BRISTOL Water Fisheries report with the majority of the fishing returns completed, final results show that this was generally a successful season.

BRISTOL Water Fisheries report with the majority of the fishing returns completed, final results show that this was generally a successful season with excellent catches from Blagdon and Barrows and reasonable catches from Chew Valley.

The Barrow Tanks produced their second best ever result with over 8,000 fish taken at an average weight of 1.09. Blagdon also fared well with a catch of more than 17,000 averaging 2.06. Chew fished well early on but was disappointing after July but still returned 18,000 plus fish.

The 2010 trout fishing season will commence on Tuesday, March 16, at Chew Valley and Barrows with a special season permit holders day on Monday, March 15.

Blagdon will begin one week later on Tuesday 23rd with their special day for season permits on Monday 22nd.

As previously, the season will end for boat fishing at the end of October while bank anglers can continue to fish until November 30. Litton will remain open throughout the year.

Boat permit prices at Chew Valley and Blagdon will increase by 50p per rod. Bank permits at Blagdon and Barrows will increase by the same amount with season permits increasing by around two per cent.

Bank and season permits at Chew will remain the same price as 2009. Any angler who purchased a Chew Valley season permit last year will qualify for a discount off any 2010 season permit.

2010 prices (per rod) Boats, Chew Valley �32.50, Blagdon �27, Litton �60. Bank; Chew Valley �15.50, Blagdon �18, Barrows �13.50.

Season permits; all waters �635Chew & Barrows �520, Barrows �410.

After much debate and a season permit survey, it has been decided that for next year Barrow 1 and 2 will become 'mouse free'. This means that there will be no static sinking line fishing. With any line other than a floater the line must be retrieved constantly with the rod held.

To book early season boats send a letter application to Woodford Lodge to be received before January 1.

Chew Valley is now acknowledged as the best pike fishing in the country. Demand far outweighs supply and for this reason there will be an extra boat fishing session in early October 2010.

Dates for fishing: February 1-7, 15-21, bank and boat. October 4-9, boat only. .October 13-15, 18-21, 24-30, November 4-9 bank and boat. November 14-19, 25-30 bank only.

Prices will increase for boat and bank permits. Boat �30 per person and bank �15 per person.

The extra revenue generated by the increases will be used to supply extra trout stocks to the lake to offset the possible predation by the large number of pike present.

To book pike fishing for 2010, letters should be sent to arrive at Woodford Lodge before January 1. All those received will be placed in a draw in which the names will be drawn and one place allocated. When all names have been drawn once, all are replaced and drawn again and repeated until all the boats and bank places are reserved. Because of the high numbers of fishermen applying to fish, it is difficult to give specific dates or consecutive days but we will do our best if that is the only opportunity to book. It also means that most anglers may only have one or at the most two dates offered.

Boat fishing places cannot be reserved for anyone other than the applicant and their partner. We will not accept any telephone bookings until mid-January after all the letter applications have been completed.

When the boat and bank places have been allocated, offer letters are sent out. Payment is required in advance. Dates offered are not transferrable and can only be used by the named person who books the fishing. Anglers are not permitted to transfer their boat/bank permits to other fishermen without obtaining Bristol Water's consent. Anyone attempting to do so will have their permit(s) withdrawn and will not be offered places in the future.

Please supply your full name and address with a day-time or mobile phone for our booking records with your application.