Old Lake Latest Catches week ending 4/3/18

Headlines:

Thaw underway after snow and ice
Temperatures averaging 9 degrees C compared to last week’s zero
Prospects good for return to form next weekend
Last ten days of predator season before break till October
Lengthening days and warmer sunshine expected to trigger feeding

THIS WEEK’S FISHING! (In brief)

It should be a lot more pleasant to be outdoors this week now that the snow and ice have retreated and more spring-like weather is returning.
After last week’s zero temperatures and sub-zero wind chill factor, there will be close to double-figure values this week, and fewer of the easterly winds that brought the cold weather.
The predator season has just ten days to run, and before the cold spell there were good catches reported, including six zander for Kevin West.
It’s worth making the effort for a last go at the pike and zander before the six-and-a-half-month layoff, especially with things warming up.
And the lengthening days will mean the fishery’s carp and bream will be moving around in search of food, increasing in activity with every day that spring gets closer.
It’s the calm after the storm this week in terms of the weather, with an average of 9 degrees C and no more than moderate winds, ending in a sunny Saturday and Sunday of 11 degrees with winds a little stronger. Monday looks to be cloudy and 9 degrees, with south-easterly winds, but staying at 5 overnight and 9 again on Tuesday, though winds should have moved round to south-westerlies. A cooler night of 2 degrees should lead into a sunnier Wednesday of 8, and 2 again overnight into a showery 7 on Thursday brought by the south-westerlies. There’s a chance of a frost on Thursday night at 1 degree, but then 9 is expected on a damp Friday with south-easterlies, and 5 overnight into Saturday and Sunday, and south-westerlies with double figures for the first time for a month. It will take a while for the ice water to mix in with the main body of water and for the temperature to stabilise, but given the big rise in temperature on last week there should soon be signs that a spring feed-up is on the way.

• 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

Kevin West had a successful zander session just before the big freeze, landing six zeds to 6 lb from peg 65, round the back of the island.
Kevin, from Chessington, float fished with half roach baits, and had lots of action, with many other missed takes and dropped runs.
Predator fishing ends on the evening of Wednesday, March 14, so get in now for your pike and zander fix before an end to predator fishing until October.

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.