Anglers enjoyed another good week at Bristol Water fisheries.

IT was another excellent week at the Bristol Water fisheries.

Blagdon has bounced back after a quiet week with more than 1,000 fish taken at a rod average of 5.4, while Chew has seen a continuation of the superb start and a new lake record rainbow of 14.09lbs.

Barrows has also had a good week with a rod average of over four fish, the same as Chew Valley.

At Chew Valley, an over-wintered rainbow of 14lb 9oz caught by Colin Burbedge, smashed the record for Chew Valley. The fish fell to a size 14 gold ribbed Diawl Bach fished from a boat in Herons Green Bay.

The boat anglers have enjoyed the best of the sport again this week culminating in the SW heat of the Anglian Water. Forty-seven anglers fished this heat and they landed an amazing 307 fish, a rod average of over 6.5 per person.

Blagdon Anglers was the top team with all six of their anglers taking limit bags of eight fish. Top rod was Steve Ebdon of Peninsula Pirates. His bag weighed 18.15lbs, but his time bonus for early catch added sufficient to beat Mark Miles’ 19.06lbs.

This week will see a substantial stocking at Chew Valley ready for the Easter period.

It was a much better week at Blagdon, especially for the boat fishermen. Most areas are now producing fish although the shallower areas seem to be best. Bank anglers have found fish along the North Bank, Green lawn and Butcombe and small flies still seem to be the best bet.

A small stocking at Barrows has improved catches at all the tanks, although No 3 still appears to be the favourite. Most anglers have found sport using floating lines with nymphs and often fish can be targeted in the gin clear water.

The best fish of the season so far fell to Ben Jailler when a 5.08lb brown took his hares ear nymph on Barrow 3.

The lower lake at Litton has an algal bloom at present, which is making fishing a little more difficult. Even so a small bright lure with nymphs on the droppers will take fish. The upper lake is clear but fish tend to be near the margins or at the top end of the water.