The Challenge of Big Carp

by B.B.

Denys Watkins-Ptchford (BB) is known amongst carp anglers for his inspiring Confessions and Bedside books. Now we have some of his articles from defunct magazines and newspapers put together in to a book by The Little Egret Press. BB was one of the early pioneers and promoters of carp fishing and his trips were mostly during the 1950s - so when he writes about his personal experiences they are mainly from this period. Many nowadays might consider his fishing quaint and certainly it was carried out

in a time when carp didn’t have names and carp anglers were rarer than hen’s teeth. You probably won’t learn much in these pages that will help you catch carp nowadays, but if you have the slightest interest in the history of carp fishing and the gentle writings of a romantic this is definitely for you. Available from Carp-Talk shop for £22.95 plus £3 p&p.

It is 40-years ago this week

My how time flies… I remember the headline news in the angling press of late September 1967 announced that rising carp star, Jack Hilton, had captured the largest carp of the year with a 35-pounder from Redmire Pool. It was Jack’s first trip to (and first fish from), the Mecca of carp fishing and was the prelude to Jack’s involvement with the Pool that lasted a further eight years.

Redmire certainly held centre stage during that year with four of the top ten carp of the year, including the two largest, coming from this small 3-acre pool on the Welsh border. Earlier in the same year Jack Hilton also landed what turned out to be the fifth largest carp reported - a 28¾-pounder from an even smaller water, Ashlea Pool.

Chris Ball

 

Jack Hilton with his Redmire 35-pounder caught on a spud!

Another KHV outbreak confirmed

Movements of fish in and out of the lakes at Barston, West Midlands Golf Club have been restricted following the confirmation of yet another Koi Herpesvirus Disease outbreak. DEFRA has issued a Designated Area Order prohibiting the movement of fish into and out of the site. Samples were taken from the affected fisheries following reported deaths of carp. It became a legal obligation to notify suspicion of KHV Disease on 6 April 2007. This latest outbreak follows those reported in last week’s issue, and comes on the back of probably the worst ever year for carp mortalities.

KHV disease may be suspected with dead or dying fish showing the following symptoms: bleeding from the gills, white patches on the gills or skin, sunken eyes and hyperactive behaviour. Suspicion of the presence of the disease should be immediately reported to: the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) in Weymouth. Tel: 01305-206673/206674.

Email: fish.health.inspectorate@cefas.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sticky Baits Factory Robbed

The Sticky Baits factory was hit by thieves last week. Along with a substantial stock the thieves also took all the employees tackle which was stored in the factory. Top quality gear was taken which included Free Spirit rods, Shimano Big Pit Baitrunners, Solar stainless, Hutchy bivvies, Delkims - the list goes on and on. If you hear of any cheap tackle or Sticky Baits products around the Doncaster area then the lads at the factory can be contacted on 01302 329222.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angling Coaching Course

If you are interested in becoming a qualified angling coach then this may be of interest to you. Hull & DAA Development Officer Reece Bird is currently coordinating a level 1 Angling Tutor course in Hull. If you would like to qualify as an angling coach you can contact Reece on 07800821172 for further details.

 

Father and son weeks

Crystal Waters, France, are offering a new service to father and son/daughter carp angling duos. Tom and Lee that run the fishery told us “ We are delighted to offer this package to all the anglers out there who fish with their offspring. We are offering a week’s carp fishing at the lake and if the parent and child fish the same swim then we are offering a reduced price for the two anglers. We are also arranging for the anglers to have the opportunity to attend a series of carp fishing training lessons during their stay - these lessons will be operated by an expert carp angler and we hope that this will improve both anglers ability and help them to catch more carp, not only during their time at our fishery but at any venues they may visit in the future too.”

 

One place left on Adult Carp School

An adult carp school is being organised at Newbridge Lake, Burstwick, near Hull. The event takes place over the 12th, 13th and 14th of October and there will be some top names in attendance to give tips and advice. If you feel that you could benefit from some ‘one on one’ carp fishing tuition then get in there quick because there is only one place left. Further details available on www.northerncarpfishing.co.uk

 

Linear Fisheries back on form

After being badly hit by the summer floods it seems Richworth Linear Fisheries is back to its usually productive self.
Oxlease was only half full over the weekend and Viv Shears had a cracking 23lb original scaly mirror. Miles Gascoigne had seven fish including two twenties to 25lb. Elvin Balaam had a new PB 30½lb mirror and there was also a 29lb 15oz mirror out.
George Cooke had the Yeomans Lake Dark Common at 29¼lb. George caught the stunning common out of Unity Lake where it obviously moved to during the floods but now it’s back in its correct home. Phil Stimpson had the mirror known as Moonscale from Unity Lake at a weight of 31lb.
On Manor Andy Whitehead had a 24¼lb common, along with mirrors of 23¾lb and 24½lb. Jamie Collins had a 20½lb fully scaled along with three doubles and a 23lb mirror. St Johns is fishing well with Tom Mitchell having a 31lb PB common. Danny Hassel had mirrors of 18lb and 24½lb and Steve Coble had mirrors of 28¼lb and 32lb. Both these fish were new PBs for Steve.

Last Monday, work commenced on a new path along the platform side of Oxlease. This work will take three to four weeks to complete. This is to try and eliminate the muddy conditions the venue suffered last winter and during the floods. The lake will remain fully open during this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adrian Bicknell of the Environment Agency with one of the large carp found dying in the Thames  between Molesey and Tower Bridge, as mentioned in last week ‘s Carp-Talk Xtra.

BCAC Final on Sky Sports

Don’t forget to check out the Sky Sports coverage of this year’s British Carp Angling Championships final held at The Carp Society’s Horseshoe Lake. Tune in to see all the action from the event where 15 pairs of top anglers battle it out to see who will be crowned British Carp Angling Champion 2007. The one hour long show will be shown at 8.30am on Thursday 27th September on Sky Sports 3. Get the video recorder/Sky Plus set for that one!

York Carp Group Meetings

Geoff Crawford has been in touch to inform us that the York Carp Group will once again be holding their annual winter meetings. The line up is as follows:

October 9th – Mark Hogg

November 6th – Dave Moore

February 12th – Jamie Clossick

The meetings are at the usual venue: York Hospital Social Club, Whitecross Road, York. Doors open 7pm. Entry is £5 and none members are welcome; ladies and under 16s get in free.

 

Bluebell still producing

Some great fish still coming out of famous Bluebell Lakes, near Peterborough - the water we featured a few issues ago. Paul Newbold had The Creature out of Swan Lake at 59½lb and James Piggott banked a 44¼lb common from Kingfisher. Check out both fish on page 3.

 

Echo’s AGM

The English Carp Heritage Group AGM and Annual Celebrations will take place at Aldershot Military Stadium, Hampshire, on Saturday 9th February 2008. After the daytime 5 A-side football tournament, the AGM will commence at 6pm followed at 7pm by a beer and a curry evening. Sounds like our kind of AGM! There will also be a very special guest speaker. Entrance to the bar after 7pm will be restricted to 120 people, and will be offered on a ticket only basis (ECHO members first) at a price of £10. If you are interested keep a check on the ECHO website for further details.

 

Big hit at Raduta

A few years ago Lake Ratuda was in the news almost every week but after some major fish kills many had written the venue off. But Emiliano Gabrielli recently had a huge catch of 50 carp in five days fishing. Twenty five of these fish were over 33lb, with five of these weighing between 39lb and 40lb. The biggest was a 46lb 5oz common.

 

Wellingborough lumps

Chris Berry reports that Wellingborough Lakes have a few winter tickets available starting on the Mill Lake at Wellingborough, Northants, this November 1st. These are priced at £150 for fishing up to end of March 08. Chris said: “There are currently two places left. If anyone is interested in fishing for some Nene valley lumps on a private 22 acre pit, please me on 07974611752 for further details.

 

 

 

 

Left: Luke & Chris Quilty with Richworth Linear captures of 25lb and 17lb. Right: George Cooke with the Dark Common at 29¼lb .

 

Linear Fisheries are currently offering a winter ticket which covers Hardwick Smiths Lake from November 1st 2007 until March 1st 2008. The tickets went on sale on Monday and the price is £120.