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Rules Of The fishery

Posted: 26th Jun 2016

We are well into summer now and the weather is still very changeable indeed which is making the fishing very unsettled. The chaps this week worked hard for their fish but when you're battling the full moon combined with temps rising and falling from 20oc-34oc you can see why the fish are not wanting to feed hard. We peaked with the hottest day of the year on Thursday with temps of 34oc air temp in the shade...in the direct sun I dare say you could have fried an egg on your head!

When the chaps arrived they had a very good start with the wind still pushing into peg 5, they managed no less than 10 fish in the first 24 hrs, but from this point onwards the tench started to spawn followed by feeding, which resulted with some good tench coming to the net with an 8lb 8oz being the largest and a welcome bonus. The carp in the stream then started to spawn midweek followed by some of the fish in the main lake starting the process. The fishing went very quiet for Colin in 1 & Rob in 5 around this time and the fish seemed to group out in open water in Pegs 3 & 4. Andy in Peg 3 had brief spells of action and a nice end to the week along with all 3 catching fish within an hour of each other in the blisting heat late afternoon just out of the blue.....to make it sweeter 2 where 40lb+ topped with the largest of the week at 48lb the following morning for Andy.

The week ended on 20 fish which was a good tally concidering the conditions along with a few fish lost. 5 over 40lb+ to 48lb, 6 fish over 30lb+ with 5 being upper 30s finishing off with 9 x 20lb+ to 29lb.

I have been stressing to each group about the safety of the fish at the moment, it is paramount and  I need to make the point to all coming fishing over the next month that the fish need handling with a little extra care. All fish need to be lifted out of the water with the floatation slings as normal, with pec-fins flat to the flanks, but the cradles which are the largest on the market need to be half full with fresh lake water before the fish even comes out of the lake. Handling big females holding spawn is not ideal at this time of the year, combined with very hot daytime temps the fish need to be covered with the water in the cradle at all times, quick weighing/ pictures and back asap. If the water is left in the cradle or buckets and not changed it can warm thoughout the day becoming almost hot which can shock the fish, so empty after each fish and only top-up at the moment when the fish is in the sling and ready to be lifted.

I also feel sad to mention I have found tiger nuts on the far bank this week which is clearly stated in the rules present in the shower block & website that no nuts of any description are allowed. It's simple.....we have always run the fishery in an honest and respectful manner treating all customers equal, but I will not tolerate blatant disregard for the fishery. It's never difficult working out the offender and I have not had to deal with any issues like this for the last 8 years......but a cross is marked in the diary and you will never set foot on the fishery again. We respect all our customers and please do the same for the fishery, the rules are there to maintain the standards and look after the fish for the future and any responsible angler will understand our concerns.

Rant over & back to business, the new group of 4 anglers arrived this Saturday ready to do battle, the fish are showing signs of spawning again but young Andy in Peg 3 has landed 6 fish on the first night, nothing massive, up to 34lb and most fish caught seem to be males, but its an excellent start for the chaps. Dave in Peg 4 has managed a first night fish of 30lb 10oz no less than 2 rod lengths from the bank...same again a pumped-up male with huge fins and an attitude like Mike Tyson!

Lets hope the fish spawn in style this week and get back to happy feeding mode....this is the first week of settled, steady weather so lets hope so.

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