News from Knottallow Tarn
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03/21/2009
Knottallow Tarn 2009 Opening News
The 2009 Season has kicked off and Knott seems to be fishing well. Lynn Steel had her best days fishing and took 7 trout on spiders and Shipmans buzzers - that's even after forgetting her fly vest and using lip balm as floatant as she had no Gink! Most everyone seems to be catching with most fish coming to spiders
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04/28/2009
Suggested Flies
Shipman Buzzer:
Hook 14 or 16 (Even 18 if you like).
Body: Black is best or other colours if you like.
Rib: Silver tinsel.
Tie in white Antron or similar before doing body and snip off to leave extended bits fore and aft
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04/28/2009
Suggested Flies
Bibio:
Hook 12 or 14.
Body: Black seals fur or substitute with a central red floss hotspot.
Rib: Silver tinsel.
Hackle: Black cock tied palmer style with another at the head.
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04/30/2009
REPORT ON FISHING FOR APRIL
Conditions have not been easy this month given the very bright conditions and some variable wind directions that unfortunately have included North and east in the main. The catch returns show that even experienced fishermen have been struggling from time to time. Even so, it is possible to get some results if you choose your time of day. Early and late are the best times and on occasions there can be some action if there is a decent ripple in the bright conditions. In those times try a Bibio or similar bushy patterns as they can bring up even the most wary of fish. Fish it on the bob and perhaps use some other natural terrestrial like a Beetle on the tail. Wind will blow such creatures onto the water and the fish are opportunists! Later in the evening it is always worth a try with a Shipman Buzzer or similar patterns. Fish it reasonably slowly after the sun has gone down over the hill. It is usually preferable to see fish rising before using these tactics but they are by no means useless at other times. If you are into tying your own or do not know what they look like there are instructions on this page. If you are still unsure do not be afraid to approach anyone who is catching fish as they will be only too happy to advise. Hopefully May will bring some warmer and settled westerly weather. The second stocking takes place this last week in April, so there may be some stimulation there. The Ulverston Angling Association website shows some patterns of Paul Procter’s that are also good catchers on Knottallow. - Tight Lines!!
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06/05/2009
REPORT ON FISHING FOR MAY AND PROSPECTS FOR JUNE
Conditions have again not been easy in May especially recently in the very bright conditions. We have also had some very strong variable wind directions that unfortunately have included Northerlies and easterlies in the main and there hasn’t been a catch return sheet without a comment of wet, windy or cold. Is the old wives tale true? “When the wind comes from the West the fish bite best. When winds come from the East the fish bite least”. However, May’s catch returns show that even experienced fishermen have been struggling from time to time, although catches have increased. Even so, it is possible to get some results if you choose your time of day. Early and late are the best times and on occasions there can be some action if there is a decent ripple in the bright conditions. Chris Taylor had some good results using wet spider / loch style patterns. We have some photo’s of the catch and the flies which will go up in the next couple of weeks.
Select the right day and use the right tactic and there are always a few fish to be had.The wonderfully warm weather over the last week in May has certainly brought out the fly life. You may or not be pleased with this, as the caenis have started to hatch. Early sedges are also on the move – probably the smaller species such as Grousewing and Longhorns. Small (# 14) pupa and brown dries should do the trick. Similarly, the weather is bringing on the bigger buzzers as well. When fish are seen on the top try patterns like Beetles, Spiders, F Fly, Griffiths Gnat or Suspender and Shipman’s Buzzers fished static - all pull fish at the right time of the hatch. In windy conditions try a Bibio or Black Pennell fished slowly. With the longer days coming along be prepared to fish earlier (some of us don’t do early!) or later as the rise will continue well past 11 at night, but may not start until 9ish. The third stocking took place in the last week in May and appears to have wound up the resident fish. Catch returns have been steadily improving over the last two weeks with a rod average of about 3. Dave Helm will be on holiday for a couple of weeks but on his return will be doing some Caenis (anglers curse) teach-in sessions (keep your eye on the notice board).
Take a look at the Knottallow notice board as there is plenty of information to be had if you read it closely to observe the fly patterns that are catching and we’ve also put some patterns in the notice board. Don’t forget to check out the entomology calendar, the UAA suggested patterns and Paul Procter’s favourite patterns that are also good catchers on Knottallow. – We hope you have tight lines. If you are still unsure on what tactics and flies to use please do not be afraid to approach anyone who is catching fish as they will be only too happy to pass on fly patterns and advice.
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08/17/2009
REPORT ON FISHING FOR AUG AND PROSPECTS FOR SEPT
We could almost report on the same conditions that have plagued us throughout the summer. Things have not been easy again through July with strong winds most days. There hasn’t been a catch return sheet without comments on wet and windy conditions. It seems to be a case of adapting. Some anglers have been having some success with muddlers pulled through the waves and if you are lucky to get a quiet evening, buzzers, sedges, shipmans and f-fly are patterns that have been successful.
As we are getting into August the nights are starting to draw in and fishing is generally over by 10ish. The weather has however delayed the caenis hatches. They should really be finished by now but they are still putting in an appearance. Even though we don’t get many olives, the second hatch should be coming along in September; this is usually a day time hatch and often in poor weather so we should be OK there. The ever present buzzers are also there in the evenings as are sedges.
This time of year also brings some of the terrestrials out. Watch for ant falls on sultry days and if we get some sunny spells, black gnats and daddy long legs, and now the cows are back in the field, dung flies.
The Ulverston Angling Association website shows some patterns that are also good catchers on Knottallow. We’ve also put some patterns in the notice board.
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11/30/2009
FLOODS NOVEMBER 2009
Well! The Treasurer has been involved with the club for over 20 years and never seen anything like it before. The photos tell it all. The raised causeway was almost completely submerged and there were natural streams popping up everywhere. Fish definitely went over the top as one was rescued from behind the overflow grill.
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12/14/2009
DAM REPAIR HISTORY
The Tarn has for several years been under the requirements of the Reservoir Acts and as such the committee has been required to carry out extensive works on the dam.
We have on several occasions had to drain down the Tarn to carry our repair work on the dam and as a consequence have lost the water level not only in the little pond but also in the big pond.
This work looks likely to be with us for some time. We have several quotations for different solutions, all of which are currently out of our financial range.
In August 2008 we raised the level of the causeway and placed a plastic membrane and stone protection over the clay. This gave us a more effective barrier to maintain the water level in the large pond for any future drain-down. Please be careful when crossing the causeway as the stones can become dislodged with wave action and foot traffic. If you see any dislodged stones please replace them. Obviously as we now virtually have two separate ponds the fish can not now get between them. All the stocking in 2009 was into the big pond, with only resident fish in the little pond. This will most likely be the case for 2010 although there could be extra fish in the latter after the floods in November2009.
Sure enough, the overflow pipe sprung a leak early in 2009 and we had again to drain down. This was the first test of the raised causeway and proved its effectiveness, with the water level in the large pond keeping well up.
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12/29/2009
KNOTTALLOW BREAKING NEWS
The EA has recently issued a proposed amendment to the bye-laws regarding the brown trout close season.
The bye-laws will remove the close season from fully enclosed waters and should become law by the Spring.
Knottallow Tarn falls within this description and, although the committee has not yet had a chance to discuss this, we feel that this can only be beneficial and would expect the season to continue up until 31st December at least. The weather would probably not be good enough to continue through the months of January and February anyway. We hope no-one has tried to get up there in the last two weeks in December!
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