Bristol waters Tel 01275 332339
Chew Valley and Barrows opened their doors for trout fishing last week and anglers enjoyed the best start for over twenty years with great catches of beautiful quality fish.
After a very mild winter in which Chew valley was filled to the brim. Conditions were looking good for the start with light winds forecast and sunny days. And the meteorologists were right! Opening day dawned calm and bright and rods were bending into fish just minutes after the seven o’clock start was sounded.
Anglers caught all around the lake and on various methods. As the day progressed more fish were being taken on smaller flies near the surface and by mid afternoon many fishermen had completed their limit bags and gone home happy. The size and condition of the fish being caught were superb with plenty of five and even six ponders coming out with the best fish taken so far being an 8 lb 9 oz fish caught by Geoff Grant from Woodford Bank on a golden nugget Daddy. The boat anglers did even better than those fishing from the shore. Limit bags of over 30lbs were common, often including 2 or 3 fish over 5lbs all fighting like trains.
Although things slowed slightly over the next couple of days there were still limit bags being taken from most banks even in the brisk and cold NW winds. Best areas so far have been North Shore, Wick Green, Herons Green and Walley Bank. Sinking lines with orange or black boobies were the first successes but Pheasant Tails and Black Buzzers fished slowly on floaters took over as the air temperatures rose and locals and season permit holders are still using these smaller patterns to good effect today.

The Barrows also started well with fish coming from both 1 & 3 and on a variety of flies and lines. As always the ‘Mouse Men’ caught well but those prepared to try alternatives also found obliging fish. With an average weight of 1.07 at present some over-wintered fish are coming to the net and there have been some specimen browns taken too. The biggest authenticated fish taken from each lake every month is guaranteed a prize and so far three tagged fish have been reported winning their captors a free mid-week boat.