Mixed conditions this week. The strong winds of last week have gone although generally there has been a breeze most days, mainly from a westerly direction. This ahs brought some very heavy showers on a few occasions but mostly it has been dry. Little in the way of bright sunshine but staying very warm most days. The water surface temperature is about 22°C. All the lakes now have some colour from small algal blooms but these have not caused any problems and the clarity is still pretty good at most of the lakes. The heavy showers have done little to affect the water levels which continue to fall.
Water
Chew Valley
617 fish taken by 231 rods, average 2.7 per rod.
Chew continues to fish pretty well with good catches from bank and boat even in the hot and bright conditions. The fish are beginning to spread out from the favoured Walley Bank area and are now being taken from the False Island to Woodford and through to Villice Bay. Most times the fish are feeding well up in the water and often dries and emergers will take well. Diawl Bach fished very slowly sub surface is also well worth a try. Very little in the way of fly hatching in this hot weather. Evenings and mornings are often the best time to fish. Fishing from Wick through to Moreton and in the bays is near impossible at present with the very heavy weed growth. But as the water levels continue to fall, previously unfishable bank areas such as Woodford, Spring Bay and Moreton Point will become accessible and worth a try.
Blagdon
352 fish taken by 145 rods, average 2.4 per rod.
More fish now being taken in the deeper water areas. Boats have been catching well from Cheddar Water to the Lodge and across to the spillway at Butcombe. Bank anglers have also had success from the Dam to Polish Water and in the clearer spots at Green Lawn and Rainbow. There are still plenty of fish at the Top End too but it is difficult to fish because of the heavy weed growth. Best methods are nymphs and buzzers fished slow or small bright lures retrieved quicker but deep.
Barrow
251 fish taken by 143 rods, average 1.8 per rod.
Barrow 3 continues to be the favourite venue of the three but some bigger browns were taken from 2 this week. Better early and late although not much in the way of hatch to get the fish on the top.
Litton
27 fish taken by 9 rods, average 3.0 per rod.
The lower lake has been the best water with plenty of fish showing. Fishing a static Diawl or buzzer is best though a small booby or gold head will sometimes produce. lso well worth trying. The level of the top lake has held steady but remains well down. Fishing is possible in the deeper parts but there seems to be few fish at the shallower end of the lake.
