Hi,

I was wondering if Bewl is worth a go on the 22nd. I believe this is the first day of the season for bank anglers. Any tips for a novice? (I've done some fly fishing but not on venues this big) will it be busy, being the first day...?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

Early season I have tried the bank just below the lodge. Seems to be a popular area early seasons. Most were fishing fishing boobies on heavy sinkers. Fish were being caught very close in. Helpful if youre not a great caster (like myself unfortunately)

Other methods are usually sink tip lines with stick flies of various colours.
When you get there ask in the lodge what the fish are taking, what area and what method. Bewl staff are always fantastic, extremely helpful etc.

I had my best ever session on Bewl a few seasons back fishing orange hoppers.... what a fantastic day and very exciting taking fish off the top. I didnt touch a stockie all day.

In my opinion Bewl hasnt been at its best since various activists released all the stock fish from the stocking cages. However,is still my favourite venue.

Good luck & very best wishes mate.

Thanks very much,

Sounds good to me. I've never fished this early in the trout season before, it will certainly be new ground to cover.

I bought my license today, it was the first off the post office book!

Many thanks and best regards.

Your very welcome mate

Hi Sushi,

I'm a season ticket holder at Bewl and I'd suggest you watch the weather forecast as wind direction will have an effect on where to fish. The forecast is currently suggesting 22 mile an hour winds in a WNW direction for the 22nd. Probably the most comfortable bank areas will be from the Nose up to Beaumans Point and from the Ferry Point along into Dunsters Creek. These are both good early season spots. The Rangers will ferry bank anglers to and from the lodge to the Ferry Point for a small fee. Most areas are likely to produce fish this early in the season and the banks can be fairly crowded at times but you'll have plenty of people to ask for advice.

Another area that usually fishes well at the start of the season is Seven Pound Creek which should be reasonably protected in a WNW wind direction. The problem with Bewl is that any strongish wind funnels up the various arms making it hard to predict the most comfortable bank to fish from. A bit of suck it and see I'm afraid.

Best flies from the bank early season are Tadpoles and Nomads in various colours but black & green and white & green generally being the best. Start off with an intermediate line. If the wind is slight then a team of buzzers drifted along on the breeze on a floater can be devastating. Some of the smaller traditionals such as Black Pennell and Bibio are also worth a shout.

I'll be fishing on opening day (21st) and if I remember I'll put a message on here in the evening letting you know where the best areas were.

Good luck and enjoy!

GH

If he gets out the pub he means! Sound advice there though GH!

Forecast isn't looking great and the guys I'm going with have already decided to stay in the pub all afternoon! See you Friday on the bank or at the bar.

Mike

__________________
We pass this way but once and in so doing grab a handful!

Thanks Grasshopper, a report would be great! I may have to wait until Monday to go now (Easter family commitments). I will be sure to get a few tadpoles... I can't wait!

Hi Sushi,

As promised, a bit of an update on Bewl. The strong winds restricted the fishing areas to any northern shore of the lake. The boats were only allowed to fish Hook straight and the lodge side of the basin.

I fished from a boat so don't have too much info' about the bank only from those I spoke to. The concensus seems to be that the best area for bank fishing was from Canoe Club Corner along in front of the Playground to the Sailing Club. I heard of many limit bags being caught there on black/green tadpoles and white/green tadpoles.

Various flies worked from the boats but one of the better patterns were Cormorants on a Di5 or 2 boobies on a Di7. Tadpoles as above took a few as well.

If the wind is kinder when you go try Wards Lane. A couple of my friends had a go there for about an hour and they took a few fish and had several other takes in that time. They had to abandon the place as it got too rough to cast.

Sorry I can't give you more info'.

Let us know how you fared.

GH

Go to the Complete Fisher Forum, there's a thread on there about Bewl from the bank.

__________________
Born to fish - forced to work

http://www.2minutes.org.uk/

Hi Grasshopper,

Thanks again for your advice, I'll be out there rain, shine (hail!) hell or high water tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on.

Best regards,
Sushi