If you’re a new subscriber to Carp-Talk Xtra you might be interested to know that you can see all the previous issues by clicking on the various links at Carp-Talk’s website on:

www.carptalk-online.co.uk/xtra/index.htm

You can also use the website to send us your catch reports and take advantage of the free sales, swaps and wanted that appear in Carp-Talk magazine. As many readers have found out this free advertising service is easily the best way to sell your unwanted tackle or find that elusive item of kit. You’ve only got to check out the other weeklies and mags to see how little they are used compared to Carp-Talk to realise where readers get the best response.

Now, I’m sorry to have to raise this subject but it needs saying - it may just be something to do with anglers from the Hull area but I doubt it. Last night I went out to one of my local H&DAA waters to put a bit of bait in. On one of the swims someone had done a crap and wiped their

Whilst not strictly ‘carp’ books these small volumes are full of useful information about fisheries abroad - and much of it relates to our favourite species. Two of the books cover France (Pêche Française 1 and Pêche Française 2) and the other deals with Portugal (Pesca à Caña). Don’t worry about the titles, the books are written in English by Phil Pembroke and are pretty much up to date - which is important with this type of book. The one on Portugal was published in 2005 and the French ones published in 2007. There are details about locations stillwaters and rivers), how and where to obtain permits, maps, local angling clubs, accommodation, websites and even some productive swims. The books are an invaluable tool for anyone who can grab a day or two on a family holiday – or as part of an in-depth check on a fishery, or area, for some serious fishing. All are A5 size, softback and varying between 104 an 140 pages.  Available from the carp-talk shop at www.carptalk-shop.co.uk at £9.95 plus £1.50 p&p.

Bluebell Lakes, our featured Day Ticket water last week seems to be fishing well which is perhaps good news for Simon Gough, of Newport, in Gwent, if he can get down there sharpish. Simon won the Bluebell Giveaway competition and gets a free 48-hour ticket. Catches in the last week have included a 34-8 common for Shaun Dearing, 35-4 mirror for Ian Hutson, 45-5 mirror for John Dent and a 30 common for secret squirrel Ian Brusch from Hull. Good to see Bruschy at Bluebell - it’s given our local fish a rest!

Still more problems with carp deaths up and down the country. We had Dovecote Fishery on the phone the other day and they have also been losing a lot of fish - and Angling Times ran a big story in this week’s issue referring to losses in the Midlands, which pretty much repeated what we’d reported in previous issues of Carp-Talk Xtra (let’s check who’s on our mailing list with an emap email address). There was no mention, however, in their story about the previous losses in Yorkshire (where we know of at least 22 fisheries that were hit) and the Gloucestershire/Oxford area.

On a local level we’ve had fish deliberately moved into some of our carp fisheries. This may have been done with misguided ‘good’ intentions when nearby lakes flooded, or with a deliberate intent to try and spread disease. Whatever the reason, two of Hull & District AA’s long established carp fisheries, with fish to 30lb, at Brandesburton have seen a number of smallish carp being caught after the floods (included koi carp - photo below), putting their original fish in grave danger. It is a fact that the recent deaths at Church Pit, where several big 30’s died, came about because some anglers foolishly thought they’d save several stranded carp from a nearby flooded ditch by

moving them into the Nottinghamshire syndicate fishery. If you find stranded carp ring the Environment Agency. If you can’t get any joy from the EA then ring your local angling association - it’s possible they will have the facilities to hold the carp in tanks (which is not illegal) until they can be health checked and found a new home.

There is an email petition to the Prime Minister in progress that action “with severe penalties be taken to stop immigrants stealing carp for food.” If you want to check it out you can find it at: www.petitions.pm.gov.uk/CarpFishing/?ref=carpfishing

The petition was launched by concerned angler Tony Barratt but we were notified by Sarah Thompson of Barford Lakes who, not unreasonably, pointed out that there are arguments for and against on this subject but that further information can be found at:

www.factuk.co.uk/asp_pages/news.asp?type=5

As of 21st August there were 1684 signatures on the petition.

Suffolk Water Park’s carp lake appears to be fishing well. Recent catches included local angler Jamie Berry catching a 31-8, Luke Horsefield a 25-8 and 24-4, Dan Sternfield 26-8 mirror, Bob Godfrey 23-8 mirror, Danny Butcher  32-10, Mick Smart  21-7 common and a 31-10 mirror, Jim Shelley caught a 37lb mirror (the second time in as many months), Les Keys 29-4 mirror, Marc Borner 24-4 and 23-8, Andy Johnson a 26-4 mirror and, finally, Dougie Titshall a 33-8 common. More details at: www.suffolkwaterpark.com.

Nar Valley Lakes, situated between Kings Lynn and Swaffham, have also been in touch sending us their latest catch reports, telling us that the lakes are fishing well and that Darren Sizewell has caught a new common carp fishery record at 29lb 4oz. Darren’s fish came in a catch of five, which included another 20-pounder. Anyone wanting further details contact Chris Newell on 01553 636507.

A bit further east, at Waveney Valley Lakes, 13-year-old Cory Williams and Elliot Archer fished three nights to catch fish of 32lb (Cory) and 22-7 and 21-15 (Elliott). A couple of 17-pounders added to the fun. Lowestoft angler Dale Blythe also took a 30lb common from the popular Nofolk venue.

Still in Norfolk at Cobbleacre Park’s Mario’s Lake, Paul Mansie of Yarmouth banked a 32-10 mirror and 30-12 common brace during a daytime session.

backside with their underpants. Now what sort of prat does that? Not 30 feet away was a wood and he could have at least done it in there. Obviously, the best solution is to carry a trowell around with you, find a discrete spot, dig a hole and bury it. That’s what responsible long-stay anglers do if there are no toilet facilities nearby. But does angling need the sort of moron that does it on a swim where fishery owners can see it and other anglers want to fish? This is the third time I know it’s happened on a H&DAA fishery - on one of the other occasions the angler was reported and banned for life. It might be an idea that anyone caught doing such a mindless act is reported to the National Federation of Anglers and their details published on the NFA’s website. Fishery owners could then refuse to allow such anglers on to their fisheries.

British Young Carpers Championship

The final turned out to be a fantastic event and the full details appear in next week’s Carp-Talk. It was won by Robert Sutton with over 350lb of carp, and hot favourite Tom Maker came in fourth. It was great to see the industry encouraging youngsters in a rewarding activity that takes them away from anti-social influences and behaviour. Well done to the sponsors, the helpers and participants. There is a short video made by Simon of some of the action on page 3.

Kevin

Further to our comments in issue 4 about carp fishing slowly increasing in popularity in the USA, there’s obviously still a way to go until it gains the following it has in the UK and in Europe, but in the meantime check out the story in the Detroit Free Press. If you’ve watched any of the Harry Potter films you might know that Tom Felton plays Malfoy. What you might not know though is that Tom is an avid angler who has appeared in Carp-Talk. Harry Potter’s film nemesis recently attended  the 2007 St Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament. The winner was Kevin Shardlow who took home a cheque for no less that $3,500.

We know a few anglers claim to have seen big black cats during their night sessions (and we’re not talking about Mrs Miggins’ pet cat) although we’ve always wondered if the sightings might be something to do with lack of sleep or tobacco-related substances. However, the BBC have issued a story (or tale as our Paddy describes it) of a 22lb carp being killed and eaten by a “big cat”. They quote David Spencer who runs a big cat website as saying, "There is very little doubt that it was a big panther-like cat that ate the fish." The fishery owner, Hugh Hellyer, who lives near Twyford said: "Whatever caught the fish was strong enough to move something that size and get across the river - I don't think an otter could do that.” Well, we’ve got news for Mr Hellyer, David Spencer and the BBC - an otter could easily do that! They’ve killed plenty of carp bigger than 22lb. So whilst black panthers roaming our countryside might make good copy the truth is, almost certainly, a lot more mundane and commonplace.

Finally, we’ve had this photo sent to us of Adrian Reeves with another 48lb mirror caught from Acton Burnell’s Top Lake. This is the fourth fish over 48lb Adrian’s caught this year.

Keep your news items and catch reports coming in please. You can drop us an email at carperxtra@btconnect.com