Island Pond

Though the big weights of the Summer are less common now the fishing is still interesting and the bigger Carp to 9lb are still showing up with catches up to 30lb for those getting it right. Colin Hart recently smashed the Island pond match record with a super catch of nearly 67lb. Ide sport is slower than the Summer but individual fish average over 1lb with the biggest 2lb.

Maggot is a safe bet for catching all species, little and often feeding is wise until you work out how well the fish are feeding. You might be able to step the feed up later in the day since often the afternoon is best, especially as the light begins to fade. That's when corn and pellets can work well and you are likely to catch more Carp.

Main Loch

Legering is still working well and tip fishing with a feeder or bomb is generally the best bet to make sure you catch. Carp averaging 2lb with occasional fish to 5lb are making up most of the weights, 15 to 20 lb not uncommon in pleasure catches. Corn is still working well for Carp and maggot is good for both Carp and Skimmer Bream to 1lb.

The pole is not to be ignored though and there are plenty of silver fish closer in, sometimes as close as 3 or 4 sections out, 8 to 10ft deep.  Skimmers on worm and maggot tend to stay deeper on a long pole line. Paste is not so effective now for Carp but could work late in the day on rare warmer days.

Birch Pond

Our newest pond continues to give good sport with plenty of Carp to 3lb, Ide & Orfe with catches up to 30lb. Pellets and corn remain the best baits but all methods and bait will work here.

Sport has calmed down after the hectic times following re-stocking in the spring.  Double figure bags are common though with lots of small Carp joined by some bigger Ide and Orfe.