Old Lake Latest Catches week ending 14/1/1

Headlines:

Zander still dominating sport
Fish falling to jelly lures and pieces of fish
Mild spells the key to carp and bream action
Strong winds forecast, stirring fish into action

THIS WEEK’S FISHING! (In brief)

Zander are the main attraction at present, feeding well in the mild spells between the wintry weather and keeping anglers entertained with regular action.
Both bait and lure tactics have scored, the latter in the form of jelly lures, and the former using half roach or small pieces of lamprey.
What also seems to get the fish feeding is coloured water, so a strong wind can stir them into action and make them hunt for food, in particular during the daytime, when action can often fall away when it is frosty and the water becoming clear.
This week there are some stronger than usual winds forecast, in particular for Wednesday evening into Thursday, but also on Monday, and these could have a big effect on all species.
Carp and bream can also be spurred into action by a good blow, and the south-westerly direction expected this week is the perfect one for getting fish moving.
This week should be a slightly milder and more fishy one than last week, with highs of 10 degrees C on a couple of days and night-time values staying above zero at least until Saturday night. Monday looks to be the wettest day and to have a lively south-westerly wind, which is a combination that can make fish want to feed. There should also be a good bit of sunshine from midday, and a high of 10 degrees. Tuesday should be drier with good sunshine but 5 degrees, and strengthening winds, and Wednesday the same, before 9 degrees on Thursday and some light rain in the morning, but very strong winds. Friday looks dry with some sunshine and 5 degrees and just a chance of a shower, but with winds a bit less strong. Saturday is likely to be much the same but with winds becoming lighter, and then the temperature should rise on Sunday to double figures again, with moderate winds. Overnight temperatures should start at 4 degrees on Monday into Tuesday, sliding by a degree or half a degree to 1 on Friday into Saturday, with minus 1 possible on Saturday into Sunday. The strong south-westerlies of Monday and Tuesday look like becoming westerlies on Wednesday, strengthening on Thursday, easing a bit on Friday before becoming more north-westerly and moderate for Saturday, then south-westerlies again on Sunday. So Monday should produce a few fish, and the midweek blow of Wednesday and Thursday should also stir up some action. The prospects for the week after are for more mild weather into double figures, for the start of that week at least.

• The predator fishing season began on October 1 and continues until March 14.

• Anyone who fancies being part of the night syndicate of anglers who are allowed to fish Temple and the Old Lake after dark for a £50 joining fee will be interested to hear that there are places available. To apply, get in touch with the office on 01306 883621.

• Anglers are reminded that fishing on Temple and night fishing on the Old Lake is available exclusively to members of the Bury Hill Specimen Carp Club. Membership cards must be carried at all times when on the fishery, and be available to bailiffs when they carry out checks prior to the evening lock-up.

OLD BURY HILL LAKE – GENERAL & BOAT FISHING

This week’s strong winds are likely to stir things into action, mixing the layers of water and colouring it, to make all species more willing to feed.
The reduced number of anglers means a wide choice of swims or the chance to adopt a roving approach to locate shoals.
And both carp and zander are in prime condition in the cooler weather, fighting harder and recovering quickly in the well-oxygenated water.
Taking advantage of fishy weather conditions that prompt feeding activity and an increase in the urge to seek out food is a major factor in winter success, when daylight hours are fewer and conditions more challenging.

TEMPLE LAKE – CARP

A slower week for reported catches on Temple, but anglers are still fishing, in the hope of being on the bank when conditions trigger a feeding spell. In particular bright pop-ups with a high leakage rate or bottom baits tipped with buoyant yellow or pink artificial corn are good winter offerings.

BONDS LAKE

Bonds regularly produces multiple catches of carp to double figures on a variety of methods, from pole to feeder and straight lead to waggler.

MILTON LAKE

Milton Lake is the place to try for a catch of prime roach, using a waggler on a running line or pole just a short distance out, close to the pads, where they can be lined up with a little-and-often loosefeeding approach. And in the mild spells there are crucians, tench and bream to be caught, along with occasional carp.