Bob Goes Fishing

Kilnsey (2)

11 June 2013 Venue: Kilnsey

Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report

Arrival time: 12.45
Weather: Overcast with some light rain
Swim: Fished from between lakes, trying each.
Tackle: Sonic SK3 9’6” #6/7 rod, Sonic SK3 reel, floating line, leader of 7lb & 5lb flourocarbon with 4lb tip.
Lures: Selection of nymphs.
Fish: Four rainbow trout. Best fish approx 3lbs.

My second visit to this nature park. Last time I hired a rod but I now have my own fly rod, so was able to get a catch and release 4-hour session for £13.50.

There were about five people on the lake and there didn’t seem much action, although a chap to my left landed a fish shortly after I arrived. I went and had a word with him about choice of fly, but he said he had tried a number of patterns since arriving about three hours earlier.

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Species: Rainbow trout

Stake Hill (7)

10 June 2013 Venue: Stake Hill

Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report

Arrival time: 18.00
Weather: Bright evening clouding over towards dusk, when the temperature dropped rapidly.
Swim: Far corner
Tackle: 12ft Greys’ Rova Float rod, Speedia centre pin reel with 3lb line, waggler, 14 hook.
Baits: Sweetcorn & bread flake.
Fish: Mixed bag of small bream, tench and roach, with a carp of about 2lbs.

A week’s holiday near Ilkley provided the opportunity to re-visit Stake Hill Fishery. I first went there in 2007, which I think was the year it opened. The fish have always been quite small but on light tackle provide a good evening’s sport.

Although there were more people this time than on previous occasions, I don’t think the fish receive anywhere near the ‘feed’ that would be put into the water on a more popular commercial lake. This probably accounts for the fairly slow growth rate, plus average temperature in this ‘high’ lake is probably lower than in lowland areas.

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Species: Carp, Tench, Roach, Bream

Syndicate Lake (11)

04 June 2013 Venue: Syndicate Lake

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 15.45
Weather: Sunny at first but wind became cold and even colder when the sky clouded over.
Swim: Lily pads and NE bay.
Tackle: 12ft Drennan Barbel Specialist, 8lb line, 10 hook.
14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Shimano Exage 1000RC reel with 5lb line and 14 hook.
Baits: Bread flake & Luncheon meat.
Fish: three carp, best fish 11lbs 10oz.

In my last report I said I would return and have a go at the roach. Unfortunately fishing rarely pans out as you would like. Whereas on the last occasion I was getting a bite a cast from roach using my heavier tackle, today I could hardly tempt them with a nibble using a much more appropriate set up. However, let’s start at the beginning.

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Species: Carp 10lb+, Carp

Syndicate Lake (9)

21 May 2013 Venue: Syndicate Lake

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 14.30
Weather: Cloudy with drizzle, brightening later.
Windy but this didn’t affect the sheltered lake.
Swim: Lily pads
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec compact float rod with Shimano ST5000 reel, 6lb line and 16 hook.
11’6” Hardy Marksman, Shimano Exage 4000RC reel, 8lb line, 12 hook.
Baits: Luncheon meat , worm and sweetcorn.
Fish: One nice carp, 11lbs 6oz, a few roach and a small pike.

The first bit of good news was that the undergrowth hadn’t yet taken hold so I could actually get to what I call the lily pad swim without too much trouble. There were, however, no lily pads at this time of year. They’re obviously awaiting spring/summer like the rest of us.

There were no signs at all of fish movement, which contrasts with when I first looked at the lake in March last year, when there were carp cruising during what was an early warm spell.

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Species: Carp 10lb+, Roach, Pike

Syndicate Lake (10)

03 May 2013 Venue: Syndicate Lake

Nothing worth photographing today

Arrival time: 12.30
Weather: Cloudy and warm becoming hot when the sun broke through (20 ℃).
Swim: Lily pads and NE bay.
Tackle: 12ft Drennan Barbel Specialist, 8lb line, 10 hook.
Bait: Luncheon meat.
Fish: A few roach.

After some unseasonal May weather the forecast was for a warm sunny day and it didn’t disappoint, although the fish did!

I started at the Lily pads swim and immediately saw carp cruising further out into the lake. I went for quite stiff tackle and started fishing the margin with luncheon meat. To my delight a few carp came into the margin, swimming literally in front of my feet, so they obviously weren’t alarmed.

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Species: Roach

River Welland (21)

05 March 2013 Venue: River Welland

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 10.15
Weather: Bright and although chilly when I arrived, it warmed up when the sun gained some strength.
Hardly any wind. A perfect day in fact.
Swim: Roving.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 6 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Luncheon meat.
Fish: Two chub, best fish 3¾lb

With only a couple of weeks of the season left and a favourable weather forecast, I decided to fit in a visit to the river.

It was still running fairly strongly although nowhere near as high or heavy as on my last visit. The level was perhaps down a good foot from then. It was still coloured although again nowhere near as heavily as previously. The gravel bottom could be seen along the shallower runs.

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Species: Chub

Bob Goes Fishing

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Kilnsey (2)

Stake Hill (7)

Syndicate Lake (11)

Syndicate Lake (9)

Syndicate Lake (10)

River Welland (21)