Archived Lake Reports for July 2006
North Lake adult only non-members*
23/07 2006
The tally now stands at 54, 30lb plus carp, 3, 40lb plus carp 15, 40lb plus cats, 8, 50lb plus cats and 1, 60lb plus cat.
Well done to Lee Richards who completed a 60 hour session in which he broke his P.B, 5 times! The session included cracking mirrors of 20, 22, 28, 29lb and a stunning 33lb fish. Not too bad at all really and what’s more, he caught them in that order. Plenty of fish coming early evening and early morning but you do have to think about what you are doing. Spodding big beds of fine particle are really working well; fresh boiled hemp in particular has proven to be very effective. Artificial baits or critically balanced naturals are, again, working very well.
Pre-booking North Lake sessions is essential
North Lake is incredibly popular, pre-booking sessions is absolutely essential. 1–2 weeks’ notice is required for a weekday session and 4–6 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.
02/07 2006
We have sailed past the 50, 30lb plus mark in the last week with the total now standing at 54 fish over 30lb so far this season, including 3 new 40lb plus fish. Best recent fish was a cracking mirror of 41lb caught on Friday 30th (details to follow). Lots of 20lb plus fish regularly showing with several scraping the 30lb mark. We estimate that there are now somewhere in the region of 30 different 30lb plus fish and 5 forty pound plus fish in North Lake.
In the recent heat wave, the zig rig has come into its own accounting for several big fish, day-glow baits are still the favourite with Solar pineapple ‘n’ butyric still top of the list. Tight baiting to recognizable features on the bottom is still producing.
* Minimum tackle requirements: 40” net, 40” unhooking mat, 2.5lb T.C rods and 10lb line per angler, no sharing allowed. Pre-booking 2–3 weeks in advance for 24 hour plus weekend sessions on North Lake is advisable.
Plantation Lake*
23/07 2006
Plantation can be really tricky in this hot weather we are experiencing but if you get it right there are some good fish to be had. It’s no good turning up and chucking out, spend a little time in preparation and you will reap the rewards later in the session. Corn, maize and pellet remain good bait choices and popped up bait can work really well. Cast to showing fish and keep an eye on the top. If the ducks are being difficult simply come up from the bottom with a Zig rig.
02/07 2006
The fish will take off the top in Plantation but approach this method sensibly and don’t pile in the freebies. 4–5 pellets/pieces of flake at a time, little and often will build the fish’s confidence before introducing your hook-bait. As always maize, corn and pellet remain effective choices.
* Minimum tackle requirements are a 30” net and an un-hooking mat per angler.
Prairie Lake
23/07 2006
The big fish in Prairie have seen it all before, if you are only catching small fish change something, be it hook size, bait or method of presentation. Prairie continues to produce lots of really nice doubles to low 20lb with some stunning commons showing. Artificial baits can be a real winner in this hot weather fished over beds of small particle. Spice things up a bit by adding a little chilli oil to the mix and don’t forget to add sugar and salt if you prepare your own particle.
02/07 2006
You now have to work that little bit harder for your fish in Prairie so concentrate on your presentation. Scale down your terminal tackle to fool the bigger fish remember, they have seen it all before. If you are only catching small fish change something, be it hook size, bait or method of presentation. Prairie continues to produce lots of really nice doubles. The plus from the recent de-stocking is that the quality of fish is far better with more growth potential to 20lb plus fish.
Sandwich Lake
23/07 2006
Good old Sandwich just keeps on fishing regardless of whatever Mother Nature throws at her. As you would expect in the hot weather there is some serious Roach and Rudd sport to be had. Best baits are still caster, maggot and worm. The fish are up in the water so float fish and start at the top, gradually working your way down to the fish. Early mornings are best for the Tench and Crucians, don’t forget that we do allow overnight fishing on Sandwich and it can be well worth a go.
02/07 2006
Same old, same old… Sandwich continues to produce to just about every bait imaginable. Corn, meat and maggot are still the firm favorites though. Catches include lots of Tench and Bream with some really big Roach and Rudd as well. It is important to feed up your swim but not to go ‘overboard’ you are aiming to keep the fishes interest but not feed them off. Use common sense, after all it’s hardly “rocket science” is it!
Kettles Lake
23/07 2006
The ‘zig rig’ can produce in this hot weather and if you don’t know how to do it, just ask, that’s what we are here for. As with Prairie, try some popped up artificials over particle but remember that small baits mean small hooks but not necessarily small fish!
02/07 2006
It is a foolish man (or woman!) that fishes Kettles without some surface bait in his bag at the moment as this style is really doing well in the hot weather. Don’t overlook the benefits of fishing a ‘zig rig’ as well and if you don’t know how to do it, just ask, that’s what we are here for. Float fishing in the margins with soft pellet has also produced the goods so bear that in mind. Don’t feed your swim as hard as normal in this hot weather as the fish are not as hungry as usual with the high water temperatures.
Pullens Lake members only
23/07 2006
The tally still stands at 13, 30lb plus fish so far to 34lb with lots of 20lb plush fish to boot. The fish are really elusive in the current hot weather so try Zig rigs or surface fishing. Big beds of particle can work wonders as well when the fish are down in the water. Pellet can also be a real winner as both a free offering and a hook-bait, try popping up artificial pellet over freebies on a very short (and shot weighted) hook-link. For that extra something, why not pre-glug the pop up pellet in salmon oil or fish protein, Heathrow Bait Services, ‘Hydro Stim’ is truly excellent.
02/07 2006
The tally still stands at 13, 30lb plus fish so far to 34lb with lots of 20lb plush fish to boot. The fish are really elusive in the current hot weather so try ‘Zig rig’ or surface fishing. Big beds of particle can work wonders as well when the fish are down in the water. Pellet can also be a real winner as both a free offering and a hook-bait, try popping up artificial pellet over freebies on a very short (and shot weighted) hook-link. For that extra something, why not pre-glug the pop up pellet in salmon oil or fish protein—Heathrow Bait Services’ “Hydro Stim” is truly excellent.
West End Lake members only
23/07 2006
The total now stands at 22, 30lb plus with loads of 20lb plus ‘back ups’ as well. Tactics need to be changed daily to keep up and the water is really starting to clear so concentrate on the presentation, fluorocarbon hook-links can offer a decided edge. As with Pullens, don’t overlook Zigs or the chance for a bit of floater fishing.
02/07 2006
The total now stands at 22, 30lb plus with loads of 20lb plus ‘back ups’ as well. Tactics need to be changed daily to keep up and the water is really starting to clear so concentrate on the presentation, fluorocarbon hook-links can offer a decided edge. As with Pullens, don’t overlook Zigs or the chance for a bit of floater fishing. Andy Wilson caught HIS!!! Linear again this week, definitely spawned out, she still pushed just over 30lb, well done Andy, now how about catching a different fish for a change!!!
2006 memberships
The membership is currently on hold, we will revise the situation in the next couple of weeks as there are very few vacancies left.