2009 Season Summary
In summary the 2009 season bought us a total of 10,571 rods, catching 28,067 trout, giving a reasonable rod average of 2.65.
With an altogether early, but all to brief summer that led to a very unsettled mid season, boat anglers faired well throughtout, fishery staff and contractors worked hard to keep the bank relatively weed free resulting in a bank that fished consistently well throughout the year.
More recent seasons have seen the introduction of generally larger trout 3lb to 4lb range; this has become evident with an average size of fish now caught at Eyebrook standing at 2lb 10oz.
3000 triploid brown trout were introduced during the early part of the 2009 season and made an interesting talking point for anglers who encountered these fine specimens. Incidentally, and rather surprisingly these fish were caught at all levels of the water column and were just as likly to engulf an angler's dry fly or buzzer fished subsurface, as they were t to fall to a lure fished deep.
A larger majority of these browns were safely returned to the water unharmed to grow into much larger specimens, a policy that is now wholly encouraged at the fishery. It will be interesting to see how these tremendously fit brown trout adjust to the fishery and the sport they may offer anglers in the future at Eyebrook.
During the 2009 season it was very encouraging how many new anglers were attracted to the fishery as well as youngsters who were taking an interest and participating in fly-fishing, accompanied by their adult counterparts.
Although many double figure fish were taken during 2009 the heaviest rainbow caught this season was a fine speimen of 15lb that fell to the rod of mid Northants angler Peter Daniels; Peter receives a much-coveted limited edition Eyebrook big fish trophy for his efforts.
A look ahead to 2010
What to expect from the coming season
Our fish farmers are confident that they can continue to supply the Eyebrook with the same stamp of superb quality trout that have been introduced in more recent years, with the promise of some Blue trout for 2010.
The thought of catching a fine super fit grown on Eyebrook rainbow or brown trout is a mouth-watering prospect and these fish are quite capable of stripping an anglers reel down to its backing in double quick time. For early season bank fishing success use fly patterns such as Black and green Nomads, Montana nymphs, Black buzzers and Diawl bach fished slowly on floating or intermediate lines. For mid season, Damsels, Bloodworm imitations, Gold ribbed hares ear nymphs, or wet flies including a Silver Invicta or Wingless Wickhams, many superb Eyebrook fish have been taken on Cdc emerger’s from both the bank and boats, our “Top of the water action is as good as ever, as witnessed by many visiting anglers in 2009.
Massive numbers of Roach and Perch fry congregated around the boat pontoons and Dam at the latter end of the 2009 season, with a massive food source like this the resident Eyebrook fish are sure to thrive and offer fantastic sport to the game angler in 2010.
The fishery will continue with regular weekly stockings of quality trout throughout the fishing season, and as the success of our fishery is dependant upon the quality of the stock introduced we would like to acknowledge our fish farmers, Exe Valley Fishery, River Gwash Trout Farm and Westacre Trout Farm and thank them for the very high standard of fish supplied to the Eyebrook.
