BIG FISH DAYS

Renowned for our specimen Carp, Pike and Zander, which run to over 30lbs, our 'Big Fish' Days mean just that, Big Fish. Taking place on the Old Lake, which is famous for its large stocking of Big Fish averaging over 15lb, you and your guests are guaranteed a truly memorable day that is totally different!

The spring, summer and autumn months see the 'Big Fish' Days focus on our carp, which include both mirror, common, linear and leathers. With over 400 fish between 10lb and 20lb and at least 100 fish over the magical 20lb mark escalating to a massive 35lb, it is not surprising that the size of the average fish caught is an arm wrenching 17lb to 18lb. The extensive stocking of such large fish also means that one's chances of catching anything big is greatly increased. Through popular demand, we have also now added a "Big Fish" Evening BBQ, which provides a very real chance of catching, particularly as the light comes off the water. Running for 4 hours, these evenings generally start around 5pm and run through till dusk, although times will be adjusted to suit the time of year and your own requirements.

Autumn and winter is predator time, and this is when our 'Big Fish' Predator Days hunt out the huge head of pike and zander that thrive in the old lake. With pike to 33lb and zander to 16lb, it is not surprising that Old Bury Hill lake is one of the countries top predator waters and one of just a handful of fisheries to boast a huge stock of specimen sized zander, which resemble something from prehistoric times. With our pike averaging 16lb and our zander an impressive 9lb, our 'Big Fish' Predator Days are not for the faint hearted.

Generally limited to a maximum of 12 anglers, our Big Fish Days are fully inclusive including all meals and snacks, tackle and bait and tuition.

A Typical 'Big Fish' Carp Day
The day starts with a welcoming hot drink followed by a champagne breakfast served in our Lakeside café, where our tutors will be on hand to discuss the day's itinerary with you and your guests. After a brief talk on the do's and don'ts of catching and handling 'Big Fish', your party, complete with a survival pack consisting of a hot or cold drink and goodie bag, will then set off to pre-baited swims located within a cordoned off area on the Old Lake where the tackle and bait, including a comfortable chair, will already have been set up at each of our platforms. Generally, two anglers share a platform, fishing one rod each.

Following a brief talk on tackle, bait and tactics, fishing starts, which generally consists of ledgering a variety of natural and man made baits out towards the middle of the lake or to selected positions on the far bank which have been pre-baited the day before. Using the latest hi-tech tackle, bites are indicated by means of electronic bite alarms. As the day unfolds, tuition is given on casting and bait throwing and following individual practice sessions, a competition is held to see who can cast and throw the furthest and most accurately with a prize being given to each winner.

Our tutors are on hand throughout the day to help as required and to oversee the safe handling, weighing and return of all fish caught. Generally, there is one tutor to every 4/5 anglers. There are of course ample photo opportunities, which we can assist with and arrange if required.

At the end of the day, a hot drink back in the boathouse provides ample opportunity to find out who caught the largest fish and to swap stories about 'the one that got away'. Additionally, the day could end with a BBQ on the bank or a full sit down menu back in the boathouse.

Our Big Fish evening BBQ's follow a similar pattern with the exception that a BBQ is served on the bank whilst fishing.

A Typical 'Big Fish' Predator Day
Our 'Big Fish' Predator Days are run on a similar basis to that of our carp days, although baits and methods differ, in that hook baits are normally small dead baits or artificial lures, whilst methods include both ledger, float and spinning techniques depending on whether you are fishing from the bank or boat.

Our predator days are normally split into two parts, with the morning spent fishing in pairs from large flat bottom punts exploring the more remote areas of the lake using both float and spinning methods whilst the afternoon sees a change to the bank in time for the witching hour, which occurs just as the light comes off the water prompting the pike and zander to go on the feed.

The camaraderie of a morning's boat fishing is unlike any other experience and there is truly no greater anticipation, than setting off from the boathouse in the mist on a crisp frosty winters morning having tucked into a hearty English breakfast. These days are particularly exciting, in that remote areas around the lake can be explored whilst the total tranquillity offers a perfect time to talk to your colleagues and customers in an idyllic setting far away from the pressures of work!

All inclusive and fully supervised, our tutors will be on hand throughout the day to help as required and to oversee the safe handling, weighing and return of all fish caught, which is particularly important with big predators, which can often reach 3' plus and have hundreds of needle sharp teeth.

Prizes
Whilst a small prize is included for the biggest fish of the day, we can supply an extensive range of fishing tackle and associated items at competitive prices to meet all budgets should you wish to include further prizes on the day.

Accommodation
For guests requiring overnight accommodation, there are good local B&B's, Country Inns and Hotels of all standards close to the fishery in the surrounding area, please ask for details, or let us arrange an all-inclusive package for you.

"Big Fish" Predator & Carp Day Prices
A typical "Big Fish" Carp & Predator Day includes a champagne breakfast and light lunch served in our boathouse, all tackle and bait including a comfortable chair, EA fishing licence (where required), full supervision and instruction from experienced tutors and a survival pack.

Click here to enquire about Corporate Days.