Old Lake Latest Catches week ending 17/5/20
Bury Hill is back after the enforced layoff and keeping anglers entertained with some impressive catches.
Carp angler Richard Urquhart led the way from the start on Wednesday with a total of 28 carp to 24 lb during his four nights on the lake, fishing around the back of the island using Steamies baits.
Plenty of anglers are catch three or four sizeable carp per day session, while bream anglers are landing up to 20 fish per visit, despite a couple of frosts, which always make things a bit more difficult.
Although matches will have to wait for a while, so popular was the lake with pleasure anglers that the six gallons of maggots stocked in time for ‘Reopening Day’ were all sold on the first day, but more supplies have been sourced and should be available from Monday.
Swims have been allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so an early start is recommended to get a wider choice.
Opening time is 7am, but some anglers have been queuing from 6.15am, even before staff arrive at 6.30am.
By 9.30am the car park has been full each day, and all pegs taken, until a night angler packs up, usually in mid-afternoon.
A maximum of eight night anglers, all of whom are members, has been implemented on the Old Lake, to allow day ticket anglers a good choice of swims to fish
Tickets are being checked at the gate and spot checks around the lake, to prevent anglers reserving swims while a friend buys their tickets.
And the sharing of swims is only being allowed by members of the same household, with a limit on one non-fishing guest per angler.
Boat fishing has been suspended until they can be fully cleaned after each session.
Lots of new faces are being seen around the lakes, as anglers return to the sport of fishing to get some fresh air, and staff in the shop report that the phone has hardly stopped ringing for the first few days since reopening.