One of the driest summers on record did impact the fishing in a number of ways. Firstly, the low water oxygen levels reduced the activity in the fish and the feeding patters were extremely sporadic.

Secondly, the insect activity seemed to be considerably reduced from previous years. Both of these factors resulted in poor fish fitness and slow growth rates but despite this, there were occasional high points and the overall quality of the fish was well up to standard.

There weren't many developments in tactics last year - the old favourites of slowly fished , thinly dressed diawl bachs and buzzers scored as well as anything else as well as pulling blobs and sparklers on DI3's.

While it wasn't a record year, angler numbers were well in line with previous years and the numbers of bank fishermen in particular were a welcome sight in the early and late season.

So, putting a difficult season behind us, we're looking ahead to this year with a degree more optimism - a lot of fish overwintered and there appears to be a good head of fish coming on.

 

The official figures for the 2003 season are:

	Fish Caught	Av. Weight	Best Brown	Best Rainbow
Blagdon	21,169	2-03	6-08	10-02
Chew	22,939	2-04	10-00	11-12
Barrows	6,587	1-12	6-03	5-12