NATIONAL ANGLING COUNCIL

Coarse

Shore

Boat

Fixtures

Results

Album

Regions

GAME ANGLING

2022 - DRAYCOTE WATER 16th JUNE

Report by Lee Patten - Practice day was bright sun no wind and up to 25+ degrees, not the best of conditions in any reservoir. A couple of teams had already had a day on the reservoir and this made decisions even more difficult as fish were very hard to temp even though some were showing in different areas from Rainbow Corner to Toft at the opposite ends of the 650 acres.The day dragged on with teams trying every inch of the reservoir, including myself who did two laps and a coffee and cake break for the grand total of three fish all on different methods and areas. This left me and probably the remainder of teams debating method for match day.


Match day dawned with mild southerly wind, bright sunshine and temperatures forecast up to 30 degrees with the wind raising to 28-30mph also! On the start teams bomb burst all over the lake with myself and partner for the day going to Farnbrough spit area. I was on Di5 sweep with a single black and green snake, after thirty minutes of no action we moved to the sailing club frontage. With the wind now gusting to 25+mph at times I took one fish and lost another over the next twenty-five minutes but it still did not feel right there. Brian, my boat partner, having had no action either we moved up to Rainbow Corner and I changed to twelve foot slow tip and three nymphs and a fab with Brian on a midge tip and nymphs. Most of the fleet had now formed up in the same area due to the wind with the occasional fish showing on the surface.


We started in close and had a few pulls each before I caught on a black and green nymph at two feet deep and another at six feet, I changed to four nymphs to cover the different depths. Over the next two hours I had five fish and Brian one, with us both loosing several fish it was now over halfway through the competition and I thought we were doing alright as reports from other teams was only one or two fish each, so more of the same required.


After numerous drifts in shallow water our area was drying up for takes and we decided to go right back to Rainbow Corner trying to avoid other boats in there. I was now on nine fish and Brian two still, I kept loosing fish and said to Brian put on the bung a floating fly with hook in to suspend flies underneath, a new method for him.


He immediately caught and lost two fish with me still loosing fish and getting frustrated but sticking to my same method, in the last hour I caught one and Brian asked me why I was still fishing as he thought limit was eight and his total was now five fish which he was very pleased with.


Time running out I took two very quick fish in five minutes, having seen Bart Farmer bag up at 16:30 in Rainbow Corner, having his last four fish in five casts, excellent angling.


I had seen numerous teams fishing down from us with only a few fish caught so was pleased with getting my twelve fish. Bart had changed to the same type of flies as me and was already on the same line and was excellent angling on the day, deserved winner at prize giving as he was the top rod and top team with his partner Dave Franklin, with myself and partner Willy Warren second team and second individual.


Even though conditions were very challenging at Draycote a good rod average was achieved see results. My thanks to Tony Cliff, Jim North and Frasser McConnell for the hotel, which was excellent, and organisation of the event without which we could not fish


Thank you gentlemen

We would like to thank our sponsors, Flash Attack tackle and Draycote Fishery for their genorous donation of prizes.

This year's final was run as a two fish kill limit with up to ten released at a nominal 2lbs weight.

Should you be fortunate enough to qualify next year please remember to report to the weigh in station, even if you have not caught anything. Please note that this not a one day event, you are expected to stay the night before the final, fish the match and attend the presentation meal. If you cannot commit yourself to the full agenda then let your regional organiser know as soon as possible so that he can replace you with a reserve.

Also I recommend that you arrange to have at least one practice session on the day prior to the final. You are representing your region and it is your responsibility to try as hard as possible.


Previous year's results - 2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016 2017  2018 2019 2020 2021

Please note that accommodation for these finals is booked at least a year in advance and numbers are based on the regional teams that we know will be taking part. If you want to bring your partner or make the event a family holiday you must contact the angling council first so we can arrange that you get our room rate, do not approach the hotel.

Individual placings

TOP