Big Zander show as water colours up in flood condi - 25 01 2009

FISHERY REPORTS
WEEK ENDING SUNDAY, 25th January 2009
 
PREDATOR & TENCH STOCKING
Our predator and tench stocking starts this week provided that the lakes are not flooded out. We will be stocking a large number of pike to upper doubles and tench to around 5lb. Whilst the pike will be stocked into the Old Lake, the tench will be split between the Old Lake and Milton Lake. We will also be stocking 1000 or so crucian’s into Milton Lake shortly. Keep an eye on the website for pictures and information.
 
NEW LARGER TACKLE & BAIT SHOP NOW OPEN
Open 7 days a week, 363 days a year, when you need it!
Check out Bury Hill’s tackle and bait shop here and our Christmas/New Year specials:
http://www.buryhillfisheries.co.uk/fishing-tackle.phtml
Also our online shop here:
http://www.buryhilltackleandbait.co.uk/

WATER TEMPERATURES
Surprisingly, despite the ice and rain this week, water temperatures have crept up to 6.5 degrees whilst oxygen levels remained the same at 36%.


THIS WEEKS FISHING!
Despite huge temperature swings in the week with all lakes seeing some ice and huge amounts of floodwater entering the system, surprisingly the fishing has been quite good. Indeed as I write this Sunday morning, the rain is hammering down and all lakes are on flood alert, but I have just seen a very wet angler landing a good zander on the front bank, indeed with conditions near perfect as the Old Lake colours up, I expect him to catch a few more if he can stick it out!
Yesterday (Saturday) also saw a few zander out, the best a stonking 12lb 8oz specimen whilst earlier in the week it was the pike which were playing ball with quite a few fish reported. General anglers on the Old Lake have managed the odd bream with pole and feeder seemingly the best methods.
Both Milton and Bonds lakes again fished pretty well this week with anglers yesterday reporting a few decent roach to over a pound along with the odd perch to 2lb, although fine tackle and small baits is the order of the day. In turn, Bonds Lake has also been producing some reasonable winter sport with anglers catching anything from 2 or 3 to a dozen carp per sitting. 
 
OLD BURY HILL LAKE – PREDATOR FISHING
As predicted, the predator fishing has been pretty good this last week with the start of the week seeing a lot more pike caught from all areas with a number of anglers reporting 3 or 4 fish bags whilst the back end of the week has seen the zander respond to the coloured water conditions with very some good fish being caught. Indeed yesterday (Saturday) a 12lb 8oz specimen was banked.
Whilst tactics remain much the same as in previous weeks, small whole and sectioned dead baits are definitely worth a go, ideally using single hook rigs, either a size 8 or 10 treble or size 6 carp hook. These tactics, will not only catch pike and zander, but will improve takes and moreover help to avoid a deep hooked fish. Alternatively, another good tactic, which is worth a go for those finicky bites is to hair rig your baits, which can have deadly results.
Ian Welch’s pages in the Anglers Mail recently featured Zander fishing at Bury Hill, see link below.
http://www.buryhillfisheries.co.uk/press/


This weeks catches
Toby Wilkinson had a good day over the weekend catching 3 zander, the best a 12lb 8oz specimen. Fishing the long bank, Toby ledgered a small section of roach to the mid water catching all his fish around midday.
Last weeks Bury Hill Predator Open, which took place along the long bank saw some excellent sport, the bright cold weather conditions were ideal for the pike, which fed, in good numbers with all participants catching the odd fish. Although nothing huge, the best fish were just over 10lb, the 6lb to 8lb fish kept the anglers happy with Rob Hawkins winning the day with 2 fish for 16lb. Rob ledgered his baits alternating between half a mackerel and a small roach which he fished on small single hook rigs. 








Regular Steve Hazeldene also managed a lively 9lb 15oz pike during his midweek visit. Fishing peg 20, Steve fished a spinner catching close to the margins.

OLD BURY HILL LAKE – GENERAL & BOAT FISHING
Despite a bit of a mixed week weather wise, the general fishing continued to improve with anglers catching a few bream and skimmers from both the front and long banks. Both float, pole and feeder tactics have been working with smaller baits such as maggot, caster and worm catching bags to 20lb.


This weeks catches
Chris Tyler managed 6 fish during a very wet session mid week. Fishing single red maggot to a 20 hook, Chris fished peg 28 catching his fish just 20mts out.

OLD BURY HILL & TEMPLE LAKE - CARP
A few more anglers around this week, with the Old Lake again producing a few fish, although nothing big with a scraper twenty being about the best reported. As for Temple, whilst a lot of fish have been showing, the fishing remains tough until we see an increase in water temperatures.
Most areas on the Old Lake have been producing a few fish with both the deep water and islands margins accounting for a fish or two. Bait wise, much the same as previous weeks with most good baits working but certainly Icelandic Red, Fusion, KG1 and Cell, white and yellow pop ups are also worth a go at this time of year over a few PVA bagged pellet.

This weeks catches
Peter Mills managed just one fish during his session, a 20lb 3oz mirror which fell to an Icelandic Red bait, which he fished over pellet to the open water from peg 12. Simon Taylor also had a good session catching 3 carp to 19lb from peg 32. Fishing his popped up baits tight to the island margins, Simon actually had 7 runs but missed four.

Please Note!
Temple Lake can only be fished by Specimen Carp Members who are also able to night fish the Old Lake. With membership numbers strictly limited to anglers with some experience of catching bigger fish, membership includes Old Bury Hill Lake and Temple Lake, our new specimen carp lake. Following recent stockings, Temple currently holds just under a 100 fish to upper thirties, which now includes 35 known thirties, the average size is close to 29lb. To date there has been a waiting list to join, however there is a small number of places available for 2009 which will be available on a first come first served basis, anyone interested should contact David or Jane on 01306 877540, or download an application form from our website.
To view the latest carp catches and pictures click the following link:
http://www.buryhillfisheries.co.uk/carp-catches/
 
BONDS LAKE
Bonds has fished well again this week for the conditions with anglers bagging nets of up to a dozen fish a sitting. Whilst most methods and smaller baits such as maggot and caster have been working, larger baits such as corn have also been catching, particularly when hair rigged over little feed to the island margins. Fishing with dead red maggots also accounted for some good fish again on the tip or a small loaded waggler cast over to the island.

MILTON LAKE
No matter what the conditions, a good angler can always muster a fish or two from Milton Lake and this week was no exception with some prime nets of roach and perch helping to make up bags to 20lb plus. With both the open water and margins producing, now is the time to get on Milton for the big stripeys which go to well over three pounds. Single red maggot and small hooks over a small offering of chopped up worms are irrestible to these big-mouthed predators. Good nets of quality roach are also being reported from the margins with small floats ideal for delicate presentation. Single maggot, caster and worm are all working.