Huge potential at quiet Westerly Lake
Nestled in Yorkshire’s rolling countryside resides this stunning one and-a-half acre water which offers a very secluded and exclusive fishing experience. It’s a lake that seems to have drifted into the ‘forgotten gem’ category as anglers are seen few and far between here – with many now opting to head for the carp-filled commercial fisheries where a bite-a-chuck is virtually guaranteed.
This neglect however has allowed the fish to thrive at Westerly with the chance of a specimen now on the cards. Perch to 4lb, roach to 2lb and carp to 20lb will provided the majority of bites, with the chance of a big tench, chub or crucian carp thrown in for good measure.
The structure of the lake also caters for different styles of angling thanks to the variety of features on offer. The central island is a prime target for the feeder or bomb, whereas the vast space of open water is ideal for pole and waggler enthusiasts.
On the other hand, if margin fishing is your thing then the reed lined margins or overhanging trees are there if you need them.
Prawn is a must-have bait here with virtually anything that swims snapping them up – either via a hair rig or simply nicked on the hook. Matchmen fishing a pleasure session can amass 20lb mixed bags of roach, chub and perch by fishing maggot, worm and prawn over groundbait on the long pole.
Alternatively, the carpers can find fish to 25lb lurking around the island shelves if they can get them to feed on boilies and pellets.
Prices: £6 a day, Concessions for caravan residents
Contact: Geoff and Barbara on 01904 448500, www.westerlylake.co.uk
Location: The Lodge, Westerly Lake, Wheldrake, York, YO19 6AH
Rules: No night fishing, barbless hooks only, no fixed rigs, no braided hook links, boilies:-no more than 1kg per angler, fish must only be ‘wet handled’ no dry mats or towels, groundbait in feeders and pole cups only, catfood on hooks only, no keepnets, no fish to be taken away from the fishery, surplus bait must not be dumped in the lake, no spodding, no baitboats, surface fishing in moderation is allowed, but bread must not be used.
Click here for more angling news...
Big Fish Off gets second series in 2016
The second series of The Big Fish Off has been given the green light.
As you read these words creators of the hit show are working on the next action-packed series that’s received the full backing of broadcasting giants ITV.
Filming of five new episodes hosted by executive producer Ali Hamidi and Dean Macey will begin this May and will feature four shows at popular venues in the UK and one that’s likely to be filmed in Thailand.
The huge success of the first series was largely down to the fact that its wide spectrum of celebrity guests and exiting angling challenges helped bring fishing into the homes of a whole new audience and that winning format will remain unaltered for series two, which will also be broadcast on ITV 4.
Ali has also revealed that the huge list of stars that already want to be part of the next instalment include former footballer Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, boxing legend Steve Collins, Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, actor and Comedian Bobby Davro and former Olympic athlete Sally Gunnell.
“I’ve known that we had the thumbs up for the second series for a while now and it feels great to be able to officially announce the news,” said a delighted Ali.
“It’s a great show that has a winning format as the celebrity guests really were the key to getting non-anglers into the Big Fish Off and believe me this next series is going to be even better with new challenges, huge laughs and great banter.”
“The bosses at ITV loved the ‘Britishness’ of the first series so that’s why we are filming four in the UK and one abroad, which we hope will take us to Thailand.
“I’d just have to take this chance to thank everyone who’s been involved in the show and to all of you out there who have given the series so much praise and support. Without you none of this would be possible.”
Click here for more angling news...
2015 set to be the year of the tench
A brand new scheme has been launched to help boost tench stocks in waters across the UK this year.
April marks the start of the tench angling season and a fresh project has identified a number of measures that could help make the species more readily available throughout the nation.
The Tench Heritage Alliance have released a plan of action that will give more club and commercial fisheries the opportunity to introduce them and committee member Phil Jackson said: “We are aware that some anglers don’t have great tench fishing on their doorstep and we want to change that.”
“There is definitely a growing demand for tench and if we can increase the amount of waters that hold these fish then the amount of anglers targeting them will quickly rise.”
Three main priorities have been announced and Phil believes each one can play a part in the spread of the species: “We want to locate waters with unwanted tench and have those fish transferred to lakes that will benefit from their arrival. We anticipate that trout fisheries may be able to assist in this process.”
“Plans have also been drawn up to work closely with the Environment Agency owned Calverton Fish Farm to produce and distribute more tench as part of their stocking programmes.”
“Finally, we have pinpointed locations where we will build stock ponds solely to breed tench, with the fish being rehomed across the land when they get to a suitable size,” he added.
Clubs and fisheries aiming to increase their stocks of the species are being asked to come forward, with the organisation offering assistance. Interested parties will also be offered advice on how to maintain a healthy fishery that encourages the fish to breed successfully.
To get involved in the project email philej54@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.tenchfishers.com
Click here for more angling news...
Nine lakes to choose from at Bradshaw Hall Fisheries
Situated in a tranquil valley well away from the urban hub of the main town, Bradshaw Fisheries certainly aims to provide for every type of angler.
Since the complex was taken over by new owners a couple of years ago, it has gone from strength to strength, with all of the nine lakes producing the best action in the their history.
Pole anglers are bagging up on Lake 8 and 9, with the brace of snake lakes the perfect place to land a big mixed net that will be made up on carp, tench, F1s and silverfish. Fish maggot or pellet to the far bank, taking a look down the margins from time to time in an effort to pick out a few bigger samples.
Those that prefer a rod and line attack won’t go far wrong on Lake Four with the Method feeder and pellet waggler both scoring for 80lb nets of carp. This lake is also home to huge numbers of roach and 30lb of them certainly isn’t out of the question if you fish maggots or casters shallow.
Lake Two is the first choice of many specimen anglers and carp to over 20lb falling frequently to boilies, with corn, hemp and casters a better option for bream and tench to over 7lb.
It is also the ideal place to introduce newcomers to the sport, with the smaller and more intimate Lakes One, Five and Six all on fire for roach, perch, skimmers and chub to 3lb.
Experience the magic of Bradshaw Fisheries this week for an unforgettable experience.
Prices: One rod priced at £8 adults and £6 concessions
Contact: Call 01204 307197 or visit www.bradshawhallfisheries.co.uk
Location: Bradshaw Fisheries, Slack Lane, off Bradshaw Road, Bradshaw, Bolton, Lancs, BL2 4JW
Rules: No braided line, barbless hooks only, no cat or dog meat
Facilities: Toilets, café, tackle shop, parking
Click here for more angling news...
How to enter Riverfest 2015
Riverfest 2015 is up and running and the race is on to win river matchfishing’s biggest prize.
This year’s event is bigger than ever with 24 qualifiers, and applications are now open to secure places in search of the massive £12,000 top purse this November.
“We’re delighted to have been able to increase the size of the competition, giving 240 more anglers the chance to qualify for the final,” said event creator , river maestro Dave Harrell.
“There are some great new venues as well as established favourites and we’ll have 12 more anglers in the final itself. It’s going to be a great competition!”
Angling Times readers can throw their hat into the ring by filling in the entry form printed each week in Angling Times. Unlike in previous years, tickets will be allocated on a random draw basis rather than first come, first served.
A three-week window for applications is now in operation, closing on Sunday, April 12. The list of successful applicants will then be published on the Angling Trust’s website, and payment for tickets will be collected after this time.
Entry is £25 per ticket, and anglers must pay for each successful entry. Failure to do so will result in their full allocation of tickets being withdrawn.
Any tickets left after the random draw will then be sold on a first come, first served basis.
For 2015 there will be more chances than ever to qualify, with several new venues and an increase in match sizes that will ultimately generate 12 more places in the final.
This takes place over the weekend of November 14 and 15 on the River Wye at Hereford, with spectators welcome to come and watch and an on-site bookmaker present on both days for anglers and the public to have a flutter.
How to apply...
To help ease the suspense as to whether you’re fishing or not, organsiers the Angling Trust has produced a timetable for how tickets will be allocated this year:
March 23 – April 12: RiverFest opens for entries
April 13 – April 14: Random draw takes place with results published on the Angling Trust website
April 15 – April 24: Angling Trust contacts successful entrants for ticket payment
April 27 – May 1: Tickets issued through the post
THE QUALIFIERS
SATURDAY JUNE 20 – RIVER CALDER, MIRFIELD, WEST YORKS
Chub are the dominant species in the early part of the season and its pretty much all floatfishing on the waggler or stick float.
SATURDAY JUNE 27 – RIVER SWALE, MORTON, NORTH YORKS
Floatfishing with maggots and casters on fancied chub pegs will lead the way but with colour, barbel will have a big say on the feeder.
SUNDAY JULY 5 – BRISTOL AVON, NEWBRIDGE TO SALTFORD
A river synonymous with bream on the feeder, but real mixed bags have ensured qualification in previous matches.
SUNDAY JULY 12 – RIVER TRENT, NEWARK DYKE, NOTTS
The Dyke holds specimen chub, barbel and some big bream but skimmers are the standard fare on groundbait feeder.
SUNDAY JULY 19 – RIVER TYNE, CORBRIDGE TO WYLAM
Could be a dace bonanza fishing the whip if the river is carrying extra water. Matches are usually won with 40lb-60lb.
SATURDAY JULY 25 – RIVER TRENT, HOLME MARSH, NOTTS
Traditionally a bream venue, 100lb will be possible for feeder anglers although barbel can show. They’re decent fish too.
SATURDAY AUGUST 1 – RIVER WEAVER, NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE
Slow and deep, the River Weaver is all about bream and last year’s qualifier saw a new match record set using Method feeder and mini boilies. Skimmers and roach will be the back-ups if the bream aren’t in the mood.
SATURDAY AUGUST 15 – RIVER SOAR, SUTTON BONINGTON, LEICS
Chopped worm is essential on the Soar and while the feeder for bream will be the main approach, eels, perch and tench can see you go through.
SUNDAY AUGUST 16 – RIVER YARE, LANGLEY, NORFOLK
Depending on the tide this could be won on bream or roach. If the slabs feed it’s a feeder job. On a roach day, polefishing maggots and casters could net you 40lb.
SATURDAY AUGUST 22 – RIVER TEES, BOWESFIELD, CLEVELAND
Expect bream on the feeder, although there are also lots of small fish that could win a harder section using the pole.
SUNDAY AUGUST 23 - RIVER NENE, ORTON, CAMBS
Bream and skimmers on the feeder are likely but hemp roach and chopped worm fish like eels, perch and tench could also play a part.
SATURDAY AUGUST 29 – RIVER DON, SPROTBROUGH, SOUTH YORKS
Feeder anglers will get on well with the Don, targeting roach, skimmers, hybrids and a few proper bream, but only in the deeper sections.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5 – RIVER SEVERN, BEWDLEY, WORCS
An iconic bit of river packed with chub and barbel that responds to the feeder and either hemp and caster when it’s clear or pellets when coloured.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6 – RIVER GREAT OUSE, LITTLEPORT, CAMBS
Although the bream shoals are big, they’re also unreliable and it could be that a 15lb net of roach gets you through.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13 – RIVER WYE, BREINTON TO EIGN, HEREFORDSHIRE
You’d put your house on chub winning this qualifier, especially in low and clear conditions. Small fish are present, but not in sufficient numbers to challenge the expected 40lb weights.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19 – RIVER SEVERN, BRIDGNORTH, SHROPSHIRE
There are always some barbel to be caught on this section of river and it’s very similar to Bewdley inasmuch as pellets rule the scene following rain, swapping to maggots, casters and hemp in the feeder when the water is clear.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27 – RIVER TRENT, BURTON ON TRENT, STAFFS
This qualifier will be a classic small-fish match catching roach, perch, dace and the odd skimmer on the long pole or running line. Hemp can be particularly devastating at this time of year.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3 – RIVER THAMES, MEDLEY, OXON
This is the time of year when the Thames is in full swing and bream shoals are numerous, along with big perch, chub and even a few tench on chopped worm.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 10 – RIVER SEVERN, UPTON ON SEVERN, WORCS
Under the right conditions this section could produce an astonishing weight of bream on the feeder, but you’d still want well over 50lb to do well. Small fish are also plentiful.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 11 – RIVER MEDWAY, BARMING, KENT
Making its RiverFest debut, this intimate part of the Medway ranges from deep, slow sections to narrower, faster pegs with chub and bream the big fish on offer.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 17 – WARKS AVON, ECKINGTON, WORCS
The section of the Avon that produced a stunning result last year, with two 120lb bream weights! Those fish can still figure to feeder tactics, especially with colour and extra water in the river.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 18 – RIVER SEVERN, SHREWSBURY, SHROPSHIRE
Roach, dace, perch and the odd chub and bream are still the fish to catch on the Quarry and County Ground sections. A range of float disciplines work on this part of the Severn.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 24 – YORKSHIRE OUSE, HUNTER’S LODGE TO LINTON, NORTH YORKS
Regularly match fished but sometimes a tough nut, where the odd big fish could win the whole thing. Expect bream on the famed bungalows at Hunter’s Lodge.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1 – OLD RIVER NENE, MARCH, CAMBS
An out-and-out bread venue, fishing for roach and skimmers and aiming for 20lb-plus. Mild weather could see tench, perch and even the odd eel show on the wider bypass section.
THE FINAL
SATURDAY 14 AND SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER – RIVER WYE, HEREFORD, HEREFORDSHIRE
One of the finest stretches of UK river at this time of year with big barbel and chub plus masses of roach, dace and perch. Split over two days, anglers will fish one match on the upper reaches where big fish dominate. The other will be on the town stretch that’s packed with small fish on the float.
Click here for more angling news...
Superb sport on offer at Peatling Pools
Peatling Pools in Leicestershire offers superb sport across three lakes which are currently producing excellent mixed nets.
It’s on the Malcolm Pool where you can catch a variety of fish in one sitting, with many anglers reporting catches of chub, carp, barbel, tench, crucians, bream and roach. This half acre water has an island at the car park end and a number of 9ft deep holes, particularly located around the base of the island shelf. This makes the feeder and waggler ideal tactics for catching – with anglers preferring to use corn, maggot and worm as hookbaits.
The small pool which connects both Malcolm and Magna Pools together features a bed of lily pads, and these should be targeted with the float and worm for a big tench – especially when the weather warms up. The Magna Pool itself is similar in appearance to Malcolm, in that it also has a central island roughly around 18m out. The method feeder cast to this feature with meat on the hook will claim carp well into double figures as well as chub and bream.
The gem of the fishery however has to be the Parva Pool, which although tiny, packs some serious punch for its size. Big perch to 5lb and roach to 3lb have all been caught from here to those fishing the pole with maggot and worm on the deck. However, with only eight fishable pegs, you’ll want to make sure you set your alarms early this weekend to secure yourself a spot.
Prices: £7 a day
Contact: 07860 644023 or 0116 2867316
Location: Peatling Pools, Peatling Parva, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 5PU
Rules: No littering, no fires, barbless hooks only, not keepnets except for organised matches
Facilities: Café, Tackle shop, lakeside parking, toilets
Click here for more angling news...
Break your personal best at Langley Lakes
There aren’t many venues where you can catch 100lb of mixed fish one day and a 30lb carp the next – but that’s exactly what Lingley Lakes offers with its two stunning waters.
Comprising a Match Lake and a Specimen Lake, Lingley aims to meet anglers’ desires of breaking their personal bests. Whether it’s a weight or quantity record you’re after, this fishery certainly has the potential to do it thanks to the stocking of carp to over 30lbs, bream to 5lbs and barbel to 6lbs, as well as a host of other species too. Not only do the fish impress but the flora and fauna has also been shown special attention to ensure the scenery matches the same quality of fishing that many modern commercials offer.
Match Lake
An ‘L’ shaped lake with 29 pegs and three central islands all between 8-10m out – making the pole an ideal method to use here. The water is relatively murky but this does not affect the fishing which is simply fantastic. It’s stocked primarily with barbel, roach, tench, bream and carp, which are bred from FrontFish UK. Some of these juvenile fish have been recently transferred from the Specimen Lake into the Match Lake and are in fin-perfect condition. All the pegs here can reach the island and this is where you want to start your session. Switch between the pole and feeder with corn and pellet and then maggot shallow in open water to find the roach – which go to 1lb here. The edge line with paste or a soft pellet could be good for a bigger carp or barbel as well.
Specimen Lake
This carp only water is two acres in size with two islands, making it perfect for those anglers who like small, intimate lakes with decent features and big fish to target. It currently has ten pegs but only six anglers are allowed to fish at any one time, which adds to the overall exclusive feel this lake carries. This is very much deserved as these stunning carp are bred from FrontFish UK which specialises in producing immaculate looking specimens for fisheries.
You’ll struggle to bank a carp under the 17lb barrier here, and many of the original 32 specimens are now believed to weigh in excess of 30lbs – meaning every bite could be your new personal best. The islands and the two underwater peaks either side of the point are the best places to target, with straight leads, pellet PVA bags and double 8mm pineapple boilies currently proving the hot tactic.
Prices: £6.50 a day (Match Lake), £15 a day (Specimen Lake)
Contact: 01772 861901 or visit www.langleylakes.co.uk
Location: Langley Lakes, Langley Lane, Goosnargh, Preston, PR3 2JP
Rules: All anglers must use landing nets provided, no fixed method feeders, barbless hooks only, no night fishing, no cat or dog meat, sacks not allowed, no bait boats, no fires, no rods to be left unattended.
Click here for more angling news...
Huge carp hauls expected soon at Lands End Fishery
Known for producing summer match nets in excess of 300lb, Lands End Fishery in Somerset has proved that it’s got what it takes to be the very best – and with temperatures now on the up, it won’t be long until match weights will once again reach dizzying heights. So what makes this fishery so good? Not only is each lake stocked with a large number of quality, mixed species, but every peg offers a diverse range of features to test your angling skills.
Tadham Lake (16 pegs)
If you’re a specimen hunter then this is the lake for you. It’s stocked with carp to 26lb, grass carp to 17lb, tench and bream to 6lb and a large number of brown goldfish to 4lb as well. The central island is easily reachable with the feeder or pole and this is exactly where you want to target. Corn and pellet will catch nearly everything in here.
Tealham Lake (24 pegs)
The six-hour match record here is an astonishing 351lbs 10oz, making it the go-to water for many matchmen who visit. The two bar-shaped islands and surrounding trees and bushes provided excellent cover for the resident fish, which are mostly made up of carp, tench and bream. Big perch to 4lb also live here and can be caught down the edge or in the gap between the two islands on worm or prawn hookbaits.
John Walter Lake (30 pegs)
An open plan water with three central islands and a host of bays to target. The pole fished shallow with pellet or caster is a firm tactic for roach, rudd and the odd goldfish with many anglers preferring to target the carp from the islands with a pellet feeder. The corner pegs are often high-flyers as well thanks to their access to the side mud-banks and open water.
Sidney’s Lake (24 pegs)
This is the newest water on the complex at Lands End which mirrors the same layout as the John Walter Lake. It’s stocking of carp to 7lbs, perch to 3lbs, roach, rudd and skimmer bream makes it a favourite with novice and pleasure anglers who are looking for a relaxed session. The islands are worth a shot with the feeder or waggler with maggots, with a switch to corn preferable for the carp.
Prices: £7 a day, £5 concessions
Contact: 07977 545882 or visit the new website at www.landsendsomerset.co.uk
Location: Lands End Fishery, Heath House, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4UQ
Rules: Fishing dawn to dusk, barbless Hooks only, no Keepnets permitted, no method feeders, all rigs must be free-running with a minimum hooklength of 12 inches, no cat/dog meat, no bread, no floating baits, no nuts or beans, only coarse/carp pellets to be used for feed.
Facilities: Parking, Toilets, disabled access, tackle shop, refreshments
Click here for more angling news...
Head to the Grand Western Canal for great fishing...
The whole of the UK is crammed with top-quality coarse-fishing options but some areas still don’t get the recognition they deserve.
Devon and Somerset are among the counties that are often disregarded but those in the know are fully aware of the massive opportunities both areas provide anglers.
Commercial fishery enthusiasts are catered for with bagging havens White Acres and Stafford Moor and even those who enjoy a spot of canal fishing have one of the most underrated waters right on their doorstep.
The Grand Western Canal may be less than 12 miles long but every inch of it has the potential to produce the goods, with a wide variety of species on the cards.
Starting life in the Devon town of Tiverton, the GWC weaves its way through the villages of Halberton and Sampford Peverell before its journey comes to end just north of Burlescombe at Lowdells Lock.
Although locals will wax lyrical about their favourite hotspots, the true beauty of this rural waterway is the fact that you will never be far away from a shoal of hungry fish, regardless of where you tackle up.
If you want a stretch that provides fairly good access and the chance of both small and large specimens, the Manley and Greenways areas are worthy of your attention.
There’s no need to get involved in a frantic Google search to find out who runs each zone either as one club controls the fishing rights to the whole venue. Tiverton DAC are charged with maintaining the venue’s natural charm and they have made sure it is all available to the masses, charging just £5 a session for access to its banks.
On days when the temperatures remain on the low side, the roach are the species to go in search of, using either a light pole rig or waggler set-up with bread punch over small beds of liquidised feed.
It may also be worth taking a spinning rod with you as wherever there are silverfish, predators are never far away.
The pike may only run up to low doubles but there are stacks of jacks that will charge at a lure in kamikaze fashion before shaking their heads violently as they try to remove the hooks. Quality perch are making a revival in places and a 2lb plus specimen could come your way in the right conditions.
But with the true essence of spring threatening to break through any day now, the bream and tench have started to slip out of their winter slumber and are in search of their first meal of the year.
Look for cover when searching for a big tench or two, fishing worm and caster close to these features. Be prepared to hang on tight when the float finally sinks as these fish will certainly test your tackle to the limit!
Although the bream are a little more elusive there is the opportunity to land a catch of a lifetime should you stumble upon them. Several huge shoals lurk up and down the canal and if you catch one there is every chance several others will make their way into the net.
With specimens over 5lb commonplace in these shoals, it won’t take many bites to catch 100lb of these rarely targeted lumps. Look for swims that are slightly wider, lacing them with plenty of fishmeal groundbait and particles to stand a chance of drawing their attentions.
Stunning scenery, cheap fishing and the chance to bag a new personal best, the Grand Western Canal is certainly worthy of your attention this week.
Prices: £5 a day or £30 a year (January to January) in advance from Eve Valley Angling
Contact: Exe Valley Angling, 01884 242275
Location: Chains Road, Sampford Peverell, Tiverton, EX16 7BL (Address for best access to Sampford Peverell stretch)
Rules: All fish to be returned, anglers must have a valid EA rod licence
Risby Park stocked to perfection
There aren’t many commercials that are steeped in history but the story of Risby Park started over 250 years ago.
It was way back in the 1760s that the colourfully named Eaton Mainwaring Ellerker owned the picturesque East Yorkshire site and, as was the custom then, created a huge lake in the grounds of the estate.
Apparently, the water was initially 1.5 miles long, with a grand building erected on the banks of it to give visitors and anglers a stunning view of the site.
Fast forward to today and a lot has changed but the current owners have worked hard to maintain the charm put in place over two-and-a-half centuries ago.
The big lake that was first created has now been split in to four, with the ruins of the historic building still standing proud next to Folly Lake.
Gillen Springs, The Gorse and Orchard Pond complete the quartet, each of them sat deep in the middle of a tree-lined valley. Wildlife is also abundant, with waterfowl, birds and deer calling the spot home.
But all that aside, it’s the quality of fishing that is ultimately going to decide whether you pay it a visit and the complex definitely delivers on that front.
Fully aware that the modern angler craves more than just carp, bosses have committed to a mixed stocking policy, with big roach and perch, chunky crucians, fin-perfect tench and large slabs all thrown in to the mix.
Add to that a café that serves a range of delicious treats and ample parking and you’ll struggle to find a reason not to give Risby Park a bash.
Two anglers to have fallen for its charm are matchmen Harry Bignall and Scott Rispin. Most people have their favourite lake that they fish almost religiously but when I contacted the duo to see what all the fuss was about, there was a big discussion over which water we would use to display the venue.
“I’ve fished all four lakes and they all offer great fishing. The beauty of it is that they all provide something different,” explained Harry.
“Gillen Springs is home to lots of big carp, Orchard Pond is good for a mixed bag and Folly can be brilliant for tench, skimmers and crucians at the right time of year. But today we fancy a crack at The Gorse.”
This lake is locally known as the Tench Pond and although there is a good head of that species, it is the big roach and perch that would prove more reliable feeders on the dire winter day we visited.
Although the trees were bare and the reeds had a wintery yellow tinge, it was clear that once Spring arrived the whole place would be awash with colour.
“It may be raining heavily today and blowing a gale but that won’t put the fish off – action is guaranteed,” explained Scott, as he rigged up a waggler.
On the other hand, Bag’em Matchbaits-backed Harry had decided to fish the pole at 6m and 12m, feeding casters regularly over both spots. With the wind making presentation almost impossible on the long line, it was the backup swim that was more fruitful, producing over 20lb of big roach, quality perch and the odd tench during the four hours of action.
The result was no different for Scott who presented the waggler both on the deck and shallow to keep the silvers coming throughout the session.
If Eaton Mainwaring Ellerker is looking down on his creation now, there’s no doubt he’d be proud that the breathtaking spectacle he once built up is proving such a hit with the angling community.
Prices: Adults £6, concessions £4
Location: Risby Park, Dunflat Road, Risby, nr Beverley, East Yorks, HU17 8SS
Rules: Keepnets can be used for up to six hours, barbless hooks only, no radios
Contact: Call Anthony on 07860 255981 or visit www.risby-park.co.uk
Facilities: Café, toilets, parking
Click here for more angling news...
