ambulance – please see list below for those with raffle prizes left to collect. There was a fantastic turnout of 46 anglers who caught 81 fish. A light SW wind and overcast conditions saw the fish feeding in the margins, giving the bank anglers a clear advantage on the day. Congratulations to Ed Foster who took first place catching 6 fish by 10.26am on the bank at Pensioner’s Point, using a floating line and size 10 black and red buzzers with a sunburst fab on the point.
1. Edward Foster Bank 6 fish = 22lb
2. Graham Wills Bank 6 fish = 17lb 8oz
3. Richard Slater Bank 6 fish = 17lb
4. Mark Haycock Bank 6 fish = 15lb 4oz
5. Ivor Fisher Boat 4 fish 13lb 8oz biggest fish of the match 6lb 12oz
6. Andrius Papeika boat 6 fish11lb
Raffle prizes at the lodge for collection – Mr Clay, Paul White, Mr Hiller, Glyn Wood, Colin Ashworth, Steve Parnham, Roy Whitwell, Keith Chapman, Sean Roe, Andy Coleman, Tim Wadewell, Vernon Beak and Mark McClelland.
Survey
I have been asked to circulate a visitor survey that is being conducting around the Nene Valley - If you wish to contribute, please use this link.
https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=164399705185
Water Temp 10 deg
Next stocking 24th or 25th November.
Saturday 5th November - Friday 11th November
84 Anglers caught 350 Fish with 245 returned.
Best Fish
6lb 14oz Adrian Wilkins
6lb Graham Limer - Bury St Edmunds
6lb Clive Trundle
6lb Mr Denton Northampton
5lb 8z John Grey
5lb Juska - Chatteris
5lb John Stones
5lb Mike Carpenter 4
4lb 6oz John Ballentine
There have been some good double figure bags being taken this week from both the bank and boat, Brian Carter landed 25 from the bank and Adrian Wilkins had 27 from the boat on Friday. The water clarity is excellent, and the temperature has hit the magic 10C, washing line tactics still proving to be the best method.
Congratulations to John Sutton from Invicta Fly Fishers, for his winning bag of 9 fish, collectively they caught 49 fish on their Annual autumn bank match on Saturday.
Best Areas
All areas are producing fish.
Best Flies
Hoppers – Black and Brown, dry daddies, black CDC buzzers, black and green or white and green lures, pink, black or white snakes, DB’s, crunchers, blue flash damsel, red apps, orange or tequila fabs.
Predator Fishing Weekends
Still a couple of places left for the Predator Fishing Weekends.
November 26th & 27th
December 10th & 11th
Elinor will once again be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike and perch: (using lures or sea dead baits only). Eight boats will be available each day from 7am until dark. 1 angler and boat £35.00 and 2 anglers and boat £55.00. Payment required in advance to secure booking.
Payable to: B P Gifford
Bank: Barclays
Account: 30497304
Sort Code: 20-27-26
Payment Reference: Your Name
Water Temp 10 deg
Next stocking Due to the double stocking this week, the next stocking will be 24 or 25 November.
Saturday 29th October - Friday 4th November
87 Anglers caught 291 Fish with 178 returned.
Best Fish
6lb 2oz Brian Carter - Black buzzer
6lb Malcolm Broughton
5lb 2oz Andrius Papeika
4lb Dave McSeveney
A great start to the weekend - Paul White had a successful day on Saturday, using washing line tactics with black boobies and black buzzers, taking 16 fish to the boat. On Sunday, regular anglers Andrius and boat partner Victor had 22, fishing small fabs on the surface. Bank anglers are continuing to take fish from all around the lake and plenty of 4lb + specimens are being caught.
The water clarity is excellent and on calmer days, decent numbers of fish are rising to small black midges. Most fish are being caught on floating lines in the top 2 foot and are putting up a good fight. Lots of brown trout showing - please remember they are out of season and must be carefully returned.
All Areas producing fish from the bank and boat.
Best Flies
Hoppers – black and brown, dry daddies, black CDC buzzers, black and green or white and green lures, pink, black or white snakes, DB’s, crunchers, blue flash damsel, red apps, orange or tequila fabs.
Best Areas
All areas producing fish from the bank and boat
Fur & Feather
Sunday November 13th - 9am - 3pm.
All boats are booked for the "Fur & Feather", but there is plenty of bank space available. This year we will be raising funds for the Warwickshire air ambulance. £25.00 to fish from bank plus usual cost for boats. (£5.00 for season ticket holders).
Predator Fishing Weekends
Still a couple of places left for the Predator Fishing Weekends.
November 26th & 27th
December 10th & 11th
Elinor will once again be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike and perch: (using lures or sea dead baits only). Eight boats will be available each day from 7am until dark. 1 angler and boat £35.00 and 2 anglers and boat £55.00. Payment required in advance to secure booking.
Payable to: B P Gifford
Bank: Barclays
Account: 30497304
Sort Code: 20-27-26
Payment Reference: Your Name
Water Temp 11.4 deg
Next stocking Friday 10th November
Saturday 22nd October to Friday 28th October
97 Anglers caught 276 Fish with 172 Returned.
Best Fish
6lb 14oz John Grey - White snake
6lb 2oz Ian Corstorphine
5lb 10oz John Grey
4lb 3oz Brown – Craig Ashcroft - Black Buzzer
Firstly, we would like to say a big thank you Iain Barr and all those that attended Elinor’s first family day - it was inspiring to see the youngsters practising their cast and then go onto catch 20 fish between them. A great day was had by all, and this is definitely something we will do again.
It was a good week for boat and bank anglers, fish were well spread out and some great bags were caught. Paul Gillis and Paul White shared a boat and managed 24, catching on both yellow and pink dancers and dry daddies. Robert Senior had a bag of 11 rainbows all caught on diawl bachs. Most fish are being caught on floating lines in the top 2 feet.
The calmer days have seen decent numbers of fish rising to small black midges. The water clarity is excellent, and the fish are fighting hard. Quite a few brown trout are showing and please remember that they are now out of season and must be carefully returned.
Best Flies
Hoppers – black and brown, dry daddies, black CDC buzzers, black and green or white and green Lures, pink, black or white snakes, DB’s, crunchers, blue flash damsel, red apps, orange or tequila fabs.
Best Areas
All areas producing fish from the bank and boat.
Fur & Feather
Sunday November 13th - 9am - 3pm.
This year we will be raising funds for the Warwickshire air ambulance. £25.00 to fish from bank plus usual cost for boats. (£5.00 for season ticket holders).
Predator Fishing Weekends
Still a couple of places left for the Predator Fishing Weekends.
November 26th & 27th
December 10th & 11th
Elinor will once again be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike and perch: (using lures or sea dead baits only). Eight boats will be available each day from 7am until dark. 1 angler and boat £35.00 and 2 anglers and boat £55.00. Payment required in advance to secure booking.
Payable to: B P Gifford
Bank: Barclays
Account: 30497304
Sort Code: 20-27-26
Payment Reference: Your Name
Water Temp 12 deg
Next stocking Friday 4th November
Saturday 15th October to Friday 22nd October
96 Anglers caught 220 Fish with 134 Returned.
Best Fish
6lb 2oz Mr Tibbetts Black snake
5lb 8oz T Stevens Black CDC buzzer
5lb 1oz J Wallis Desborough - Black Hopper
4lb 2oz Darren Oram White & Green snake
4lb Keith Sargent
4lb Tony Dean
The water temperature has dropped substantially and is presently at 12.2C. Catches have been steadily improving from both the boats and the bank when the weather conditions allow. The fish are evenly spread all over the lake and are feeding mainly on small black buzzers.
Last weekend the windy weather on Saturday and bright sunshine on Sunday morning, made for difficult conditions over the weekend, however that didn’t deter regular angler Paul White who fished from the bank on Sunday and again on Tuesday, catching 8 on both days, on a 3ft midge tip with cat’s whiskers and yellow dancers. The bank fishing is improving day by day and Mr Hosmer from Oakham also had a good day on the bank catching 5 on Friday.
Best Flies
black hoppers, brown hoppers, dry daddy’s, black CDC buzzers, black and green lures, white and green lures, pink snakes, black snakes, white snakes, black buzzer, olive buzzers, db’s, crunchers, blue flash damsel, red apps.
Best Areas
All areas producing fish.
Fur & Feather
Sunday November 13th - 9am - 3pm.
This year we will be raising funds for the Warwickshire air ambulance. £25.00 to fish from bank plus usual cost for boats. (£5.00 for season ticket holders).
Predator Fishing Weekends
Still a couple of places left for the Predator Fishing Weekends.
November 26th & 27th
December 10th & 11th
Elinor will once again be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike and perch: (using lures or sea dead baits only). Eight boats will be available each day from 7am until dark. 1 angler and boat £35.00 and 2 anglers and boat £55.00.
Payment required in advance to secure booking.
Payable to: B P Gifford
Bank: Barclays
Account: 30497304
Sort Code: 20-27-26
Payment Reference: Your Name.
Saturday 8th October to Friday14th October
142 Anglers caught 275 Fish with 167 Returned.
Best Fish
6lb 12oz Richard Ingley Blue flash damsel
6lb Darren Oram White and green snake
5lb 5oz Adrian Wilkins
5lb Dave Miles Buzzer
5lb David Hardwick Staffordshire
4lb 5oz Chris Allen Orange Snake
The boats having been having the best results, although the bank fishing continues to pick up. The water clarity has vastly improved, and the temperature is down to 13.3C. Anglers have been catching on a mixture of methods - dries, nymphs and lures. The majority of fish are coming from the surface, although some boats have scored well with lures on an intermediate. The fish are feeding on small buzzers and daddies and few fish are feeding on the fry around the boat dock down to the overflow corner.
Best Flies
Black hoppers brown hoppers, dry daddies, black CDC buzzers, black and green lures, white and green lures and snakes, black buzzer, Olive Buzzers, DB’s, Crunchers, Blue flash Damsel & Red apps.
Best Areas
All areas producing fish.
Dates for the Diary
Family Fun Day
Monday October 24th
Under 16's learn to fly fish with former World Champion Iain Barr. 9am - 1pm @ £10 per parent and child, please call the lodge to reserve a space.
Fur & Feather
Sunday November 13th - 9am - 3pm.
This year we will be raising funds for the Warwickshire air ambulance. £25.00 to fish from bank plus usual cost for boats. (£5.00 for season ticket holders).
Predator Fishing Weekends
November 26th & 27th
December 10th & 11th
Elinor will once again be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike and perch: (using lures or sea dead baits only). Eight boats will be available each day from 7am until dark. 1 angler and boat £35.00 and 2 anglers and boat £55.00.
Payment required in advance to secure booking.
Payable to: B P Gifford
Bank: Barclays
Account: 30497304
Sort Code: 20-27-26
Payment Reference: Your Name.
Water temp: 13.3 degrees
Next Stocking: Thursday 20th October
Saturday 1st October - Friday 7th October
62 Anglers caught 198 Fish with 143 returned
Best Fish
8lb 6oz Lorenzo Serrano
5lb Dave Miles Black Buzzer
Best Flies
Black and green lures/white and green lures, snakes, black buzzer, olive buzzer, DBs, crunchers and blue flash damsels.
Best Areas
All areas producing fish.
On Monday Lorenzo Serrano- Escobar had an excellent day and managed 17 fish to the net, catching an 8.6lb rainbow and a 3.2lb blue. The rest of the week was rather quiet due to the very strong winds from mid-week onwards. Friday Mr Woolonough from Gretton managed to brave the wind and caught 10 fish on dry daddies from the bank in the East Arm.
The rod average is just over 3, and the fishing is picking up from both the bank and boat. On softer days there are numerous fish moving all over the lake and they are taking hatching black buzzers and on the rougher days anglers have been successfully catching on lures using intermediate lines.
Mapa Group Ltd held a hospitality day on Friday. attendees were treated to a morning’s tuition with Iain Barr followed by lunch at the King’s Head in Waddenhoe, it was a great success and we hope to hold more hospitality/corporate days in the future, please call the lodge for more details if you are interested.
Dates for the Diary
Family Fun Day
Monday October 24th
Under 16's learn to fly fish with former World Champion Iain Barr. 9am - 1pm @ £10 per parent and child, please call the lodge to reserve a space.
Fur & Feather
Sunday November 13th - 9am - 3pm.
This year we will be raising funds for the Warwickshire air ambulance. £25.00 to fish from bank plus usual cost for boats. (£5.00 for season ticket holders).
Predator Fishing Weekends
November 26th & 27th
December 10th & 11th
Elinor will once again be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike and perch: (using lures or sea dead baits only). Eight boats will be available each day from 7am until dark. 1 angler and boat £35.00 and 2 anglers and boat £55.00.
Payment required in advance to secure booking.
Payable to: B P Gifford
Bank: Barclays
Account: 30497304
Sort Code: 20-27-26
Payment Reference: Your Name.
Water temp:14.3 degrees
Next Stocking: Thursday 14th October
24th September - Friday 30th September
68 Anglers caught 91 fish of which 55 were returned.
Best Fish
7lb Alan Bayford - Huntingdon
6lb 11oz Mr Grieve - Cornwall, Black buzzer
6lb Chris Redhead - Whittlesey
6lb Mark Angus, Black Buzzer
4lb (Brown) John Grey, Black Snatcher
At last, some good news for Elinor - the water temperature is down to 14.3C, the weed is dying back, and the algae bloom is starting to clear. Although the fishing was still challenging last week, there was a steady improvement throughout the week. There were good numbers of fish rising, especially in the early mornings, and they are well spread over most areas of the lake. Most fish were caught in the top two foot. Next week should really pick up with the favourable weather forecast.
Best Area
Boat - Dam, Brookside, East Arm, down the middle
Bank - Dam, Brookside -Brookside Bay, East Arm.
Best Flies
Foam Daddy, Hoppers, Black Buzzers, Red Apps, buzzers, Crunchers, Tequila Fabs - Orange Blobs, Black and Green Tadpole and Cats Whisker.
Dates for the Diary
Family Fun Day
Monday October 24th
Under 16's learn to fly fish with former World Champion Iain Barr. 9am - 1pm @ £10 per parent and child, please call the lodge to reserve a space.
Fur & Feather
Sunday November 13th - 9am - 3pm.
This year we will be raising funds for the Warwickshire air ambulance. £25.00 to fish from bank plus usual cost for boats. (£5.00 for season ticket holders).
Predator Fishing Weekends
November 26th & 27th
December 10th & 11th
Elinor will once again be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike and perch: (using lures or sea dead baits only). Eight boats will be available each day from 7am until dark. 1 angler and boat £35.00 and 2 anglers and boat £55.00.
Payment required in advance to secure booking.
Payable to: B P Gifford
Bank: Barclays
Account: 30497304
Sort Code: 20-27-26
Payment Reference: Your Name.
Water temp: 14.3 degrees
Next Stocking: Thursday 6th October
17th September - 23rd September
93 Anglers caught 95 fish of which 60 were returned.
Best Fish
7lb 7oz Jack Richards Holbeach (see photograph below)
7lb Nigel Cheetham - Black and Green Tadpole (see photograph below)
6lb 7oz Matt Skinner - Black Snake
5lb Pete Cooke - Sunburst Blob
Due to the algae bloom effecting the water clarity, the fishing was slow last week, but thankfully this has started to clear. The fish were evenly spread over the whole lake with good numbers showing. There have been good hatches of small black and olive buzzers throughout the day and Daddies are appearing around edges. The water temperature has dropped to 15.3C and despite only 95 fish being caught last week there is another good stocking going in on Tuesday - Elinor is full of fish and will switch on anytime and most definitely picked up towards the back end of last week and over this weekend.
Best Area
Boat - Dam, Brookside, East Arm, down the middle.
Bank - Dam, Brookside -Brookside Bay, East Arm.
Best Flies
Foam Daddy, Hoppers, Black Buzzers, Red Apps, Black Booby, Buzzers, Crunchers, Tequila Fab/Orange Blob, Black and Green Tadpole and Cats Whisker.
Dates for the Diary
Family Fun Day
Monday October 24th
Under 16's learn to fly fish with former World Champion Iain Barr. 9am - 1pm @ £10 per parent and child, please call the lodge to reserve a space.
Fur & Feather
Sunday November 13th - 9am - 3pm.
This year we will be raising funds for the Warwickshire air ambulance. £25.00 to fish from bank plus usual cost for boats. (£5.00 for season ticket holders).
Predator Fishing Weekends
November 26th & 27th
December 10th & 11th
Elinor will once again be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike and perch: (using lures or sea dead baits only). Eight boats will be available each day from 7am until dark. 1 angler and boat £35.00 and 2 anglers and boat £55.00.
Payment required in advance to secure booking.
Payable to: B P Gifford
Bank: Barclays
Account: 30497304
Sort Code: 20-27-26
Payment Reference: Your Name.
Water temp: 15.3 degrees
Next Stocking: Friday 27th September.
10th September - 16th September
88 anglers caught 81 fish of which 55 were returned.
Best Fish
6lb 2oz Matt Skinner
4lb 7oz Matt Skinner
Best Area
Boat - Dam, Brookside, East Arm and down the middle.
Bank - Dam, Brookside -Brookside Bay and the East Arm.
Best Flies
Foam Daddy, Hoppers, Black Buzzers, Red Apps, Black Boobies, Buzzers, Crunchers, Tequila Fabs - Orange Blobs, Black and Green Tadpole and Cat’s Whisker.
The fishing continued to be difficult for the most part last week, due to the warm water temperature, it was 19.3 deg on Friday but is coming down daily with the cooler nights and NE winds. Fish are well spread around the lake and being caught in the top 3ft. Chris Redhead from Whittlesey fished on Friday and managed a good bag of 6 fish on dry hoppers. There have been some good buzzer hatches in the early mornings and again just before sunset. We are now confident that we are getting over the summer lull and Elinor will once again provide some good autumn sport for boat and bank anglers.
Dates for the Diary
Fur & Feather
Sunday November 13th - 9am - 3pm.
This year we will be raising funds for the Warwickshire air ambulance. £25.00 to fish from bank plus usual cost for boats. (£5.00 for season ticket holders).
Predator Fishing Weekends
November 26th & 27th
December 10th & 11th
Elinor will once again be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike and perch: (using lures or sea dead baits only). Eight boats will be available each day from 7am until dark. 1 angler and boat £35.00 and 2 anglers and boat £55.00.
Payment required in advance to secure booking.
Payable to: B P Gifford
Bank: Barclays
Account: 30497304
Sort Code: 20-27-26
Payment Reference: Your Name.
Water temp: 19.3 degrees
Next Stocking: Friday 23rd September.
1st September - Friday 9th September
126 Anglers caught 253 fish of which 159 were returned.
Best Fish
4lb 13oz Clive Trundle
4lb 5oz Malcom Broughton
4lb Malcom Broughton
There was a steady start to the reopening week and some very good bags were taken; Darius from Milton Keynes had 32 on opening day, he was catching on cat’s whiskers and daddies. Other notable bags came from Andrius who had 21 and season ticket holder Boris, who had bags of 19 and 14.
The fish have been evenly spread through the lake from the Dam down to the East Arm. There have been some buzzer hatches happening in the mornings, but from 2pm onwards things slow down and pick up again early evening. There is no sign of the daddy’s yet but with the rain showers I’m expecting to see them hatching soon.
Best Methods
Washing line tactics with black buzzers and diawl bach and crunchers either fished static or drifting on the wind.
Best Areas
Boat - Dam, Brookside, East Arm and down the Middle
Bank - Dam, Brookside -Brookside Bay, and the East Arm
Best Flies
Foam daddy, hopper, black buzzer, red app, black booby, buzzer, cruncher, tequila fab, orange blob, black and green tadpole and cat’s whisker.
Dates for the Diary
Fur & Feather
Sunday November 13th - 9am - 3pm.
This year we will be raising funds for the Warwickshire air ambulance. £25.00 to fish from bank plus usual cost for boats. (£5.00 for season ticket holders).
Predator Fishing Weekends
November 26th & 27th
December 10th & 11th
Elinor will once again be holding two weekends when anglers can target pike and perch: (using lures or sea dead baits only). Eight boats will be available each day from 7am until dark. 1 angler and boat £35.00 and 2 anglers and boat £55.00.
Payment required in advance to secure booking.
Payable to: B P Gifford
Bank: Barclays
Account: 30497304
Sort Code: 20-27-26
Payment Reference: Your Name.
Water temp: 20.3 degrees
Next Stocking: Friday 16th September.
July 22nd - 31st July
61 Anglers caught 172 fish of which 101 were returned.
Best Fish
6lb 4oz Phil Harris, Stamford - Red Apps
5lb 7oz Darius Lasata, Milton Keynes - Dry Blue Damsel
Another tricky week with the water still warm although anglers were catching fish on cloudier, cooler days. Damsels continued to be the main food source with fish taking nymphs and adults. Elinor regular Darius Lasata from Milton Keynes landed a total of 39 fish over 3 days, catching on dry blue damsels and orange blobs. Boat and bank anglers found more fish at the top of the wind where the water was much clearer. As always, but especially in the warmer weather, please take extra care when returning fish. They should be unhooked in the net without removing from the water.
Best Area
Boat - Dam, Brookside, East Arm, Down the Middle.
Bank - Dam, Brookside -Brookside Bay, East Arm.
Best Flies
Foam Daddy, Hoppers, Black Buzzers, Red Apps, Blue Flash Damsel, Dry Damsel.
Thank you to those that came to the BBQ a great afternoon was had by all.
Volunteer Day
A few anglers have suggested we do a volunteers day and this is set for Sunday the 14th of August, if you feel like coming down and offering your skills they would be greatly appreciated, we are mainly focusing our attention on the boats.
Elinor is now closed for August and will reopen on the 1st of September. We would like to thank those that have supported us and made our first Spring/Summer season a success and we look forward to welcoming you back for the Autumn/Winter.
Next Stocking: Friday 2nd September, when we reopen after the August break.
July 16th - 22nd July
43 Anglers caught 106 fish of which 78 were returned.
Best Fish
5lb 14oz Phil Harris, Stamford - Red apps
5lb 8oz Mr Roberts
5lb Chris Allen - Brigstock
4lb 8oz Darren Oram - Aldwincle
4lb 2oz Darren Oram - Aldwincle
The conditions were difficult at the start of the week, and the heatwave pushed the water temp up to 25 deg, but thankfully as the week progressed it dropped back down and was 21.7 at the time of writing this report on Sunday 24th. The general pattern has seen the fish feeding on the surface in the morning and dropping down into the deeper water as the day goes on. On Saturday season ticket holder Boris fished a washing line with black buzzers and boobies and caught 9 fish over the deeper water and Andrius from St Neots stayed on a sinking line, for a bag of 17 fish on blue flash damsels.
Most days there has been some surface activity due to the large damsel hatches, although fishing will probably continue to be challenging until we get a cooler spell.
Best Areas
Boat - Dam, Brookside Bay, East Arm and down the middle.
Bank - Dam, Brookside-Brookside Bay and East Arm.
Best Flies
Foam daddy, hoppers, similar to below along with black buzzers, red apps. blue flash damsel and dry damsel.
Elinor BBQ this coming Saturday 3pm - 6pm, come along and meet your fellow anglers.
Closing - Please note we close on Sunday 31st July at 2pm and reopen on Thursday 1 September.
Next Stocking: Friday 2nd September, when we reopen after the August break.
July 10th - 15th July
A very short report this week due to the hot weather only a handful of anglers braved the water. The fishing was better in the mornings and the best methods were washing line, black buzzers and fabs and medium sinking lines with damsel patterns worked best through the day. Darius Lasata from Milton Keynes cracked it using a sinking line with cat’s whiskers and daddy long legs having 13 fish to the boat on Friday. Water clarity remains very good.
Best boat area is over the open water in the middle of the lake.
Please note Elinor is closed tomorrow (Monday) and open Tuesday am only and from Wednesday normal service until Sunday the July 31st when we close at 2pm.
Please come and join us on Sat 30th July for the Elinor BBQ 3pm - 6pm, we would like to thank you all for your support over the last few months.
Next Stocking: Due to the double stocking last Friday and the rise in water temperatures our next stocking will be on Friday 2nd September when we reopen after the August break.
Water Temp: The water temp is at around 24 degrees.
July 2nd - 9th July
103 Anglers caught 250 fish of which 167 were returned.
Best Fish
6lb 4oz Chris Redhead - Brigstock
5lb 3oz J Grey - Higham Ferries
5lb 3oz Mr Harris - Stamford
5lb 2oz D Harrison - Crick
4lb 10oz Richard Ingley
4lb 8oz Luke Barrell
4lb 1oz J Grey - Higham Ferries
4lb 1oz John Balloden- Milton Keynes
4lb M Mculland - Histon
4lb Jason Burns
Last week Elinor fished well, with some good bags being taken from the lodge end of the lake. The fishing was mainly on the surface with hopers and daddies. Season ticker holder Boris from Corby had 18 fish in Broookside Bay and Phill Harris from Stamford had a great afternoon catching 16 fish, he was anchored off the dam and fished with apps/bloodworms, at around 4-6ft down. With the high temperatures forecast this week the fishing is sure to be harder. The water temperature today is 21C, so please take extra care if releasing fish. Mornings tend to be best now, as the the evening rise is not always happening if the surface layers are too warm. The massive damsel hatch continues which at least keeps some fish on the surface on even the brightest days.
Best Areas
Boat - East Arm, under the wires, down the middle and the boat dock.
Bank - East Arm, Course Fish Bank, Grave Bar and the Dam.
Flies
Foam daddies - orange and brown, black hoppers, crippled midge, black crunchers and red apps.
Next Stocking: Due to the double stocking on Friday and the rise in temperatures our next stocking will be on Friday 2nd September when we reopen after the August break.
Water Temp: The water temp is at around 21 degrees.
June 25th - 1st July
101 Anglers caught 297 fish of which 236 were returned.
Best Fish
6lb Mark Draper, Northampton - Dry fly
6lb Paul Howard
5lb 10oz Malcolm Broughton, Lincs
5lb 8oz G Hicks - Bloodworm
4lb 12oz Phil Harris, Stamford - Red Apps
A quieter start to the week due to the strong SW winds and the unsettled cooler weather, which has fortunately kept the water temperature down to around 19 Deg. Surface files have been scoring well all week with foam daddies, hoppers, CDC’s and buzzers along with washing line, fabs and small nymphs being the best approaches. On Monday, Darius a regular Elinor angler took a bag of twelve fish in the East Arm, caught on pulled hoppers and bobbies. Mark Draper and his boat partner Mark Burdett had a great evening session on Thursday, bringing 11 fish to the boat, one of which was a beautiful 6lb, along with a smaller 4lb 8oz, on dries, over the deeper water in front of the middle pylon. There is still plenty of fish feeding on the damsel nymphs and adult damsels around the margins at the top end of the lake and those that fished on the bank of the East Arm caught well, Dave Lawson had 11 to the net on Monday and Mike Bownes had 8 to the net on Wednesday using black buzzers and hoppers.
Best Areas
Bank - Coarse bank, Lagoon, Brookside- Brookside Bay, Goodfellow Bay, East Arm,
Boat - West arm, East arm, down middle, Brookside Bay, Brookside point
Best Patterns
Dry damsel, damsel nymph, damsel booby, black or olive Hoppers, red or black diawl, red cruncher, red apps, olive apps, orange blob/fab, tequila booby, white/green or black/green lures. Dries - foam daddy and yellow owls
Next Stocking: Friday the 8th of July.
Water Temp: The water temp is at around 19.2 degrees.
June 18th - 24th
99 anglers caught 370 fish of which 252 were returned.
Best Fish
8lb 6oz Ian Astell, Peterborough
7lb Nigel Cheetham - Black Buzzer
6lb 7oz G Martin - Black and Green Lure
6lb 3oz J Chapman - Blue Damsel
4lb 6oz Phill Harris, Stamford
4lb 4oz Malcom Broughton
Last week Elinor fished well considering the warm conditions, and there were some excellent bags being produced from both ends of the lake. Ian Astell caught the week’s biggest Rainbow on the bank of the Dam and Paul Jennings managed 18 from the Lodge bank on olive emergers. On Sunday Adrian Wilkins caught 26 alongside his regular boat partner John Grey who caught 16, both using pulled black hoppers, foam daddies and coral-orange blobs/boobies.
As always but especially in the warmer weather when handling and releasing fish, please keep them in the water, take care, and allow extra recovery time.
Best Patterns
Dry damsel, damsel nymph, black or olive hoppers, red or black diawl, red cruncher, red apps, olive apps, orange blob/fab, tequila booby, white/green or black/green lures. Dries - foam daddy and yellow owls.
Best Areas
Bank - Coarse Fish Bank, Lagoon, Brookside-Brookside Bay, Pensioners Point, Goodfellow Bay, East Arm and Boat Dock
Boat - West Arm, East Arm, middle, Brookside Bay and Brookside Point
Dates for the Diary
Elinor BBQ
We would like to say a huge thank you to all those who have supported us over the last 4 months, please come along and meet your fellow anglers at the Elinor end of summer season BBQ Saturday 30th July from 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Please note we will be closing at 2pm on Sunday 31st July until Thursday 1st September
Fur and Feather
The Fur and feather bank/boat match will be held on Sunday 13th November, and we will be raising money for the Warwickshire Air Ambulance.
Next Stocking: Friday the 1st of July.
Water Temp: The water temp is at around 21 degrees.
June 11th - 17th
97 anglers caught 209 fish of which 108 were returned.
Best Fish
6lb 4oz Nigel Cheetham - Black Hopper
5lb 5oz J Murdoch - Brown foam daddy
4lb 7oz Clive Trundel, Silverstone
4lb Alan Yates - Dry Blue Damsel
Great start to the weekend with the bank fishing picking up, especially on the course fish bank with fish feeding in range on adult damsels and nymphs, a pulled booby with hoppers, dry damsels or foam daddies pulled or fished statically.
The hotter weather from Wednesday - Friday quickly warmed up the surface temperature and made the fishing difficult towards the end of the week, but those that fished deeper between 4-8 ft on a tip or intermediate line did well and the conditions certainly didn't deter Darius who had 8 to the boat in a couple of hours on Friday morning.
As always but especially during the warmer weather, please take extra care when releasing fish back into the warm water. Boat and bank anglers should keep the fish in the net and not remove them from the water while unhooking, barbless hooks make the process much easier.
Best Areas
Bank - Coarse Fish Bank, Gravel Bar, Shallow Bay, Lagoon, Brookside-Brookside Bay East Arm, Pensioners Point and Goodfellow Bay.
Boat - West Arm, East Arm, down the middle, Lagoon, Shallow Bay and Brookside Bay.
Best Patterns
Dry adult blue damsel, damsel nymph, brown-orange foam daddy, olive hopper, black buzzer, olive buzzer hopper, yellow owl, white and green snake, black and green snake and cat’s whisker.
Next Stocking: Thursday 17th of June.
Water Temp: The water temp is at around 21 degrees.
June 4th - 10th
94 Anglers caught 294 fish of which 207 were returned.
Best Fish
6lb 7oz Nigel Cheetham - Cruncher
6lb 2oz Brian Carter - Hopper
6lb 2oz Ivor Fisher - Damsel
5lb 7oz Mick Breeson
5lb 2oz Robert Senior
It was a quieter week at Elinor, mainly due to the rain at the weekend and the strong winds from Wednesday onwards. There has been lots of surface activity at the top end of the lake with pulled tequila booby and hoppers working well. Damsel nymphs and adult damsels are keeping the fish occupied during the day along with large hatches of small sedge and buzzers in the evening.
Although the boats are having the biggest bags there are plenty of fish in range for bank anglers, with the Course Fish Bank being the best area. Dry flies 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.
Bank - All areas producing fish
Boat - All areas producing fish
Best Patterns, Red or black diawl, red cruncher, small damsel, red apps, olive apps, candy or sunburst blob/fab, white/green or black/green lures. Dries, orange foam daddy. brown foam daddy, black hoppers, crippled midge, yellow owl cdc’s.
Catch of the week Colin Sheldon with a 4ft eel caught on a booby, see photograph below.
Next Stocking: Thursday 17th of June.
Water Temp: The cooler weather last week kept the water temp at around 18.6 degrees.
May 28th - June 3rd
161 anglers caught 475 fish of which 356 were returned.
Best Fish
8lb Aurelijus Petraitis, King's Lynn
7lb 4oz B Williams - Dry Daddy
6lb 5oz J Wallis, Desborough - Olive CDC
6lb 2oz C Chapman - Cats Whisker
5lb 1oz Mr Balladon, Milton Keynes
5lb 1oz Mr Shearn, Bristol - Yellow Owl
Bank - Dam, Brookside - Brookside Bay and the East arm
Boat - All areas are producing fish
Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzers, red or black diawl, red cruncher, small damsel, red apps, olive apps, candy or sunburst blob/fab, white/green or black/green lures. Dries - orange or brown foam daddies, shipman’s, black hoppers, crippled midge, yellow owl cdc’s.
Last week there were some spectacular hatches of Damsels and small buzzers which have kept the fish feeding in the top couple feet of the water and dry fly fishing has been the most successful approach. The evening rise continues to be good if the air temperature is warmer and the wind is south to south westerly; the colder easterlies tend to hamper the hatch.
Congratulations to season ticket holder Nigel Cheetham for his productive couple of days, he had a total of 53 fish caught mainly on dries. We would also like to congratulate our youngest angler Noah Price on his great angling skills and managing to catch his first trout.
The Complete Fisher Forum enjoyed their yearly social at the weekend taking to the water from their float tubes.
Next Stocking: Thursday 9th of June.
Water Temp: The cooler weather last week kept the water temp at around 18.0 degrees.
May 21st - May 27th
107 anglers caught 344 fish of which 233 were returned.
Best Fish
10lb Jim Nixon - Bank
8lb 7oz G Martin – Black/green lure
8lb Jim Nixon - Bank
7lb 7oz Trevor Partridge
7lb 4oz Chris Redhead
7lb 3oz S Gilbert - Red cruncher
5lb 10oz Dennis Ciappara - Black humongous
5lb D Lawson
The great conditions over the weekend saw Daniel and Nigel Tranter take to the water for an afternoon session, and they managed a good double figure bag drifting from the middle pylon all the way through to the dam, catching on yellow owls, hare’s ears, sugar cubes and crippled midges. On Monday Paul Jennings had a good day on the bank catching 8 on emerging buzzer patterns.
The Strong south westerly winds saw a quieter week, however, there were some good bags caught at the top end of the lake from both the bank and the boat. The damsel fly hatch is well under way and there are big numbers of adult damsels, accompanied by small black or dark olive buzzers, small daddies and mayfly, showing all the way around the lake. The evening fishing has been superb with small sedges and buzzers hatching, the water clarity remains good, and the fish continue to feed in the top layers of the water.
Bank - All areas are producing fish
Boat - All areas are producing fish
Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzers, red or black diawl, red cruncher, small damsel, red apps, olive apps, candy or sunburst blob/fab, white/green or black/green lures. Drys, foam daddy, shipman’s, hoppers, crippled midge and yellow owl cdc's.
We are open as normal over the Jubilee Weekend.
Next Stocking: Friday 3rd ofJune.
Water Temp: 18.7 degrees.
May 14th - May 20th
147 anglers caught 309 fish of which 208 were returned.
Best Fish
8lb 4oz Robert Bedford, Cats Whisker
7lb 10oz Gordon Curess black Buzzer
7lb 2oz Chris Redhead
6lb 0oz Lazloe Boden, red Cruncher
6lb 5oz J Taylor CDC Buzzer
5lb 8 oz Mr Harris, Stamford
5lb 1oz Robert Bedford, Cats whisker
5lb 1 oz Tom Cull
Best Areas
Bank - Coarse Fish Bank, Gravel Bar, Shallow Bay, Lagoon, Brookside- Brookside Bay, Overflow Corner
Boat - West Arm, East Arm, down the middle, Lagoon Shallow Bay
Best Patterns
Black or olive Buzzers, red or black Diawl, red Cruncher, small Damsel, red or olive Apps, Candy or Sunburst Blob/Fab, white/green or black/green Lures, Dries, Foam Daddies, Shipman’s, Hoppers, Crippled Midge and Yellow Owl CDC’s.
Fishing from the bank was challenging last week due to the weather conditions, although with a bit of cloud cover the fish were in range and in the top of the water. The early mornings and later in the day proved to be the best time, with Dries and washing line tactics proving to be the best method.
Boat anglers saw plenty of fish rising but it proved hard due to the size of the small buzzers hatching, it’s worth using an intermediate with lures at 4–6 feet and this method was used successfully by Robert from Bedford on Sunday who reached his 6 fish bag catching an 8.4lb and an 5.1lb on a Cats Whisker Tadpole.
The damsel hatches have started, and a size 10 or 12 unweighted olive pattern will imitate the nymphs swimming towards the shoreline to hatch. From around midday there is a good Mayfly hatch along the Brookside bank and a large Hares Ear or a Brown Foam Daddy is a great pattern to imitate the Mayfly. The excellent evening rises have seen the fish feeding the full length of the lake on emerging Buzzers, small Sedge and Caenis.
Alex Booth Fly Fishers held their annual Presidents cup bank match last Sunday and we would like to congratulate Roy Lewin for taking first place following what was a tough day on the bank.
Next Stocking: Tuesday 27th May.
Water Temp: 18.8 degrees on Saturday 21st
May 7th - May 13th
118 anglers caught 447 fish of which 304 were returned.
Best Fish
7lb 8oz Mr M Dobson, Corby - Olive buzzer
7lb 3oz A Smith, Burton Latimer - Red Cruncher
6lb 8oz Nigel Cheetham - CDC Buzzer
6lb 10oz Andy Burgess
6lb 4oz Mr Harris, Stamford
5lb 9oz Mr C Tilley - Blue Flash Damsel
5lb 3oz Mr Collins - Black Buzzer
5lb Mr Molloy
Throughout the week there continued to be hatches of mainly small black or dark olive Buzzers along with good numbers of small Daddies, and the first hatches of Mayfly and Damsels were seen. The fish are high in the water with an intermediate being the deepest line you’ll need. On a cloudy evening with a lighter breeze dry fly fishing has been excellent with plenty of rising fish to target. The week ended with the strong south westerly wind s and the majority of the fishing was taking place in the top of the East and West Arms.
Bank
Coarse Bank, Gravel Bar, Shallow Bay, Lagoon, Brookside - Brookside Bay, Overflow Corner.
Boat
West East Arm, down the middle, Lagoon, Shallow Bay
Best Patterns
Black or Olive Buzzers, Red or Black Diawls. Red Cruncher, Small Damsel, Red or Olive Apps, Candy or Sunburst Blob/Fab, White/Green or Black/Green Lures. Drys, Foam Daddys, Shipmans, Hoppers, Crippled Midge and Yellow Owl CDCs.
Next Stocking: Tuesday 20th May.
Water Temp: 17 Deg.
April 30th - May 6th
187 anglers caught 487 fish of which 325 were returned.
Best Fish
9lb Mr Waddell, Northampton
8lb 8oz Jeff, Olive Buzzer
7lb 8oz Mr Nelson, Welney, Montana
7lb 2oz Ray Ward, Cats Whisker
7lb 3oz P Harrow,Tequila Blob
7lb Mr Gregory
6lb 10oz Chris Redhead
6lb 4oz Mr Harris, Stamford
6lb D Dodson, Olive Buzzer
5lb 12oz Ive Fisher, Damsel
5lb 10oz Mr Watkins, Kings Lynn
5lb 3oz Ray Ward, W/G Lure
5lb 8oz Bobby Dorian, Kettering
5lb Mr Mascal
Bank - Coarse bank, Gravel Bar, Shallow Bay, Lagoon, Brookside - Brookside Bay, Overflow Corner.
Boat - West Arm, East Arm, all down the middle, Lagoon and Shallow Bay.
Last week Elinor saw great fishing conditions with light South-South Westerly winds for the majority of the week and with the increase of cloud cover the bank fishing improved as the fish moved into the shallows. Fish are feeding at all areas of the lake and at all depths. A recent spooning of fish showed Corixa and Damsel Nymphs have been on the menu. The evening rises are starting and Dries are the the best approach with size 12-14 Black and Claret Midge Patterns, Yellow Owl and Olive CdC's.
Best Patterns
Black or Olive Buzzers, Red or Black Diawlbachs, Red Cruncher, Small Damsel, Red Apps, Candy or Sunburst blob/fab, white/green or black/green lures, Drys, Foam Daddy, Shipman’s, Hoppers, Crippled Midge, Black and Claret Midge Patterns, Yellow Owl and Olive CdC's.
Next Stocking: Tuesday 11th May.
Water Temp: 14 Deg.
April 23rd - 29th
139 anglers caught 490 fish of which 337 were returned.
Best Fish
9lb 8oz Jack Morne
7lb 8oz Ken Byrin
7lb 3oz P Harris ,coral blob
7lb 0oz Mr Grange
6lb 8oz Mike Carpenter
6lb 8oz R Griggs
6lb 4 oz John Fletcher
6lb 1oz Dave Rowell
6lb 0oz D Miles
5 lb 8oz Mike Carpenter
5lb 8oz. Richard Pelly. Olive CDC
5lb 8oz Mr Flint
5lb 0oz Mr Sharman
5lb 0oz Mr Calvert
Best Areas
Fish are well spread.
Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzers, red or black diawl, red cruncher, small damsel, red apps, candy or sunburst blob/fab, white/green or black/green lures, dries, foam daddy, shipmans, hoppers and crippled midge.
Bank fishing was difficult over the weekend with the combination of the strong NE wind and the bright sunshine which encouraged the fish out into the deeper water, but towards the end of the week bank fishing improved with the cloud cover and the increase in the air temperature which saw the lake switch on with good surface activity, most productive method from the bank has been washing line with a mixture of buzzers nymphs and small damsels patterns.
Boat fishing has been most productive in the Lagoon, East Arm, Shallow Bay and all the way down the middle to the boat dock. John Holloway from Shefford had a great day on Thursday with 12 fish to the boat fishing a grey duster dry and Mike Carpenter caught a 6lb and a 5lb rainbow using the same method in the lagoon area.
Hatches are a couple of weeks behind due to the cold April weather, but with this week’s forecast of a settled spell and SW winds, we are looking forward to some excellent top of the water sport. In the early mornings the best flies have been white/green lures or black/green lures and small damsels and from mid-morning onwards a fab/small booby, blobs and olive buzzers have worked well.
Please note from Tuesday 3rd May there will be some groundwork taking place in the car park area for a few days.
Next Stocking: Tuesday 3rd May.
Water Temp: 13 Deg.
April 16th - 22nd
133 anglers caught 429 fish of which 313 were returned.
Best Fish
8lb 10oz Chris Redhead - Boat
8lb 3 oz Mr Holloway - Boat Drys
8lb 1oz Jim Nixon - Bank
7lb 3oz S Wallis - Black cruncher
6lb 4oz T Bellamy - Olive buzzer
5lb 5oz Peter Gillespie
5lb 5oz Mr Walmsley
5lb 5 oz Mr Arnold
Best Areas
Bank - Coarse Bank, Lagoon, Shallow Bay, Gravel Bar, East Arm
Boat - West Arm, Gravel Bar, and the middle.
Best Patterns
Black or olive buzzer, olive cruncher, small damsel, olive or hares ear cdc, black hopper, shipman’s buzzer, tequila blob/fab, white/green lures.
A much warmer week Elinor saw some excellent fly hatches with buzzers being top of the menu. The water is crystal clear, so the warm bright conditions made bank fishing trickier over the bank holiday weekend and the fish moved out to the deeper water, although this didn’t deter Jim Nixon who managed 9 including an 8lb fish from the Coarse Bank - East Arm by fishing his buzzers deep and slow.
I would like to congratulate Nigel Organ for catching an Elinor ‘Grand Slam’ a blue, brown and rainbow in a cracking 11 fish bag taken on red diawl bachs and a cruncher booby. The prospects for boat fishing remain excellent with fish showing across the lake and some good bags being taken on drys when the conditions allow. Please book boats in advance as Elinor is busy, although bank fishing has improved and will continue to do so with the cloudier and cooler temperatures forecast for later this week.
Next Stocking: Friday 26th April.
Water Temp: 14 Deg
April 9th - 15th
190 anglers caught 724 fish of which 497 were returned.
Best Fish
8lb 2oz M Hollingshead - Black buzzer
7lb 8oz Nigel Cheetham - Elk hair caddies
7lb 7oz. Dave McSeveney
7lb 1oz Mr Breason
7lb 1oz Mr Footman
6lb 12oz Ivor Fisher - Diawl Bach
6lb 8oz Mr Nightingale
6lb 7oz Andy Burgess
6lb 7oz Ralph Grace
6lb Mr Keeble
6lb N Osbourne
Best Areas
Bank - Shallow Bay, Gravel Bar, Lagoon, Goodfellow Bay, Brookside Point and the East Arm.
Boat - West Arm, East arm, Lagoon and Gravel bar
Best Patterns
Black buzzer, black cruncher, red or green diawl bach, black/green or white/green lures, orange blob, suspender buzzer, drys.
The brighter weather and ever-changing winds meant some anglers found the conditions tougher over the week.
There have been some huge buzzer hatches and the fish have switched to fish imitative feeding patterns. Water clarity has been excellent, and the fish have been feeding at all depths and were mainly being caught at 1- 3ft. As the week progressed the warmer weather saw the boats producing the best bags in the open water . Adrian Wilkins (photograph below) went afloat last Sunday in the West arm and managed a good double figure bag of fish mainly on drys, shipmans, cdcs and buzzers.
Please ensure you have a good quality leader as many have said their lines have been broken off by big fish.
The cloudier weather this week will hopefully produce some better bank fishing.
Next Stocking: Friday 14th April.
April 9th - 15th
190 anglers caught 724 fish of which 497 were returned.
Best Fish
8lb 2oz M Hollingshead - Black buzzer
7lb 8oz Nigel Cheetham - Elk hair caddies
7lb 7oz. Dave McSeveney
7lb 1oz Mr Breason
7lb 1oz Mr Footman
6lb 12oz Ivor Fisher - Diawl Bach
6lb 8oz Mr Nightingale
6lb 7oz Andy Burgess
6lb 7oz Ralph Grace
6lb Mr Keeble
6lb N Osbourne
Best Areas
Bank - Shallow Bay, Gravel Bar, Lagoon, Goodfellow Bay, Brookside Point and the East Arm.
Boat - West Arm, East arm, Lagoon and Gravel bar
Best Patterns
Black buzzer, black cruncher, red or green diawl bach, black/green or white/green lures, orange blob, suspender buzzer, drys.
The brighter weather and ever-changing winds meant some anglers found the conditions tougher over the week.
There have been some huge buzzer hatches and the fish have switched to fish imitative feeding patterns. Water clarity has been excellent, and the fish have been feeding at all depths and were mainly being caught at 1- 3ft. As the week progressed the warmer weather saw the boats producing the best bags in the open water . Adrian Wilkins (photograph below) went afloat last Sunday in the West arm and managed a good double figure bag of fish mainly on drys, shipmans, cdcs and buzzers.
Please ensure you have a good quality leader as many have said their lines have been broken off by big fish.
The cloudier weather this week will hopefully produce some better bank fishing.
Next Stocking: Friday 14th April.
April 2nd - 8th
101 anglers caught 527 fish of which 401 were returned.
Best Fish
8lb 10oz Mike Bownes -Tequila Fab
8lb 3oz Mike Bownes -Tequila Fab
8lb 7oz Mr Broughton
8lb 1oz Mr Tilley - Damsel
6lb 10z Mr Tilley - Damsel
7lb 8oz John Eldrom
6lb 7oz M Cullen - Cats whisker
6lb 3oz Chris Allen - Black buzzer
6lb 10oz Ian Jones
6lb 10oz A Burgess - Black buzzer
6lb 2oz Mr Holloway - Olive buzzer
Best Areas
Most areas are producing fish.
Best Patterns
Black or black/green lures, white/green lures, black diawl, cruncher, black buzzer, olive buzzer, tequila or candy fab/blob.
The frosty mornings have meant fishing has generally been better in the afternoon, coupled with some cloud cover and decent hatches of black or olive buzzers, fishing from the bank has improved and some decent bags have been caught. The best method from the bank has been a fab on the point with buzzers or diawl bach on the dropper.
Boat anglers are catching on straight lined buzzers, washing line and intermediate line with black/green or white/green lures/damsel and a few fish are being caught on dries. The strong North westerly winds mid-week stopped the boat fishing but those who managed to get tucked away on the bank caught a few. The water temperature is a cool 9C, however the evening rises should start before the end of the month.
Please be aware the sheep are back in the field all gates must be closed and dogs to be kept on leads – thank you for your co-operation.
Next Stocking: Friday 14th April.
March 26th - 1st April
116 Anglers caught 382 fish of which 271 were released.
Best Fish
9lb 1oz Paul White – Olive snake
8.3lb Mr Serano
8lb Mr Hollingshead – Black buzzer
7lb 3oz Andreus
6lb 1oz Mr Serano
6lb Mr Hollingshead
5lb 8oz Mr Vernall – Damsel
5lb 2oz Mr T Leninhan – Tequila Blob
5lb 2oz Mr B Carter -brown trout
Best Areas
Boat – Brookside Bay, East Arm, Middle Pylon, West Arm, Shallow Bay, Gravel Bar and Goodfellow Bay.
Bank – Brookside Bay, East Arm, Coarse Bank, West Arm, Shallow Bay and Gravel Bar.
Best Patterns
Black buzzer, dark olive buzzer crunchers. red diawl bach, tequila/orange candy fabs, black and green lures and damsels.
A warm weekend saw the buzzer hatches improving with fish being taken at the Lagoon and East Arm areas of the lake with small 12 -14 buzzers and nymphs. A quieter week followed due to the colder weather and strong North Easterly winds, although a few anglers braved the cold, with Paul White catching the week’s best fish and releasing 20+. Bank fishing was harder with the majority of fish being caught on the boats. The West Arm is holding a good number of fish with washing line and small buzzers being the best methods over the shallow water. Towards the end of the week fish started to show at the Dam end of the lake and most evenings there has been an evening rise to small hatching buzzers.
Next Stocking: Friday 8th April.
March 20th - 26th
Best Fish
8lbs 7oz Mr Eaton
8lbs Mr Sharman
8lbs Mr Mannis black buzzer
8lbs Mr Hunt
7lbs 10oz R.Bowden
7lbs 9oz Mr Grewcock
7lbs 8oz Dave Rowel
7lbs Mr Redhead
Best Patterns
Black buzzer, dark olive buzzer crunchers. red diawl bach, tequila/orange candy fabs, black and green lures and damsels.
Best Areas
Boat - East Arm, Middle Pylon, Lagoon, Shallow Bay, Gravel Bar and Goodfellow Bay.
Bank - East Arm, Coarse Bank, Lagoon, Shallow Bay and Gravel Bar.
A steady start to the week, but the strong cold easterly winds on Saturday made fishing more difficult, driving the fish to the East Arm - Lagoon, particularly hard for bank anglers with bright conditions and no cloud cover which moved the fish out into the open water. The bright weather continued all week with frosty mornings and warm days, encouraging the first decent buzzer hatches. Anglers caught well using black buzzers with washing-line tactics and under an indicator, Water clarity is now very good.
Next Stocking: Tuesday 31st March.
March 12th - 19th
163 anglers caught 601 fish and of which 427 were returned.
Best Fish
9lb 1oz Pip Weatherington
8lb Neil Groves
8lb Mel Dunn bank
7lb 1oz Mr Horton
7lb Mr Andpeus
6lb 8oz Paul White bank
6lb 8oz Ray Ward
6lb 7oz Martin Ward
Best Areas
All areas producing fish
Best Patterns
Black buzzers, black diawl/cruncher, black and green lures, tequila fab, candy fab and damsel.
Sunday saw the last of the strong South Easterly winds, and there was a steady improvement in both weather and fishing, with smaller black flies working as well as lures, until the heavy rainfall on Wednesday where the Brook flooded into the lake on Thursday morning; however the work that was done on the bund wall, thankfully prevented a lot of the dirty water entering the lake and water clarity is at 3-4ft.
On Thursday afternoon Mick Firth had a great day on the bank catching 25 on buzzers and ex England youth coach Gary Owen had an excellent bag of 24 fish from Goodfellow Bay to the Lagoon fishing buzzers on washing line tactics and under the bung. Saturday saw the first club match of the season with Invicta Fly Fishers braving the strong cold Easterly wind. Terry Smith came first place with 7 fish and Chris McLeod coming second with 4 fish, both on the East Arm.
Next Stocking: Tuesday 22nd March.
Opening Day Saturday March 5th - March 12th
156 anglers caught 810 fish, of which 576 were released.
Best Fish
9lb 1oz Gavin Cairns
8lb M.Smith
7lb 8oz Andy Burgess
7lb 5oz R.Bowden
7lb 2oz Adrian Wilkins
Best Areas
All areas producing fish
Best Patterns
Black or black and green lures
Cats whiskers
Blue flash damsels
Olive snakes
Pink snakes
Red apps
Tequila blob
Black buzzers
A great start to the new season, fish being caught from all areas of the lake on opening day. Nigel Cheetham and his boat partner Peter Medhurst took 40 fish to the boat (all released) along the course fish bank, on blue flash damsels. The Dam, Brookside to Brookside Bay, Shallow Bay, Grave Bar and the bottom of the East Arm were all great spots.
Due to the strong South Easterly winds and clear skies for the majority of the week, fishing was made harder on the bank as the fish moved further out, although the boats continued to catch well. Towards the latter half of the week fishing on the bank picked up again, as the cloud cover returned and there were the first signs of a buzzer hatch.
Please call in advance to book a boat and you can either pay cash on the day or make a payment in advance by bank transfer to:
Account details
Barclays Account name - B P Gifford
Account number – 30497304
Sort code – 20 27 26
Best Fish in 2021
• Rainbow Bank: Mike Bownes 12lb 1oz
• Rainbow Boat: Steve Loveridge 12lb 2oz
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 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. We hope you enjoy a memorable season, Brad & Jo.
