FLY FISHING - BRISTOL Water Fisheries report a much brighter week with air temperatures above average at times though still frosty some nights.

BRISTOL Water Fisheries report a much brighter week with air temperatures above average at times though still frosty some nights. Winds much lighter too, in fact near flat calm for a couple of days.

The water at all the lakes has almost cleared. Water temperatures have also risen slightly and is now around 8?C although it varies in different areas of the lakes. Levels are near full at all the waters.

The spring weather and a stocking has given Chew a terrific boost. Although many of the days have seen bright sunshine, this has given rise to much better fishing for bank and boat fishermen. Most areas have started to fish well and although many of the fish taken are recently stocked, there have been a fair number of more resident fish starting to feed too.

The fish remain close inshore or in shallow areas and this has meant excellent catches for the bank fishermen. Favourite places have been North Shore, Wick Green, Woodford bank and Herons Green Bay. These same areas have seen the best boat sport too but fish have also been caught over the False Island and the Drop Off.

The first contest of the year was held on Sunday when BRFFA hosted the Snowbee competition. Eleven bank fishermen left the lodge after the 7am draw and several had completed their limit bags before lunchtime. Sixty-eight fish were taken with Dave Dodds whose 22.01lb catch included the biggest fish of the week from chew, a 6.10lb rainbow.

The boats saw 36 anglers competing and they took 200 fish, a rod average of 5.6. Pete Ford took top spot with eight fish for 18.02lb and 15 other anglers caught their full quota of eight fish. Most fish were taken close to the surface and for the first time this year anglers enjoyed dry fly sport for much of the day.

Another good week at Blagdon with much improved bank fishing mainly due to the gentler winds which has allowed fishing from many more shore spots. Most areas are now fishing well and the fish are beginning to come up higher in the water to feed.

Floating lines with small flies accounted for most of the fish from the bank while sinking lines have still worked from the boats. The biggest fish from Blagdon so far this year was landed by Geoff Seal of Coleford, Somerset, when boat fishing. This fish fell to a black buzzer fished offshore from the Ash trees.

On Sunday 14 anglers tried float-tubing and enjoyed a really good day with nine of them taking their eight fish limit bags. Most of those fished at the Top End, Rugmoor and Bells Bush. A further tubing day will take place in October.

All three tanks at Barrow continue to fish well with more fish showing and taking near mall buzzers and nymphs have been the best way to catch. More fish are being stocked at the Barrows this week.

Good sport on both lakes at Litton though the lower lake warms quicker and will see greater surface activity for the next few weeks. Further stockings have taken place this week so catches should remain very good.

Bristol Water Fisheries, Woodford Lodge, Chew Stoke, Near Bristol BS40 8X

Tel 01275 332339, Fax 01275 331377, email: woodford.lodge@bristolwater.co.uk