Week 3 - 2026 Fly Fishing Report – Ladybower Fisheries
Season Total stocking to date: 6,900
Following on from a difficult week with non-committal conditions affecting catches, things turned around massively with anglers experiencing a much better return for their efforts. Fish still remain close to the margins, although a few are being picked up further out.
Tactics from the boats seemed to vary with intermediate and sink tip lines although fish were taken on suspender buzzers and even dries on occasion.
Top Returns
• Neil Davitt and John ‘Get Down Shep’ Oakes had a fantastic day, boating 64 fish between them at Millbrook and the dam fishing the bung with Mojito Egg flies. Always good to see these two and Neil is back firing on all cylinders with his new hip!
• Ben Fox, another welcome return had a casual early half day in a solo boat tight up to the dam wall and caught 27 trout on a variety of methods, Di3, Washing Line and Floating lines utilising Black Hopper Boobies, Nemos and Olive Snakes.
• Nick Halstead predictably figured in the upper figures with 20+ (I swear that’s as far as he can count) over the rear bank of the main basin with his tiny suspender buzzers and dries.
• Neil Avery and Robert Grant spent a productive day afloat at Millbrook and Grainfoot fishing Di3s and Intermediates armed with black/silver Snakes for 27 fish.
• Gary Wolstenholme and Phil Harding of the DCAC were also in the Millbrook area on their boat catching 32 fish between them. These came on Di3s with Pink Snakes and Tequila Blobs.
England U18 River Bank Team Training Day
We welcomed the England U18 River Bank Team, who wanted to get some training in for their imminent visit to Ireland where they’ll be required to use a boat for part of the time. A well behaved set of youngsters you couldn’t fail to get along with alongside their dedicated coaches.
Although their day was relatively short due to the logistics of travel, we’d like to mention Nicholas and Alex who pulled a blinder with 30+ to their boat, all of which were taken on dries and traditional Irish wets in preparation for the battle ahead. Top angling chaps!
Top Areas This week
Bank:
• Pickles
• Grainfoot
• Millbrook
• Surgeon’s Bank
Boat:
• Dam Wall
• Grainfoot
• Millbrook ranging up towards Fairholmes Pickles, Basin Roadside
Recommended Flies
As listed above with the following also figuring heavily: Humongous, Damsels, Cats Whisker, Ladybower Bomber, Black Tadpole, Montana.
Bookings
All bookings, including boats, can be made online at
https://www.ladybowerfisheries.co.uk/book-now
Alternatively, please contact the office on 07960 359212 (9am–5pm).
Catch Returns & Photos
Correctly completed catch returns are automatically entered into the monthly draw for a free Catch & Release ticket. Angling photos are also welcome at info@ladybowerfisheries.co.uk and are entered into a separate monthly draw.
