Old Lake Latest Catches week ending 29/1/17

HEADLINES

Zander from under the ice
Old Lake regular lands eight to 10 lb 8 oz
Thaw taking place after coldest week for years
Double-figure temperatures forecast for coming week

THIS WEEKS FISHING (IN BRIEF!)

One of the coldest weeks for years brought fishing almost to a standstill and a match cancellation due to a thick covering of ice, but one hardy zander angler managed a memorable session.
Janusz Kansik fished next to the boathouse at peg 24, and had 12 runs, landing eight zander, the smallest 6 lb and biggest 10 lb 8 oz.
Fishing from mid-afternoon, the Polish Anglers Association member legered into the deep water and also float fished in the margins with chunks of roach and other coarse fish baits on size 6 single hooks.
With the thaw now underway, helped by a breeze, despite a frost last night, the ice could be gone from the Old Lake by Monday and the smaller lakes by Tuesday.
After the cold weather, this week’s temperatures look likely to be above the seasonal norm, with double figures forecast as a mild front moves in, banishing frosts at least until the weekend. Monday should reach 9 degrees C, and Tuesday 11, followed by 10 every day until Friday and 9 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Overnight temperatures should be 7 on Monday night, 9 on Tuesday night and 8 on Wednesday and Thursday nights, slipping then to 5 and 4 for Friday and Saturday nights and 3 on Sunday night, but lifting back up to 7 on Monday night into Tuesday of next week. The down side is the generally cloudy outlook that comes with mild conditions, but it is prime, fish-catching weather for all species, in particular zander, from Tuesday through until Friday, when a mixture of sunshine and showers takes over, with still mild days but cooler nights, due to gaps in the cloud. Winds look set to be mainly south-westerlies, moderate at first but strengthening as the week progresses, and peaking on Friday and Saturday before returning to moderate on Sunday and Monday. So when the fish have got used to the melt-water, there should be a chance of some sport during the week in double-figure temperatures and frost-free conditions, and a return to more normal January values for the weekend.

• The predator fishing season begins 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

Janusz Kansik led the way in this week’s icy weather, catching eight zander from 6 lb up to 10 lb 8 oz from peg 24, next to the Boathouse (see photos below).

A reminder that the annual Macmillan Cancer Support Predator Day will take place on the Old Lake on Saturday, February 11.
All participants will receive a Gold Label Tackle goodie bag, which includes single-hook pike rigs, and following the fishing there will be a bumper raffle.
Tickets are £20 for adults, £15 for juniors and OAPs, with all money raised going to Macmillan Cancer Support. They are available from alan@stoneyandfriends.org.uk or applications can be obtained from the office by ringing David on 01306 883621.

TEMPLE LAKE – CARP

Difficult conditions made it a quiet week on Temple, but milder weather could bring an upturn in sport.

BONDS LAKE

As the ice thaws out, Bonds regularly produces multiple catches of carp to double figures on a variety of methods, from pole to feeder and straight lead to waggler, as well as offering some prime roach fishing, having produced fish to 3 lb in recent seasons.

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.