Once again, August has shown itself to be a month of two halves, with the early part proving difficult for both worm and fly anglers, and with average catches on both methods remaining low. Happily we can report that such has not been the case for the past two weeks with some excellent bags and fish being recorded.
The same period has also seen a marked increase in the average bag weights for anglers achieving their six fish limits, whether fishing worm or fly and a high percentage of these being between 15 to 18lb. A small number of bags have also been recorded at 20lbs+. Those fishing fly from both bank and boat seem to be producing limit bags more consistently than those anglers opting to fish ledgered worm.
One of the main reasons for this is due the unseasonable weather experienced so far during the 2012 season. The continued period of rainfall has not only kept the Reservoir full, something which hasn’t happened since 2008, but it has also kept the surface water temperature fairly constant over the last month or so. Normally at this time of year we would have expected to see a marked rise. If we had experienced normal weather conditions the surface temperature over the past month would be around 22°C, whereas it is currently only 18°C. This also means that whereby we would normally expect to see a drop in the oxygen saturation levels on the surface, this has not happened, these still remain within the 90% plus region.
Obviously these factors linked to the high numbers of fry available within the marginal regions are proving beneficial, with many fish being taken close in by anglers fishing fly from both the bank and boat. Those anglers with knowledge of the water fishing Ledgered Worm are also able to maximise on this as is apparent from some of the bags taken.
Gary Phillips of Tredegar recently took one of his best 6 fish bags on Ledgered Worm at the Reservoir. His bag weight, which included a best fish of 3lbs, totalled 14lbs 4ozs. Dave Maehrlein of Cardigan recorded a four fish bag of 14lbs 8ozs. Dave’s bag included two fish of 4lbs, a fish or 3lbs 8ozs and one of 3lbs. R Walker of Boncath had a six fish bag of 15lbs 12ozs. Honours however must go to T Raymond of Narbeth and young Steven Jones who recorded a six fish limit of 22lbs 13ozs whilst fishing on an adult and child permit. Their collective bag also included the best fish of the month, with a Rainbow weighing 6lbs 1oz.
Fly boat has also produced some very good bags over the past few weeks. Brian Dalton of Haverfordwest, a season permit holder weighed in a limit bag totalling 14lbs 8ozs with a bets fish of 3lbs. Jeff Bayliss weighed in six fish for 14lbs 11ozs. C Davies of Clydach recorded a bag limit of 15lbs 9ozs on his last visit. His bag included a best fish of 4lbs 7ozs. Ron Lewis of Carmarthen weighed in a six fish limit of 16lbs 6ozs, whilst his boat partner of the day, P Evans also of Carmarthen pipped him with six fish for 16lbs 8ozs. Brian Jeremiah of Ammanford recorded the best bag of the month for an angler fishing this method. His bag totalled 18lbs 4ozs with a best fish of 5lbs 2ozs. Well done BJ
Some of the best bags taken by anglers fishing fly from the bank include B Davies of Ammanford with six fish for 14lbs 1oz. A Mr Shemmell of Stourbridge and Brian Dalton of Haverfordwest, both with six fish limits weighing in at 14lbs 10ozs.
