Innholdsfortegnelse for 3257 i Angling Times

THIS is the biggest crucian of the year weighing 4lb 2oz, topping an amazing haul of specimens. It was a catch that included no fewer than seven 3lb-plus fish and was made by big-fish man Adam Perna during a two-night session on a Southern stillwater. The Oxfordshire angler netted a total of 10 fish during the trip, including another weighing 3lb 12oz, after opting for a no-feed minimalist approach using just a 35g Method feeder with a single artificial white caster hair-rigged to a size 16 hook. “Despite seeing others spodding out loads of feed, with it being so early in the year and the water still pretty cold I decided against feeding anything other than the fishmeal groundbait and 2mm pellets on my feeder. The fish can end up…

Mekong Mutilator Tuesday April 12, 2016, 7.30pm A disturbing report from Cambodia, of something in the water that’s sliced cleanly through a young man’s testicle, sends freshwater detective Jeremy Wade on a quest to expose an unseen mutilator. With a growing list of victims, a surprising culprit eventually surfaces. Africa’s Deadliest Tuesday April 19, 7.30pm Tigerfish are Africa’s most fearsome-looking fish, but are they man-eaters? Fisherman and freshwater detective Jeremy Wade decides the only way to get an answer is to offer himself as livebait – but he first has to get past the crocs. Alaska’s Cold Water Killer Tuesday April 26, 7.30pm In southern Alaska, Jeremy Wade searches for an animal that could overpower an unsuspecting fisherman. Is there something in the river that fits the bill, or are…

ONE of the most prolific stretches of the River Severn has been taken over by a new syndicate which is seeking new members. The section of the Lower Lode at Tewkesbury is of special interest to predator anglers, as it has produced the British record zander plus several pike over 30lb. Lots of big carp have also been taken from the water, which is approximately a mile long. Cost of syndicate membership will be £60 a year, limited to 50 members on a first come, first served basis. For further information please call John on 07736 035402.…

PREDATORS are becoming a more common occurrence in commercial fisheries, as Jack Gayton found out when he banked a 45lb 2oz catfish (above) from Four Seasons Fisheries. The venue regular went in search of the big carp at the Lancashire complex and used a yellow Fox Zig Aligner to try and lure a personal best into taking the fake bait. Jack waited several hours with nothing to show, but when the alarms finally screamed into life he was forced to pile on the pressure before the unexpected specimen came to the net.…

VISITORS to one of the country’s biggest commercials can expect even hotter sport this spring after the owners revealed that hundreds of new fish have been stocked. Warwickshire’s Tunnel Barn Farm has gained a nationwide reputation for its large match and pleasure catches, and High Pool has now been given a top-up. A large batch of carp between 3lb and 8lb have gone into the 51-peg lake, and dozens of those fish have already been caught. More details on www.tunnelbarnfarm.co.uk…

“WE’VE been given a huge lottery grant to improve our fishery. It was so easy I don’t know why so many other clubs haven’t done the same.” The words of Brian Billings, secretary for Audley Parish Angling Club, a group which has recently been awarded thousands of pounds after applying for a free grant. The Staffordshire group got their hands on the much-needed cash just three months after applying to the Big Lottery Fund, a scheme which provides millions of pounds to community-based projects across the UK. They plan to spend the money, £10,000 in all, on improving access for disabled anglers, as well as building a number of wheelchair-friendly pegs at their Bates Wood fishery in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Now Brian is encouraging other clubs and community projects to follow suit.…

A FOUR-hour wait without a bite is normally enough for most anglers to call it a day, but not for Robin Piper, who persevered and banked this stunning 3lb 7oz perch. He moved from his initial location to a small lake which he knew held a few perch, and within five minutes of casting out a legered prawn hookbait his patience was rewarded with a stripey of 1lb 10oz. Little did Robin know that his day was about to get even better as he landed five more sbig perch weighing 2lb, 2lb 10oz, 2lb 12oz and 3lb – which were all topped by the 3lb 7oz fish.…

WITH quality perch still featuring, including one over 4lb to my old mate Gord Burton (see page 4), I’m sure the old chestnut about fishing for predators in the warmer months will raise its head. Those who moan about catching pike, perch and even zander from now until September will have no qualms at all about targeting them when they are full of spawn, but that’s all right, because it’s winter... It makes no sense to try to restrict fishing for perch in summer because how you avoid catching them on maggots or worms when fishing for other species would be an interesting challenge. I believe that in The Netherlands worms and red maggots are banned at the times when perch are likely to spawn. Treating fish with respect and…

THIS WEEK’S 2 FOR 1 WATERS 1 The Delves Lakes, S Yorks 2 Hayton Lakes Ltd, N Notts 3 Home Farm Fishery, Cheshire 4 Llyn-y-Gors Fishery, N Wales 5 Martin Hall Fishery, Lancs 6 Moss Farm Fisheries, Manchester 7 Rush Lyvars Fishery, E Yorks 8 Buttonhole Fishery, Cambs 9 Cudmore Fisheries, Staffs 10 Fendicks Fishery, Norfolk 11 Lanny’s Lagoon, Warks 12 Springwood Fishery, Derbys 13 Stanwick Lakes, Northants 14 Watermeadows Fishery, Lincs 15 Alderwood Ponds, Sussex 16 Angler’s Paradise Holiday, Devon 17 Bake Lakes, Cornwall 18 Broadlands Lake, Hants 19 Chad Lakes, Oxon 20 Oakfield Fishery, Bucks Turn to find out how these waters are fishing, plus loads more in your area…

BANNISTER FARM FISHERY, PRESTON, LANCS Carp to 8lb can be caught from the margins. Use a 6mm pellet on the hook and feed 4mm pellets. 07801 353403, Postcode: PR4 6JR CARP VALE FISHERY, YORK, N YORKS Switch between pellet, corn and maggot for carp to 6lb. Feed pellets in a small pole pot. 01904 738249, Postcode: YO26 8LA CHARITY FARM FISHERY, WIGAN, LANCS Skimmers, crucians and bream are dominating catches. Fish the pole with pellet and corn, feeding little and often with a small pole pot to keep the fish interested. 01257 451326, Postcode: WN6 9PP CUNNERIES FISHERY, ECCLESTON, LANCS Catch everything from a 5oz barbel to a 20lb carp in The Lake Pool here. Maggot, worm and caster down the edge or in open water will find carp, bream,…

CANALS STAFFS & WORCESTER CANAL, OXLEY MARINA, PENDEFORD, STAFFORDSHIRE DOUBLE-figure nets of roach and skimmers are showing here to chopped worm or breadpunch. Expect the odd tench and chub when the weather warms further. Contact: Bilston Angling Centre, 01902 495366 Prices: £2 on the bank from Oxley Boatyard BIRMINGHAM WORCESTER CANAL, ALVECHURCH, WORCS Breadpunch working well for skimmers and roach. A recent match saw pole anglers record nets well into double figures. Contact: Droitwich Angling Centre, 01905 779300 Prices: £6 from Birmingham AA or Droitwich Angling Centre EREWASH CANAL, LONG EATON, DERBYS The pegs between Dockholme Lock and Sandiacre are the hotspots which have benefited from a recent restocking. Quality tench and bream show here quite often. Contact: Bridge Tackle, 0115 972 8338 Prices: £3 a day on the bank,…

BIGGIN LAKE, OUNDLE, NORTHANTS A Method feeder with a flouro pineapple pop-up will find the carp. Look for fish moving and cast around to target them. 01536 202900, Postcode: PE8 4EZ HINTLESHAM FISHERIES, BURSTALL, SUFFOLK Four scenic pools hold carp to 30lb, specimen tench and catfish. The Top Lake is the best for the tench which in the past have been out to 9lb 8oz. 01473 652084, Sat Nav: IP8 3EG HOPSFORD HALL FISHERY, SHILTON, WARKS The Duckery contains perch to over 3lb and tench to over 8lb. Catch both species on a waggler rig in the margins. 01455 220375, Sat Nav: CV7 9HY KINGSLAND RESERVOIRS, TURVES, CAMBS In Silverfish Lake tench to 5lb can often be found at half-depth. Fish maggot, switching to pellet if small fish become a…

THIS greatly anticipated fishery looks set to produce 200lb-plus nets this summer with big weights falling already after last week’s rise in temperature. Swallow Lake (25 pegs) is the most popular of the lakes here and recently it has been producing a large number of big perch in the 2lb-3lb bracket. These huge stripeys are being taken on maggot, which is an excellent all-year-round bait here. There’s also a superb mixed stocking of fish on top of the perch and carp, so you are guaranteed bites from every peg. A 50lb net is easily achievable for pleasure anglers – just feed maggot on the pole or waggler at 13m in around 7ft of water or fish the straight lead or Method feeder with bread for the carp. The Red Kite…

BOGNOR REGIS, WEST SUSSEX Pouting, soles and dogfish from the pier at night on Pennell rigs with lugworms and squid as bait. Contact: Aldwick Angling, 01243 829054 EASTNEY, HAMPSHIRE From the Radar station at Eastney anglers report bass, codling and dogfish. Black lugworm is the winner here, two or three at a time. Contact: Allan’s Marine, 02392 671833 LOE BAR, PORTHLEVEN, CORNWALL Lots of anglers are heading here with reports of plaice, dogfish and whiting being caught off the beach. Lugworm tipped with mackerel is the best bait at the moment. Contact: Atlantic Fishing Tackle, 01326 561640 PORTISHEAD, SOMERSET Whiting and the odd thornback are coming out off the mud flats to rag or squid-baited pulley rigs. Alternatively, head to Battery Point off the rocks for bass and cod. Contact:…

UP UNTIL the last round my Winter League campaign at Meadowlands near Coventry could best be described as mediocre. I had won a round, but I never felt I had got to grips with it, especially the skimmers which I never got my head around until the league was finished! I hoped all that would change on the last round, when I drew peg C on Lambsdown Lake. This had been a flyer throughout the league, with only E being better. Now all I had to do was make the most of it, as good pegs still don’t fish themselves! It’s actually a new peg in the narrow part of the lake as you first drive in. It’s quite a lot shallower than the rest of the lake, which is…

SPRING heralds the arrival of new life and it could just do the same for your fishing. It offers so many different ways to catch your quarry and within this is a world of baits, ways of feeding and, of course, rigs. We all know how to set up a basic waggler or feeder rig, of course, but what about the little tweaks that can turn a session where you catch a few fish into a bite-a-chuck visit? Methods to catch change over the seasons, but spring means that you can be a little more positive in your feeding and the rigs on the following pages will work well right into summer. Is it time to try something new in your fishing? PELLET CAGE FEEDER RIG FOR BREAM THINK bream…

OVER three years of development and field testing has culminated in a new range of ESP hooks that raises the bar in strength and durability. New manufacturing techniques including special cryogenic tempering have helped produce significantly stronger hooks with longer-life points. The new processes, combined with improved designs and heavy forging, have resulted in patterns 25-30 per cent stronger than Teflon-coated carp hooks of the same wire gauge. The hooks, with super-fine points, have been tested by anglers such as Terry Hearn, Kev Hewitt and Martin Bowler, who caught a serious number of big carp without a single hook point turning over, or gaping-out! Initially, there are three patterns in the Cryogen range comprising the Classic, Gripper and Stiff Rigger. Price: £3.95 per pack of 10…

33lb SWAN Lake on the Bluebell complex produced this 33lb common for Mike Madeley on a piece of fake corn. 38lb MARK Young took this 38lb mirror from Hardwick/ Smith’s at Linear Fisheries on Sticky Manilla. 32lb FILMING a CC Moore video, Kev Hewitt took two 32-pounders from Linear Fisheries’ Manor Farm. 32lb THIS 32lb 8oz Milmead Fisheries mirror took Jamie Everard’s Baitworks Scent of Heaven pop-up. EMAIL YOUR CARP CATCHES AND PICTURES TO THOM.AIRS@BAUERMEDIA.CO.UK  AND SEE THEM IN PRINT IN AnglingTimes…

SPORTQUEST GETS MY VOTE FOR TOP CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS recently on the hosted trip to Soroya in Norway with Sportquest Holidays that produced the massive cod reported in Angling Times. In this modern world of faceless internet purchases, customer service may be at an all-time low, but Sportquest went against the grain. On the way back from the island to the airport we came across a problem with heavy snow drifts. Our coach got stuck, which caused us to miss our ferry and then our flights. The Sportquest team worked away in the background and got us on a coach to Tromso, some 300 miles away, followed by a night in a very nice hotel with a meal and drink before flying us home the next day. On behalf…

NOBODY enjoys a session when the tip fails to go round but I am the sort of person who will always come up with a way to entertain himself. A few weeks ago I visited a local commercial with friends, and one of them had given us a cast iron guarantee he would catch. Inevitably, he was unable to produce the goods in the first hour so we decided on a little prank. While my mate Craig distracted him I cast my bomb rod over his line. A few subtle turns of the reel and his tip started to arch round as the lines tangled together. “I told you we’d catch,” he said as he struck into thin air with a confused look on his face. Over the next hour…

Fishing on the Edge Tuesday, April 12, 4.30pm Fishing supremo Henry Gilbey conducts his latest angling masterclass. He hops on to a charter boat, where catching tope is top of the agenda. Thinking Tackle Wednesday, April 13, 6am Adam Penning joins Darrell Peck at Sandhurst Lake to find out what makes this angler one of the finest in the country. But will his new tactics help him land a beauty? River Monsters Thursday, April 14, 7pm Extreme angler Jeremy Wade ventures deep into Central America in search of a giant fish which is said to leap into boats and cause fatal injuries. The Big Fish Off Thursday, April 14, 8pm The deadly David and Goliath duo Ali Hamidi and Dean Macey go urban as they’re joined by ex-footballer turned top…

HIDDEN away on page 14 of Angling Times on September 16, 1987, was a feature under the headline ‘Paradise Found.’ A young lad and his dad are shown with two impressive catches of stillwater carp and crucians from Hampshire’s Willow Park Lake, and the same boy, wearing wellies and perched on small seatbox, leans to net a small carp. A closer look reveals the lad to be Will Raison, now one of the world’s best match anglers and World Champion in 2008. “William was 12 back then,” recalls dad John, the other angler on the page. “It was the first time he had been in Angling Times and he was a great little angler even then. We owned Willow Park at the time and Will used to carp fish at…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH COLIN DYCE, STAFFORD, ASKS: Q My local canal has some great bream and chub in it and I usually fish for them with chopped worm and caster, but get plagued by small fish! This method always leaves me wondering how much bait is left in the swim for the big fish to eat. Do I feed again and risk overdoing it? I was thinking about trying a more commercial-style approach too. Do you think this would work, and if so, what do you recommend I use? A Commercial baits are definitely worth a try on canals, especially for bream, although I would still take your traditional baits with you such as worm and caster. I would also bring some fishmeal baits with me, as chub and bream…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery (Thurs) Campbell, Cary & Lodge Lakes (45 pegs) There was a great turnout for this midweek cost-cutter and top rod on the day with 176-2-0 was Andy Neal. Rotating between bomb and pole with pellet hookbaits helped the Milo/Bait-Tech man find carp to double figures willing to feed in peg 115 on the Campbell Lake. There were also some mega silverfish hauls taken, with Scott Russell’s 85-6-0 of skimmers from peg 68 on the Lodge Lake being the best of the lot. Result: 1 A Neal, Milo/Bait-Tech, 176-2-0; 2 N Jones, Plymouth, 126-6-0; 3 K Newman, Bait-Tech Viaduct, 120-1-0; 4 M Walker, MFS, 119-7-0; 5 S Rolfe, Bill’s of Bristol, 112-10-0; 6 D Chidzoy, Bridport, 111-8-0. Silvers: S Russell, Tackle UK, 85-6-0. Coleman’s Cottage…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Climax Wold View Fishery Gold Lake (23 pegs) A level 40-0-0 was enough to secure the honours for Tom Braithwaite at peg 13 as he picked off carp and F1s on corn and pellet fished long and down the edge. That left Stewart Sykes to settle for second at peg 24 with 38-12-0. Result: 1 T Braithwaite, Wold View, 40-0-0; 2 S Sykes, Wold View, 38-12-0; 3 G Garrod, Wold View, 29-8-0. Cross Drove Fishery (Weds) Hockwold (27 pegs) James Drakulic is a man in form and he secured another victory in this outing. Using pellet and maggot on the long pole from peg 54, the Maver Image angler caught F1s to 4lb along with plenty of brown goldfish and skimmers. Result: 1 J Drakulic, Maver Image,…

Barston Masters Barston Lakes, Main Lake (76 pegs) A TOP-quality field saw Mark Bissett put a modest 40-6-0 on the scales taken from peg 24 on the river bank. The lake did not fish well so Mark kept to a small Method feeder with mini boilies and made the most of what few bites he had, netting F1s, skimmers and a couple of carp. That was enough to put him just ahead of Steve Cooke on 37-14-0. Result; 1 M Bissett, Birmingham, 40-6-0; 2 S Cooke, Garbolino, 37-14-0; 3 I Smith, 29-12-0; 4 D Swain, Garbolino/Dynamite Baits, 28-2-0. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK/ANGLINGTIMES…

Starlets Packington Somers Vets (Tues) Grats, Little Geary’s, Siblings A & B Pools (52 pegs) THERE was a very good turnout for this midweek encounter and Dave Smith made his participation worthwhile with 57-0-0. Peg 1 on the Little Geary’s Pool was in good form for the event and the champion worked with pole and maggot for F1s to 3lb. Result: 1 D Smith, Packington, 57-0-0; 2 D Suckling, Packington, 47-11-0; 3 G Young, Packington, 43-1-0; 4 T Gibbons, Packington, 41-11-0.…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Aston Park Fishery Over 55s (Tues) Lily Pond (17 pegs) Result: 1 M Ward, Aston Park, 53-12-0; 2 D Riley, Aston Park, 48-14-0; 3 K Brinsden, Aston Park, 34-0-0. Aston Park Fishery Split Pond (16 pegs) Result: 1 M Ward, Aston Park, 94-14-0; 2 G Turner, Aston Park, 77-13-0; 3 D Micklethwaite, Aston Park, 73-2-0. Blundell’s Fishery Rover (Weds) All lakes (15 pegs) Result: 1 D Gerrard, North West Angling Centre, 179-9-0; 2 M Rawlinson, Fishing Republic, 96-0-0; 3 D Simpson, Home Guard AS, 92-8-0. Calder Angling Series (Tues) Oaks Lakes, Cedar Lake (18 pegs) Result: Jt1 J Sedgwick, Tri-Cast Calder, and G Preskey, Brighouse AA, both 64-6-0; 3 A Lumb, Lowhills AC, 54-11-0. Highfield Fisheries Over 60s (Weds) Oak Lake (15 pegs) Result: Jt1 T Clark,…

THE first episode of the Big Fish Off has proved a massive hit with the nation’s anglers. Various social media sites went into meltdown as praise flooded in for the hit show, hosted by Ali Hamidi and Dean Macey, following episode one that aired on ITV4 at 8pm last Thursday. Its successful mix of fishing challenges taken on by celebrity guests saw comedian Bobby Davro and former EastEnders star Ricky Groves provide the fun and banter that’s captured the imagination of anglers and non-anglers alike. Tune in to the next episode this Thursday at 8pm on ITV 4.…

ONE of the greatest perch seasons on record shows no signs of letting up with a flurry of giants providing another prolific week for the species. The stunning image on the right shows Chris Lowe with his 4lb 8oz fish taken on his first cast into a stillwater in Yorkshire. Chris’s initial target was pike, but after discovering his intended quarry were spawning he turned his attentions to a venue that he hadn’t fished for five months and set his sights on perch with jigging tackle. The Savage Gear consultant from Birmingham admitted that the bright, flat calm conditions didn’t fill him with confidence of hooking a big ‘stripey’ but he was soon cradling a new personal best after the specimen took a liking to his Savage Gear T-Tail. “I…

YOU don’t need to visit a commercial to make bumper big fish catches, as Russell Hilton proved with this stunning net of tench and rudd from a canal. The Somerset angler polefished his local Taunton Angling Association stretch of the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal, where he used chopped worm and caster to bag six tench to 4lb along with three rudd over 1lb. Russell targeted the deeper water down the track using a 0.5g pole float, black hydro elastic and a size 14 hook.…

A HOST of the UK’s biggest fisheries reported record day-ticket sales as 2016 shapes up to be one to remember. Thousands of anglers hit the bank over the Easter weekend and two of the biggest commercial fisheries in the land, South Yorkshire match complex Lindholme Lakes and Linear Fisheries in Oxfordshire, are among dozens of UK venues which saw day-ticket sales rocket. On the eight-lake specimen complex, every one of Linear’s 250 day-ticket pegs were taken up for the first two days of the weekend as the fishery struggled to deal with demand. Fishery manager Chris Blunt told Angling Times: “Easter has always seen our banks busy with anglers but this Easter has been our busiest ever. “With 50-60 syndicate members also fishing we had more than 300 anglers on…

TWO of the biggest clubs in the North have announced plans to merge. Months of talks between Scunthorpe DAA and Scunthorpe Pisces AC came to a successful conclusion with officials deciding to unite and create a brand new operation. All waters previously under the control of the two clubs will now be operated by the newly-formed Scunthorpe Amalgamated Anglers. Two levels of membership will be available. You can find out more details by calling Simon on 07943 651992.…

AS YOU will read in our ‘Where to Fish Extra’ (pages 18/19), there are some right flyers on commercials. In my match-fishing heyday there were pegs that usually figured in the frame, and if the right angler drew one it could be close to being a dead-cert winner. Black Jack’s Hole at Medley, on the Thames at Molesey, and the steps below River Lane on Petersham Meadow were all regular ‘framers’ and who wouldn’t want the Weir Field at Holme Marsh on the Trent? The only downside of some of these great pegs is that on the wrong day they are the very worst places to be. I won’t forget my first visit to Wallers Haven in Sussex. I drew permanent peg 128, at Hog Trough Bridge, a huge walk…

Keep your feeding light to avoid carp. THE weather may be warming up, but with the carp still struggling to feed in earnest it’s not too late to head to your local commercial and bag a personal best perch. Fishing for stripeys has become increasingly popular on match carp venues in recent years, with more and more venues boasting fish to specimen size waiting for pleasure anglers. And with a big head of fish to over 4lb, Alderwood Ponds is up there with the best of them. Set in rolling hillside with stunning views of the South Downs, many anglers head to this Sussex fishery to target its huge head of carp, leaving the perch to the lucky few who do come here to fish for them. The fishery has…

CANALS HUDDERSFIELD BROAD CANAL, HUDDERSFIELD, W YORKS Chub to 6lb have been caught on the tunnel end length. Carp are showing on the middle lock. Contact: Chris Roberts Tackle, 01484 545032 Prices: £3.50 from Chris Roberts Fishing Tackle, Mirfield AC BRIDGEWATER CANAL, PRESTON BROOK, CHESHIRE Legered deadbaits are accounting for some quality pike well into double figures. Perch to over 2lb coming to lures. Contact: Cheshire Angling, 01925 635486 Prices: £40 a year, Warrington AA CALDER AND HEBBLE CANAL, DEWSBURY, W YORKS Nets over 5lb are commonplace at the moment off Brewery Lane, with roach, perch and small skimmers being caught. Contact: Graham’s Tackle, 01924 442040 Prices: £3.50 in advance from Graham’s Tackle, Dewsbury AC CHESTERFIELD CANAL, RANBY, NOTTS Anglers have reported some quality fish from the canal around bridge…

BLUNDELLS FISHERY, WARRINGTON, CHESHIRE Oak Lake holds roach over 2lb which are being caught up in the water on 8m pole with caster and maggot. 0161 7752124, Postcode: WA3 6EJ BRADSHAW HALL FISHERIES, BOLTON, LANCS Lake Four is producing roach nets to over 20lb. Fish caster over groundbait on the long pole line. 01204 307197, Postcode: BL2 4JW CLEETHORPES BOATING LAKE, CLEETHORPES, N LINCS Bags of bream to 7lb are falling to groundbait feeder and worm. Switch to the Method and dead maggot if bites dry up. 01472 313131, Postcode: DN35 OAG GREY MIST MERE, WARRINGTON, CHESHIRE This Warrington AA water holds tench to 6lb to corn, pellet or dead maggot. 01928 716238, Postcode: WA1 4AW RUFFORD MEADOW FISHERY, ORMSKIRK, LANCS A maggot feeder approach is working for the resident…

ABERYSTWYTH, CEREDIGION Fish The Stone Jetty on a calm day for codling and whiting to 2lb. The ground here is partially rough so use crab baits and heavy anchorless leads to be safe. Contact: GB Fishing, 01970 630974 ALDEBURGH, SUFFOLK Cod to 5lb are taking crab baits from the beach. Whole squid is a good standby bait if the crab fails to catch. Contact: Sax Angling, 01728 603443 CHAPEL ST LEONARDS, LINCS Six Marshes offers dabs, flounders and even small turbot. Fresh worm baits are by far the best. Contact: Lakeside Leisure, 01754 872631 FELIXSTOWE, SUFFOLK There are sizeable plaice from the East Lane area, including the odd bass to over 3lb. Contact: Tackle Up, 01394 274600 GORLESTON, NORFOLK Plenty of whiting feeding off the pier along with the odd…

ANGLER’S PARADISE, HALWILL, DEVON All lakes are fishing well. Head to the Easy Access Lake for carp to 20lb and catfish to over 50lb on fish-based boilie hookbaits. 01409 221559, Postcode: EX21 5XT BAKE LAKES, SALTASH, CORNWALL The Dunes Lake is seeing 100lb-plus nets during March. Fish corn over micro pellets for a mixed bag. The tench go to 6lb. 07798 585836, Postcode: PL12 5BW BROADLANDS LAKE, CALMORE, HANTS The Match Lake here is the best place for a mixed bag. Target the island with pole or feeder with maggots, corn and pellets. The far shelf is the place to start, but work your way up and tight over in the last two hours. 02380 869881, Postcode: SO40 2RX CHAD LAKES, BLEDINGTON, OXON On the Chad Pool you can catch…

ALMOST every peg at your local commercial will be capable of producing a few bites, but there is bound to be that standout swim that everybody clamours to get on. As it’s packed with both visible and underwater features, the shoals of carp, F1s and silverfish simply can’t resist residing within it and a busy day of action is well and truly on the cards. This week, Angling Times reveals the country’s 25 hottest swims that are the place to head for if an arm-aching session is on the agenda. THE FISHERIES TO TRY RIGHT NOW 1 SHERWOOD FOREST FISHERY, MANSFIELD, NOTTS – PEG 31, HOLMEDALE LAKE An underwater feature around 14.5m to 16m out holds the fish throughout the year. On cool days fishing pellets on the bottom will…

Catch carp on sloppy pellets GET on sloppy pellets! If you’re fishing on a stillwater, then you’ve got to try this simple pole-fishing tactic – it’s perfect for catching carp and F1s from shallow water. In this exclusive Angling Times video, Steve reveals how you can make the perfect pellets and the best way to feed them to draw fish into your swim and keep them there. He also shows you why heavier rigs are crucial for success and explains how you can set up such a rig. How to fish Steve’s Hybrid feeders  JOIN Steve at Bishops Bowl Fishery as he puts the new Guru Hybrid feeders through their paces. Learn the best way to set up the feeders – including information on mainlines and the best hooks and…

THE craggy and enigmatic coastline of the south west, pummelled and shaped by giant Atlantic rollers to leave golden sand bays and eroded cliffs that touch the sky, is a place of pilgrimage for the sport fishermen. Launching a boat from an old smuggler’s harbour takes you to reefs that provide springtime refuge to monsters far beyond the imagination of even the young children building sandcastles peacefully on the beach. For those lucky and foolhardy enough, a battle with such a creature is both brutal and intense as the amphitheatre created by the coastline provides a challenge equal to anywhere in the world. Dudes with surfboards and campervans are convinced they are the only ones heading west for extreme sport, but compared to the porbeagle shark angler, their adrenalin fix…

SECTION WALL STRENGTH  The Excellence has reinforced section ends which provide anti-ovalling strength making it easy to ship, even when under pressure. It also gives the pole immense power for playing big fish with ease. CARBON CUPS Only a producer of carbon fibre would even consider making these. The lightest, sexiest cups ever seen come as a standard part of the package with Tri-Cast’s new flagship pole. TRI-Cast has a reputation for constructing outstanding top-end match poles, with beauties such as the Venom, Trilogy and Trilogy Pro 2 prime examples of the Rochdale firm’s manufacturing skills. Being one of the UK’S leading carbon parts builders in both the aerospace and Formula One racing industries, Tri-Cast boasts an impressive collection of household names such as Airbus, Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren and…

THE famous Carpa pole float range, initially launched in 2003 by Dorking skipper and England Under 18 manager Steve Sanders, is now available exclusively through Daiwa. Steve has now created more patterns for both commercial and natural venues. The Carpa’s trademark all-black finish means that the float’s body is hard to see under the surface, and a matt finish makes it much easier to shot-up. The ‘Gloucester’ has either wire or glass stems. The glass version reacts best when the rig is laid out along the water, whereas the wire-stemmed float settles quickly thanks to its glass fibre tip. Price £1.99 CUBE (LEFT) A brilliant shallow pattern – a thick wire stem for instant cocking makes it suitable for casters, pellets and meat hookbaits. One size: 4 x 10 SHALLOW…

WELLINGTON Country Park threw up two 50lb-plus commons to the same angler in a magical 24-hour spell. David Gaskin broke his personal best twice with the capture of the Chestnut Common at 52lb 6oz and then the Chinese Common at 53lb 6oz. He also had a 33lb 8oz common and a single-figure carp during the weekend session. Arriving at dawn at the Berkshire syndicate water, David set up in a swim known for its long-range action, but dropped two rods shorter to cope with impending high winds. He said: “I chose two different spots closer in, one at 80 yards and one at 50 yards, so I could bait up easily even in high winds. “Just on dark, storm clouds were gathering when I had a slow, creeping take on…

THE first anglers to pay to fish Kevin Nash’s once-private Copse Lake completed their session under difficult weather conditions. The legendary Essex tackle boss auctioned off the opening weeks at his two lakes, and both eventually sold for thousands of pounds. Bookable open-access sessions at the two lakes will follow this year as Nash branches into fishery ownership with a new water in Cambridgeshire. Barny Allan was one of two anglers to fish the first week at Copse and managed an 18lb mirror (above) which is believed to have been spawned in the lake and is unlikely to have ever seen the bank before. The 33-year-old from Reading, Berkshire, said: “Despite a cold wind and difficult conditions it was a great week. “Two of us fished for the opening week…

THIS 48lb 6oz Rockford mirror tailwalked like a pike as it tried in vain to escape Dan Pestell’s clutches. “It was slowly plodding and shaking its head before blistering off on a 50-yard run,” said Dan. “At one point she jumped out of the water like a pike, shaking her head from side to side and trying to throw the hook. It was mental!” The fish was caught along with a 34lb 2oz mirror known as the Rudder as Dan enjoyed a social session on the western bank of the Hampshire big-fish water. Having found a silty area at the back of a gravel bar just over 100 yards out, Dan watched the fish give away their location. He said: “That afternoon the fish put on an impressive display, crashing…

At last the fish are waking up! I WAS delighted to read that some of Britain’s leading fisheries are enjoying a bumper year (see page 6 ). It seems only a few weeks ago that I was breaking the ice on a local commercial to catch a few skinny ide, but now that’s a distant memory as it seems the fish – and Britain’s anglers – are coming out of hibernation. When two such very different places as match ‘Mecca’ Lindholme and big fish-filled Linear say they are seeing better numbers than ever coming through their gates so far, that’s got to be good for the sport. Of course, the vagaries of the British weather are becoming more and more of a factor in getting people out on to…

1 GOLIATH TIGERFISH: Who could forget the sight of those 32 bared teeth, as sharp as those of a great white shark, as Jeremy hoisted the 80lb tigerfish aloft in the Congo? With 200lb braid and a 145lb wire trace, he wasn’t taking any chances. If any fish epitomises a river monster it’s this evil, prehistoric-looking species! 2 GIANT FRESHWATER STINGRAY: The largest river fish Jeremy has ever captured was the 400lb stringray from the Maeklong River in Thailand. It took 90 minutes just to move it up from the bottom in 20m of water, and as the team helped it to recover in the margins of the river, it gave birth! 3 ARAPAIMA: Going in search of arapaima in the jungles of the Amazon held special significance for Jeremy…

THE campaign to get more people into the sport continues at Rib Valley Lakes as a top angling charity host a special event. Get Hooked on Fishing take its Family Fishing scheme to the Hertfordshire complex on Saturday, April 16, with top predator expert Sam Edmonds on hand to help newcomers get to grips with angling. Visitors will be able to try fishing for free under the guidance of experts, and you can find out more details by calling Sam on 07548 737624.…

DOWN in Eastbourne there’s a fantastic event held every year on the beaches of the town run by Steve Frost, founder of Fish4Kidz, and supported by local tackle shops and angling clubs. This year’s event on Sunday, May 1, is limited to a maximum of 80 children aged between five and 16, who can go along with parents, receive a goodie bag and take part in a competition. Entry is free, and bait and rigs are provided. All entries must be made by April 24, so pick up an entry form from Anglers Den (01323 460441) or Tony’s Tackle (01323 731388). You can watch a short film about the Fish4Kidz event at vimeo.com/94994739.…

IT’S the bookazine you’ve all been waiting for – Tommy Pickering’s ultimate guide to all things coarse fishing! In an angling career spanning some 55 years, there is little the genial Yorkshireman doesn’t know about the sport. World champion in 1989, world match record holder, winner of the £25,000 Parkdean Masters, co-founder of the Barnsley Blacks and manager of the England Feeder team are just a few achievements of the popular Preston Innovations consultant. Now Tommy has rolled all this experience and knowledge into this 132-page guide. So whether you’re a commercial carp, bream, river or canal angler, you’re guaranteed to learn from the talented all-rounder. 132 PAGES PACKED WITH EXPERT ADVICE FOR ALL ANGLERS ONLY £6.99…

Alliance & Leicester Liverpool, Chapel Pool: 1 J Bradshaw, 92-0-0, pellet, carp; 2 T Smith, 77-2-0; 3 M Wall, 67-0-0. Alvechurch AC, Woodlands Fishery: 1 D Lodge, 47-10-0, corn, carp; 2 M Howes, 44-4-0; 3 R Hoarse, 41-8-0. Andy’s Mob, Orchard Place Fishery: 1 M Brett, 252-8-0, meat, F1s; 2 R Jones, 227-12-0; 3 A Webb, 212-10-0. Bath Spartans AC, Kennet & Avon Canal Cross Gun: 1 D Ball, 4-15-0, maggot, silvers; 2 C Konieczny, 4-8-0; 3 M Jefferies, 3-15-0. Birmingham Thursday Club, Packington Fishery: 1 D Crozier, 47-4-0, corn, F1s/skimmers; 2 T Robertson, 37-5-0; 3 B Edwards, 37-1-0. Brunswick Brothers AS, Framfield Lakes: 1 J Coster, 210-0-0, maggot, carp; 2 L Fidlin, 185-11-0; 3 C Darran, 134-8-0. BTIRA AS, Redbridge Lakes: 1 S Kiddle, 17-5-0, pinkie, skimmers/ide; 2 A…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Alvechurch Fishery (Thurs) Horseshoe Lake (14 pegs) Result: 1 M Brown, Alvechurch, 36-12-0; 2 W Beach, Alvechurch, 33-3-0; 3 O Smith, Alvechurch, 25-4-0. Barford Lakes Match Lake (16 pegs) Result: 1 A Major, Wensum Valley Angling, 118-7-0; 2 M Wiles, Wensum Valley Angling, 81-13-0; 3 D Jarvis, Angling Direct Suffolk, 77-4-0. Buttonhole Fishery (Tues) Wisbech (12 pegs) Result: 1 A Carter, Buttonhole, 109-14-0; 2 D Button, Buttonhole, 105-7-0; 3 L Pratt, Kings Lynn, 93-7-0. Climax Wold View Fishery Vets (Tues) Silver Lake (18 pegs) Result: 1 B Marsh, Wold View, 54-4-0; 2 M Ellison, Wold View, 39-12-0; 3 T Booth, Wold View, 29-8-0. Climax Wold View Fishery (Weds) Silver Lake (19 pegs) Result: 1 S Eyres, Wold View, 81-8-0; 2 G Garrod, Wold View, 71-12-0; 3 A…

Tunnel Barn Farm Vets (Thurs) Extension & House Pools (50 pegs) DIFFICULT conditions saw weights much lower than of late with Dennis Lutwytche coming out on top from House Pool peg 31. He fished a small Method feeder cast tight over to the island with cubed luncheon meat to weigh-in 52-10-0 of carp and F1 hybrids. Runner-up was Steve Johnson, again drawn on the House Pool, where he opted for a pole and maggot approach fished shallow to finish the match with 44-9-0. Result: 1 D Lutwytche, Tunnel Barn Farm Vets, 52-10-0; 2 S Johnson, Tunnel Barn Farm Vets, 44-9-0; 3 P Hancocks, Tunnel Barn Farm Vets, 44-1-0; 4 J Wills, Tunnel Barn Farm Vets, 38-9-0; 5 A Hemmings, Tunnel Barn Farm Vets, 37-4-0; 6 S Stokes, Tunnel Barn Farm…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Brookside Fishery Snake Lake (23 pegs) There wasn’t much to divide first and second on Saturday, Nick Butterworth and Steve Carrier ending up just 6oz apart. Nick won with 90-12-0 of F1s and the occasional carp at peg 18 where he fished pellet at 14m to the sedges and down the side. Steve was on peg 30 and also used pellet for 90-6-0 of F1s. Result: 1 N Butterworth, Challinor Sports, 90-12-0; 2 S Carrier, Widnes Angling Centre, 90-6-0; 3 Steve Conroy, Drennan NW, 81-10-0; 4 R Wightman, Drennan NW, 79-0-0; 5 Stu Conroy, Kamasan, 76-4-0; 6 J Turner, Ray’s Tackle, 68-14-0. Fishing Republic Spring League (rnd 6) Messingham Sands, Island Lake (27 pegs) Jamie Hall came out on top by just 7oz in a very tight…

Partridge Lakes (Tues) Covey Canal Lakes (39 pegs) THERE was tension at the weigh-in due to how close it was and Daz Shaw breathed a huge sigh of relief when he was handed the verdict. Chopped worm and caster at 12m and down the margins did the damage to the tune of 92-11-0 from peg 161 on Canal 6. Andy Bennett was the man to just about miss out with 92-9-0 from peg 4 on Canal 1. Result: 1 D Shaw, Maver NW, 92-11-0; 2 A Bennett, Daiwa/Guru/Bait-Tech, 92-9-0; 3 S Avison, Leigh Tackle & Bait, 64-2-0; 4 M Liptrot, Highfield, 63-14-0; 5 R Rigby, Partridge Lakes, 63-11-0; 6 G Walker, Partridge Lakes, 59-3-0.…

THE best-ever year for angling on TV just got better with the brand new series of ‘River Monsters’ with Jeremy Wade hitting our screens. The action kicks off tonight at 7.30pm on ITV 1 and the legendary extreme angler doesn’t disappoint, with a host of adrenaline-fuelled encounters with some of the world’s most fearsome predators. In one of the most daring River Monsters expeditions to date, series 7 comprises six programmes from Icon Films that see the biologist ride a physical and emotional rollercoaster as he dives into the lairs of man-eating monsters in hazardous waters. Along with new adventures he revisits places where he has yet to catch the infamous monsters of local legend. From hunting an unknown ‘mutilator’ along the shores of the Mekong river in Asia, to…

A POPULAR specimen water in Essex is opening to day-ticket anglers for the first time in its 18-year history. The Swan Lake at Lakeland’s Fishery, near Chelmsford, can be fished by all visitors from May 1 and holds carp to 30lb-plus, including its most famous resident Swirly’, plus roach and rudd to 3lb and large tench. Day tickets for Swan will cost £15 for two rods or £9 for one. Two other lakes on site include Silver and Lily, two mixed general coarse fish waters. The complex has plans to introduce more accommodation onsite, including yurts and lodges. For more information see www.lakelandfishery.co.uk.…

ONE of the sport’s top canal anglers is joining forces with the Fire Service to warn anglers about the dangers of drowning. Former Canal Pairs Champion and Drennan North West ace, Simon Mottram, is backing the Chief Fire Officers Association’s Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Week with the aim of reminding all water users to do simple things such as taking a mobile phone on trips afloat, checking the weather and wearing lifejackets on boats. For more information visit www.cfoa.org.uk…

WHAT a fabulous trip Martin Bowler made to Cornwall to fish for porbeagles with Jerry Rogers (see pages 32 / 33) . Martin quite rightly suggests that the UK is almost certainly the top destination for these hard-fighting creatures. In fact I can’t think of anywhere else where they are targeted. Porbeagles look aggressive, fight hard and are a very worthy quarry. They seem to follow the mackerel shoals, turning up early in the West Country, with the big females leading the way. In another month or so I’m sure Andrew Alsop will be finding them in numbers again off the West Wales coast. There’s little doubt that some make their way easy along the English Channel too. One day I was fishing for black bream out of Weymouth…

DESPITE weather that could best be described as ‘inclement’, certainly in my part of the country, it’s good to learn that there were good turnouts on many fisheries. The attendances on our Family Fishing Days were brilliant, and my guess is that the first public holiday of the year is the only incentive people need to get out into the fresh air after the relative confines of winter. It would be brilliant to see this trend continue through spring into summer, but with the European Championships involving three home nations, followed by the Rio Olympics, it is not going to be easy to tempt potential customers from their armchairs. Let’s hope the weather plays ball, because last summer never really happened.…

PRICES: £10 a day for one rod, £13 for two, concessions are £9 for one rod, £9 for two. Junior tickets are £6 CONTACT: 01903 816377, www.alderwoodponds.wordpress.com LOCATION: Alderwood Ponds, Horsham Road, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3AA (fishery located on Ashurst and Partridge Green Road) RULES: Night fishing by appointment only on Island Pond, barbless hooks only, large landing net for carp fishing, unhooking mat, groundbait in moderation, no balling in, under 18s must be accompanied FACILITIES: Toilets, drinking water, disabled fishing pegs, caravan hook-ups and camping…

EASINGTON, E YORKS Cod to 6lb, and smoothhounds coming in on mackerel flappers. A good chance of a thornback ray off the rock point. Contact: Top Sports, 01964 612340 ECHO ARENA, LIVERPOOL Cod of 12lb, 14lb 8oz and 16lb were banked from the Mersey by the Arena last week. Use large squid and lugworm baits. Contact: Taskers Angling, 0151 260 6015 HOLYHEAD, ANGLESEY For a few dogfish head to the breakwater where they’re still being caught on mackerel-baited Pennell rigs. Drive and park along the breakwater itself. Contact: Winnie’s Worm and Tackle, LL65 1RN NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, TYNESIDE The Tyne estuary is fishing really well with reports of cod, coalfish and flounders falling to crab baits tipped with lugworms. Contact: Moonfleet Angling, 01914 381555 SUNDERLAND, WEARSIDE Good numbers of flounders are still…

BAIN VALLEY FISHERIES, TATTERSHALL THORPE, LINCS Lake Wellington’s tench and bream to 7lb will fall to traditional cage feeder tactics with red maggots, casters and worms. 01526 342275, Postcode: LN4 4PQ BUTTONHOLE FISHERY, WISBECH, CAMBS Huge barbel, perch, tench, and carp to 20lb are here. Worm tight over to the island is a good tactic. 01945 430629, Postcode: PE14 8EY CUDMORE FISHERIES, NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME, STAFFS Head to Edwards Pool for a consistent run of stockie carp to 4lb. Fish a small pellet feeder up to the island to be in with the best chance. 01782680919, Postcode: ST5 5HW DECOY LAKES, WHITTLESEY, CAMBS Pellet to the island on Beastie will catch carp to 9lb. Start on the bottom, but be prepared to adjust your rig as they come up. Perch to 4lb…

CANALS GLOUCESTER CANAL, HEMPSTED, GLOUCS Double-figure nets of skimmers showing from the straight now with small feeders and pole tactics both working for fish to over 4lb. Contact: Lobby’s Tackle, 01453 791417 Prices: £4 a day on bank or £24 a year, Winget AC BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON CANAL, TAUNTON, SOMERSET On form, with some clonking rudd and tench showing from the Fordgate stretch. Contact: Enterprise Angling, 01823 282623 Prices: £7 a day from local tackle shops, Taunton AA BRISTOL CITY DOCKS, BRISTOL Roach and skimmers showing on Baltic Wharf to pole and feeder. Contact: Bristol Match Angling Centre, 01179 500201 Prices: Free fishing KENNET & AVON CANAL, LITTLE BEDWYN, WILTS The roadside stretch is good for roach and perch. Try hemp and groundbait for the redfins, worm for the perch.…

BROADLANDS LAKES, SOUTHAMPTON, HANTS Pegs between 60 and 65 on the Main Lake hold big pike. Mackerel or trout deadbaits work best here. 07967 076049, Postcode: SO40 2RX DOGGETS FISHERY, ROCHFORD, ESSEX Tench to 7lb are coming from the North Bank. Try corn on the pole. 07958 204002, Postcode: SS4 1ED MANOR FISHERIES, ASHFORD, KENT Specimen Lake 2 contains carp to over 35lb and catfish in excess of 50lb. The central island is a hotspot, where the water deepens to over 10ft. 01622 890990, Postcode: TN27 9HJ MILL BARN FISHERY, GREAT WAKERING, ESSEX The Reservoir Pond is producing a number of specimen sized perch to red spinnerbaits. The fish average 3lb here and have been caught to over 5lb. Try the Back Arm section of the lake first. 01702 216170,…

WHEN it comes to typical shallow commercials, many anglers have a reasonable idea of how best to approach their swim. But how about something a little more challenging? Something like a deep gravel pit? That easy confidence soon takes a long cast out of the nearest window. The combination of water clarity, depth, or both, is often enough to see anglers shun this type of fishery, but that’s a mistake, says England International Rob Wootton who reckons that by ignoring them, you are denying yourself some potentially stunning sport. “Gravel pits in particular, like here at Gilmorton’s Mill Farm in Leicestershire, are fished mostly by specimen carp anglers,” Rob explained. “This means lots of high-protein baits are regularly being fed. The carp don’t eat all of it, so the abundant…

WHEN Fred Wilton and his friends developed the first boiled paste baits back in the 1970s, they could never have imagined that a multi-million pound industry would have grown out of their desire to produce a bait specifically for carp. Here was a bait that would catch carp and nothing else, because boiling soft paste baits gave them a tough outer skin that made them almost impervious to the attentions of tench, bream and roach. How times have changed! Not only have carp come to dominate our fisheries in a way that could never have been imagined, but boilies can now be used to catch almost all our coarse fish with equal effectiveness. Today I would class boilies as convenience baits, available in every tackle shop – a far cry…

THE MARGINS This is the area to attack during the last couple of hours of your session. Unlike the other lines, this can be fed heavily. If the fish are going to come into this shallow water, they will be feeding well, so feed accordingly. OPEN WATER This is the perfect spot to cast a waggler to. Feed little and often to try to provoke a response. If this positive feeding approach works, you can guarantee it will also work on the pole line. POLE LINE  Don’t feed very much on this line in the early stages of a session. How your other lines respond to be fed should determine how this line is fed. For example, if little-and-often scores on the waggler, it’ll work on the pole. THE FAR…

DRENNAN has just added this super Wind Beater Fleece to its hugely popular clothing range. Designed to be worn on its own or as a mid-layer beneath a waterproof jacket, it serves as an effective block to the wind and chill factor. It’s tailored from a polyester fabric that consists of two micro-fleece layers, with a breathable and showerproof laminate in between them. The jacket features a soft-touch collar, neoprene-lined cuffs and concealed waist toggles to help keep draughts at bay, as well as two zipped hand pockets, and an additional security pocket. Price: £99.50 Sizes: S-XXXXL…

A STORMY night spent holding on to his brolly was made worth it for Liam Fagg as he banked this beautiful common the following morning. The 44lb 10oz lump, known as the Swirly Common, came during Storm Katie at Mid Kent Fisheries’ Pan Lake. Liam bagged a 28lb 1oz common on Good Friday of the Bank Holiday weekend within an hour of setting up, then packed up and returned to the lake on Easter Sunday. He said: “My arrival coincided with Storm Katie, a big low-pressure system loaded with severe storm-force winds and rains. “At 11pm I got a take that resulted in a 24lb 2oz common, so I wound in my middle rod and repositioned the two rods on the bite area, which was a nice silt channel. “I…

TWO young carp anglers have showed the adults how it’s done at Brasenose Two with huge hauls. Max Whitehall (12) managed 68 fish in a week from the popular Oxfordshire day-ticket water, while in a separate session 16-year-old Benedict Fowler took 64 fish in just three nights. Benedict told Angling Times: “When I arrived at the lake it was heaving with people and I had to wait for six hours for someone to leave to get in one of my favourite swims. “The first day it was clear to see that the fish were way out of range. However, after regular and accurate Spombing on the second and third days I managed to get the large shoal to move in on me. “After that, the fishing went crazy. I lost…

THEY say that you should never meet your heroes, just in case they ruin all the great things you thought of them, but I don’t think that rule applies to fishing. Looking back about 10 years ago, I was about to go to my first angling show ever and there was an element of nerves that I could be meeting my heroes. The likes of Tommy Pickering, Denis White and Dave Harrell were all expected to be there and I really wanted to get a photo and an autograph off them. I can remember meeting them all like it was yesterday and to say it was a pleasure would be an understatement. Each one of them greeted me with a smile and was more than happy to sign my autograph…

THE weather is changing, that’s for sure! Just the other day I got sunburnt on the cheeks and nose while I was out piking. Mind you, a strong north wind blowing into my face probably had something to do with it! However, when that wind drops there is a real feeling of heat in the sun. For the first time this year even the carp started to show on the surface one evening, as I fished till after 8pm using a torch. Here’s how my week went… MONDAY It may surprise you to learn that my favourite type of fishing is at sea and today I booked a few trips. There is something magical about the sea; I love it, but you can never trust it – in minutes it…

CORBY Junior Fishing Club had a busy Easter as it launched sessions to get more kids fishing, and 15 eager youngsters had their first taste of the sport at the boating lake in town. Coach Richard Hawkes organised a fantastic weekend to help develop new angling skills, with funding from Northamptonshire Sport to purchase equipment, bait and rod licences. If you want to take a youngster along to a future session see www.facebook.com/  corby.juniors for details. Or, if you want help to get funding like this, contact your Angling Trust Regional Officer . SUPPORT THE ANGLING TRUST & FISH LEGAL Just go to: www.anglingtrust.net/join…

CARP fishing can be a confusing world, so we’ve created the ultimate guide to honing your skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you cannot fail to learn from the wealth of information stuffed into Improve Your Carp Fishing. This 132-page publication takes you through every aspect, from bait and rigs, to location and tackle. With the stunning photography and clear instruction you have come to expect from our titles, this standalone manual features tips, in-session pieces and advice from such experts as Dean Macey, Iain Macmillan, Paul Garner, and Ian Russell. We really have covered all the bases, including a rundown of the top 100 day-ticket carp waters, a glossary of terms, a guide to caring for your catch and an introduction to essential knots. At just £6.99,…

WE’VE all waited months on end for the fishing on our local waters to step up a notch, and that patience was rewarded in true style this week as fisheries throughout the land produced a colossal set of results. Carp and F1s that were packed in tight shoals as early as last week have suddenly spread out, but that wasn’t the case at Kent’s Orchard Place Fishery, where Andy’s Mob member Mark Brett worked his socks off for a 252-8-0 haul. He wasn’t the only man to achieve a double ton, though, as John Coster of the Brunswick Bros AS filled his nets with a winning 210-0-0 of carp. It was a similar story of excitement for silverfish species, with roach, tench and skimmers appearing in Andy Russ’s impressive 82-0-0…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Coleman’s Cottage Fishery (Thurs) Pathfield Lake (15 pegs) Result: 1 K Choppin, Cariers RAPS, 103-0-0; 2 J Foreman, Maver Coleman’s Bait & Tackle/Matchpack, 89-0-0; 3 C Nada, Browning Wickford Angling, 81-0-0. Gold Valley Lakes Middle Lake (15 pegs) Result: 1 N Howell, Daiwa, 69-12-0; jt2 T Maddocks, Banstead and I Covey, Gold Valley, both 54-8-0. Magic Lakes Over 60s (Tues) Small Lake (12 pegs) Result: 1 A Hollingsworth, Roman Urn AS, 15-6-0; 2 J Nippress, Magic Lakes, 12-4-0; 3 A Wilson, Cormorant Abbotts AS, 7-8-0. Magic Lakes Small Lake (10 pegs) Result: 1 J Carter, Warwick AS, 23-0-0; 2 S Bagshaw, Magic Lakes, 19-6-0; 3 A Shannon, Magic Lakes, 10-8-0. Shiplate Farm (Thurs) Main Lake (11 pegs) Result: 1 T Williams, Shiplate, 84-14-0; 2 J Page, Shiplate,…