Personal best at 38lb for 13-year-old

This 38lb mirror smashed teenager Matthew Hayter’s personal best by almost 15lb.
The 13-year-old fished a day session at Lakeside Country Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire, and had the bite at about 4pm.

He said: “My rod screamed off and I struck knowing I was on to a big fish. After five minutes of fighting I finally landed the fish and to my surprise and delight it was the biggest fish in the lake, which was Seven Scales at 38lb exactly.”

Matthew, who was fishing with his brother Tom and best friend Ryan, used a Nuts boilie from Shoreline Baits, tipped with a piece of pink fake corn.


Milestone mirror to Nash ace

Big fish all-rounder Ted Bryan took a break from targeting eels and landed this 42lb 2oz mirror from a southern stillwater.

The carp is the Syndenham-based Nash-backed rod’s twenty fifth English forty and was taken from a clear spot at around 50 yards range where he’d seen a good fish crash out shortly after arriving.

“There was a lot of fish showing during the night but I didn’t have any luck,” Ted told Angling Times. “The morning came and went without so much as a bleep, but there was still the odd fish showing. I finally received a fast take and the fish took at least 80 yards of line on its original run. After 20 minutes it locked me up solid in the weed along the marginal shelf.

“Thankfully my old mate Darren Belton was on the other side of the lake and he came round and waded out to free the fish. After a while we got it moving again and I was delighted to eventually slip a large mirror in the net.”

Ted offered 15mm Nash Amber Strawberry pop-up hookbaits over 100 freebies on 20lb Missing Link hooklinks and size 8 Nash Fang X hooks.


Five species in mammoth haul

Groundbait moulded around a lead helped Tony Gibson amass one of his biggest ever stillwater hauls when a run every 25 minutes resulted in a huge catch of tench, carp, roach, rudd and crucians.

The experienced all-rounder was left exhausted after a prolific 48-hour session at Enton Lake in Sussex, which delivered 34 tench, 24 rudd to 1lb 8oz, seven carp to a best of 22lb 5oz, 19 crucians to 3lb 1oz and roach to 1lb 5oz.

He kicked off his fishing with the introduction of a bed of particles via a spod but the key to success, which helped the resident fish find his hookbait quickly, proved to be a method mix squeezed around his flat 2oz lead.

The Dynamite Baits and Nash-backed rod from Northamptonshire kept the bites coming with a variety of hookbaits including boilies and hookable pellets, but the majority fell to artificial Nash Baits Mutant Sweetcorn soaked in pineapple flavouring and hair-rigged to a size 12 and 14 Drennan hooks.

“I fished one rod short and the other at around 30 yards and after putting 10 spods over the top of each rod and then squeezing a generous helping of method mix around my lead the fish really honed in on my hookbaits,” Tony told Angling Times.
“My hooklinks were fished ‘naked chod’ style because there was a lot of silt on the lake bed and this rig helps prevent tangles that can occur when using short hooklinks constructed with flexible braid.

“There were many times when I’d be playing a fish and the other rod would scream off. It was certainly one of the most prolific, non-stop sessions I’ve ever had.”
Tony used 8lb Nash Hardcore mainline in conjunction with a 15lb Nash Missing Link hooklink and he introduced almost 10 kilos of bait to keep his stream of fish coming for the duration of his session.

 

 

 


Season's best barbel

The biggest barbel of the season has been landed by Ian Hartley in the shape of this 17lb 10oz fish from the Derbyshire Derwent.

After electing to fish a renowned spot on a stretch controlled by The Earl of Harrington’s AC, the venue regular fed a bed of pellets and presented a large halibut pellet over the top.

His tip was dragged round as the impressive specimen tried to reach the sanctuary of a set of nearby snags, but Ian piled on the pressure and steered his prize to safety.
Once in the net he noticed it was the same specimen which he had banked in July at a weight of 16lb 12oz.


Nash reveals new gear for 2014

One of the most eagerly anticipated trade shows of the year was held in Essex last week by big-carp specialist Nash.

Unlike in previous seasons, when Nash introduced a plethora of new equipment, this time around the company concentrated on its bigger ticket items such as bedchairs, bivvies, bite alarms and luggage, with the promise of many more smaller bits of kit to be revealed in January 2014.

That said, the early release of Optic bobbin heads with their accompanying drag weights, chains, and fibre optic light pipes that illuminate right into the heads when you get a run should have the carp technophiles among you rushing to get your orders in.

My guide for the tour around his latest ‘must have’ kit was the main man himself, Kevin Nash. As well as being one of the most respected carp anglers of all time, he has been creating, developing and refining top-of-the-range -tackle for more than 30 years, so who better to explain Nash’s new releases?

DOUBLE TOP BIVVY
This huge capacity bivvy, that easily accommodates two people, has the height to allow you to stand up inside, which is ideal for anyone who struggles with the confines of a standard sized shelter.
Perfect for those French or longer stay sessions, it features a twin skin that completely eliminates damp and the annoying water drips it generates.
Price: £499.99 

GLOBETROTTER CARP CRADLE
Nash has given its best-selling carp cradle an extra third leg on each side of the frame, to offer extra support when very large fish are the occupants. Two new models – Monster and Globetrotter – have also been added to the range.
Prices: £84.99-£109.99

TITAN GLOBETROTTER BIVVY
This lightweight Titan Globetrotter bivvy comes with full Mozzie mesh outer that is perfect for those balmy summer nights. It is also supplied with a second skin that fits snugly over the top and will keep out the worst of weathers. Constructed with the same block erection system as used on all Nash Titan bivvies, it is super-sturdy and also available as a two-man version.
Prices: £399.99-£499.99

DELIVERANCE THROWING STICKS
Two new Deliverance throwing sticks are designed to handle 12mm, 15mm and 20mm boilies. Their featherweight frames should ease the strain of extensive baiting campaigns, and they come in distance and stealth lengths.
Price: £16.99

DELIVERANCE BAITING SPOONS
These baiting spoons include a handy slotted particle version that should do away with the need to add too much wetness to your spod mixes.
Although a fairly simple product, baiting spoons can help you to introduce large amounts of feed at close range without causing a great deal of disturbance. Bait boat owners will also find the smallest size ideal for loading-up their flotilla.
Price: £27.99

GROUNDHOG BROLLY
The irrepressible Nash Groundhog brolly, without doubt one of the most sought-after short session shelters on the market, has received a makeover for next year.
It now features a new colour and a quite superb lightweight frame with a reduced length pole stub inside to maximise head room. A groundsheet and winter skin can be purchased separately.
Price: £139.99 (brolly)
£119.99 (winter skin)    

R3 BITE ALARM
Nash’s new top-of-the-range alarm has built-in snag ears and does not require hockey sticks when fitting bobbin chains or cords. The head has a velocity line-sensing movement with three settings, to eliminate random bleeps caused by strong winds or weed movement.
Other features include a built-in line guard, single press mute function, three tone settings, adjustable volume and a very clever breathing LED light.
The R3 receiver unit has an extreme range function and anti-theft alarm Available in blue, purple, red and clear.
Prices: Receiver £114.99, heads £94.44 each

SIREN S5R BITE ALARMS
The good looking, no-nonsense and extremely popular long battery life Siren S5 alarm has now been adapted for use with its own receiver.
Unfortunately, though, the new unit will not work with current S5 alarm heads. Available in four colours, the latest alarms have easily operated function knobs, and will be sold as set of three including a receiver unit for just £199.99.
Prices: £49.99 per alarm
£49.99 receiver unit

MAG BANKSTICKS AND BUZZ BAR
These fabulous looking and unfeasibly lightweight banksticks and buzz bars will not be available until next February. However, once they are in the shops, despite their high price, they are sure to be one of next year’s ‘must have’ carp products. Built using a special carbon and alloy process, they are super strong and have magnetic heads.
Prices: £34.99-£54.99

SIREN OPTICS BOARD
Bringing carp fishing into 2014 with a gadget-based bang is this new Nash Optic range of alarm fitments and bobbin heads. The full Optic series consists of cord, chains, drag-weights and bobbin heads, all matching up with the new alarm heads. They also feature a special fibre optic light pipe connector that illuminates itself and your bobbin when you get a run. A plug-in light pipe adaptor that fits all Delkim and Fox alarms is also available
Prices: £2.99-£12.99

SCOPE RUCKSACKS
In a no-frills build with high storage capacity, the larger of the two bags, the Rucksack, features an air frame with high-density foam shoulder straps that will not compress over time.
The smaller bag, the Scope Backpack, has an identical air frame that prevents it sticking to your back and making you sweat, as well as a removable and insulated bottom section that can be used to keep bait or food fresh.
Prices: Rucksack £87.99, Backpack £76.99 

NASH SCARF AND BOBBLE HAT
Just what every carp angler wants for a present – a trendy new scarf and matching bobble hat. Definitely designed with a bit of Yuletide spirit, the warm woollen material will keep out the coldest of winter winds.
Price: £24.99 per set

INDULGENCE AIR FRAME BEDCHAIRS
The original Nash removable mattress and layered duvet system provides versatile comfort wherever you are fishing and whatever the weather.
The latest Air Frame bedchairs have reinforced lightweight frames without handwheels, and a flat-lay sleeping position in a choice of SS3, SS4, Wide Boy and Emperor.
Prices: £329.99-£459.99

INDULGENCE AIR SHROUD
This is sure to be among the best-selling carp luggage products of 2014. In a fully waterproof material, it has added length, allowing it to be used with a storm pole as an overhead shelter – a great summer idea.
Price: £54.99-£59.99















Wait for 40lb common is finally over

Lee Collings achieved a long standing goal of catching a common over the 40lb-barrier with this stunning 43lb 10oz specimen.

The fish was the best of five carp caught during a four day session on the Carp Society’s Farriers Lake in the Cotswolds.

All of the midlands-based rod’s fish were taken on Mainline Baits Cell bottom baits and he fed a total of 10kg of boilies throughout the duration of his stay.

“The bite was more like that of a tench and it didn’t even pull the line out of the clip,” he said. “It didn’t do anything until I got it at the net and then it went mad.

“I also believe this is the biggest carp to be caught from the venue this season,” he added.

Lee mounted his baits on 25lb ESP Strip Teaze hooklinks and size 6 Curve Shanx hooks.


Blue sharks off Guernsey top great day

Greg Whitehead had every reason to smile as a day off the west coast of Gurnsey saw him boat his first ever blue shark in the shape of this 50lb-plus fish.

He was fishing with his friend Rik Le Ray aboard his own vessel, ‘Blue Fin’, and the duo attracted the attentions of the predators by introducing a smelly concoction of mashed fish known as chum to create an attractive column of scent in the ocean.

Mackerel livebaits were the winning baits and Rik also got in on the action when he landed the biggest shark of the trip that was estimated to have weighed over 80lb.
“It was mind-blowing to see the fish stalking inside the chum and then make a beeline for our hookbaits,” Greg told Angling Times. “I’ve never seen fish move so quickly and with so much aggression.”


Northern Angling Show set to be gem in angling's calendar

The 2013 Northern Angling Show is set to become one of the biggest events on the fishing calendar after it was announced that more of the sport’s leading coarse and match brands have signed up.

Tackle giants Preston Innovations, Korum, Sonubaits and Avid are the latest to confirm their attendance along with M.A.P, Wychwood, Matrix and many more.

Visitor feedback indicated that a stronger coarse / match presence was needed to cover all aspects of angling and organisers have worked in conjunction with the manufacturers to ensure they’re involved for NAS 2.

The show, taking place on the weekend of December 7/8 at EventCity in Manchester, will now boast more than 85 exhibitors including a number of big names which did not feature last year, such as Garbolino, Delkim, Matrix, Gardner, Fox, CC Moore, Century and Angling Intelligence.

In a further boost, a huge number of early bird tickets were snapped up in just the first two days of going on sale and tickets are still flying as participation is set to reach new heights.

Updates on the event are available on the show's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NorthernAnglingShow

To buy a ticket for the show visit their website at www.northernanglingshow.co.uk

Full list of exhibitors:

A+E Angling Products

Angling Intelligence

Angling Publications

Angling Times

Angling Trust

Aqua

Avid

Bait Zone

Barbel Society

Blyton Ponds

Boilie Design

Bountyhunter Publications/Big Carp Magazine

Carp Craze

Carp Talk

Carpology

Carpworld

Castaway PVA

Catmaster Tours

CC Moore

Century

Cefas

Coarse Angling Today

Crafty Carper

Delkim

Dino Floats

DNA Baits

Environment Agency

Erics Angling Centre

EZ Feeda

Fish Frenzy

Fishing Glasses UK

Fox International

French Carp Adventures

Garbolino

Gardner

Gifts 4 Anglers

Guru

Hooked on Baits

Infusion Baits

Improve Your Coarse Fishing

Korda

Korum

Kryston

Mad Baits

MAP

Matrix

Maximum Carp

MCF

Medusa Feeders

Mosquito Angling

Nash Tackle

National Anguilla Club

North West Flydressers Guild

Northern Monkeys/North West Carp Forum

PB Products

Peg One

Phat Fish Clothing

Pike & Predators

Pike Anglers Club

PLS Baitboats

Preston Innovations

Redwood Tackle

Revolution Rod Grip

Rig Marole

Saber

Sonu Baits

Specimen Fishing UK

Stapeley Angling Centre

Stoney & Friends

Taska

Ted Carters Fishing Tackle

The Firm Carp Company

The Tornado Boiler Company

Trakker

UK Carp

Vale Royal Angling Centre

Warrington Angling Association

Warrington Koi & Aquatics

Waverunner

www.hooked-on-fishing.co.uk

Wychwood

Zandavan Products


Big bream falls to new feeder trick

A revolutionary new maggot feeder has accounted for this new personal best 12lb bream from an untapped Shropshire stillwater for Adam Firth.

Glovers Lake on the Baden Hall Fisheries complex is due to open to anglers in the near future, and with the opportunity of an early session on the 7-acre lake, the Korum media manager thought that maggots would give him the best chance of catching one of the venue’s unknown specimens.

“All fish love maggots and they are the perfect bait to take to lakes that are rarely fished, or to those that haven’t seen a barrage of pellets and boilies,” he told Angling Times.

Armed with two pints of mixed red and white grubs Adam set up an inline maggot feeder rig incorporating the new Korum Grub Feeder.

“A common problem with most maggot feeders is that they are a pain to fill. The little flick cap on the top isn’t the easiest to get your maggots in and can easily snap off, rendering your feeder useless. They’re also not very aerodynamic, so casting accurately, especially at long range, can be a difficult task. Until the Korum Grub Feeder that is,” he explained. “They are extremely aerodynamic and fly like a bullet. They can also be filled in seconds by simply flipping open the clam shell style lid.”
After failing to spot any signs of fish during a quick lap of the lake, Adam followed his gut instincts and settled in to a corner on the end of a southerly wind.

“Short hooklinks were the order of the day so that I could use the full weight of the feeder to create the ‘bolt effect’. My rigs couldn’t have been any simpler - 4ins of 10lb braid to a size 10 or 12 Xpert Power hook. I like to fish it Mag-Aligner style by threading a white artificial maggot onto the hook and then nicking on three real maggots. On other occasions, popped-up baits can be more effective. Simply swapping the artificial maggot with a small maggot shaped piece of foam will make the bait buoyant. Clip your hooklink into the specially designed line clip on the top of the feeder, and your hookbait will be sitting prime and ready.

“I filled two grub feeders in less than 30 seconds, I was ready to cast. Both rods were fished between 80 and 85 yards, just short of the far bank, into the slightly deeper water where the weed had died back and I thought the bream might be residing.

“I didn’t have to wait long for a take, although taking off at 100mph up the lake, I wasn’t sure that I’d connected with the right species. After a long dogged fight, a muscle packed, lean common carp appeared in the clear water in front of me. After quickly popping the hook out, I put on a fresh hookbait, re-filled the feeder and got the rod back out onto the spot.

“After a couple more interruptions from the wrong species, my left- hand bobbin very slowly lifted up, before dropping back down. I could then feel the tell-tale heavy thump, thump of a big bream upon lifting the rod. My colleague Mat Woods did the honours with the net, exclaiming ‘That’s a blooming big bream. What’s your PB?’ Rushing over I looked down on what was without a doubt the biggest bream I’d ever caught. On the scales, the fish swung the needle round to 12lb exactly. A PB by 4lb. After the pictures we slipped it back and I was left to wonder how big they went in the lake…

 

 



Cash boost for Riverfest

One of the biggest events on the match fishing calendar has been given a major lift after a pair of water companies agreed to boost the prize pot by £4,000.

Bosses from the Angling Trust had been locked in talks with officials at Thames Water and Severn Trent Water and an agreement has now been reached to help increase the overall pay-out for the final of the inaugural RiverFest to at least £24,000.

Both companies have received numerous fines in recent years for pollution incidents but have now signalled their intent on working closely with the angling community and have got the ball rolling by agreeing to the forward-thinking sponsorship deal.

The big final will see 60 anglers battle it out on the River Wye on November 16 and 17 for the top prize of £10,000, and chief organiser Dave Harrell is delighted with the latest development. “Considering this is the first year, the response from anglers has been brilliant and proves that anglers want a big money natural fishing competition,” he explained.

“The additional funding is extremely welcome and not only bridges the shortfall on a few of the qualifiers that haven't sold out, but it also means the prize money is guaranteed and could even go as high as £26,000 if the remaining heats are booked up.”

Thames Water Angling Development Manager Will Barnard was involved in the negotiations and said: “We value our involvement with the angling community and are pleased to support RiverFest which has one of its qualifiers on the River Thames.
“It’s very important to us that this waterway - which provides the majority of the water we supply to our customers and receives treated effluent from many of our sewage treatment works - is also a productive venue for this exciting new competition.”


It's perfect conditions for perch

The nation’s army of predator anglers proved that there couldn’t be a better time to get out there and beat your perch personal best after a string of specimens over the 4lb barrier were landed from river and stillwater venues across the UK.

The autumnal conditions have seen the species switch on to the feed and Sam Edmonds was one of the first to get in on the action when he landed a stunning 4lb 1oz fish from Grafham Water Reservoir.

Having woken up feeling ill he and his dad Gary came close to cancelling the eagerly anticipated trip but made the decision to head to the daunting 1,500-acre Cambridgeshire venue in search of a big ‘stripey’.

Gary was the first to get in on the action with an early bite resulting in a fish of 3lb 11oz and between them they netted seven others and saevera; zander during the day.

With less than an hour of light remaining, they began to tackle down for the day but Sam was called into action one last time. “Considering how ill I felt I’d enjoyed the day but just as we thought the day was coming to an end I received a take.

“I was using a drop-shotted Sebile Magic Swimmer Soft lure at the time and after a short tussle it was in the net. It had made getting up that morning and getting on the water all worthwhile,” he added.

Another angler who made the most of the perfect conditions for big perch was Kirk Tarren as his first cast on the River Anker produced a personal best for the species of 4lb 2oz.

After walking the venue and finding a raft of weed mid-river, the Tamworth, Staffs-based rod flicked a small rubber lure over the top of the feature and it was immediately taken by the specimen predator.

It was certainly a sign of things to come as his session also produced five other perch between 2lb and 3lb which were all fooled with a Savage Gear Cannibal Minnow attached to a wire trace and a 6lb braided mainline.

“I thought it was a pike when I first hooked the perch, and I can’t really repeat what I shouted when I saw it coming up through the crystal clear water!” said Kirk.

“If you find the right swim on the river then these baits will give you a chance of catching the biggest perch because they mimic bait fish perfectly.”
Last but certainly not least is Paul Douglas who equalled his personal best with a superb 4lb 1oz lure-caught specimen.

The Northampton-based tackle shop manager used the devastating ‘dropshotting’ method at a reservoir in the midlands and concentrated his efforts in depths of water between 15 and 50 feet.

Numerous perch up to the 1lb-mark, plus rainbow trout and jack pike also fell to the 33-year-old, who used a 12lb ESP Ghost fluorocarbon leader and a size 4 hook.





New Angling Times Issue 3129 out now!

First with the news - every Monday! This week’s Angling Times is packed full of news and features to make your fishing week one to remember. All the sport’s biggest names are here – Martin Bowler, Des Taylor, Steve Ringer, Dave Harrell and Paul Garner – and this week we’ve also got a brilliant feature on a forgotten bait. For match anglers, world silver medallist Steve Hemingray reveals how he fishes the Method feeder for bream, while top club angler Neil Dimmick explains how you catch 100lb from snake lakes. We’ve also a huge Carp News section and exclusive tackle reviews. Angling Times is Britain’s No.1 fishing weekly – out on the iPad every Monday, in shops every Tuesday.


Target at last at 47lb

Kris Garrett has landed his target fish in the form of this stunning 47lb 5oz common from an Essex club water.

Braving torrential rain the local rod did a quick lap of the lake on arrival, but unable to see any signs of the carp he dropped in to a swim where he’d done a quick overnighter a few days earlier and put out 5kg of DT Baits Supa Fruit boilies.
At 5am a slow and steady take resulted in a 21lb common which brought an end to a nine night run of blanks on the tricky water.

“The wind then switched direction and my swim looked dead,” he told Angling Times. “I went for a walk and found a few fish showing in the teeth of the fresh wind so decided a change of swim was on the cards.”

Two single hookbaits were flicked out where he’d seen the fish and he received a single bleep on his right-hand rod almost straight away. “I looked at the spot and saw an eruption of bubbles hit the surface. I thought I’d been done but as I was setting my brolly up I had another bleep and the bobbin lifted half an inch.

Convinced a bream had just hung itself, I picked the rod up and put 20 turns on the handle before making contact with a fish that most certainly wasn’t a bream. After a typical big fish fight, including long, deep and powerful runs, I slipped the net under my dream fish. I have been targeting this common for little over a year and in that time I’ve banked a total of 51 carp from the venue. Bearing in mind the estimated stock is between 50 and 60 fish I certainly went through my fair share to get to my target.”

Kris beat his prize with a 20lb Fox Light Camo Camotex hooklink knotless knotted to a size 6 Arma Point SSBP hook fished helicopter style on a 30lb Gravel Submerge leader.


30lb mirror on a day-ticket

This 30lb 10oz mirror was the highlight of a trio of specimens caught by Paul Rose during a day session on Anglers Paradise’s Specimen Carp Lake.

The 32-year-old from East Sussex landed a 23lb 7oz common within 10 minutes of positioning his rods in the margins of the shallow end of the Devon venue.

A 25lb 5oz mirror then graced his net before he saw a large fish crash out close to an island in front of his swim and he wasted no time casting towards it. An hour passed by before a screaming take resulted in a 30lb 1oz mirror on the bank.

Nash Monster Squid Purple boilies mounted on size 8 Nash Fang Twister hooks and braid hooklinks did the business for Paul.


Two thirties in 30 minutes

Tackling a low-stock, 96-acre gravel pit certainly isn’t for the feint hearted, so Ed Betteridge was understandably delighted to bank a brace of thirties from the venue.

The Derbyshire-based Hardy and Greys media manager landed mirrors of 34lb and 31lb from a spot which he had been prebaiting heavily for a couple of weeks.

He said: “I hadn’t been able to get in to the productive swim from the previous week where I’d caught fish of 30lb 2oz and 26lb 8oz. I spent most of the first day of my trip walking around the huge pit and looking for signs of fish. I saw nothing and unsurprisingly the first night proved to be a blank.”

A second day of searching still didn’t yield any results so he made the decision to drop in to a swim which he’d been prebaiting.

“I woke up fishless at dawn and started to wonder if I should have stuck to my original plan of baiting the area and leaving it unpressured for another week. A fish then showed right over the spot and within an hour I had a good fish sat in the net. I wasted no time tying on a fresh rig and bait and recasting it to the long distance mark. Half an hour later the same rod was away again and I had a brace of thirties – what a result!”

Ed’s winning setup consisted of a hinged-stiff rig tied with a size 8 Korda Choddy hook and a 20lb Mouth Trap and IQ2 hooklink. This was baited with a Mainline Hybrid pop-up hookbait.


Fisheries staff back to school

A GROUP dedicated to improving fisheries across the UK have launched a series of new training courses to help boost standards in the same week that a top venue owner  claimed 90 per cent of his peers are ‘clueless’ when it comes to managing their complexes.

Officials from the Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM) have created plans to run an in-depth educational programme, with participants able to enhance their knowledge on key topics such as water quality, fish biology and angling law enforcement.

Entrants will be offered a one-year certificate and a two-year degree level diploma recognised by the Open University.

It is a move that Mallory Park Fisheries chief Roy Marlow has welcomed, with the highly regarded figure claiming that the vast majority of people in his position are unaware of even the most basic of management principals.

“So many commercials treat fish like commodities. They stock thousands of carp and when they die they just introduce more and don’t ask questions as to why the problems have started,” he explained.

“I’d say that nine out of 10 owners need to increase their knowledge and will learn an awful lot if they enrol on these courses. It will help them no end when it comes to looking after their waters.” Despite the damning verdict, others have sympathy for the tough task fishery owners are faced with, and Packington Somers boss John Burchell said: “Running a fishery is a big task and I think the IFM’s new courses will help give those in the industry that need a bit of guidance the help they need to enhance their skills.”

IFM head of training Ian Wellby, who has played a major role in designing the courses, said: “A lot of fishery bosses and staff have difficulty in accessing good quality training and this leads to them not being qualified and having to learn on the job.

“There is an obvious need for training in this field and we are investing time and energy to ensure people in the industry have the most up-to-date qualifications and knowledge in their armoury.”

**To register for the new courses visit: www.ifm.org.uk**


Surprise 2lb crucian for Paul Elt

This personal best 2lb 7oz crucian was the highlight of an unexpected haul of the species for Paul Elt.

The Cambridgeshire-based Drennan and Dynamite Baits backed all-rounder originally set out to target the roach in a mature large farmer’s irrigation reservoir and started the day fishing in an area of slightly deeper water on the end of a southerly breeze.

He said: “After catching a big crucian early on and being completely surprised at finding them I switched my attentions to them instead. I finished the day with eight fish over 2lb, including the new pb, as well as a rake of fish over 1lb 12oz. I can’t wait to have a proper campaign on the venue next spring now.”

Paul used red maggots over a bed of Frenzied Hemp on 3lb Drennan Supplex hooklinks and size 14 Specimen Plus hooks.

 


Krill fools lake best

A Cambridgeshire syndicate water produced its first ever 30 during a 12-fish catch by Jamie Peacock.

The Peterborough rod banked the biggie during a two-night weekend session at Premium Carp Fishing’s Whittle Mere lake, which opened in May.

The 34-year-old stonemason has caught 50 fish from the water since the start of the season and tempted the lake record on Cambridge Carp Bait’s Pickled Krill boilies.
“I’ve been fishing that swim for the last four or five weeks and have had a few big hits. I had one rod at 30 yards in deeper water and the other two were about 15 yards about 60 yards out in a lightly silted area. I introduced about 15kg of pellets and 5kg of boilies and the fish started coming at three-hour intervals from 10pm on the first night.”


No stopping Dempsey who strikes again

Carp-catching machine Terry Dempsey has got among the whackers again, with a 41lb common the pick of his recent captures.

The Essex rod has been concentrating on the Wingham syndicate in Kent this season and managed the big common within moments of casting out.

He explained: “I arrived at the lake late afternoon and walked its banks twice before I saw some bubbling along the edges of a fallen willow tree.

“On closer observation there was also a cloud of silt being stirred up off the bottom. After placing a cork ball pop-up among a scattering of free baits I settled down for the night.

“The bait had only been in the water for a matter of minutes when this common weighing 41lb 12oz came along.”

Not content with that, Terry upped sticks and moved to the other side of the lake and managed a 27lb mirror. Both fish fell to one of his own Urban Baits Nutcracker boilies and were tamed on a 2.5lb Century Fat Boy Slim rod.

To round off his recent run of good form, Terry stopped by the Walthamstow Reservoirs complex in London on his way home and banked one of the venue’s oldest residents in the shape of the Italian at 28lb 12oz.