FLY FISHING - BRISTOL Water Fisheries report slightly better weather this week, with gentler westerly winds, fewer showers, and air temperatures up to around 22C.

BRISTOL Water Fisheries report slightly better weather this week, with gentler westerly winds, fewer showers, and air temperatures up to around 22?C. Water temperature remains at around 17?C. Water quality is good, although there is some algae present in all the lakes, but not enough to affect the fishing. There is still heavy weed around some of the marginal areas of Blagdon and across the shallower parts of Chew.

Bank anglers at Chew Valley have caught well at times from Woodford and Nunnery banks. Boats continue to catch the vast majority of fish in Villice and off Woodford bank, although some bigger resident fish are beginning to appear off Moreton, over the False Island, and off East Shore. Any methods that keep the flies up in the surface seem to work: ginger and claret dries, and the washing line, with Diawl Bachs suspended between Boobies, are proving effective at present.

The good fishing enjoyed by the boats at Blagdon has continued, mainly at the Top End, but with some fish also coming from other parts of the lake. The long row up to Wood Bay and Rugmoor can be worthwhile, as there have been good catches in this area.

Most boats have been fishing at anchor with buzzers and nymphs, but the water is fairly shallow here so be careful not to fish too far down or with fast sinking lines. A few fish have begun to come to boats in front of the lodge and off Polish Water.

Bank fishermen have been finding much of the south shore difficult to fish because of the extensive weed beds, but the Rangers have been cutting weed in the Green Lawn and Long Bay areas, so these are now fishable.

If the wind allows, the North Bank, Pegs Point, Ash Trees and Rugmoor are likely to be productive. Season rod Jeff Hirst took a 6lb rainbow from the bank.

A fairly slow week at Barrow with few good catches. All three tanks are fishable. Few fish are being taken during the day except deep down, but there is usually some evening and morning activity.

The lower lake at Litton seems to be the best at present despite lots of weed. Most of the fish have come from the deeper end of the lake and often on sunken nymphs and gold heads. There has been little in the way of hatches or rising fish.