Apologies for the delay in updating my blog. I seem to spend more time nowadays updating Facebook posts to keep things bang up to date with whats going on in the fishing world.
Great Chew trout fishing
Following weeks of hot weather and water temperatures of over 79 degrees F, I can finally report that Chew is right back on form thanks to the cooler weather and heavy storms. In the Lexus Heats held over the weekend, rod averages were over 8 on both days, with average weights being 2lbs 6ozs.
We fished to a 4 fish kill and then catch and release. Of the 354 trout caught, no less than 194 were returned alive to the lake. Paul Roach, winner of both Lexus Chew Heats in 2013, continued his amazing run of form with victory on both days this year! Quite an acheivement.
But the biggest cheer of the day went to Paul's granddaughter Daisy Bristow for qualifying for the Grand Final with 11 fish and with it 6th place overall.
Greys UK Pike Fly Fishing Championships
The inaugural UK Pike Fly Fishing Championships sponsored by Greys took place a few weeks ago on Chew Valley Lake.
Top rod on the day was Alex Mason who landed 2 pike for a match winning weight of 20lbs 4ozs. Mason’s catch included a 15lb12oz fish and his prize was a Greys Carnivore Rod.
Geoff Hewitt’s 19lb 14oz pike won him the biggest pike prize of a Greys carnivore Rod, while Mike Bolt topped the Perch catch, also winning a Carnivore Rod for his 2lb 2oz Perch. Runner up was Simon Pledge and 3rd place went to John Bowen – both anglers winning Greys GX900 Reels. 4th place to Kevin Edwards who won a pair of Ugly Fish Sunglasses.
I am grateful to Bristol Water for allowing us to have a pike match and to Greys for their superb sponsorship. Next year we hope to sell out the event and I am confident that there will be sufficient support.
Some great pike being caught
High water levels and reduced weed growth with masses of roach and perch fry have meant that the Chew pike are feeding well. Things look great for the Autumn pike trials, but in the meantime, some superb quality pike have been caught on the Fly!
I have been out lots of times this Summer and thanks to high winds and good quality water, there has been absolutely no problem with oxygen depletion and the pike are in top shape. My best was a 32:08 cracker from Stratford Bay and that makes it two 30's to the boat so far this season.
As the temperatures drop and the water cools, I am expecting some great results from the pike and possibly also the Perch.
