Its not all about the Carp

In today's modern fishing world one fish dominates.  The Carp.  However, there are many other species that do not seem to capture the thoughts of today's angler.  I think that is a little sad.  To catch a good Roach over 2 lb , once was the main aim of many anglers.Large Chubb, Tench and Mr Stripey were also right up there.  The Poor old Bream even back then was not high on the must catch list of many angler. As for Large Rudd they were not a species you could hope to catch locally (Wiltshire).

Crucian Carp over the 2 lb bracket were and still are possible in this area.  However, I do think sometimes we have gone Carp mad.  Don't get me wrong I enjoy catching Carp but then I enjoy catching all fish.

It struck home to me recently that I have not had the opportunity to get a nice picture of a bag of Silvers from Witherington (should have pictured the Ed's net from his recent win in the Silvers match).  This despite all of Withys lakes holding many different types of fish..  With this in mind I approached the Landlord Club, Eastleigh and Paul Sears for permission to use a keep net out side of normal match conditions.  It was Tuesday this past week that I fished peg 3 on the outer Snake.

Feeding Micro pellet (soaked) and a few 4 mill expanders, with 4 mill expander on the hook, I was soon into a good hand sized skimmer Bream. I let the swim rest and swapped to caster and dropped a lightly shotted 0.2g float on top of  a baited area, with double caster on the hook.

Bites were instant from Perch in the 4 to 6 oz bracket.  After 6 or 7 fish it went quite , so I went back over the expander line.  Loose feeding half a dozen expanders from a toss pot I had 3 to 4 skimmers when it went quite.  So back over the caster line to be rewarded with fish in the 12 oz to 1.5 lb mark.

Over the 2 hours I swapped back and forth between the two lines; to end up with 20 lb + of mixed species a thoroughly enjoyable spell of fishing.  Give it a go there are plenty of fish to be had; and at this time of year when its turning colder a great chance to catch a 2lb plus Perch as they begin to show.

Barnmoor produces 30

Nigel Tapper didn't concern himself with plenty of Bites.  He only needed one to produce the biggest Carp from Withy for some time with a 31 lb Fish.  The big fish scene has been a little quite, but this fish makes up for it.

Eastleigh stocking program enters third year

Wednesday saw the netting of the stock pond; where for over a year; a head of Carp stocked at a pound have been fed and brought on.  Ian (Chalky) White and Dave Higgins were trusted with the job of dragging the net out across the pond.

Then started the back breaking pulling the net in under the supervision and help of Dave Poole (Fishery Manager) for Eastleigh and RATS the dog.

Even Steve Pom and Gary Naylor where there when the wriggling mass of Carp etc were bought to the bank.

The trap closes and the fish are carefully collected for distribution around the lakes at the fishery.

Excitement mounts as the fish are weighed five fish at a time, and its with delight that the team recognize the good good growth with the average 5 fish coming in at 20 lb.

5 fish for over 20 lb four times their stocking weight a job well done.

Tony Beeney and Mick Illes then transferred the fish around the lakes as follows.

As follows:

• 50 Carp weighing 195 lb went into Cottage
• 120 Carp weighing 450 lb went into Sellwood
• 136 Carp weighing 453 lb were introduced to various areas of the Snake lake.

Despite all the efforts there are still Carp in the Stock pond , how they avoided three separate netting's mystifies me.

Matches and Lakes closed.

As we enter a slow down period for matches the pleasure anglers can now fill their boots.  With what looks like a changeable but mild time for the weather there is still stacks of great fishing to be had at Witherington Farm.

Closed on Sunday 11.10.2015 are Sellwood and Cottage.

Words and Pictures Dave Moody