Archived News from Banks from June 2007 Dec 2007

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The last week has seen a mix of fortunes for members who ventured out in varied weather conditions. Members fishing the River Flit have had days when the fish have fed in abundance and on other days when they didn’t feed at all. Chris Mayes and Nigel Gilbert fishing the section in the town had good bags of quality dace and roach using stickfloat tactics with Chris having the best fish, a roach of 1lb 8oz. On the Horsebridge section of the River Flit some days have seen a welcome return of good bags of dace yet on other days it has been difficult to buy a bite. It has been a similar story on many of the club venues. In general, the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake has fished very hard. However Mick Winwood had a great session with roach to 1lb 8oz and perch to just over 2lb. Club Match Secretary, Alan Andrews, in preparation for the match on 27^th January, found the River Great Ouse at Lamas Meadow in great form with a 50lb bag of bream which included slabs to 6lb. He initially took roach but they were quickly bullied out by the feeding slabs.  The lake venues have been largely unproductive with few reports of fish being caught. However Mr Webb fishing at the Airman Pit took a good pike of 17lb and two anglers fishing a short session at Broom Lake had three low double common carp just as the light was fading.

Two of Mick Winwood fish

In the last week the only water where anglers have been reported has been the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake. In the persistent cold weather several members have been trying their hand at spinning for perch and pike. However even these species have been largely inactive with only the odd jack taken. In spite of the cold weather Richard Bell was undeterred and ventured out on the venue and after several hours had his only bite on maggot feeder which proved to be a lovely 2lb 7oz perch.

The match group fishing their Fur & Feather match on the River Great Ouse at Willington found the river running above normal levels and ice in the margins of the adjacent lake. Chris Mayes was looking to take the honours having around 3lb of fish with an hour to go and no one else catching anything of note when Vic Jackson stated to catch chub on worm. He proceeded to land five in the last forty-five minutes for a winning weight of 9lb 4oz. Chris had to be content with runner-up spot with 3lb 4oz. Members should note that the January 27^th match will be fished on the River Great Ouse at Lamas Meadow, Paxton and not the Airman Pit as described in the membership card. Very little action has been reported from other waters but Richard Bell decided to tackle the Stanford Canal and was rewarded with chub to 3lb10oz whilst fishing several swims at the Mill Lane end of the venue.

Bailiffs reported no one fishing in the atrocious weather conditions of last weekend. With the rivers mainly unfishable and the lakes windswept members are hoping for calmer conditions in the coming week. On Sunday, 16^th December with the draw at 7-30am the match group will attempt to fish a ‘Fur & Feather’ match with everyone invited to bring a prize of no more than £5 in value and all who fishes wins. This will be held on the River Great Ouse at Willington.

Mick Burr

Member, Alan Woods continues his productive season on the club’s Airman Pit. In a week long stay on the venue Alan landed 13 carp including several twenties with the best at 22lb 4oz. Roach anglers are still having a hard time on the lake with the ‘redfins’ seemingly only feeding for a very short time in the last hour of daylight. Down at Broom Lake with the cold weather and leaves partially covering the lake on most days carp anglers have found it very difficult with only odd fish to low doubles being taken. Further, the silverfish now appear to be shoaling up in only a few pegs particularly on the short north end of the venue. Richard Bell after spending two hours without a bite ‘up sticks’ and moved into this area to find it was a fish a chuck on the waggler resulting in around 5lb of roach in quick time. With hardly any flow on the Rivers Ivel or Flit sport has been very poor for the few hardy souls venturing out. Match secretary, Alan Andrews (01462 817228) invites members to the next match which will be at Stanford Canal on Sunday, 25^th November with the draw at 7-30am in the Mill Lane car-park. On 2^nd December Broom Lake will be closed due to a working party on the venue which will begin at 8-00pm. Anyone attending will be able to fish the lake following completion of the work

The Airman Pit has continued to produce fish to the regulars. Member, Alan Woods has had a few carp with the best a low twenty. Down at Broom Lake very few carp have been reported. However committee member Richard Bell had the lake to himself and targeted the bream in the venue. Using groundbait feeder he was rewarded with several fish topped by a 7lb 3oz specimen. Richard commented that this looked to be a young fish in excellent condition. Behind the lake on the River Ivel there haven’t been any reports of any large perch from the venue but silverfish continue to be caught in large numbers using stickfloat tactics but are on the small side. Better fish are reported to be coming from the downstream end of the venue at Jordans. Head bailiff, Chris Mayes fished the River Ivel at Langford Garden Centre and took a good net of roach and dace. Match secretary, Alan Andrews invites members to the next match which will be at Stanford Canal on Sunday, 25^th November with the draw at 7-30am in the Mill Lane car-park.

After a quiet few weeks, the Airman Pit has sprung into life again with numerous carp around the 20lb mark being caught. In daytime sessions Mr Tyrrell had 2 commons of 21lb and 24lb and Mr Whitehouse had a fish of 19lb 4oz. Andrew Knight continued his good run of catches from the lake with several upper double fish this week with a 17lb fish being his best. A few members have tried to get at the good roach in the venue but have been puzzled by the short feeding periods. Richard Bell on two occasions has sat for hours without a bite and then the ‘redfins’ turn up in numbers only to feed for about an hour and then completely disappear. Although crayfish are still a big problem on the River Ivel behind Broom Lake several members are reporting good perch catches. Alan Brown had one of the best sessions with 3 fish over a 1lb with the best a lovely looking specimen of 2lb 14oz. Anglers fishing the stickfloat are reporting plenty of roach and dace but they are mainly on the small side. A number of chub up to around 4lb have also been caught on baits intended for perch. Stanford Canal has completely switched off probably as a result of fallen leaves settling on the bottom of the ‘cut’ and floating leaves preventing good bait presentation. Match secretary, Alan Andrews informs that the next match will be at Stanford Canal on Sunday, 25^th November with the draw at 7-30am. Let’s hope that the sport on the canal improves by then!

Once again the bailiffs are reporting few notable catches. Falling leaves on most waters is definitely affecting presentation. At the Airman Pit a few carp to low doubles have been landed and there are reports of a few good roach coming out on the quivertip. Broom Lake has been quiet all week but at the time of going to press there were unconfirmed reports of an 18lb pike being landed. On the River Flit at the Horsebridge Bob Izzard and Colin Smith report very little flow on the river and as a consequence sport has been hard with only a few roach and dace being taken compared with good bags only a week or so ago. On the River Great Ouse at Little Paxton both the general angler and the match group in their latest match found the going tough. In the match, Alan Andrews had to scratch around for a few perch to take the honours with only a few ounces.

Catches this week from our stillwaters have been few and far between. However catches of carp to low twenties have been reported from the Airman Pit topped by Pete Offers 24 lb mirror. At Broom Lake with the very calm conditions catches have been poor with leaves covering a large part of the venue. Most regulars are waiting for a strong south westerly breeze which usually results in the fish coming on the feed.  On the River Ivel behind the lake members fishing stickfloat tactics are being rewarded with good bags of roach and dace with the occasional perch over a pound putting in appearance. Anglers targeting the perch with worms are still being pestered with crayfish and fishing popped-up baits seems to attract the small jack pike. On Stanford Canal, Head Bailiff, Chris Mayes fishing his favourite stickfloat method reports good bags of dace from pegs nearest Mill Lane. Dace are also back in quantity on the Horsebridge with Colin Smith taking them in good numbers from swims behind the triangle. Alan Andrews informs that the next club match will be this Sunday 28^th October on the River Great Ouse at Paxton with the draw at 7-30am.

Pete Offers

On their first fishing trip to the River Great Ouse at Little Paxton Colin Smith and Alan Thomas found the river virtually unfishable with high water pushing through hard but decided to give it a few hours. They were rewarded with roach, perch and bream before Colin’s maggot bait on a size16 hook and 4lb bottom was picked up by a personal best barbel of 11lb 5oz.  The fish gave him the run around for about 15minutes before he managed to ease it in his net. Sport on other river venues has been patchy but bags of silverfish have shown. Last Saturday the work party cut around a dozen swims on the Stanford Canal. During the morning the canal was alive with fish topping just about everywhere. Hence committee men Lez Reed and Nigel Gilbert fished the water on the Sunday and it was a fish a ‘chuck’ but mainly small stuff on the stickfloat. Head bailiff, Chris Mayes also put in an appearance and had roach to a around 1lb 8oz on the tip. Not much has changed on the lakes with sport generally slow. At the Airman Pit, Mr Kemp continues to get amongst the ‘cats’ reporting 5 fish to 32lb during two sessions on the venue. Also, Alan Woods has had several carp to high doubles. There are no reports from Broom Lake where regrettably the track around the water has had to be closed because it became dangerously slippery to vehicles.  Alan Andrews informs that the next club match will be 28^th October on the River Great Ouse at Paxton. As stated in the clubcard there will be a General Members Meeting on Tuesday 23^rd October starting at 8-00pm at Digswell Memorial Hall.

Colin Smith

The very calm conditions of the last week seem to have switched the carp off the feed at the Airman Pit and Broom Lake. Very few fish from these venues have been reported. However at Broom the silverfish continue to feed with lots of skimmers and roach being taken on waggler or pole tactics. Tench are also responding with fish to around 5lb coming from the farmers field side of the lake. It is a similar story at Willington Lake. However the River Great Ouse at the back of the lake is fishing well with a fish a ‘chuck’ on the maggot feeder. On the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake small pike and crayfish are a problem when presenting worm for the big perch in the water. In spite of this one or two good fish around the 2lb mark have been caught. The working party held last weekend created swims in the previously unfishable copse at Lamas Meadow, Paxton. There will be another working party Saturday on Stanford Canal starting at 8-00am. As stated in the clubcard there will be a General Members Meeting on Tuesday 23^rd October starting at 8-00pm at Digswell Memorial Hall.

The Airman Pit has produced some excellent catches of carp in the last week with probably the best fish a 29lb mirror landed by Tony Martin. There have also been some good multifish bags typified by Andy Knights four fish haul of 21lb 15oz, 21lb 5oz, 20lb 4oz and 12lb. Alan Woods also got in on the act with a fish of 19lb 12oz. At Broom Lake it has been mainly the silverfish that have been responding but Danny Kelly got amongst the carp with a best fish, a mirror of 23lb 5oz. In the latest match fished on the River Flit at the Horsebridge sport was spoiled by a canoeist deciding to row through the match length. However, in spite of the interruption Fishery Officer, Nigel Gilbert managed a few fish to take the honours with 2lb 1oz 8dr. Match Secretary, Alan Andrews was second and Andy Nicholas third. Club member Kevin Williams reports two excellent barbel of 13lb and 14lb caught during a night session on the IPA water at the Back Meadows. There will be a working party this Sunday, 7^th October at the Lamas Meadow venue, Paxton.

Kevin Williams

Andy Knight

After reporting last week of the good catches from River Great Ouse venue at the back of Willington Lake a number of members have commented on the quality bream they have been catching from the water. Broom Lake continues to fish well for all types of member. The carp have been feeding with plenty of fish in the high doubles. Mr Braham had a lovely ghostie of 19lb 15oz and Mr Finch had fish to 17lb 5oz. Dawn Hatchelt has caught probably the best bream of the season from the lake with a specimen of 9lb 2oz.   The pole and waggler angler continue to report lots of fish from all around the venue. There are reports of good catches of roach from the River Ivel near Jordan’s Mill. It would appear that the better fish are responding to sweet corn. This Sunday sees the next club match which is on the River Flit at the Horsebridge. All members are welcome with the draw at 7-00am.

On our waters it is again Broom Lake that has produced most reports from members. Lots of mid double carp and a sprinkling of twenties have been caught during the past week with one of the best a 20lb 4oz common landed by venue regular Mick Winwood. John Savory has been amongst the fish as well with carp to 17lb 2oz, tench to over 6lb and bream to around 5lb. On a day when the wind was blowing from the north Colin Smith took a multifish bag of carp and bream with the best bream going 6lb 1oz.  Pole and waggler anglers are reporting good bags of skimmers, roach and rudd particularly from swims nearest the car-park. Sport at the Airman Pit has slowed right down although good roach on pellet have been taken from the Shefford end of the lake. Steve Long fishing the River Great Ouse at the back of Willington Lake reports an excellent session with bream, roach and chub and topped off the evening session with an eel of 4lb. September 30^th is the date for the next club match which will be held on the River Flit at the Horsebridge with the draw at 7-00am. Details from Match Secretary, Alan Andrews(tel.01462 817228. This Sunday, 23^rd September there will be a working party at the Paxton venue starting at around 8-00am

Mick Winwood with 20lb 4oz common caught on a bottom fished 15mm spicy lobster boilie from Broom Lake

Jim Melton with a Bream Caught from Broom lake on 30/08/2007, personal best of 10lbs, caught on double corn

After several weeks of excellent sport the sunny weather along with the calm days of the last week appears to have slowed sport on most waters. At the Airman Pit apart from a few small catfish and one or two middle double carp very little has been reported by the regulars. At Broom Lake the silverfish are still feeding all around the venue but the carp are not responding. At Stanford Pit members are reporting good bags of rudd and roach with a sprinkling of crucian and common carp. September 30^th is the date for the next club match will be held on the River Flit at the Horsebridge with the draw at 7-00am. Details from Match Secretary, Alan Andrews(tel.01462 817228).

Again it is Broom Lake that features in the catches from  waters with several fish over 20lb and many high doubles being caught in the last week. Delighted Head Bailiff, Chris Mayes christened his new rod with a venue personal best common carp of 19lb 6oz. Young Jack Brown on only his second visit caught his first double, a 10lb 8oz common. Tench have started to feature in catches with a fish a fish of 7lb landed by Paul Newell probably the best of the week. The catfish in the Airman Pit seem to have been sleeping this week with no catches reported. However there have been several multifish bags of carp caught with fish in the low twenties being reported from several swims. Club Secretary, Lez Reed has returned to the club’s stretch on the River Great Ouse at Paxton with great results. Whilst field testing a new boilie he caught a lovely looking season’s personal best barbel of 12lb 6oz.  Match Secretary, Alan Andrews(tel.01462 817228) informs that the next match will be on the River Flit at the Horsebridge on 30^th September

Lez Reed

Broom Lake continues to provide members with terrific sport both for the carp and general angler. Richard Bell had another great afternoon with 8 carp topped out with a 21lb mirror for a bag of over 90lb. Venue regular, Stuart Beauchamp had his first twenty from the lake a 22lb mirror in a bag which included 3 other carp and a tench. Several other members have commented on the bags of silverfish they have taken from the water with rudd, roach and skimmers featuring plus the occasional tench. At the Airman Pit there have been several catfish over 20lb taken with the best a superb 29lb. Mr Witherick took one of 28lb and young Dean Johnson and Jacob Smith had fish of 22lb. Carp have also been feeding with one member taking five in a session which also included a lovely 9lb11oz bream and a 12lb catfish. Member, Steve Long reports that the River Great Ouse behind the lake at Willington is fishing well having taken a good mix bag of roach, bream and chub. He also lost a double figure carp in an interesting evening spell.

Jacob Smith

Caught at Broom Lake 26th August 2007 by Paul Newell weight unknown.

Broom Lake has come alive after a few quiet weeks with several carp over 20lb being landed in addition to many mid-doubles. Committee member Richard Bell had his first twenty from the lake with a common of 20lb 12oz in a bag which also included other carp to 14lb 8oz and tench to 4lb. Members Carl Creichton and Murray Brookes also reported good bags of carp with commons to 16lb and bream to 6lb. At the Airman Pit several high double catfish have been reported and Mr Dorcan had a 20lb mirror carp from the ‘Hawthorns’ swim. There have been plenty of silverfish feeding but most have been on the small side. At Stanford Pit one or two members are reporting catching carp in the 2 -3 lb size along with plenty of roach, rudd and crucians. The match group were out at Willington Lake and yet again Neil Bygraves took the honours with 13lb 12oz of roach and rudd. Alan Andrews pushed him hard with 12lb 11oz followed by Chris Mayes with 5lb 3oz.

After several weeks of producing good catfish to over 40lb the Airman Pit seems to have gone off the ‘boil’.  In the last week very few have been landed and even the carp have become finicky with only a few fish topping 20lb being caught. Richard Bell on his first visit of the season took a 20lb 12oz mirror but this proved to be his only fish in the session. Quality roach have been seen in abundance around the lake with the result that the pole and waggler anglers have been catching good bags of the redfins. Over at Willington Lake, ‘Starburst’ has made yet another appearance being caught for the second time by Chris Tysoe at 45lb 14oz using floater tactics. At Broom Lake the water levels are down but although the carp are still not responding the silverfish including tench to 5lb are being caught from swims all around the venue. On the River Flit downstream of the Horsebridge members are reporting that the roach and dace continue to feed with several netters included in their bags taken using pole or stickfloat tactics. On Stanford Canal the few members venturing on to this venue report being plague by small fish with very few decent fish being landed. The club will be holding their next match this Sunday on 19^th August at Willington Lake with the draw at 7-00am. Details are available from Alan Andrews on 01462 817228

Andy Long with 8lb pike caught on Broom River in the last week

With all the changeable weather of the last week members are finding most waters quite difficult. At Broom Lake the club are working hard to keep the track around the lake open to cars and small vans so that members can have their vehicles parked close to where they are fishing. The sport on this venue has been slow with very few carp over 20lb being taken. However, Tony Maynard, from Harrow in North London had a short late afternoon session on his favourite venue and took common carp of 22lb 4oz and 16lb along with bream to 6lb. Pole anglers are still reporting lots of silverfish from swims all around the lake. On Stanford Canal, Steve Long reports good sport with roach and small chub but was pestered with crayfish. On the River Flit both in the town section and downstream at the Horsebridge members are reporting reasonable bags of roach using pole or stickfloat tactics. This Sunday sees the next club match will be held at Broom Lake with the draw at 7-00am. Everyone is welcome with details obtainable from Alan on 01462 817228. Alan is running these matches with the emphasis on having a bit of fun and a good days fishing with the chance of winning a trophy or two. It doesn’t cost anything with the pools being optional. Members should note that the venue will be closed for the duration of the match.

Catches from our waters have been overshadowed by the break-in at our industrial storage unit and the removal of all the club’s power tools. However fishing goes on and although the weather remains changeable silverfish have been feeding on most of the venues. On the Stanford Canal one member took over 70 dace in a short session and on the River Flit at the Horsebridge Chris Mayes took a reasonable catch of roach and chub. However on another evening he had to work hard for bites. Further upstream at the ‘Forks’ in the town length Lee Williams took a good mix bag of fish including bream to 3lb 8oz. Several new swims have been created on the venue around the ‘triangle’ and downstream of the Horsebridge. On the River Great Ouse at Paxton bags of bream to 6lb have been the feature this week and club chairman, Pete Allen took a really good bag of roach from the venue. On Willington Lake it is tench that are predominating with one member taking 6 fish to over 8lb. The next club match will be held on 29^th July at Broom Lake with the draw at 7-00am. Everyone is welcome with details obtainable from Alan on 01462 817228. Members should note that the venue will be closed for the duration of the match.

Lee Williams

Mick Brown from the Isle of Man broke the lake catfish record with a fantastic specimen of 41lb 4oz

Reported 2 week ago

Ethan

Alan Andrews

Shannon

Although the weather has been a right mix and put off a number of from venturing out on to the waters there have been two exceptional catches from the club’s lakes. At the Airman Pit, long stay angler, Mick Brown from the Isle of Man broke the lake catfish record with a fantastic specimen of 41lb 4oz. There have been several thirties recorded this year but this is the first fish over 40lb ever to be landed from the venue. At Willington Lake it has been ‘starburst’ that yet again has put in appearance. This time the mirror carp came out to Chris Tysoe at 46lb 4oz. Chris had a cracking day taking two other carp for a total of over 100lb for the three fish. Other anglers tackling the lake for tench are reporting multifish catches of 4 or 5 fish to around the 5lb mark. The carp at Broom seem to be getting over their spawning activities with several big doubles being landed along with plenty of tench and bream to 6lb. There are no reports this week from members tackling the river venues.

The first match for members was held at the Airman Pit. Although the turnout was low the roach in the venue turned up in good numbers for Neil Bygrave who took the honours with 13lb 2oz of the redfins. Chris Mayes took the runner-up spot with another all roach catch of 6lb 1oz. The July match will be fished on 29^th July at Broom Lake. During the last week, club secretary, Lez Reed was also on the Airman venue and had an excellent mix bag of fish comprising 6 carp to 17lb 5oz, 2 bream of 5lb 2oz and 6lb 10oz and a tench of 5lb. He then turned his attention to the club’s stretch on the River Great Ouse at Paxton only to find it virtually unfishable. However in a short session he had chub to 4lb but commented on the number of lost fish because of the conditions. On the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake members who can find a clear spot in the weed have been taking roach and perch both on the float and tip. On the River Flit, Bob Izzard continues to have good sport on the narrow venue. This time he has taken bream to 3lb along with chub, roach and dace. On Broom Lake the carp are starting to feed again with several anglers reporting multifish bags using floating baits. The venue continues to yield lots of silver fish and tench to 6lb with the low numbered pegs on the farmer’s field side of the lake giving best sport for the roach and skimmers. With water levels being maintained at Stanford Pit sport is good for rudd, roach and crucians but the tench are very scarce.

The match secretary would like to express his thanks to Walker's Pitch and Thompson Tackle as they have both agreed to sponsor the matches throughout the season.

Even though the river season began last weekend the unfriendly weather deterred many members from venturing out onto the club’s river venues.  Bob Izzard had a short session on the River Flit at the Horsebridge and caught chub to 3 lb. He commented that he was surprised not to be troubled by crayfish. Continued trapping of the pests in this area may at last be having some effect. Other members on the venue have been taking roach and dace which look as if they are increasing in number once again.   At the Airman Pit there are reports of a 37lb catfish being caught along with a number of carp in the low twenties. Young Robbie Braham took a splendid looking 21lb 5oz mirror from the lake. Head Bailiff, Chris Mayes on duty at the venue reported seeing large shoals of big roach in pegs at the Shefford end of the lake. Unfortunately down at Broom Lake the track has had to be closed to traffic because of the heavy rain of recent days.  However the wet weather has certainly not put off the silver fish from feeding with several members reporting good bags of roach and skimmers on the pole or waggler. The carp in the lake although present on the surface in very large numbers seem to be off the feed at the moment with very few fish catches reported this week. The club’s first match of the new season will be at the Airman Pit this Sunday 24^th June with the draw at 7-00am. All members are welcome and those interested should contact Match Secretary, Alan Andrews(tel.01462 817228).

Found a pair of spectacles on one of the Ivel pegs 50 yards upstream of the sluice gate at Jordans Mill yesterday morning 17/06/07. They probably belong to one of your members – if so please call me to arrange return. 07974 897144

Robbie Braham

Carp anglers have struggled on Broom Lake venue with very few fish reported during the last week. Yet again the lake has been partially covered with the seed from willow trees which interferes with the presentation of baits and also clogs up the rod rings. However, lake bailiff, Vic Jackson has had a good mixed bag of silver fish using pole tactics on the riverside. In his 16lb net he had roach, skimmers and tench as well as hooking and landing a 12lb pike. Over at Willington Lake, members seem publicity shy but it is confirmed that ‘starburst’ has been landed weighing 43lb and a tench of 10lb 2oz has been reported. The club’s first match of the new season will be at the Airman Pit on Sunday 24^th June with the draw at 7-00am. All members are welcome and those interested should contact Match Secretary, Alan Andrews(tel.01462 817228).

Patrick

Gareth Teakle