Welcome to another Carp-Talk Xtra – it’s frightening how quick the week comes round again. As I write this the period of hot weather has ended and we are into some windy, wet conditions. For some this will be a welcome change, but certainly the warmer weather has resulted in plenty of catch reports at the Carp-Talk offices. How much this is influenced by anglers being more prepared to go out in dry weather than wet is open to conjecture. Certainly, the abundance of catch reports has meant that again there is almost no duplication of catch reports in Carp-Talk Xtra and our paper magazine. We are even starting to get readers sending catch reports directly to the online magazine. Keep them coming please – if you want to see your catch featured in Carp-Talk Xtra send the details to us at xtra@carptalk-online.co.uk.

Most of the fisheries flooded by the excessive rain are now getting back to something like

normal levels – but, of course, many anglers who lost fish have been left devastated by their losses. All we can suggest is that they don’t lose heart and try to begin the task of rebuilding their fisheries. The majority of carp fisheries in this country have, in the main, been developed by energetic individuals or like-minded groups leaving us all with a tremedous heritage to enjoy. Watching the result of 20 or more years hard work die is heartbreaking. But maybe much of that hard graft is still in place – the lake itself, swims, planted trees, paths... An introduction of some young, fast-growing carp – and a year or two later and that old enthusiam could be burning just as bright again. This week’s lead story in Carp-Talk is an article about the terrible fish deaths at the famous Glevum Carp Syndicate where numerous 30s, a 42 and a 50lb common have all perished. Of course, it’s not just about size. If you’ve created a fishery over many years it’s just as devastating to lose your stock whether they are 20lb or 40lb. As Neville Fickling said about the loss of the 40lb common from Church Pit near Nottingham (a syndicate fishery he partly owned) – “I’m not normally a sentimental person but I’d known that fish for over 30 years and you do build up a bond.”

At least some waters are getting back to normal. For example we hear that Richworth-Linear will be opening certain of their fisheries to the public next Monday which is excellent news.

Adam, Ben & Kevin

The Spirit of the Pond is a reprint of Tom O’Reilly’s book that first saw the light of day ten years ago. It is the story of a love affair with angling, Tom’s passion for a Cornish carp pond and its natural world, that began as a small boy and grew over the years as the boy became a man. In fact it’s not a reprint - it has a new forward written by John Bailey, a new introduction and last chapter, plus photos and poems. It is limited to just 495 copies, of which 25 are in full leather. Much of the book is about Tom’s carp fishing and the obsession that gripped him - it’s very

well written and full of Tom’s line drawings. Published by Tom’s own company The Little Egret Press it sells for £23.95 for the hardback and £165 for the leather version. The hardback version is available from Carp-Talk shop at www.carptalk-shop.co.uk for £26.95, which includes £3 postage and packing.

First Cast by Terry Lampard is an absolutely superb read for anyone interested in catching big fish. It’s not just about carp, although the species figure in several chapters, particular at Charlton Pit and Yateley. However, Terry fishes for all species so you’ll find plenty on barbel, chub, tench, roach – in fact most of the major species figure in the book. It’s a superbly produced book, very well written in a manner that totally absorbs you, crammed full of colour photographs and, at 294 pages, represents very good value for money at £26.50. It is

available again from the Carp-Talk shop with an extra £3 for p&p. It gets a top recommendation from Captain Kev Clifford who rates it as one of the top five angling books in recent years.

Bluebell Deliverance

We have a 48-hour ticket at Bluebell Lakes up for grabs this week (see Day Ticket section) and there will be a demonstration at the venue this coming weekend (25th & 26th August) of the Deliverance Bait Boat. Boats will be available to purchase and there will also be one available in a raffle. For further details check out Bluebell’s website.

Outbreaks of KHV

Two outbreaks of the deadly virus Koi Herpesvirus have been confirmed by DEFRA. The fisheries involved are Canvey Lake, Denham Road, Canvey Island, Essex, and River Park

Carp-Talk's Chris Ball made a pilgrimage to the mighty Redmire Pool last week to meet with possibly the oldest carp angler ever to fish the famous pool - 83-year-old Norman Proteus accompanied by his sons (both in their late forties). Evidently the family have booked a week at Redmire ever since 1996  and this was their eleventh visit. Even more remarkable was the fact the Norman and both his sons all caught the famous fish known as Raspberry during the late 1990s.

Not to be out done, Norman's grandson, 11-year-old Jed, was

also fishing at the pool and to his credit he got some fish taking from the surface off the Dam - much to the excitement of surface-fishing fan Bally!

Chris told CT Xtra, “The Pool is looking fine and I can never remember it ever being so weed free at this time of year - even the upper part which was often so choked with weed is virtually clean as a whistle.” Climbing a tree overlooking the shallows (Wasp Island) Chris spent some time watching several commons in the 25lb bracket besides many others of a smaller size. Chris also reported that he'd never seen a better grub set-up than the Porteus crew had, “It was quite amazing, they literally had a ‘field canteen’ in the evening swim with every kind of food to hand. On offer was a blinding curry, salads of every description, burgers, sausages and other meat, plus sauces and Heaven knows what else. On top of this was plenty of red and white wine plus beer.” Unbelievably Chris refused a glass of red wine which must also be some sort of record in itself!

Farm Fishery, River Park Farm, Lodsworth, Petworth, West Sussex. Designated Area Orders has been issued prohibiting any movement of fish, either in or out of each fishery.

Richworth-Linear latest

Linear director, Len Gurd, has issued a press statement which states: “Whilst it is early days and we are still assessing damage to our waters, our initial estimates are that fish losses are not as great as originally thought and minimal on some lakes. In fact some lakes have gained fish with movements from adjoining waters.”

Linear have always put safely of their anglers at the highest priority and for that reason some of the lakes will remain closed for the time being. However, St. Johns, Manor Farm and Hardwick/Smiths will reopen next Monday - the 20th August. The company have agreed a restocking programme on lakes that have suffered any fish losses as soon as EA permission can be obtained. A nearby lake that was stocked with 1000 carp several years ago as an insurance policy, and has never been fished, will be used initially to supplement stocks. The second stage is to utilise a fund of £50,000 the company set up for emergencies such as this. In addition the company will provide a further £25,000 from their general accounts to supplement further restocking. Finally, a further £50,000 will be budgeted should any affected lakes fail to meet expectations over the next 12-months. Len Gurd is confident that with the robust nature of the company and its committed shareholders, Linear Fisheries will soon bounce back and provide top quality angling for its visitors.

Obituary

Gram Bailey has been in touch to ask us to mention that his friend and fishing pal, Alan ‘Chad’ Chadwick, from Whiston, Merseyside, has sadly passed away at the young age of 40, after a short illness. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, and by all who knew him. Alan mainly fished at Halsnede Park, which featured in Paul Selman’s book Carp Reflections, and Alan appeared in Carpworld Number 17.

British Young Carpers Championship latest

Being forced to move venue, because of the flooding at Richworth-Linear, to Cemex Angling’s Thorpe Lea Fishery certainly hasn’t done the competition any harm. The first couple of eliminators, on Monday and Tuesday, were notable for the number of fish caught. On Monday 83 carp were banked - with winner Axel Caulty catching 194lb from peg 35. Axel appeared in last week’s Carp-Talk Xtra and we need to apologise because we had him down as Alex.

Tuesday’s eliminator, although handicapped with shabby weather - it rained all day - certainly didn’t dampen the catches with even more carp (107) hitting the bank. The winner was Adam Johns who had 20 fish totalling 279lb (which included a couple of 20s). The biggest fish so far weighed 25½lb. Full results and photos of the Championship, which is sponsored by Carp-Talk magazine, Fox and Crafty Carper magazine will appear in next week’s Carp-Talk magazine.

Lost rod results in death of carp angler

Ian Cooper, aged 35, got into difficulty when we went in after his rod which had been pulled into Wishing Tree Reservoir, near Mr Cooper’s Hastings, East Sussex home, by a carp. A rescue team retrieved Mr Cooper from the water but he was pronounced dead in hospital. We know preaching about the dangers of water doesn’t exactly appeal, but please don’t take risks. No amount of fishing gear is worth a human life and going into the water, or out in a boat, after having a drink just increases the risk and should be avoided at all costs.

Carp fishery plans turned down

Plans to create two carp lakes have been turned down by St Albans District Council. Graham Hall was hoping to spend £80,000 on his proposed development at Hanrox Meadow, but the Council rejected his submission on the basis it was within a designated Green Belt area.

Norfolk dumplings

Taswood Fishery, about 10 miles from Norwich, has produced a 37lb ghostie for local angler Paul Girling. The fish fell to a bottom-fished boilie and came from the 3-acre lily-lined Heron Lake. The fish almost broke the Taswood carp record which is held by a carp of 37lb 12oz caught by Jason Lowe from the other specialist carp fishery at the venue - Broadwing Lake. Other recent carp caught from Taswood include a 33-8 common for Matthew Adcock, a 31-5 mirror for Karl Wright and a 30-6 mirror for Dougie Collins. Further details on Taswood’s website: www.taswoodlakes.co.uk

Whilst on the subject of Norfolk, the famous Kingfisher Lake at Lyng produced a 31lb common for Steve Owens.

Anyone visiting this neck of the woods for a holiday might also consider the excellent Catch 22 fishery just down the road from Kingfisher. There are some nice lodges that have been recently built and there is a shop on site selling tackle, bait, food and refreshments. There is good wheelchair and disabled access plus showers and toilets.The lake record is a 43-2 common caught in March 2007.

The Catch 22 record carp weighing 43-2.

Fancy a trip to Cassien?

Angling International’s Alex Perrin has just returned from their base at St Cassien where the trips already this year have been exceptional. The last three weeks alone have produced no less than two 60lb-plus fish as well as three over 50lb. There are just three spaces left for the final trip of the summer on the 5th - 12th September, so if you fancy a week in the sun after a Cassien monster give Alex a call on 01948 880884.

Just look at the gob on Steve Jones’ Cassien 57½lb whacker caught on a recent trip with Alex Perrin.

Oldest angler ever to fish at Redmire Pool?