A look ahead to 2012

 
The Eyebrook Trout Fishery is proud to be associated with three of the finest fish farmers in the UK; they are Exe Valley Fishery, The River Gwash Trout Farm Ltd and Westacre Trout Farm. Together, our fish farmers have assured us that they will continue to supply the Eyebrook with top quality trout the same as which have been introduced into the fishery in more recent years.
As well as pre-season stockings the Eyebrook Trout Fishery will once again continue with regular stockings of quality trout throughout the fishing season, all of these fish will be introduced at points around the entire fishery.
 
The prospect of catching a fine, super fit, grown on Eyebrook rainbow or brown trout is a thought to savour and these fish are quite capable of stripping an anglers reel down to its backing in double quick time.
 

More recent seasons have seen the introduction of generally larger trout ranging from 3lb to 4lb into the fishery; this has become evident with the average size of fish now caught at Eyebrook standing at 2lb 11oz.

In the last two years triploid brown trout have been introduced into the fishery and have made an interesting talking point for anglers who have been fortunate enough to encounter these spirited fighters. Surprisingly, and rather interestingly, these fish have been caught at all levels of the water column and were just as likely to engulf an angler’s dry fly or buzzer fished near to the surface, as they were to fall to a deep fished lure. The larger majority of brown trout caught have been safely returned to the water unharmed to grow into much larger specimens, a policy that is now wholly encouraged at the fishery, these fish should hopefully grow on and offer tremendous sport to anglers in the future.
 
 Although this fishery is classed as a put and take commercial Stillwater, many fishermen now consider the Eyebrook, and the stamp of fish encountered here, as the nearest an angler will get to a totally wild trout fishery without the need to travel to the western isles of Scotland or beyond, praise indeed.
 
Eyebrook offers the game fisherman superb early season bank fishing, and using fly patterns such as Black and green Nomads, Montana nymphs, Black buzzers and Diawl bach fished very slowly on floating or intermediate lines, anglers should enjoy some superb action.

 For mid season, boat fishing comes into its own, and Damsel Imitations, Bloodworm, Gold ribbed hares ear nymph and many older wet flies patterns such as Ginger Quill, Black and Peacock spider, Silver Invicta and Wingless Wickhams will account for many superb Eyebrook trout.

As of previous seasons, and proving yet again that the Eyebrook is indeed the venue for top of the water action, dry flies such as Cdc emerger’s, Hoppers and Daddies will often account for top quality grown on or even over- wintered specimens from both the bank and boats.
 
 
Marginal weed growth during the summer can hamper bank fishing at Eyebrook but fishery staff and contractors work hard each year to keep the bank relatively weed free resulting in ample bank fishing available each season.
 
Massive numbers of Roach and Perch fry  had congregated around the boat pontoons and Dam at the latter end of the 2011 season, with a massive food source like this the resident Eyebrook trout are sure to thrive and offer some fantastic sport to the game angler in 2012, predation permitting!

During the 2011 season it was most encouraging how many new novice anglers were attracted to the Eyebrook, and indeed many youngsters participated and showed an interest accompanied by their adult counterparts.
 
Although many double figure fish were taken during 2011 the heaviest rainbow caught during the season was a fine specimen of 14lb  12oz that fell to the rod of  Bourne angler Adrian McCarten; Adrian  receives a much-coveted limited edition Eyebrook big fish trophy.
 
 The existing record for a Brown trout caught at Eyebrook reservoir had stood since 1955; this fish weighed 11lb 4oz and was caught by Mr Nick stubbs of Hereford.

John Miller of Uppingham fished a Roach fry pattern on a Di 7 line and caught a new record Brown trout at the fishery in October 2011, a super fish that weighed 13lb.