Archived Lake Reports for January 2007
Special Notice from Tom, the manager;
To all our customers; some of you will know that my family and I are off to New Zealand at the end of January. I would just like to say a big thank you for all your support over the last 6 years, it’s been great fun and I might even miss one or two of you!!!
The fishery will continue as normal under the excellent guidance of Phil and Tim so you can continue to look forward to the great sport that Elphicks provides.
Good luck to all of you and Very Tight Lines,
Tom Barr
North Lake Adult only*
21/01 2007
North Lake produced an amazing 78, 30lb plus fish and 10, 40lb plus fish last year. There are still plenty of high twenty pound and 30 pound fish being caught but the Catfish are now pretty inactive in this colder weather. Sport has slowed up a little with the colder water temperatures but there are some really great catches being put together. It is vital to pay particular attention to your presentation and consider scaling down your baits as the water temperature continues to drop. Historically, this is the time of year when North Lake can produce unexpected monsters as they feed up in preparation for the middle of winter.
Pre-booking North Lake sessions is essential
North Lake is still incredibly popular, so pre-booking sessions is absolutely essential. 1–2 weeks’ notice is required for a weekday session and 2–4 weeks’ notice is required for a weekend session. Day only sessions may not be pre-booked but it is advisable to ring us the evening before to check availability. There are always last-minute cancellations so you can get lucky.
* Minimum tackle requirements: 40” net, 40” unhooking mat, 2.5lb T.C rods and 10lb line per angler, no sharing allowed. Pre-booking 2–4 weeks in advance for 24 hour plus weekend sessions on North Lake is advisable.
Plantation Lake*
21/01 2007
Plantation is never easy and in the cold weather you have to really work hard. Some cracking 20lb plus fish have been banked in recent days so perseverance does pay. Pellet is a real winter favorite, especially when fished in conjunction with a pva bag of smaller pellet near the hook-bait, try adding a CSL glug for that extra attraction. Corn always works on Plantation but if you want to try something different, get hold of some of our fluorescent pink ‘mega’ corn, it’s a real winter winner as the Tutti flavor dissipates well in cold water.
Prairie Lake
21/01 2007
Prairie Lake has really been fishing well and continues to produce some cracking fish to low twenties. As with Plantation, pellet can be a real favorite at this time of year. Maggot and caster always seem to work along with the flavored corns and luncheon meats. Try some new tactics, the bagging waggler can be devastating on lakes like Prairie, if you are not sure how to do it, come down to the lodge and ask. The monster Perch are back in evidence so sling a float fished lob worm into the margins and you never know…
Sandwich Lake
21/01 2007
Float fishing is always productive as well as ledgering. Scale your hook length right down and concentrate on as finer presentation as you dare to fool the bigger fish. Sandwich remains very constant as we enter into the winter months with very good bags being put together on a daily basis... Favorite baits at present are corn, pellet, worm and caster. Particles such as hemp always work well so bear that in mind.
Remember that matches run at this time of year so it’s worth phoning before a Wednesday or Sunday session session to check availability.
Kettles Lake
21/01 2007
Kettles, has, again been fishing well and continues to produce lots of those hard fighting Ghost Carp that so many of you enjoy. The method remains the firm favorite as far as tactics go but don’t overlook the humble float fished worm or maggot, especially in the margins. This can be a real winner. Particle continues to produce, remember to keep topping up your swim throughout the session. Little and often is the way to go. Try scaling down your presentation as in the colder weather the fish are not as hungry or as active as they are in the summer.
Pullens Lake Adult only
21/01 2007
Pullens continues to produce quality fish to high twenties. Try some particle hook-baits such as tares, maize or lupins they can be really effective at this time of year, especially when used in conjunction with glugged particle. Fruit based baits certainly seem to have the edge in the colder weather. The humble Tutti Fruity can be a real winner.
West End Lake Adult only
21/01 2007
Same old, same old, West End is doing what West end does best: producing loads of hard fighting, large Carp. Even in the winter it can pay to spod loads of particle, remember to keep topping up your swim throughout the session. Pellet is also worth a try and can really do the business, especially when fished in conjunction with a pva bag of smaller pellet near the hook-bait but add some fruity glug just to give it an extra edge.