Squad for Spanish carp showdown almost complete

One place in the England carp squad is still up for grabs as the team prepare to take on the world in Spain later this year.

New manager Rob Hughes has announced seven of the eight who will compete in the World Carp Championship in October.

Billy Flowers and Jamie Londors will form the backbone of the team, with Rob declaring: “I wanted a pair who have experience of international campaigning to build my future team around, and Billy and Jamie are that pair.”

Joining them are reigning Eric’s Carp Championship winners Harry Charrington and Alexei Bygrave, plus British Carp Angling Championship holders Neil Rivers and Chris Holmes.

The seventh man in the squad is Mark Bartlett, who has represented England before.

Rob added: “I’m very pleased with the line-up that I have put together and I will be increasing the squad in the future as we have some brilliant plans for Team England.

“My aim is to build a pool of anglers that I can draw on, whatever the situation we find ourselves in.”


Mirror carp 'Scale on the Shoulder' falls to a Sticky Krill boilie

This mirror carp known as Scale on the Shoulder weighed in at 40lb 8oz and topped a three-fish catch for Rob Gooch.

The 38-year-old’s weekend session at a Bedfordshire clay pit also produced a fish of 31lb 2oz and a mid-double.

The Hertfordshire angler arrived at the busy venue on a Friday evening and settled into a swim in the centre of the lake. Baiting a bar at 50yds and a plateau at 75yds, it was the longer-range rod that produced.

“Just into dark I had a couple of liners, leaving me hopeful for the night ahead,” said Rob. “At around 1am I got another couple of line bites, one of which had me running from the bivvy, but within a short time my right-hand rod fished on the plateau gave a few bleeps and sailed away.”

After a dogged scrap, Rob netted the 31-pounder and managed a mid-double on the recast rod later that morning.

Having topped up the swim with bait and moved another rod on to the plateau, the biggest fish of the session arrived at about 1.30am the following night.

“From the off, I could feel that the fish was very heavy, just using her weight to slowly move around the swim. There was no real drama until she was under the rod-tip, where she showed me her real power and stripped line uncontrollably on a good few occasions.

 
“It was a real relief when she finally slipped over the net cord,” he said.

Rob fed Sticky Krill boilies and bloodworm pellets doused in Sticky Pure Krill liquid.


70lb 4oz French carp on ‘Big Fish Thursday’

‘Big Fish Thursday’ lived up to its name for Lee Hemsley, who banked this 70lb 4oz mirror carp on a trip to France.

Many Brits visiting Europe believe that the Thursday of a week-long session seems to bring the biggest fish, and so it proved for Lee at Pascale Lake in the Champagne region.

He said: “After a slow week with only a couple of fish out of the lake, Big Fish Thursday came and with it a change of weather and a steady take just before dinner.

“The fish fell to a bait I’ve been testing for the last 12 months, a critically balanced 15mm pop-up over a large bed of 6mm-18mm boilies, whole and chopped, plus a scattering of hemp.”


Patience pays off with five carp to a 40lb 9oz best

Simon Harbottle returned to the bank after a three-month absence and immediately got stuck into a five-carp haul that included two thirties and a forty.

The Stockton-on-Tees angler made the trip south to Cambridgeshire’s Monks Pit, but had to bide his time to get into the area he wanted to fish.

“This was my first session in over three months and it turned out to be quite a memorable one,” said the 45-year-old.

“When I arrived for my 72-hour session I saw fish showing in an area of the lake but the swim was occupied, so I set up in a nearby area and slept under the stars.

“I had a quiet night, and when the swim I wanted became vacant I had a few casts of the lead at about 85yds to where the fish had been showing – and, as I suspected, the area was firm and clear.”

Simon used a throwing stick to deposit 2kg of All Season Mix boilies from Key Bait Solutions over the spot and fished hi-viz snowman rigs over the top.

“My first two fish fell off, but I went on to land five in total, including a 7lb stockie and mirrors of 29lb 10oz, 30lb 8oz and 34lb 9oz. I saved the best till last with a 40lb 9oz mirror.”


Ton-up at Ridgeway Fisheries

With temperatures rising weights have started to soar on the Cotswold’s Ridgeway Fisheries with anglers filling 100lb-plus nets of carp and silvers.

The four interlinking canal pools, known as Walters Lake are where all the action is taking place and with 73 pegs to choose from you won’t be without a swim if you’re a day-ticket angler. What’s more the lake has recently been restocked with thousands of small carp to boost sport even further.

Depths on the canal average around 5ft and thanks to bank erosion the width is now up to 20m in places meaning pole fishing is not the only tactic which can catch fish as anglers have discovered this spring with small method feeders, bomb tactics and even wagglers with banded pellets taking carp averaging 3lb. Fishing the inside ledge at 4-5m and down the edge is also productive with pellets, maggots, corn or meat too. The best anglers here work between two or three lines taking fish from each. A mainline of around 0.12 with black hydro or Preston 15 elastic should be fine for anything you should encounter in here. If you want to concentrate just on the silverfish, which include skimmers and roach, a 40lb bag can be obtained fishing smaller baits down the middle of the track.

Prices: £8 a day, £5 for children sharing with an adult.
Contact: 01285 860412
Location: Ridgeway Fisheries, Wickwater Lane, South Cerney, Gloucestershire, GL7 5UQ
Facilities: Café, toilets, disabled toilets, bait shop (no casters or maggots), accommodation
Rules: Barbless only, all nets to be dipped on arrival, no floating baits, no bite alarms, no boilies, one rod maximum

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Carp and silverfish galore at Toft Farm Fisheries

Warwickshire's Fisheries is a perfect example of a simple yet effective modern commercial fishery. Its two identical, tear-drop shaped lakes are divided into carp and silverfish waters so you can guarantee you’ll catch exactly what you set out for this weekend. Whether it’s a club match where 100lb of carp is needed to win, or simply a winter session after a few roach, Toft certainly has it covered.  With ample space in between pegs and modern wooden platforms as well, a decent days fishing is always on the cards. Here’s a breakdown of what is on offer:

Carp Lake (55 pegs)
With an island at the east end and a huge body of open water to the west, the Carp Lake is ideal for most methods. The pellet feeder filled with 2mm micro pellets and a banded 6mm pellet will catch carp averaging 4lb steadily when cast to the island. Alternatively, fishing the waggler or pole shallow in open water pegs with maggot or pellet will account for good bags of carp as well as the odd big roach. The anglers winning the matches on here recently have only been fishing a top kit plus two sections, where the near shelf bottoms out at around 6ft. 81lb of carp and roach was taken off peg 46 recently using this method, with 4mm, 6mm expanders and meat proving the best baits.

Silverfish Lake (34 pegs)
With a uniform depth of around 6ft and a central island at only 13m away from each peg, the pole and feeder tend to rule here. Dobbing tight to the island reeds with bread accounted for a 107lb mixed bag of barbel, roach, skimmers and F1 carp for one anger recently. A fairly strong elastic is advised so the fish can be pulled from the snags. Try fishing on the deck down the track with 4mm soft pellets over micros and maggots to find skimmers to 3lb. The margins are also noted to produce the odd big carp to 10lb on dead maggots – which were moved from the Carp Lake into the Silverfish Lake to boost catches weights.

Prices: £7 a day
Contact: Ester on 07934 237103
Location: Toft Farm Fisheries, Kites Hardwick, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 8AD
Rules: Barbless hooks only, no keepnets unless in matches, no cat or dog food
Facilities: Toilets, Parking, tea and coffee at weekends

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Head to Westlands Lake to bag up on F1s

Much like the recent weather, the F1 fishing has been hotting up at Westland’s Lakes and anglers have been cashing in with bags up to 200lb from the complex’s Little Tench and Island Ponds. F1s to 6lb 12oz have even been banked from the margins on the prolific Middle Lake.

Visitors are enjoying some cracking sport on the other five day-ticket lakes too with big tench and big bream starting to feature from the Tench Pool. On the 25-peg Little Tench Pool, anglers have been feeding pellet and maggots little and often via a cad pot to catch F1s shallow.

These are all averaging around 2-3lb – with ide, skimmers and the odd big carp making appearances also. Elastics don’t need to be too strong on this lake too as most fish average around the 1-4lb mark. Meanwhile on the 25-peg, match-style Island Pool, visitors have been bagging up as well. This pool is similarly stocked to Little Tench with mainly F1s being landed by anglers fishing waggler or pole tight to the islands. These features are situated at around 13m away with just 2ft of water – making them ideal places to target in the summer. Attack these areas using hookbaits like corn or pellets to good effect. Alternatively, if you prefer more of a chilled session then head to the Canal Pond where all the carp and F1’s have been removed and replaced with quality silverfish. 30lb nets of barbel, chub, ide and tench are now coming out thanks to the new stocking programme to help offer a diverse fishing experience.

Prices: £5 a day per rod, Loyalty card available for OAP’s and Disabled
Contact: 01964 541192, www.westlandsangling.com
Location: Westlands Angling, Hornsea Road, Sigglesthorne, Hull, HU11 5QLY
Rules: Barbless only, no keepnets, fishery own pellets, do not discard bait into the water,  no meat in any form, groundbait by feeder or pole cup only, No nuts or particles unless prepared by a recognised bait manufacturer, no bait boats, unhooking mats to be used, no fixed rigs, no artificial baits
Facilities: Toilets, tackle and bait shop, loyalty card, food on match days, disabled access

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Strike silver at Portland Waters

We might be six weeks into the river shutdown, but anglers who want to catch chub can still get their fix from stillwaters up and down the country.

Take Portland Waters in Nottinghamshire, for example. At first sight this complex near Newark appears to be your typical commercial fishery but recent catches here are more like those you would expect from the nearby River Trent in a couple of months.

Matches at the fishery have seen huge bags of silverfish netted as Radcliffe on Trent’s Mark Baker discovered when he won a recent Angling Times Bait-Tech Supercup event with 60lb of chub from the Portland’s Old Wood Lake earlier this month.

There are five day-ticket lakes to choose from at Portland and they’re all stuffed with silverfish, alongside the more expected carp. We recommend the in-form Four Island Lake, where, chub, barbel, roach, rudd and carp and can all be targeted specifically depending on what you wish to catch.

This 30-peg pool is square in shape but its four islands make each swim more like a canal with pegs on the inside and outer part of the lake. The islands are reachable with 12 metres of pole and like a canal, the deepest water can be found down the middle (5.5ft) with around 2ft in the margins on the inside and across. The barbel go to nearly 7lb and anglers can catch these by design by fishing down the edge with maggots or meat.

The chub average around 2lb and in past summers anglers have bagged 80-90lb of them by feeding a couple of pole cups filled with chopped worms or alternatively catapulting casters and fishing double caster on the hook tight to the far side or down the egdge. There are also some big roach and rudd to over 1lb, and again, these can be targeted specifically by fishing either down the middle or tight to any reed beds with typical redfin favourites like caster or hemp.

If you do want a real red-letter day and catch more 200lb, though, you need to target carp and these can be located by feeding a line down the bottom of the near ledge with your top-two-plus-one as well as across either to an island or one of the gaps between which are known to hold fish using corn, maggots, meat or pellets. 

The carp average around 3-4lb but avoid fishing too light as the odd ‘lump’ up to 14lb can make a surprise appearance. On warm days fishing up in the water with a banded pellet will pay dividends as will paste fishing close-in. Most pegs fish well in summer but pegs 18-22 on the inside are the most consistent.

If you prefer more of a natural style of fishing then head to the Old Wood Pool where you can imitate what Mark Baker did in catching a big bag of chub on maggots but there are also tonnes of roach and skimmers to enjoy too. This pool was also recently stocked with thousands of ide which will take a liking for maggots or casters but it’s not all about silverfish as nets of carp can also be sought with pellet waggler the top tactic.

With so many options and different species to go at other than just carp anglers need not wait for the rivers to re-open to experience silverfish heaven in Nottinghamshire. Simply pay a visit to Portland.

Prices: £6 a day, £5 concessions
Contact: 07818 552307, www.portlandfishing.co.uk
Location: Portland Waters, Longhedge Lane, Sibthorpe, Newark, Notts, NG23 5PN
Rules: Barbless only hooks, no keepnets, no cat or dog meat, no floating baits, no boilies or nuts, no hooks over size 12, no dogs
Facilities: Clubhouse/café, toilets 

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Second White Acres title for Paul Holland

Paul Holland has taken his second White Acres festival title in a matter of weeks after triumphing in the Dynamite Baits Festival last week – after a nine-year wait for a title at the Cornish venue.

The Guru-backed matchman ended the week as the only angler to score a perfect four section wins.

Reading-based Paul’s week didn’t start too well with only a  third in section from the split zone on Trewaters and Jenny’s Lakes, which meant only a perfect four sections wins would see him in with a shout – and even then he’d need other angler’s scores to work for him.

But work they did and he racked up nine maximums to post that perfect score. Runner-up Johnny Maddison and third-placed Rob Wootton both scored 35 points with three wins and a second to send the big-money prize heading to Berkshire.

After that opening-day blip, Paul was off to another split section on Trelawney and Twin Oaks Lakes. Despite not making the top four overall, Paul’s 107-4-0 of carp from Trelawney peg 23 got his quest off to the start he needed.

Porth Reservoir was next for Paul and he won the lake with 22-1-0 of roach and skimmers from peg 33 using the waggler with maggot and caster to add a few more quid to the kitty.

Thursday saw peg 36 on Bolingey Lake come out of the bag and he showed no mercy with a massive 211-11-0 for another lake and section win, fishing pellet at 8m to bank carp into double figures.

Paul was now within striking distance of the lead, and a good final day could deliver title number two. Pollawyn Lake peg 13 awaited, and although not in the race to win the lake, 73-10-0 of carp gave him the nine points needed. With scores working in his favour, the title was his.

Overall: 1 P Holland, Guru, 36pts;
2 J Maddison, Mosella Quaker, 35 (dropping six points - 516-3-0);
3 R Wootton, Shimano/Dynamite Baits, 35 (dropping six points - 418-3-0);
4 R Brennan, Stourport, 35 (dropping five points – 426-3-0);
5 L Thornton, Middy/Bag’em Baits, 35 (dropping five points – 412-12-0);
6 S Conway, Shakespeare, 35 (dropping five points – 403-15-0).

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Solar-powered fish!

A fishing club that’s used solar panels to improve sport at its flagship fishery has seen growth rates of fish increase by almost 50 per-cent.

London’s The Dell Angling Society (TDAS) has admitted that the ground-breaking aeration device, that incorporates the same technology used by homeowners and farmers that transforms sunlight into environmentally friendly electricity, has turned around the fortunes of its self-named water in Woolwich, London.

Before the installation of the technology the venue had been blighted by low oxygen levels and stunted growth rates of resident carp, but now the once frequent calls to the Environment Agency to help prevent fish kills at the venue are firmly in the past.

“We used to have so many problems that really threatened our water, but the fishery is booming and it’s all thanks to this solar-powered aeration system,” said TDAS committee member Colin Cleary.

“Our biggest fish used to be around the 20lb mark but we now have carp on the brink of being 30lb and they are getting bigger by the day.”

“The solar panels charge several batteries that create enough energy for us to run the aeration system both day and night when required and our oxygen levels are now as high as they can be.”

The new technology has been implemented at a fairly small cost with the club leaning on the expertise of forward-thinking member Stuart Sweeden and he added: “I have worked with fish tanks and pumps in the past and I used my knowledge of that field to build something that has stopped this beautiful lake turning in to an abandoned mudpit.”

“It cost us less than £1,500 and it has breathed new life in to the fishery. The sport has improved, the carp are getting bigger and feeding heavily and it is a small price to pay for such a big improvement.”

*For details on how your club can implement a similar system email The_Dell@hotmail.co.uk*

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Bag 30lb of stillwater barbel from Thorpe Fisheries

There are few commercial fisheries that can be branded as ‘natural’ venues, but Thorpe Fisheries in Tamworth certainly fits the bill thanks to its spring fed waters. The excellent water quality has helped keep the fish healthy across both lakes to insure you’ll be catching immaculate looking specimens throughout your session. When it comes to stillwater barbel, there’s no better place to head than the 42 peg Brook Meadow Pool where they grow to a rod-bending 7lb.

Most methods will catch them however a worm fished next to the sluice between pegs 38 and 39 may well bring you 30lb worth. Aside from barbel, carp to 16lb, tench, roach, chub, bream and crucians all reside here, with 60lb mixed bags a regular occurrence in matches fished over the weekends.

Many anglers prefer to fish the pole at 12m where the shelf starts to run down to around 13ft deep. Krill groundbait works wonders here, especially when double caster, worm or corn is fished over it. Alternatively, the reed lined margins are a perfect place to attack with this groundbait late in the day for a big double figure carp.

The Method feeder with dead maggots on the hook will also produce good bites from tench and carp when chucked to the island.

Alternatively, the 22 peg Spring Pool offers the same species to catch bar the barbel. Due to the vast space of open water, 100lb of quality carp can be amassed on the pellet waggler during the summer, which will soon start to show.

Prices: £7 a day, £5 concessions
Contact: Rosie on 07707680758
Location: Thorpe Fisheries, Clifton lane, Thorpe Constantine, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 0LH
Rules: Barbless hooks, no meat, no surface fishing, only 3 tins of corn, landing nets to be dipped before fishing, carp friendly pellets allowed, small inline method feeders only, no dogs allowed.
Facilities: Toilets, parking, disabled access.

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Plenty of ide at Pine Lakes

Regarded as one of the best ide fishing venues in the UK, Pine Lakes in Doncaster offers you the chance to put together a 100lb-plus net of the silverfish in just five hours.

The two-lake complex was something of a mystery until recently when new management took over to boost lake stocks and the overall flora and fauna of the fishery.

Since then it has come on leaps and bounds with some really superb fishing on offer. The 27-peg Big Lake with the single island is the place to head if you’re after a big net of ide. In 2009, a 119lb bag of just ide was recorded off peg 5 on casters. The angler had fished shallow on the pole at 7m and 9m whilst sprinkling casters over the top via a catty.

Alternatively, carp, F1s and tench have been stocked and are often caught on the Method feeder and maggot cast to the island, or corn fished down the edge late in the day. The 30-peg Small Lake offers similar fishing but with three islands to target. The ide go big in here, and specimens to 2lb are a regular occurrence. Double maggot fished shallow will work but try fishing on the deck for a slightly bigger stamp. The pellet wag cast to the aerator between the islands with a banded 4mm pellet can also produce big ide, roach and rudd, as well as the odd carp to double figures.

Prices: £6 a day, £5 concessions
Contact: 07867 553645
Location: Oak Field Farm, Kirton Lane, Thorne, Doncaster DN8 5RQ
Rules: No boilies, hemp, cat and dog meat, bloodworm, joker, tiger nuts, floating baits, braided hook lengths, bolt Rigs, you must use the Landing net provided by the fishery, keepnets are available for hire £1 extra and for this you get two nets, one for silvers and one for carp, all nets must be returned.
Facilities: Parking, toilets, pellets available, drinks available

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Fantastic sport for everyone at Frant Lakes

It's human nature to try and find fault in something but even the pickiest of customers will struggle to grumble about Frant Lakes.

Situated in a tree lined valley just outside Royal Tunbridge Wells, the Kent complex boasts a true beauty that is instantly apparent from the moment you drive through the gates.

Step out of your vehicle, take a birds-eye view over the Car Park Lakes and your desire to wet a line will strengthen even more, with each water providing a pleasant setting for your day on the bank.

Only the occasional vocal duck or aircraft making its approach in to Gatwick Airport will break the silence, giving you the perfect setting to unwind after a week of hard graft.

When it comes down to deciding which of the eight lakes to fish you really are spoilt for choice. Each one provides a completely different opportunity, with big carp enthusiasts and silverfish fanatics both catered for. There’s even plenty of scope to launch a specimen fish campaign, with perch over 4lb and bigs slabs on the cards.

An onsite tackle shop sells all the bait and terminal tackle you could possibly need, with the café serving up a mouth-watering full breakfast that will give you the perfect start to the day.
There’s even an opportunity to have you and your tackle carted from the main car park to your peg, with a fishery 4x4 ferrying visitors to less accessible areas of the site.

One man that has fallen in love with the delights that Frant has to offer is Peter Bolt.

The Orpington Tackle & Bait boss’s store may be situated almost 30 miles from the fishery but he became so inundated with positive reviews from customers that he had to find out what all the hype was about for himself.

“Anglers kept coming in the shop raving about the place, telling me all about their big catches. I just had to give it a go and on my first visit it lived up to the expectations, with 30lb of skimmers and perch coming in just a few hours sport,” explained Peter.

The Car Park Lake was the water selected for a session in front of the Angling Times cameras, with big hauls of skimmers and roach on the cards with bonus stripeys and double figure carp a distinct possibility.

A peninsula cuts through the middle of the lake, with a small gap in the middle of it allowing the fish to roam between the two different zones.

“There are plenty of pegs that have marginal areas that just scream fish and I’ve picked a spot today where a large tree has collapsed in to the water. You can guarantee that there will be a few perch under there.”

A generous dose of worm and casters were fed in to the open water to draw in the chunky silvers, with a similar amount placed down the edge for the bonus predators.

Small silvers were the first to respond but the stamp of fish soon improved, with skimmers averaging just under 1lb making their way in to the net regularly. Peter’s marginal line was equally prolific, with plenty of big perch to just over 2lb devouring his worm hookbaits.

Although the carp didn’t play ball on the day, it was impossible to ignore their presence, with fish rising to the surface every few minutes to slurp up insects that had lay to rest on the surface. Anyone fishing with floating bread or dog biscuits on the day would certainly have reaped the rewards!

Taking an opportunity to wander round the lakes, it quickly became apparent that Frant genuinely did cater for everyone. From deck chair clad pleasure anglers right through to hardened carp anglers with every item of camouflage kit on the market, they were there making the most of this fantastic facility.

“It ticks every box on the checklist and it is no wonder Frant Lakes gains such fantastic feedback. One week you can go after a big carp, the next in search of a huge perch – it is a complex you will never tire of,” concluded Peter.

Prices: £11 adults, £8.50 concessions (based on a day ticket for lakes 1-6)
Contact: Call 01892 616424 or visit www.frantlakes.com
Location: Frant Lakes, Hawkenbury Road, Bells Yew Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 9AP
Rules: No barbed hooks or braided mainline. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
Facilities: Parking, toilets, café, tackle shop
Tackle shop: Call Peter at Orpington Tackle & Bait for more details on angling in the area on 01689 852884

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Charity aims to get angling in every town

Angling charity Get Hooked on Fishing is set for its biggest year ever in 2015 with the introduction of six new centres of excellence.

The Environment Agency-backed scheme, whose aim is to introduce thousands of youngsters into the sport, is opening up the extra angling locations in a bid to provide more opportunities to first-time anglers across the UK.

New centres of excellence will be established at Clywd, Buckinghamshire, North and South Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire to give the project a nationwide presence as well as helping staff to increase the amount of coaching sessions they can hold.

Sarah Collins, Chief Executive for the charity, said: “My aim is to get GHoF on every street corner in the UK as we believe kids from all backgrounds can benefit from it and in turn this will benefit angling.

“We now have events planned for Scotland and Wales this year, which we never had before, including our popular family fishing days where mums and dads as well as kids can have a go at sea, coarse or game fishing for the first time.”

The charity will also be running more than double the amount of events this year after joining forces with the Angling Trust, with both bodies set to co-host more than 30 coaching days to help get more kids into fishing.

The events will see dozens of top anglers providing one-to one instruction to beginners, including matchman Darren Cox, predator angler Sam Edmonds and Shimano backed carper Iain Macmillan. Each of the sessions, some of which will take place at top UK fisheries, will also allow visitors to sign up to the Angling Trust, buy a rod licence, join an angling club or book further coaching sessions as a way of encouraging them to stay in the sport once hooked.

With the increasing demand, Sarah is now appealing to the public for more help. “You don’t have to be a fully licensed coach or top angler to come and help out at the family days,” she said. “The kids will always have their guardian on site so this removes the need for accredited coaches which makes it easier for people to volunteer” she said.

World feeder champion Steve Ringer is also supporting the scheme and believes it is vital to the future of angling. “There are not many avenues into the sport for kids these days, particularly in match fishing, so we need schemes like this otherwise the sport won’t have a future,” he said. “GHoF is a simple and effective way of getting kids interested in fishing and enjoying the outdoors and I encourage people to come and take part.”

Four steps to becoming a fully-fledged angler at a GHoF Family Fun Day…

Step 1: Have-a-go sessions. Simple instruction to help people catch their first fish

Step 2: Have-a-go yourself. Overseen by a Level 1 coach, with anglers left independently to catch fish on their own.

Step 3: Top tips. Expert advice to existing anglers to further improve their abilities.

Step 4: Opportunities. Further coaching and events as well as club opportunities to encourage them to stay in angling.

Want to take part?

APRIL
18, 11am-4pm. Family Fishing Day, Walthamstow Angling Trust, Walthamstow Reservoir, London N17 9NH

19, 11am-4pm. Family Fishing Day, GHoF Ealing, West London UB5 6UR

MAY
27, 10am-3pm. Family Fishing Day, West Midlands Angling Trust, Kingsbury Water Park, WarwickshireB76 0DY

30, 11am-4pm. Family Fishing Day, Peterborough, Orton Pond, Orton Waterville, Peterborough PE2 5UU

JUNE
28, 10am-3pm. Family Fishing Day, East Midlands Angling Trust, Barnwell Country Park, Oundle PE8 5PB

JULY
3-5, Scottish Game Fair, Scone Castle, Scone, Perth PH2 6PL

18-19, 10am-4.30pm. Fish O’Mania Final Weekend, Cudmore Fishery, Staffordshire ST5 5HW

24, 11am-4pm. Family Fishing Day, Alders Farm Fishery, Milton Keynes MK17 9AH

25, 11am-4pm. Family Fishing Day, Bradshaw Hall Fishery, Bolton BL2 4JW

26, Hillingdon Fun Day, Little Britain Lake, Cowley, London UB8 2JH

28,11am-4pm. Family Fishing Day, Tyneside Angling Trust Sea Angling at the National Glass Centre, Sunderland SR6 0GL

31, CLA Game Fair, Harewood House, Leeds LS17 9LG

AUGUST
8, 11am-4pm. Family Fishing Day, North East Angling Trust, Leazes Park Lake, Richardson Road, Newcastle NE2 4BJ

9, Hillingdon Fun Day, Little Britain Lake, Cowley, London UB8 2JH

15, 10am-4pm. North West Angling Trust, Fir Tree Fishery, Wigan WN6 9JB

16, 10am-4.30pm. Family Fishing Day, South West Angling Trust, Bitterwell Lake, Bristol BS36 2UF

22, 10am-4pm. Family Fishing Day, East Angling Trust, Suffolk Water Park, Ipswich IP8 4JS

26, 10am-4pn. Family Fishing Day, South East Angling Trust, North Lake, South Hill Park, Berkshire RG12 7PA

30, 11am-4pm.  Family Fishing Day, GHoF Ealing, West London UB5 6UR

31, 11am-4pm. Family Fishing Day, Bedfordshire Angling Trust, Swiss Garden, Old Warden, Biggleswade SG18 9EP

SEPTEMBER
20, Tidefest, Thames Estuary, London

25- 27, Glasgow Angling Centre Open Weekend, Glasgow Angling Centre, Glasgow G22 5HT

To find out more about Get Hooked on Fishing, make a donation to the charity or volunteer at events, email Sarah on hello@ghof.org.uk or visit their site at www.ghof.org.uk.

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The Wars of the Roses revisited

The War of the Roses is one of the oldest rivalries in sport, especially in football, cricket, rugby and now fishing. Next month, two teams from each respective county will do battle over two legs at two separate fisheries, to help raise money for the England Veterans Team to compete in the World Championships this year. Leading the white rose of Yorkshire will be Dick Clegg, International Events Director for the Angling Trust and a devout ‘Yorkie’ from Barnsley.

“This is a very important, long-standing rivalry and us Yorkies need to put right the defeat of King Richard III during the battle of Bosworth in 1487! This Richard the Clegg OBE is going to batter Danny the Sixsmith! None of our international teams are eligible for funding from any public bodies and only a handful of our teams are sponsored, yet they all consistently deliver at world level. We hope these two fundraising events will help our Veterans team get to Portugal and bring back the gold. We’d like as much support as possible and I’m recruiting from everywhere, I’m looking for mercenaries but I’m not paying!” joked Dick.

Holding the red rose for Lancashire will be captain Danny Sixsmith, an England veterans team member from St Helens who is feared on many North West waters. Danny said that his side will be more than ready for the challenge.

“So this Richard the Clegg is going to batter us is he? We’d have to fish with no hooks for that to happen, he’s not got a prayer! It’s going to be a great two matches at two fantastic venues, I’m getting the troops ready!” he said.

Each side will comprise of forty anglers, with the first leg at Partridge Lakes in Warrington on Wednesday 6 May, followed by the return leg at Lindholme Lakes near Doncaster on Wednesday 20 May. There will be pools and a raffle on the day and spectators are welcome. Historically, the Wars of the Roses consisted of several conflicts between the Houses of York and Lancaster between 1455 and 1487. The final victory went to the Lancastrian Henry Tudor, who defeated Richard III of York at the battle of Bosworth Field. The term roses refers to the badges used by the two opposing sides. 

GET INVOLVED

To register your interest in fishing for each side, telephone Dick Clegg (Yorkshire) on 07534 267512 or Danny Sixsmith (Lancashire) on 07917 320244.

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Matt Hall on for Fish O'Mania treble

Some anglers have a real affinity for certain match events and Matt Hall is one of those, the Nottingham angler winning the first Fish O’Mania qualifier of the year at Hayfield Lakes to make the July final and also earn a chance at an unprecedented hat-trick of titles.

The Sensas man has already won Fish O twice and is among an elite few to have made the final on a number of occasions, but just to get there alone is a real achievement. He had to see off a full house at the Doncaster water to win, taking a lowly 79-8-0 from peg 17 on the Adam’s Lakes.

The pellet waggler did the trick for Matt as he landed 15 carp, but there was very little in it with Gary Thompson taking 60-6-0 from peg 35 on the same lake to end up just a couple of fish off the pace.

Matt has already won at final venue Cudmore so knows what it takes to win the coveted Fish O’Mania title and the £30,000 top prize and there will doubtless be a fair few punters ready to have a few quid on him come the summer!

Also kicking off at the weekend was the UK’s richest event, the Maver Mega Match This and two qualifiers were fished at Mallory Park in Leicestershire and then back at Hayfield just 24 hours after the Fish O dust had settled.

Leicester man Ady Hull settled the Mallory match to win his place in September’s £50,000 final at Larford Lakes, after he bagged 174-14-0 of carp from the Uglies Pool on polefished pellet.

At Hayfield, Perry Stone was top dog and he will be out for a bit of revenge after just missing out to Chris Cameron in last year’s final.

Perry used his favourite pellet waggler approach after kicking off on the Method feeder from the Island Lake, catching carp to 8lb on 8mm pellet to weigh in 94-10-0 and relegate Leon Miller into second. He will now be hatching plans for Larford and aiming to go one better and bag match angling’s biggest prize!

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Trinity Waters caters for all tastes

There's growing pressure on modern fisheries to provide anglers with a diverse fishing experience but Trinity Waters in Somerset certainly offers that and much more. Comprising four unique lakes, the fishery sets a standard of angling that meets the desires of pleasure anglers, matchmen and specimen carpers alike. So whether it’s a bag of silverfish or a 30lb carp that makes you tick, Trinity certainly has the goods to deliver. Here’s a breakdown of the lakes:

SITE 1

Woodland Lake (31 pegs)
Woodland is the main match pool and is the lake to fish if you’re in search of big nets. Current match and pleasure weights are rolling in around the 80lb mark – although a 120lb bag of carp was recorded recently on the pellet wag fished 3ft deep at range. Paste will soon come into play down the edge when the weather warms up, whereas the Method feeder or pole fished short on the deck with maggot and caster will account for 40lb-50lb bags of roach, tench and skimmers all year round.

Ash Lake (20 pegs)
This six-island water has the potential to produce triple-figure nets of carp, crucians and tench in the summer; however 50lb bags are currently coming out on small bits of paste. Fish down the track and on the deck with the pole and feed micros via a cad pot to catch. The Method feeder with worm segments on the hook to the islands will also work as the weather warms.

SITE 2

Wildmarsh Lake (78 pegs)
Wildmarsh is a hit with both carpers and matchmen as it offers a shot at big carp to 16lb as well as huge nets of bream averaging 5lb. Boilies and PVA bags of pellets cast into open water will find the carp, as well as the odd big bream to 11lb which have been caught by carpers in the past. If you’re a pleasure angler though there are plenty of mixed fish stocked including tench, barbel, chub and small carp as well. Alternate between the pole and pellet down the edge or the Method feeder in open water with paste or maggot to catch a range of species.

Chandos Lake (8 pegs)
Known as the specimen carp lake, Chandos has suffered a drop of form during the winter however the fish are starting to feed again. Carp to 29lb are stocked – and an encouraging 21lb common was banked just last week. Over hanging willow trees, lily pads and islands provide plenty of features to cast your boilies and PVA bags of pellets at, with bright pink or yellow pop-ups proving the most successful hookbaits of late.

Prices: £6.50 a day, £4 concessions
Contact: 07896982567 or 01278 450880, www.trinitywaters.co.uk
Location: Trinity Waters, Straight Drove, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2BQ
Rules: Own keepnets can be used BUT MUST GO IN WATER DRY – two nets to be used for carp and silvers, barbless hooks only, no stalking of fish, unhooking mats for large fish, use bait in moderation, no boilies (apart from Wildmarsh and Chandos lake), no rods to be left unattended, no floating baits.

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Yoke Hill Fishery is back with a bang

After more than two years of being a members-only water, Yoke Hill Farm Fishery has once again opened its doors to day-ticket anglers.

The three lake, former match, venue in Northamptonshire is back with a bang as visiting anglers have been bagging up with carp, barbel, chub and silverfish on all three of the fishery’s pools. The top lake to go on at the moment seems to be the Wilfreds Weir which is stuffed with elastic stretching fish including barbel to 10lb and carp averaging around 5lb. This is a 14m wide canal style pool where anglers find fishing across to the far side with the pole works well with baits like corn, maggots, pellets or worm for the barbel which put up a good scrap on light gear.

Another favourite for pleasure anglers is the figure-of-Eight Lake where currently anglers are reporting nets to 50lb of carp averaging 5lb and silvers. With two islands and some open water in the gaps there are plenty of features for anglers to aim at but as the weather warms, fishing in the margins with typical commercial baits works just as well.

Prices: £6 a day

Contact: 07868 038484

Location: Yoke Hill Farm Fishery, Oundle Road, Upper Benefield, Northants, PE8 5AS

Rules: Barbless only, fish in keepnets of four hours max, no floating baits, no bread

Facilities: Disabled access, lodge with terminal tackle and bait, café, toilets

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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.

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