Fisheries Watch scheme to challenge poaching

May 1, 2013 Bauer Xcel

A GROUP of anglers are tackling problems with poaching head-on after forming their own ‘Fisheries Watch’ scheme.

Run in association with the Warwickshire Police and backed by the district council, plans have been put in place by members of four different angling clubs to watch over a number of venues in the Warwick area, including vast stretches of the River Avon.

Organisers of the scheme, which is the first of its kind in the county, are planning to recruit around 40 volunteers, including some non-angling members of the public, all of whom will patrol venues and are empowered to stop anyone either fishing illegally, poaching fish or being involved in anti-social behaviour, with the police on hand to assist at all times.

Tony Wingrove, who helps with the running of Kingfisher Pool, a coaching venue for kids in Warwick, came up with the idea after his venue suffered from horrendous poaching problems, with thousands of pounds worth of stock being taken.

In response, members of Warwick and District AA, Whitnash Royals AC, Portobello AC and Eagle AC held a series of meetings with the police geared towards getting the scheme up and running to coincide with the beginning of the close season.

Tony Wingrove said: “It’s taken a long time but finally we feel that we can protect our waters much more efficiently. There is little point in anglers just moaning about poaching and illegal fishing and doing nothing else. As a group we need to work together and fight it ourselves as no one else will help us.”

“The idea of the scheme is that all the clubs, bailiffs and fisheries involved will be in contact with one another, so if they see anything suspicious going on at one venue, the other areas will be put on full alert. It would be great to see this extended across the country, because it is all about the community coming together to combat major problems” he added.

Fisheries Watch will not only include bailiffs walking the bank but also a series of signs which will be put in place at venues included in the scheme, similar to those used in the well-known Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

*Anyone interested in volunteering as a bailiff for the scheme can do so by contacting local tackle dealer Bailey’s of Warwick. Either visit the shop, call 01926 491984 or email baileysofwarwick@hotmail.com

Campaign off to a flyer with 53lb 12oz mirror

May 1, 2013 Bauer Xcel

IAN Warner could not have asked for a better start to his campaign on an east midlands gravel pit, landing this huge 53lb 12oz mirror during his first night on the venue.

With a fresh south westerly wind hacking across the six-acre lake the 46-year-old decided to setup on the end of it as he was confident that this is where the fish would be.

A quick cast of his marker float located a couple of small clear spots among the thick onion weed at around seven and five rod lengths from the bank and these were both baited with around 30 boilies.

“Four hours later I had a really shy drop back bite on my left hand,” said the Kent-based telecoms engineer. “I don’t think the fish even realised it had been hooked at first and it wasn’t until I got it under the rod tip that it started to wake up. The water was really coloured so I couldn’t actually see what I was connected to until I lifted it out of the water. On the bank I recognised it as the lake’s biggest resident – a mirror known as Harris. I literally couldn’t believe! Four hours into my first session on the lake and I’d broken the lake record and my previous personal best of 45lb.”

The following morning Ian added to his tally with another specimen mirror of 34lb.

Both fish were caught on Denham Bait Innovations Element boilies fished snowman style with Atom pop-ups on size 7 Fox Arma Point SSC hooks.

South Open Match Results - Sunday 28th April 2013

April 30, 2013 Bauer Xcel

A12 Cuton Lakes
Match Lake (20 pegs)
Result: 1 G Bridge, Cuton Lakes 76-0-0; 2 S O’Brien, Ockendon Bait & Tackle, 75-11-0; 3 S Joy, Maver Image, 73-4-0.

A&I Tackle
Orchard Farm Place (12 pegs)
Result: 1 N Allen, A&I, 327-4-0; 2 P Allen, A&I, 284-1-0; 3 J Chambers, A&I, 150-6-0.

Back Arun
Club Lake (20 pegs)
Result: 1 J Money, JSA, 49-4-0; 2 T Madden, Back Arun, 37-0-0; 3 B Brindley, MBK, 36-8-0.

Dynamite Baits Oakfield Fishery
Red Kite Lake (16 pegs)
Result: 1 R Cave, Isis Oxford, 57-15-0; 2 S Page, Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths, 51-14-0; 3 G Thorpe, Chiltern/GOT Baits, 36-0-0.

Gillingham AA
Mappowder Lake (14 pegs)
Result: 1 T West, Gillingham AA, 21-8-0; 2 A West, Gillingham AA, 11-8-0; 3 K Murchie, Gillingham AA, 3-0-0.

Gold Valley Lakes
Middle & Syndicate Lakes (37 pegs)
Result: 1 M Goddard, Daiwa Dorking, 131-0-0; 2 C Dalton, Kennet Ospreys, 128-6-0; 3 J Attwood, Springlakes, 126-14-0.

Matchfishingonline.com Hornchurch League (round four)
Tyler’s Common, Horsehoe Lake (41 pegs)
Result: 1 G Butler, Bowler’s/Ockendon, 84-13-0; 2 C Adams, Browning Wickford Angling Blue, 80-12-0; 3 M Brown, MFS All Stars, 74-12-0.
Teams: 1 MFS All Stars, 34pts; 2 Browning Wickford Angling Red, 30; 3 Bowler’s/Ockendon, 27.
League: 1 MFS All Stars, 133pts; 2 Browning Wickford Angling Red, 110; 3 Bowler’s/Ockendon, 100.

Maver Lobby’s Tackle Spring League (round four)
Gloucester Canal (20 pegs)
Result: 1 M Hook, Maver Lobby’s Tackle, 13-10-0; 2 A Nash, Stoutshill AC, 10-6-0; 3 S Dolbear, Maver Lobby’s Tackle, 9-1-0.
League: 1 A Jane, Maver Lobby’s Tackle, 27pts (103-12-0); 2 G Wiggett, Stroud AC, 27 (82-8-0); 3 A Pollard, Daiwa Gordon League, 27 (97-10-0).

Milemead Fisheries
Match Lake (14 pegs)
Result: 1 C Morris, Tackle Barn, 44-5-0; 2 N Jones, Tackle Barn, 43-12-0; 3 K Lund, Milemead, 43-10-0.

Monk Lakes
Lake 3 (28 pegs)
Result: 1 I Harper, Monk Lakes, 101-2-0; 2 J Parkes, Preston Innovations Delcac, 90-6-0; 3 J McDowell, Monk Lakes/Hemming’s Tackle, 90-0-0.

Ockendon Bait & Tackle
Puddledock Farm, Snake Lake (53 pegs)
Result: 1 R Harold, Ockendon Bait & Tackle, 127-4-0; 2 T Todd, Ockendon Bait & Tackle, 122-0-0; 3 G Dack, Middy, 114-6-0.

Pat Hill
Furnace Ponds (14 pegs)
Result: 1 R Jellis, Slougham AC, 29-0-0; 2 M Tester, Sportsman AC, 28-4-0; 3 P Hill, Slougham AC, 22-0-0.

Redbridge Lakes
Both lakes (26 pegs)
Result: 1 S Arno, Terrapins, 16-0-0; 2 S Phung, Bowler’s, 14-4-0; 3 N Warren, Redbridge, 13-12-0.

Sonu Baits Passies
Match Lake (18 pegs)
Result: 1 T Parnell, Sonu Baits Passies, 81-13-0; 2 S Turner, Sonu Baits Passies, 71-8-0; 3 J Grainger, Preston Innovations Delcac, 66-2-0.

Summerhayes Fishery
Sellicks & Lily Lakes (21 pegs)
Result: 1 A Palmer, Royal Marines, 76-8-0; 2 S Kedge, Somerset Angling, 58-10-0; 3 J Jordan, Summerhayes, 56-1-0.

Wylands
New Snake Lake (17 pegs)
Result: 1 P Lawton, Wylands, 46-4-0; 2 M Wells, Sensas, 31-12-0; 3 T Barnes, Solar Tackle, 30-4-0.

Midlands Open Match Results - Sunday 28th April 2013

April 30, 2013 Bauer Xcel

Bishop’s Bowl Fishery
White Bishops Lake (12 pegs)
Result: 1 S Cordingley, Maver Milton Keynes, 50-12-0; 2 S Allison, Bishop’s Bowl, 43-12-0; 3 C Harrison, Bailey’s of Warwick, 43-2-0.

Browning West Midlands MG John Sherwood Memorial
Arrow Valley Lake (51 pegs)
Result: 1 M Evans, Hymatic AC, 43-9-0; 2 M Tremlett, Browning West Midlands MG, 37-5-8; 3 D Schofield, West Park, 28-10-8.

Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery
Croft & Bridge Pools (15 pegs)
Result: 1 J Masson, Maver/Marukyu, 109-8-0; 2 A Oldham, Halkon Hunt, 89-12-0; 3 S Gray, Worksop, 85-2-0.

Decoy Lakes
Beastie Lake (22 pegs)
Result: 1 N Baxter, Bag ‘Em Baits, 143-10-0; 2 S Dow, Decoy, 134-4-0; 3 T Cole, Decoy, 131-12-0.

Cross Drove Fishery
Hockwold (19 pegs)
Result: 1 M Pollard, Shimano/Stanjay Tackle, 120-6-0; 2 I Bailey, Cross Drove, 79-0-0; 3 S Bracey, Shimano/Dynamite Baits, 69-6-0.

Froggatt’s Pools
Lodge & Marlpit pools (23 pegs)
Result: 1 N Colcombe, Hereford, 69-11-0; 2 S Rock, Hereford, 62-1-0; 3 K Butler, Froggatt’s, 58-13-0.

Headfen Lakes Qualifier
Trev’s Lake (19 pegs)
Result: 1 T Dabrowa, Hooked Newmarket, 59-0-0; 2 J Collison, Angler’s Corner, 50-0-0; 3 A Newton, Angler’s Corner, 49-3-0.

Lakeview Fishery
Canal, Marina & Oasis Pools (40 pegs)
Result: 1 N Barlow, Lakeview Select, 71-1-0; 2 K Daws, Sensas, 70-4-0; 3 A Bates, Sensas Mark One, 61-15-0.

Manor Farm Leisure
Boundary Pool (14 pegs)
Result: 1 P Upton, Banbury Gunsmiths, 54-2-0; 2 C Telling, Colmic, 50-12-0; 3 R Merry, Arthur’s Angling Supplies, 44-10-0.

MAP Leegem Spring League (round eight)
Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery, Moat Pool (60 pegs)
Result: 1 G Hazlewood, MAP Leegem, 103-7-0; 2 S Spurr, MAP Leegem, 96-8-0; 3 S Stead, MAP Leegem, 69-5-0.

Maver Classic Qualifier
Maver Larford Lakes, Specimen Lake (35 pegs)
Result: 1 A Kinder, Maver/Marukyu, 183-13-0; 2 P Bucknall, 130-14-0; 3 S Mayo, Maver, 117-8-0.

Moorlands Farm
Bank, Moors & Island Pools (30 pegs)
Result: 1 W Mellings, Maver Midlands, 150-1-0; 2 C Pace, Colin Pace Academy, 108-4-0; 3 M Churchill, Moorlands, 102-0-0.

Newport AA Spring Series (round four)
Morgan’s Pool (24 pegs)
Result: 1 N Belcher, Cwmbran Angling Nobblers, 44-12-0; 2 S Deacon, Newport AA, 34-6-0; 3 R Preece, Newport AA, 30-4-0.

Preston Innovations Boldings Pools
Svcamore & Chestnut Pools (34 pegs)
Result: 1 H Colley, Boldings, 127-8-0; 2 D Hailey, Boldings, 115-9-0; 3 N Clarke, Matrix, 110-6-0.

Preston Innovations Woodland View
Front & Back Deans Pools (21 pegs)
Result: 1 W Panting, Midlands Bears DAA, 96-14-0; 2 A Christie, Woodlands, 92-6-0; 3 C Senter, Browning West Midlands MG, 89-14-0.

Sherwood Forest Fishery
Holmedale Lake (25 pegs)
Result: 1 A Lakey, Worksop Angling Supplies, 131-10-0; 2 C Brown, Sherwood Forest Fishery, 83-9-0; 3 M Malia, Wickersley Angling Centre, 76-4-0.

Shimano East Midlands Championships Qualifier
Peatling Pools (23 pegs)
Result: 1 R Kinnersley, Finedon AS, 23-1-0; 2 A Osborne, Team Scotty, 18-13-0; 3 J Shellard, Leicester Elite 18-2-0.

Tunnel Barn Farm
House & New Pools (42 pegs)
Result: 1 P Caton, Banbury Gunsmiths, 146-12-0; 2 S Palser, Middy, 129-10-0; 3 A Jackson, Mosella, 124-6-0.

North Open Match Results - Sunday 28th April 2013

April 30, 2013 Bauer Xcel

Bannister House Fishery
New Match Canal Lake (42 pegs)
Result: 1 F Yardley, Ted Carter Preston, 104-8-0; 2 J Holland, Macey’s Aces, 68-8-0; 3 B Wardle, Macey’s Aces, 66-12-0.

Blundell’s Fishery Rover
All lakes (43 pegs)
Result: 1 D Swain, Garbolino/Dynamite Baits, 98-1-0; 2 J Carroll, Leigh Tackle & Bait, 88-14-0; 3 S Carroll, Leigh Tackle & Bait, 82-6-0.

Bob-Co/Carp Vale Spring Series (round seven)
Match & Cyprio Pools (34 pegs)
Result: 1 S Sharples, Bob-Co, 67-1-0; 2 M Green, Green’s Fisheries, 59-6-0; 3 G Twohey, Bob-Co, 57-8-0.

Brookside Fisheries
Snake & Willow Lakes (36 pegs)
Result: 1 S Colvin, Brookside, 77-12-0; 2 Steve Conroy, Drennan NW, 75-6-0; 3 Stu Conroy, Kamasan/Sensas, 62-8-0.

Climax Wold View Fishery
Gold Lake (18 pegs)
Result: 1 G Chapman, 108-10-0; 2 G Garrod, 56-0-0; 3 C Mack, 43-14-0.

Cudmore Fisheries
Panama & Edwards Pools (22 pegs)
Result: 1 R Harris, Cudmore, 42-0-0; 2 A Wood, Hazel Grove Angling, 41-4-0; 3 C Johnson, Ryedale, 39-10-0.

Garbolino Lindholme Lakes
Oasis Lake (32 pegs)
Result: 1 T Moran, Grattan AC, 129-13-0; 2 S Cooke, Garbolino, 109-7-0; 3 J Allerton, Tri-Cast, 105-12-0.

Heronbrook Fisheries
Canal, Bridge, Island & Meadow Pools (72 pegs)
Result: 1 J Brown, Maver Midlands, 147-12-0; 2 I Sullivan, Leigh Tackle & Bait, 118-14-0; 3 D Hallam, Darro Design, 109-8-0.

Highfield Fisheries
Ash Lake (18 pegs)
Result: 1 A Shirtcliffe, Mack’s Tackle, 30-6-0; 2 S Kennedy, Ted Carter Preston, 25-0-0; 3 S Bird, Ted Carter Preston, 20-6-0.

Langwith Lakes
Anya’s & Emma’s Lakes (25 pegs)
Result: 1 T Bainbridge, Langwith, 70-0-0; 2 P Snaith, York Tackle, 65-2-0; 3 R Holmes, Garbolino Gooch, 59-1-0.

Meadow View Fisheries
Lark Pool (26 pegs)
Result: 1 D Hancox, Cheshire Angling 86-0-0; 2 M Tighe, Gilder’s Tackle, 44-8-0; 3 P Chung, Matrix, 33-0-0.

Messingham Sands
Swan Pond (18 pegs)
Result: 1 G Hansford, Grimsby, 77-12-0; 2 K Johnson, Messingham, 58-13-0; 3 S Drayton, Gainsborough, 52-15-0.

Middlewich Spring League (round three)
Trent & Mersey & Shropshire Union Canals (60 pegs)
Result: 1 I Sagar, Browning Lifestyle Blue, 15-12-0; 2 C Morris, Skid Bung Hodnet MG, 8-7-12; 3 D Huxley, Cheshire MG, 8-6-0.
Teams: Jt1 Sam’s Tackle & Bait Green and Skid Bung Hodnet MG, both 44pts; 2 Browning Lifestyle Blue, 43.
League: 1 Browning Lifestyle Red, 134pts; 2 Skid Bung Hodnet MG, 108; 3 Browning Lifestyle Blue, 107.

Mirfield AC
Aire & Calder Canal, Altofts (50 pegs)
Result: 1 G Brown, Ultimate Barnsley Blacks, 8-10-0; 2 D Taylor, Mirfield AC, 6-12-0; 3 S Haigh, Angler’s World Holidays, 5-8-0.

Oaks Lakes
Ash, Beech & Sycamore Lakes (44 pegs)
Result: 1 P Sellars, Woodland Tackle, 65-1-0; 2 A Richards, Browning, 64-14-0; 3 K Wainwright, The Oaks, 61-2-0.

Partridge Lakes
Covey Canal Lakes (91 pegs)
Result: 1 G Platt, Wayne’s Tackle, 54-4-0; 2 D Shaw, Maver NW, 53-1-0; 3 P Keeley, Liverpool, 51-3-0.

St Helen’s AA
Carr Mill Dam (26 pegs)
Result: 1 K Hall, Leigh Tackle & Bait, 17-1-0; 2 M Phillips, Bait-Tech, 14-2-0; 3 D Barlow, Guru/Bait-Tech, 13-13-0.

Woodland Lakes
Kestrel & Wagtail Lakes (27 pegs)
Result: 1 P Noble, Woodland Tackle, 89-2-0; 2 M Bell, Woodland Tackle, 84-8-0; 3 M Lovelass, Browning Quaker, 82-14-0.

Huge eel caught by fly angler

April 30, 2013 Bauer Xcel

WHEN game angling guide Rob Waddington latched into a heavy fish during a session at Rutland Water last week, the last thing he expected to see on the other end was this huge eel, weighing in at a mighty 7lb 8oz

The professional fishing coach took the impressive predator on a sinking fly while casting from the bank at the vast 3,000-acre East Midlands venue. He had already been ‘bitten off’ by another big fish just minutes before doing battle with the surprise catch.

Rob told Angling Times: “I knew they were large eels in Rutland, which you’d occasionally see in the rocks, but this is the first one I’ve caught. We’d had a successful day with good sport from the trout on buzzers, then the wind got up and I decided to try a sinking line and a cat’s whisker booby, slowly drawn through the depths. On my first cast I had a savage take, while retrieving the fly up from the shelf, from what felt like a huge fish. I got smashed and the 12.5lb leader had been bitten off cleanly.”

Having tied on a new fly, Rob’s next cast produced another powerful bite followed by a long, slow run which took his reel down to the backing.

"I hoped it was a big brown trout, as there have been some good ones caught recently,” he said,

"but the fight was different and I thought it could be a big pike, which I’ve had to over 20lb from Ruitland on the fly rod. When it came to the net, I couldn't believe it was a huge eel!"

It’s not the first time that the Anglian Water-owned venue has produced a specimen eel, with a giant fish estimated by its captor to weigh well in excess of the British record having been caught almost a year ago to the day.

Rutland Water fishery manager John Marshall said: “Rob’s catch is a bit unusual but it doesn’t surprise me. Going back 30 years or so there were a lot of eels in there and some of them where huge. Sometimes they’d get stuck in the inlet pipe at the dam and they’d be as thick as your arm!”

*Rob’s Rutland Fly Fishing Adventures offers guiding and coaching at the reservoir and can be contacted through www.rutlandflyfishing.co.uk

World's biggest common out again!

April 30, 2013 Bauer Xcel

The world’s first 100lb common carp has come out again this afternoon, the Angling Times can reveal.

The French giant from Etang la Saussaie, which was banked last week at 100lb 8oz by English angler Colin Smith, has been caught at 99lb 12oz.

British angler John Thorpe caught the fish at 1.50pm from the Beach swim at the eight-acre Normandy venue.

British record skate banked at 235lb

April 29, 2013 Bauer Xcel

THIS IS the exclusive picture of a huge 235lb common skate that smashes the current British record out of sight.

It took Welsh specimen hunter David Griffiths an hour-and-a-half to haul the historic 7.5ft-long specimen up through over 500ft of water while he was on holiday in Scotland with his son William and a group of friends.

They were fishing aboard Ronnie Campbell’s Laura Dawn II a mile-and-a-half off the coast of Oban when the giant skate - which is 8lb heavier than the current British best caught back in 1986 off the Isle of Lewis in Scotland - took a squid and mackerel cocktail mounted on a size 10/0 Mustad hook.

“It took me over 30 minutes just to get the fish off the bottom, and when I saw the look on Ronnie’s face as it came up through the depths I knew it was a very special specimen indeed,” David told Angling Times.

After its dimensions were accurately measured on board and the estimated weight confirmed, the mighty specimen was safely returned unharmed. This means that the captor won’t be able to make an official record claim because, as things currently stand, all boat-caught fish are required to be killed and weighed on the shore in order to be eligible for entry into the history books.

“I’ve caught skate to 210lb before, but this magnificent creature completely dwarfed them and even though it would have been great to claim a record, there’s no way that any of us would do any harm to a fish like this which is probably 60-years-old.”

Skipper Ronnie has been fishing for giant skate for over 25 years and David’s is the biggest fish he’s ever brought aboard in that time.

“I’ve never seen a skate like it. With a length of 91 inches and a width of 71 inches, it works out at 235lb on our conversion chart, but I think if we weighed this fish on the shore it could have been at least 10lb bigger because it was so fat,” said Ronnie.

During their six-day holiday, the group of friends boated more than a dozen skate over the 100lb mark, with 12-year-old William landing them to an impressive 113lb.

River Wye on form for big salmon

April 29, 2013 Bauer Xcel

THE River Wye has produced one of the best catches of salmon in recent memory with four huge specimens over the 30lb mark being netted along with numerous fish over 25lb.

The biggest of the bunch weighed 33lb and was banked by Mike Pritchard while fishing with experienced ghillie Lyndon Cobley on the Ingestone beat near Ross-on-Wye.

Lyndon’s son Joe, who’s also a ghillie, was fishing on the same day at Wyesham, Monmouth, and helped his client Barry Odger, from Essex (pictured) bank a 30lb specimen.

The catches are the result of over a decade of projects by the Wye and Usk Foundation to restore salmon runs on the waterway.

“Ten years ago just three fish were caught in March and April and the season’s lowest ever total of 357 included very few large fish,” said the foundation’s director, Stephen Marsh-Smith.

“Now, over 1,300 fish are being caught in a season and these latest catches prove that the river is returning to its former glory.”

Boosted baits produce pair of pike bests

April 29, 2013 Bauer Xcel

LEWIS Gaukrodger had every reason to smile after breaking his pike personal best twice in a single session with specimens of 27lb 15oz and 26lb 6oz from a Nottinghamshire estate lake.

The biggest of the two predators set a new venue record and was fooled by the 21-year-old, Pike Angling Club of Great Britain member with a mackerel head on a simple leger rig.

He also used a float leger system with a herring hookbait to land the second twenty as well as smaller fish of 14lb 8oz and 13lb 6oz.

“This catch will really take some beating and it was by the far the best day I have ever had on the bank,” said Lewis. “Both of my baits were injected with salmon oil and the heads sprayed with red dye to improve their attraction and it worked a treat.”

Overnighter thirties brace

April 29, 2013 Bauer Xcel

A SHORT overnighter on Suffolk Water Park’s Big Lake saw Aiden Sharpe land a cracking brace of thirties with mirrors of 32lb 2oz and 31lb 4oz.

With most of the other anglers focusing their attentions on the deeper area of the venue, the 27-year-old brick layer decided to do the exact opposite and headed to the shallow end where he caught a thirty off the surface at the beginning of March.

He hadn’t been stood in the swim for long when he noticed a patch of fizzing about 30 yards from the bank.

“The area was quite weedy so I just scattered about 60 Pioneer Baits Cherry Bomber boilies around the area and cast a Chod rig baited with a CC Moore Northern Special pop-up over the top to ensure that I achieved a good presentation,” said Felixstowe-based Aiden.

“At 10.30pm that night I landed the 31lb 4oz mirror. I recast the rod and was getting liners throughout the night so at first light I recast it again. Less than 20 minutes later I had another take and the fish stripped over 100 yards of line off my reel and powered up the lake. I eventually coaxed it all the way back and on the bank I recognised it as a mirror known as Pop Rib.”

Aiden tied his Chod rigs with 25lb Korda Mouthtrap and size 6 Choddy hooks.

Target acheived with 39lb 10oz common

April 29, 2013 Bauer Xcel

A TWO night session on a local 100-acre gravel pit produced a new personal best for Sam Willis in the form of this cracking 39lb 10oz common.

The impressive specimen was part of a four fish haul taken by the Milton Keynes-based delivery driver which also included carp of 24lb 2oz, 10lb and 8lb.

“I’ve fished the lake on and off for the past few years but have really made a concentrated effort on there since Christmas,” said the 22-year-old.

“I started off fishing all over the pit but once I started catching a few I settled on one area where I have kept the bait going in.”

Since the start of the year Sam has taken eight carp to mid-twenties, and his latest fish all came from a 4ft deep spot at short range in open water and fell to the new 18mm S-Core boilies from Richworth Baits.

“I baited each rod with around half a kilo of whole and crushed baits and a bit of hemp. All of the bites came between 8am and 9am in the morning so this was definitely the bite time.

“I actually thought the 39lb’er was a bream at first because the only indication I received was a small drop back and then it came in really easily. I was shocked when I saw what was obviously a 30lb-plus fish in the margins.

“On the bank I recognised it as one of the lake’s bigg’uns and one of my three target fish.”
Sam mounted his hookbaits on combi-rigs tied with a fluorocarbon and 15lb braid hooklink attached to a size 6 hook.

Will Raison bags trio of Gold Valley wins

April 29, 2013 Bauer Xcel

Former world champion Will Raison has clearly tweaked his Method feeder to great effect after he won three matches on the trot at Gold Valley by using the tactic.

The Daiwa rod started the run by taking 135lb 12oz during an open event and managed to bag an even bigger weight just days later when he placed 146lb 10oz in the net.

He secured the hat-trick is much tougher conditions, beating off the competition to take victory with 63lb 12oz.

Bag'em releases new range of luncheon meat

April 26, 2013 Bauer Xcel

Bag'ems new ready prepared Pork Luncheon meat is premium quality plumrose, freshly cut into 8mm cubes, flavoured and dyed.

It's now available in three flavours: Super Red Krill, Pure Pineapple and Natural Coconut for just £2.99 per re sealable pot.

Call for a new 2013 brochure on 0845 881 1234 or go to www.bagem.co.uk for more info.

Bag'em releases new range of luncheon meat

April 26, 2013 Bauer Xcel

Bag'ems new ready prepared Pork Luncheon meat is premium quality plumrose, freshly cut into 8mm cubes, flavoured and dyed.

It's now available in three flavours: Super Red Krill, Pure Pineapple and Natural Coconut for just £2.99 per re sealable pot.

Call for a new 2013 brochure on 0845 881 1234 or go to www.bagem.co.uk for more info.

The Faughan Valley: An Anglers Paradise

April 26, 2013 Bauer Xcel

ANY angler visiting rural Derry will be spoiled for choice when it comes to casting a rod and line with some of the best fishing Ireland has to offer right in this county.

The two main locations for hooking the odd salmon or trout or two is as any keen fisherman will know are the River Roe and the River Faughan.

The Faughan rises in the northern Sperrins, near the village of Park, and flows roughly north east to Drumahoe where it turns north to enter Lough Foyle some six miles north of Derry.

It is well known in this area as a salmon and sea trout river and the season runs from April 1 to October 20 and day tickets are readily available.

The River Faughan boasts some of the most magnificent scenery to be had anywhere along the 20 odd miles from its source, Poll an Iolair (The Eagle's Pool) to the Foyle.

Salmon anglers on the Foyle system enjoy healthy runs of larger salmon moving into the system from August onwards, and over recent year’s salmon of 20lb+ have been landed.

In its upper reaches it is fast flowing, with streams and gravel fords the predominant feature and as it descends the river slows as it passes through agricultural land, until it reaches Campsie, where there is a large dam. This dam slows the flow right down, and provides sufficient depth to hold large numbers of fish throughout the year.

Trout anglers should note that although the Faughan does offer good sport in the right conditions, the runs of trout have not quiet recovered from levels enjoyed during the 1980's

There is a resident population of brown trout throughout the river and its tributaries although for the most part these are quite small and are generally not seen as a quarry species by anglers.

However brown trout to 1.5lb have been caught from time to time, and surveys by the Loughs Agency have indicated that in the headwaters and some tributary burns and streams there is a head of good sized brown trout.

While all legal methods are effective it is likely that fishing "fine and far off" with nymphs and dry flies could well produce results.

For those favouring fly, the Pennell, Connemara Black, Zulu, Black & Silver etc will all take sea trout by day, while night fishing would tend to be more productive.

The River Faughan Anglers Ltd manages the fishing of salmon and trout on both the tidal and inland waters of the River Faughan and they can be contacted by Tel: 028 7126 7781or Email faughananglers@btconnect.com.

Tom’s Fishing Tackle Shop in Shop in Drumahoe is also an official distributor of all licenses and permits, as well as all essential fishing equipment for all local rivers and lakes connected to the River Faughan. The shop can be contacted by Tel: 028 71346265 or Email: tomsfishing.tackle@hotmail.co.uk.

Down the road a few miles and there is another abundance of fish that would bring joy to the heart of any angler and cements the deserved reputation that County Derry is among the best locations for either a local or visiting fisherman.

The Oaks Fishery, located only a few minutes drive from the City of Derry, offers some of the finest Trout and Pike fishing available in the north-west. The stunning lake provides an ideal and tranquil location for fly, lure and bait fishing.

The fishery has 15 acres of water fed by natural springs, helping to keep the lake cool and crystal clear throughout the year. The excellent quality of the water offers fishermen a unique opportunity to stalk high quality rainbow trout and pike either from the bank or by boat. Contact Oaks Fishery on Tel: 078 7499 9236 or Email: iangamble@btinternet.com.

The River Roe flows from the hills above Dungiven down through the Roe Valley through Limavday town before making its way to the Foyle Estuary.

The Roe is a medium sized spate river (5.20 m) with fine runs of sea trout and salmon with the first of the sea trout entering the Roe in early June and these trout are usually the bigger trout from 1to 3lbs in weight.

At the same time Grilse will also appear and in July the main run of sea trout will enter the lower stretches and make themselves available for the dedicated fly fisher at night. Local anglers report that Teal Blue, Black Zulu, Peter Ross and Black Pennell patterns, floating or intermediate lines work best. Salmon weighing from between 3 to 6lb with a few larger salmon 8 to 12lbs can be caught while the water conditions control the methods used.

When the river is in full spate the local anglers will fish worms and spin with flying ‘C’s and Copper Spoons being successful methods and as the river begins to drop and clear the Fly fisherman will cast his flies in hope of a fish. The local patterns include the Wilkinson Shrimp, Curry’s Red, Apache and Bann Special Shrimp patterns working well in sizes 8 to 12’s depending on water height.

Visitors planning to come in the latter end of the summer should note that August tends to be a hard month on the river as the water levels tend to be low.

Day tickets are available for the River Roe as well and anyone planning a day on the banks of the Roe needs to contact Roe Angling Limited for information on a day ticket: Tel 028 7776 6688 or 028 7772 2128.

Anglers should familiarise themselves with the Loughs Agency regulations and be aware that from time to time the directors may impose additional restrictions, for example no spinning on certain stretches of the river or in low water conditions. Anglers should be in possession of a valid Foyle license and Faughan permit at all times.

For more information on the Faughan Valley please visit: www.discoverfaughanvalley.com.