Bristol Water Fishery Reports Week Ending 6 December 2011

06/12/11

2012 FISHING DETAILS AND PRICES

Trout Fishing
With the 2011 season now over we are just completing the catch figures for the year. After a slightly disappointing 2010, this year has proved much better at the main lakes despite low water levels and very heavy weed growth. And with even more fish reared and stocked into the lakes the catch rates have been some of the best ever recorded. Rod catches at Chew and Blagdon were excellent and Blagdon has recorded it’s second best ever catch with 24,730 fish so far. Barrows fished consistently through the year but the catch was slightly down on 2010

Total numbers of fish to date are:
Chew 21,466 (17,836) Catch per rod 4.05 (2.97)
Blagdon 24,730 (19,498) Catch per rod 3.90 (3.40)
Barrows 6,165 (6,511) Catch per rod 2.33 (2.18)
Litton 1,071 (1,200) Catch per rod 4.10 (3.86)
(2011 are in brackets)

Opening days next year will again be staggered at all the fisheries. Barrows 1 & 2 will start on Friday 2nd March, Blagdon on Friday 16th March and Chew Valley a week later on Friday 23rd March. Special days for season permit holders will be 1st March, 14th March and 21st March respectively. Closing dates will be 30th November.
Barrow 3 will not be available for fishing for the whole of the 2012 season. However we will stock extra fish into 1 & 2 to compensate for the loss of the most popular lake.
Most permit prices will increase in 2012. Full details of all the costs will soon be available at our website but the main charges will be:

2012 prices (per rod)
Boat - Chew Valley £35.00,
Blagdon £30.00,
Litton £65.00
Bank - Chew Valley £17.00,
Blagdon £20.00,
Barrows £15.00
Season Permits; All Waters £700.00,
Chew & Barrows £570.00,
Barrows £435.00, Weekend £275.00

To book early season boats send a letter application to Woodford Lodge to be received before 1st January.

Pike Fishing
Although fewer pike were landed in 2011 than in previous years, the chance of catching a fish of more than 20 and 30 pounds attracts anglers from all over the country and the recent capture of a lake record 42.04 fish is bound to interest even more anglers to what has become the Mecca for pike fishing enthusiasts.

Planned dates for 2011 pike fishing are as follows;
January 23-29,February 6-12 & 20-26, October 15-20, 25-30, November 4-9, 14-20 & 25-30. All sessions will be bank and boat.
Prices will increase for boat and bank permits.
Boat £32.50 per person & bank £16.50 per person.
Please note: Restrictions on fishing areas may apply during pike fishing.

2012 Pike Bookings
Booking for all pike fishing is essential. Letters or emails should be sent to arrive at Woodford Lodge BEFORE 1st January 2011 and those received will be placed in a draw. Please supply your full name and address with a daytime or mobile phone for our booking records with your application. Offer letters will be sent out as soon as possible after the draw is completed. Payment for all bookings accepted will be required in advance. Dates offered are not transferrable and can only be used by the named person who books the fishing. Anglers are not permitted to transfer their boat/bank permits to other fishermen without obtaining Bristol Water’s consent. Anyone attempting to do so will have their permit(s) withdrawn and will not be offered places in the future.

Bristol Water Fisheries, Woodford Lodge, Stoke Hill, Chew Stoke, Bristol, BS40 8XH.
Tel 01275 332339. email woodford.lodge@bristolwater.co.uk
Website www.bristolwater.co.uk/fishing