ANGLING: AFTER weeks of anticipation the new trout fishing season opened at Chew and Barrows with the coldest spell of opening day weather for many, many years.

After a couple of weeks of relatively mild weather the temperatures fell to near zero and combined with the strong north east winds, conditions for fishing were some of the most unpleasant that anglers could remember.

Many fishermen saw the weather forecasts and decided to await warmer weather, but those who did arrive found the fish very difficult to tempt. Many fished for just a few hours during which they became so cold that they packed up and headed for home. Those who did remain were rewarded by a short spell when the fish did feed and some sport was enjoyed.

Blagdon opened a week later to less windy conditions. When the whistle blew at 7 am anglers found their rod rings were freezing over and it wasn't until later when the temperature rose that fish began to be caught. So a disappointing start, that has continued through to the second week with near gale force winds and a few decent fishable days.

At Chew many spots on the Lake were unfishable and most fishermen have sought the sheltered banks at Wick Green, Herons Green and North Shore. The fish have been lying deep and sinking or intermediate lines have been needed to reach them. Montanas, Vivas and small marabou patterns have fished best.

Boat anglers have found fish in the same general areas and have often had to fish at anchor to find the necessary depth. John Williams took a fine 5lb 11oz brown from a boat in Villice Bay. At Blagdon, as last season, it seems many of the fish have headed for the deeper water off the Dam and Butcombe.

The boats found fish deep down on small lures while bank fishermen had success at Pegs Point and Butcombe Bay. John English took a superb 6 lb 8 oz brown fishing from a boat. At the Barrows No.3 fished quite well for the first few days of the season where anglers could shelter behind the wall and fish relatively calm water.

No.1 proved less popular but some good bags of brownies were taken there. Chew produced a total catch of 239 fish averaging 2 lb 6 oz topped b y a brown of 5 lb 11 oz and rainbow 4 lb 13 oz. At Blagdon 356 fish averaging 2lb 2 oz were taken topped by a brown of 6 lb 8 oz and rainbow 4 lb 0 oz. The Barrows yielded 37 fish averaging 1 lb 13 oz topped by a brown of 3 lb 1 oz and rainbow 3 lb 8 oz.

Fishermen enjoyed better sport on the Wessex Water Reservoirs although it was not an easy start to the season. Clatworthy produced a total catch of 476 fish despite cold northerly winds and driving rain which kept many anglers away. Most fish were taken on lures fished deep and slow.

Hawkridge fished well producing a total catch of 558 fish. John Haward took the best bag of the week with five fish weighing 16 lb 12 oz. Barry Stone also took a five fish limit weighing 14 lb 7 oz topped by a 4 lb 10 oz rainbow.

Harvey Thomas was fishing for the first time and took a five fish catch weighing 11lb 4 oz. Sutton Bingham produced the best catch of 612 fish with plenty of good bags averaging around 12 lb 0 oz. Ian Carey took a five fish limit for 15 lb 1 oz topped by a 5 lb 0 oz rainbow.

  • For more angling news see Friday's Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News.