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With water temperatures falling rapidly as a result of the persistent cold weather fish on our waters have been very hard to come by.  The match group fished in atrocious conditions on the Stanford Canal and unsurprisingly several of the group blanked.  It was Alan Andrews who took the honours with a splendid last hour which resulted in a match winning 26 gudgeon adding to his few bits caught earlier in the match. His winning weight was a well earned 1lb 6oz with Nigel Gilbert in runner-up spot with 14oz.  Tomorrow, Saturday sees the combined IPA ‘Teams of Six’ and Christmas Matches on the club’s River Ivel venue at the back of Broom Lake. Any Shefford members interested in fishing this match should contact Neil Bygrave on 7980 533860.   The venue has been fishing hard but regulars are landing a few perch of just over 2lb.  Club Secretary, Chris Mayes fishing a short afternoon session managed a few chublets and a perch of 2lb 7oz on worm.  One or two jack pike have been caught at the Airman Pit but larger specimens are still proving very elusive.

Once again with the northerly winds there have been very few members venturing on to the banks. On the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake the crayfish are just about everywhere but in amongst them are some very good perch to be found.  Current club perch trophy holder, David Hawkes started his winter campaign with two stripeys of 2lb 6oz and 2lb 12oz but lost a much bigger fish at the net which David estimated to be close to 4lb.  Colin Smith was also on the venue and had a couple of fish with the best going 2lb 9oz.  There have been a number of members trying for pike on several of the clubwaters but to date there haven’t been reports of good fish. This Sunday the match group will out on Stanford Canal with the draw in the Stanford carpark at 7-30am. All members will be made welcome.  Last weekend the club introduced several English carp around the 10lb mark to Willington Lake.  This is an initiative to safeguard the future angling potential of the venue.

Carp introduced to Willington

Our waters have been relatively quiet this last week with few members reporting anything of note.  Club Secretary, Chris Mays fished Stanford Canal and took several small chub with a bonus 2lb 7oz perch making the session really worthwhile. On the River Great Ouse at Willington a few members have been fishing the side stream and taking a few chub, roach and lots of bleak. On the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake a few anglers have been targeting the pike on the venue but so far only jacks to around 6lb have been reported by those fishing lures. At the Airman Pit there are still plenty of roach to 1lb 8oz being caught in the deeper water using quivertip or sliderfloat tactics.  Tomorrow, Saturday there will be a work party on the Stanford Canal starting at 8-00am. The venue will be closed but those attending will be allowed to fish when the work is complete.

Member Michael Burr started his campaign for big perch on the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake and downstream towards Jordan’s Mill. He fished a two hour evening session and was rewarded with a 3lb 6oz specimen stripey. He has been fishless on his last two outings prompting Michael to comment that last season his first fish was his best for the season. He is hoping that it is not the case this season. At the Airman Pit, venue regular Alan Woods put in a session and caught four carp with mirrors of 16lb, 19lb 12oz, and 21lb 5oz and also a cracking common of 23lb 4oz. Members continue to report double figure nets of roach to 1lb 8oz particularly from the main body of the lake whilst anglers targeting the redfins in the shallower pegs have been blanking. Member Richard Knight put in a pike session on Willington Lake and took a 16lb fish on his first cast, his only run of the day.  The next match fixture will be on the Stanford Canal on 30^th November. Everyone welcome with details in the clubcard.

The persistent frosts followed by the heavy downpours put paid to any decent catches from most of our waters.  However at the Airman Pit there have been one or two brilliant catches of roach. Club chairman, Pete Allen located the feeding redfins and took fish to 1lb 8oz in a bag estimated to be over 30lb. Having been fishless for quite a while Pete switched to red maggot and started taking quality fish almost immediately.  Over at Willington there have been a few members trying to tempt the pike in the lake but so far only small fish have been reported. There will be a work party at Lamas Meadow this Sunday 9^th November starting at 8-00am

With reports that Broom Lake venue was not fishing well for sometime Head Bailiff, Richard Bell, after a 10month lay from actual fishing decided to take up the challenge with an afternoon to darkness session on the water.  When he arrived he had the lake to himself and with a south westerly wind blowing he was very optimistic.  It wasn’t long before he had his first run from a small common carp but then took a 19lb 6oz mirror and several other doubles before packing up.  He used very little feed saying that in his opinion too many people spod large amounts of feed when for short sessions it is not needed and actually puts the fish off for a time.  He returned two days later and using the same tactics took several double figure fish. There are a few members having a go for the perch on the River Ivel at the back of the lake but apart from one or two chub nothing of note has been reported. In the match on the River Great Ouse at Lamas Meadow members found the river gin clear and as a result it was a real struggle to get a bite.  Match Secretary, Alan Andrews was fishless until 3 minutes to go when he took a match winning perch of 13oz 4dr. Neil Bygrave was runner-up with 11oz 8dr. This Sunday 2^nd November is the IPA ‘Teams of Six’ match to be fished on the River Ivel. Alan Andrews is appealing to Shefford members to contact him asap (tel. 01462 817228).should they wish to have a go.  There will be a work party at Lamas Meadow on Sunday 9^th November starting at 8-00am.  Former chairman Alan Thomas has just returned from a fishing holiday to the Frazer River just outside of Vancouver with news of terrific sport from sturgeon and salmon. The best sturgeon weighed in at 275lb with salmon going to about 20lb

Richard Knight with 40lb 2oz cat

There is very little to report from our waters.  With leaves falling and covering stillwater venues fishing has been difficult. However Alan Woods, a venue regular continues to land good bags of carp from the Airman Pit. In his latest session fishing one of the carpark swims he had 7 carp to just over 20lb and a couple of tench.  At Willington Lake members are reporting catches of some of the smaller common carp that have put in appearances this season.  The next club match will be on the River Great Ouse at Lamas Meadow on Sunday 26^th October. All are welcome.  Several new swims have been cut along the length so hopefully the bream will show up in abundance.  The club are holding a General Members meeting in the Memorial Hall on Tuesday 28^th October starting at 8-00pm

Member Kev Wilson on his third visit to the club’s Willington Lake was delighted when the large mirror carp ‘Starburst’ picked up his bait and gave a tremendous account of itself before being netted at a weight of 40lb 4oz which is slightly down on its’ weight in the summer.  Following the productive session Kev had to leave the venue but informed his fishing mate, Ben Timbrell of the capture and the area of the lake where he located the fish.  Ben arrived at the water, settled in to the same spot as Kev and low and behold he had Starburst out again within a couple of days of his mate.  Over at the Airman Pit carp are still feeding throughout the day and night with Craig Leitch reporting several carp to 18lb caught during daytime sessions.  The weedcutting on the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake is now complete but a good flush through is needed to clear much of the debris.  Catches of silverfish on the River Flit in the town are not as prominent with a very cold Sunday night putting paid to sport early in the week. Nevertheless one or two members are still reporting some good size dace.  The club are holding a General Members meeting in the Memorial Hall on Tuesday 28^th October starting at 8-00pm.

Edward Allen’s 18lb 4oz carp          Robin Garford’s 24lb cat

Michael Burr 45lb cat

Michael Burr 23lb 2oz mirror

Alan Woods 25lb 2oz.mirror

The Airman Pit has once again been the pick of our waters with numerous carp over 20lb being taken although the catfish have been strangely quiet. Alan Woods had several good carp with the best a 25lb 6oz mirror while Jacob Smith landed a 20lb 2oz mirror and a 15lb common. Members fishing the lake for the quality roach have commented that following weeks of tremendous sport with bags of over 25lb few have put in appearance during the last week.  Broom Lake now seems to be settling down with reports from members of a 19lb 2oz common carp amongst catches of numerous mid double fish.  At Willington Lake where the weed growth is not as prolific this year there are reports of members taking tench to over 7lb. On the rivers the Ivel at Broom is yielding loads of silverfish. This is the venue for the next match on Sunday 28^th September with more details available from Alan Andrew on 01462 817228.  Members should note that there will be a working party at Broom Lake tomorrow 20^th September.  As a result the venue will be closed all day. Shefford member Andy Knight returned from a terrific fishing holiday in France recording a personal best carp of 50lb 8oz along with two others over 30lb.

Jacob Smith

Andy Knight

The atrocious weather conditions of the last week put off many members with few seen on the banks of both river and lake venues. At the Airman Pit Paul Allum spent the whole weekend on the water for a small catfish and two tench. However, Tommy Williams had one screaming run which resulted in him netting a 20lb catfish.  Down at Broom the lake has now returned to reasonable levels and although still fishing hard one or two regulars who tend to fish short evening sessions report catching carp to 22lb. The local River Flit in the town has been chocolate brown for days but fined sufficiently for Colin Smith to run a stickfloat through his swim to take roach, dace, perch and rudd at a fish a ‘chuck’.

Tommy Williams

There was another good attendance at the latest match at Broom Lake. However with water levels on the lake unusually high the lake did not fish very well. There were lots of small silverfish for everyone but to make the frame a carp or a tench or a bream was necessary.  Nigel Gilbert took the honours with 17lb 14oz 8dr which included a carp of 15lb 5oz taken on the surface. In second spot was Ron Stapleton with two big bream and a tench for 15lb 5oz. Match Secretary, Alan Andrews was third with 12lb 2oz 8dr consisting of bits, a carp and a bream.  With the closure of the sluice gate to the river the level of the lake should now begin to settle down to normal levels.  The Airman Pit continues to produce good sport for members with lots of carp coming out mainly to big doubles. However one or two twenties have been landed with probably the best a 23lb mirror caught by Terry Shipton. Catfish have become rather finicky but Peter Zani landed one of 25lb during a night session. On the River Ivel behind Broom Lake members are reporting reasonable bags of roach with plenty of fish to 8oz. Edd Smith continuing his experiments with homemade lures on the waters around Shefford has had a lovely perch of 2lb 7oz from the River Flit at the Horsebridge.

The reports from members this week are confined to the Airman Pit which has produced several carp in the twenties for day anglers whereas the catfish have tended to become elusive. Catches of carp are typified by Terry Shipton’s 23lb mirror carp. After a productive night session last week which resulted in his 24lb catfish Paul Allum and his young son Rhys were hopeful of some good sport this week. However Paul had to admit to blanking but Rhys caught his second ever cat a ‘kitten’ of 4lb 3oz. Following the work party at Broom Lake last weekend the track around the venue was opened to vehicles.  Notification of the state of the track can always be found on the our website. This Sunday the match group are on the lake. Match secretary, Alan Andrews (tel.01462 817228) emphasises that this is for everyone. If you are just a pleasure angler you are welcome to fish the match and who knows you could end up with one of the many trophies to be won this season.

Paul Allum

James Longhurst

Mick Burr

It is once again the Airman Pit that has produced the fish of the week for our members. Alan Burt caught a personal best catfish of 30lb and other members have been landing numerous carp to around 17lb. However Ron Stapleton did better in landing commons of 19lb and 23lb during a night session on the venue. Anglers trying to get amongst the quality roach on the lake have found the going tough with only few ‘redfins’ being caught.   At Broom Lake there is no change with the carp still proving very hard but lots of fish showing on the surface particularly in the evenings. One or two members tackling other species on the lake have reported plenty of bites with perch and rudd predominating.  On the River Great Ouse at Little Paxton members have been pestered with eels with in addition a few small barbel.  Club match secretary, Alan Andrews(tel. 01462 817228) has been delighted with the turn out so far this season and gives an invitation to all members to fish the next match at Broom Lake on Sunday 31^st August.

Plenty of carp are showing on Broom Lake but unfortunately they are still proving finicky when it comes to picking up members’ baits. However one or two anglers are reporting good fish with David Hawkes’ common of 20lb 5oz, his first twenty from the venue being a typical example. There have also been some reasonable catches of roach and rudd taken on hemp and tares from the far end of the lake. Probably the fish of the week amongst the Shefford members was Sam Toro’s catch from Willington Lake of the ‘orange’ weighing in at 29lb 12oz. At the Airman Pit it has been a quieter week but some regulars have continued to land good fish. Andy Knight has featured again with 7 double figure carp and 2 good catfish of 25lb 0oz and 19lb 2oz.  The only report of river activity is from Edd Smith who fishing small lures on the Horsbridge has taken chub to 3lb 5oz and perch to 2lb 1oz mainly from the spill pool. The match group will be out again on 31^st August with the venue Broom Lake. For details please contact Alan Andrews (tel. 01462 817228)

David Hawkes’ common of 20lb 5oz

It has been another terrific week on the Airman Pit with another lake record catfish. Member, Ben Toyer, fishing a single overnight session took five of the lakes ‘cats’ with the best an excellent specimen of 45lb 2oz taken on his own L&T baits. It was a good week for Ben because he also bagged ten double figure carp from the improving Broom Lake. Following the excellent results in last week’s match at the Airman, members have been having a go for the roach which have been prolific feeders of late. However although several anglers were rewarded with good bags many found the ‘redfins’ finicky probably as result of the hot weather conditions. As a thank you to the volunteers who turned out on work parties during the last few months they were given the opportunity to night-fish Broom over one night. Several bream to 5lb 7oz, tench and carp were caught with the best fish a common carp of 21lb 5oz taken by Andy Knight.  Andy has also visited the Airman Pit to take a few carp and a catfish of 19lb 2oz.  The match group will be out again on 31^st August with the venue Broom Lake.

Ben Toyer with 45lb 2oz cat

Andy Knight’s 21lb 5oz common carp

After several weeks of virtual inactivity the warmer weather and higher water level seems to have brought the carp on the feed at Broom Lake. Gavin Croot in a short afternoon session took a lovely common of 20lb 2oz and several mid doubles have been caught typified by Pete Riley’s 15lb 4oz mirror. Both these fish came from the river side of the venue but members are also reporting other catches from the farmers field side of the lake. At the Airman Pit the excellent sport experienced by members continues. Alan Woods had several carp to 22lb as well as a bream of over 8lb. Cats are also feeding at night with a 27lb 12oz fish landed by Robin Snell and Craig Lancaster also had a couple along with bream and tench to over 7lb. More members are visiting the venue for the excellent roach fishing with many double figure bags reported from swims all around the lake. Last Sunday’s match on the venue attracted the best turn out for several years and the group were not disappointed with four bags of roach over 10lb being caught. Tim Ridge fishing his first match in the club for a couple of years was late for the draw but still managed to take 16lb 5oz of redfins from his peg fishing the pole. Alan Andrews with 12lb 8oz was second closely followed by John Wigg with 12lb 2oz and Ron Stapleton fourth with 10lb 4oz. Both Alan and Ron said that they lost big fish during the match and were disappointed not to have recorded a larger weight. The next match will be at Broom Lake on 31^st August.

Gavin Croot’s 20lb 2oz common

The quality of roach fishing at the Airman Pit has prompted more members to have a go for the redfins. On several days there have been more members tackling silverfish than carp. The roach are coming out from swims all around the lake in numbers to the pound mark with bonus tench and bream putting in an appearance in increasing numbers. Members are using pole, waggler or swimfeeder tactics to catch the lovely looking fish. It will be interesting on Sunday because the match group are on the venue and the expectations are high. If you are a member and fancy a go why not turn up for the draw at 7-00am and have enjoyable days fishing with the possibility of walking away with a prize. For more details contact match secretary, Alan Andrews on 01462 817228. Carp fishing on the venue has also been excellent with several 20lb+ fish being caught. Alan Woods spent his 30^th birthday on the lake and landed five mirrors with the best going 23lb 8oz. He also had eight tench and a bream in a superb session. At Broom Lake there is still only one or two carp being caught but members are reporting nets of skimmers, roach and rudd using pole or swimfeeder tactics.

Alan Woods

Dave Culley with 24lb 1oz cat

It's Andy Knight again, after several weeks of catches at the Airman Pit, Andy has now turned his attention to the river and in particular the IPA controlled stretch of the River Ivel on Biggleswade Common. Hi initially spotted around a 35 chub in a swim and only managed a couple to 2lb. He then moved downstream and caught one or two bigger fish and a barbel of around 2lb before returning to the first swim. He then proceeded to land over 170lb of chub which included 7 fish over 2lb, 18 fish over 3lb, 17 over 4lb, 6 over 5lb and the best a super fish of 6lb 6oz. A few days later Andy returned to the prolific swim and this time found it harder but still managed 75lb of fish with the biggest at 4lb 8oz. His fishing mate James Lucas wasn’t as fortunate but still managed some nice roach and a personal best chub of 4lb 3oz. Neil Bygrave has also been on the Common and taken chub to 5lb 10oz on the pole. James Lucas also had a session on the club’s water on the River Great Ouse at Paxton and took a mix bag of fish including chub to 3lb 5oz and several perch to 1lb. Upstream of the pool at Paxton fishing on Lamas Meadow Neil Bygrave fishing for bream found it hard but still managed 3 fish with the best just over 4lb. Following his sessions on the River Ivel Andy Knight returned to the Airman Pit for the weekend and proceeded to land a personal best catfish of 27lb 14oz. Andy, a club bailiff on the water reports that other members had several cats to 15lb and carp to around 19lb were also landed.  The club’s match group fished their initial match of the season at Willington Lake and the good turn-out had to endure strong winds making bait presentation and bite detection difficult. However Pete Hennigan, on his return to the club won the day with 12lb 8oz which included a 5lb 13oz tench and a 6lb 8oz bream. In second place was Chris Mayes with 6lb 3oz and Alan Andrews came in third with 5lb 14oz 8dr

Andy Knight 6lb 6oz Chub

Andy Knight 27lb 14oz Cat

Possibly the most consistent angler this season on the Airman Pit is Andy Knight who once again on a multinight session has taken a terrific bag of fish including carp of 21lb 8oz, 21lb 1oz, 20lb 3oz, 20lb1oz and a middle double fish. In addition he caught his first catfish from the venue weighing in at 13lb 4oz plus a bream of 5lb 4oz. Whilst on the lake bailiff, Andy also reports Steve Savoury fishing the pole netting 4 tench to around 3lb, and over 20lb of roach for a total bag of around 40lb of fish. Other members are also getting in amongst the redfins with plenty of fish in 12oz to 1lb stamp. The catfish on the lake have also been giving terrific sport when 3 fish came out on the same night weighing in at 35lb, 15lb and 14lb. Over at Willington Lake it is the turn of the tench with plenty of fish to over 7lb topped by 2 fish over 9lb being reported with the best a 9lb 8oz specimen from a member not wanting publicity. The only report from the first week on the rivers was from the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake where Alf Dickinson caught plenty of small roach and chublets. However all attempts to present a static bait were thwarted by the dreaded crayfish. Match Secretary, Alan Andrews (tel. 01462 817228) reports considerable interest in the match group which will be fishing their first fixture this Sunday 29^th June at Willington Lake when the draw will be at 7-00am with fishing from 8-00am – 3-00pm

Andy Knight with 13lb 4oz

Andy Knight with 21lb 1oz

Andy Knight with 21lb 8oz

The catfish at the Airman Pit continue to afford great sport to members putting in the time on the venue. With several forties already reported in the last few weeks it is no surprise to find anglers reporting other excellent specimens. Matt Smith fishing a night session landed a 19lb 8oz fish at around eight in the evening and then went one better at just after midnight with a 30lb specimen. Silverfish are also giving the general angler great sport with roach to 1lb featuring in double figure bags typified by member Neil Bygrave who in just a couple of hours fishing had nearly 12lb of the redfins. Head bailiff, Richard Bell reports that down at Broom Lake he saw in excess of a hundred carp cruising around together seemingly getting ready to spawn. However some carp are still taking anglers baits with Ray Wyka landing 7 fish in a session made up mainly of double figure fish. The venue continues to produce some excellent tench fishing with another 8lb fish caught by Mr Keefe. A couple of weeks ago we reported a personal best tench from Broom of 7lb 14oz for Pete Riley when in fact the witnessed capture was 8lb 14oz. Saturday there will be a working party at Willington Lake starting at 8-00am. This means that the fishery will be closed and only those attending the work party will be allowed to fish when work is complete.  The match group start there outings on Sunday 29^th June with the first fixture of the new season at Willington Lake when the draw will be at 7-00am. All members are welcome and further details can be obtained from match secretary, Alan Andrews (Tel. 01462 817228)

Matt Smith 30lb

19lb 8oz

Without question the highlight of specimens from our waters during the last week has been Martin Burton’s capture of the elusive common carp from Willington Lake. Martin had put in many hours on the lake in his campaign to catch the excellent fish which weighed in at 38lb 4oz. It has not only been the carp that have been made the headlines because Alan Andrews had a super tench of 8lb 2oz and his young son Ethan had a fantastic bream of 11lb 3oz  whilst fishing a night session on the venue. Neil Bygrave also reports good nets of rudd fishing waggler tactics.  Over at the Airman Pit catfish are still coming out to mid doubles. However, plenty of carp are being caught. Venue regulars Andy Knight and his son, Joseph, had ten carp in a session. Andy’s best were mirrors of 18lb 2oz and 18lb 3oz but Joseph put one over on his dad with a personal best fish of 19lb 3oz. Joseph does admit that he needed a little help from dad to land the mirror. There haven’t been many reports from Broom Lake but lots of double figure carp have being mentioned by members who had multifish bags predominantly taken on surface baits. The Fishery Officer still needs to complete some maintenance work at Willington Lake and so there will be a working party on Saturday 14^th June starting at 8-00am. This means that the fishery will be closed and only those attending the work party will be allowed to fish when work is complete.

Alan Andrews and son Ethan

Martin Burton

Joseph Knight

Andy Knight

Peter Lewis

Chris Tysoe

Steve Betchley

Vince Whitaker

James Longhurst

Carp dominate catches from our lakes, but with bream, tench and catfish also now showing in greater numbers. The Airman Pit produced a specimen 9lb 2oz bream and 20lb 5oz mirror carp for Lez Reed during a midweek session.  On Friday fish were mainly caught during daylight hours; the pick being a 26lb mirror carp for James Longhurst, three double figure carp topped by a 19lb 12oz common for Jae Dorken and an 18lb 8oz catfish for Craig Lancaster.  Members are now reporting multiple bags of carp from Broom Lake, and Dawn Hatchelt added to her recent run of upper double figure carp with another specimen of 18lb 10oz.  Following the recent work party, the track around Broom Lake is now open for cars and small vans allowing members to park close to their swims.  Several members of the work party stayed on to fish during the afternoon taking several double figure carp to 15lb 10oz on surface baits; however, Dawn Hatchelt put her faith in a bait fished on the bottom and was again rewarded with a magnificent 19lb 2oz common carp.  The Airman Pit will be closed Saturday, 10^th May for a working party and anglers fishing overnight must vacate their swims by 8-00am.  Members attending the working party will be allowed to fish the venue after work is complete.  New club cards are now available, with no increase in the standard membership, and they are valid from date of purchase until 15^th June 2009.  Please note that from midnight on 15^th June 2008, members wishing to night fish at the Airman Pit or Willington Lake will also require an additional Night Permit.

Lez Reed

Dawn Hatchelt

Although sport has been relatively quiet on all our stillwaters there have been several excellent catches reported from the venues during the past week. On Broom Lake the carp are still not up to their usual feeding patterns but Dawn Hatchelt fishing an evening session took a 17lb 8oz mirror and then within the following 30 minutes took an 18lb common. Other members have also reported taking a few high doubles using surface baits. Silverfish are also responding with the odd bonus tench testing the tackle of the pole and waggler angler. At the Airman Pit there are no reports of carp catches but the roach have been showing in large numbers and to a good size. Mr Allen fishing the swingtip lost count at 35 with all the fish in the 8oz to 1lb bracket. Up at Willington Lake the carp anglers are not giving anything away except that bream and tench to 8lb are picking their baits intended for their larger cousins. The weekly working parties continue with Broom Lake being the venue this Sunday, 4^th May starting at 8-00am. Although existing clubcards will run until 15^th June the new ones are now available at the local tackle shops or from the registrar with no increase in the standard membership. The cards are usable immediately on purchase.

The Airman Pit again is the pick of our stillwater venues with excellent all round fishing during the last week. David Crick has taken carp of 23lb and 18lb whilst Andy Knight continued his catches with several more fish from the lake including five commons of 19lb 2oz, 18lb 1oz, 15lb, 11lb 13oz and 9lb plus mirrors of 17lb 6oz and 9lb 6oz. Another member also took a fully scaled mirror of 21lb. In addition to the carp catches members are reporting excellent sport with roach using either waggler or slider-float tactics. A number of bags of over 10lb have been taken from pegs adjacent to the carpark as well as on the railway embankment side. Saturday 26^th April starting at 8-00am there will be another working party at the lake when work will continue on rebuilding swims on the railway embankment side of the venue. The water will be closed but those attending the working party will be able to fish when work is complete. During the coming week the new clubcard will become available at local tackle shops and will be usable immediately on purchase

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The cold nights and early morning frosts put paid to any carp catches on Broom Lake. In fact there have been very few members on the water and those who have put in time on the venue report very few carp showing. Members after silverfish have been getting amongst the roach and perch particularly from the carpark end of the lake.  The much deeper Airman Pit has continued to provide good sport with several carp over 20lb being caught and the odd catfish putting in an appearance. Andy Knight had several carp to mid- doubles but probably the best fish of the week was a 23lb 13oz common landed by Rod Wyles. Dave Culley was amongst the catfish with a best fish of over 20lb. Members should note that the working party planned for Sunday has been cancelled but there will be another at the Airman Pit on Saturday 26^th April  starting at 8-00am when work will continue on rebuilding swims on the railway embankment side of the venue.

Rod Wyles

Joseph Knight

Steve Braham

With the water temperatures on the increase the catfish in the Airman Pit have started to feed. Julien Stepien and his 13 year old son, Mitchell had a superb night’s fishing with Mitchell taking an excellent personal best catfish of 33lb and another of 16lb 4oz. Not to be left out of the action his dad went on to land his first 20lb carp with a mirror of 20lb 4oz followed by a common of 11lb 12oz. Other members have also reported good double figure carp. In contrast, down at Broom Lake the carp are starting to move about but very few fish of note have been caught. Also, at Willington Lake carp anglers are reporting plenty of bream and the occasional tench picking up the baits intended for the carp in the venue. This Sunday 6^th April the Airman Pit will again be closed for a working party. However those attending will be able to fish when work is completed.

Stepien with his 20lb 4oz

Mitchell with his 16lb 4 oz

Mitchell with his 33lb

The atrocious weather conditions would appear to have put most members off fishing with very few anglers reported to be on the lakes. However Steve Burbidge fishing a session at the Airman Pit after a session blanking at Broom Lake took a 22lb 1oz fish carp within minutes of starting. Steve also mentions that another member fishing on the lake had also taken two carp. A few hardy souls have also ventured out to Willington Lake but with rising river levels of the adjacent Great Ouse they have spent much of their time on floodwatch rather than catching fish with very little to report from the venue. Some news of catches during the last few days of the river season suggest that the River Ivel at Broom was coming into form just as the season ended. Neil Bygrave took a personal best perch of 3lb 0oz 12dr and his father Brian took an excellent specimen of 3lb 12oz a few days earlier.

Steve Burbridge

The Airman Pit continues to reward members who have been putting in time on the water. Even with overnight subzero temperatures carp have been taken on the water with David Crick having the best fish of the week with two twenties including a 23lb mirror. Roach also continue to feed in the carpark pegs with good bags from peg 2. It has been hard on the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake with many anglers reporting difficulty even getting a bite. Neil Bygrave stuck it out and was rewarded with a chub of 4lb 4oz and a perch over the pound mark. Colin Smith continued his run of perch over two pound with one on 2lb 4oz in a bag which also included chub to 3lb. On the River Flit downstream of the forks in the town section John Leath took a 6lb bag of roach with fish to 12oz and Vic Jackson fishing an adjacent swim took a similar bag but smaller fish. Further downstream below the Horsebridge club Fishery Officer, Nigel Gilbert was taking a fish a chuck on the stickfloat after a biteless session on the Back Meadows. The closing match of the season this Sunday 9^th March will be on the River Ivel with the draw in Broom Lake carpark at 7-30am. Details from Alan Andrews on 01462 817228

The recent mild weather has certainly helped keep the carp on the feed at the Airman Pit with Steve Braham landing a 20lb 5oz carp plus several doubles just a few weeks after landing his first twenty from the venue. This was an excellent 25lb 6oz fish. The roach are also continuing to feed in abundance with the best bag of the week being 18lb of the redfins reported by Vic Jackson from one of the carpark pegs. On the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake it is the pike and not the usual perch that are putting in an appearance with again several doubles reported. Venue regular Darren Brown continued his run of double figure fish with one of 14lb 1oz and Mr Everett also had one of around 14lb. The matchgroup made a return to Biggleswade Common for their club match with Neil Bygrave taking the honours after drawing the same peg from which he won the recent IPA Pairs match. He again took chub steadily throughout the day to win with 8 fish for 24lb 10oz. Nigel Gilbert was second but could only muster 3lb 12oz from the Bell’s Brook peg. The closing match of the season will be on the River Ivel with the draw in Broom Lake carpark on Sunday 9^th March and not the 10^th as stated in the clubcard.

Steve Braham

Neil Bygrave

Anglers fishing the Airman Pit have found a number of species feeding during the spring like days. Even one or two carp have taken members baits with the best an excellent fish of 25lb which fell to Richard Knight. Pike have also been active with the best a 17lb 6oz fish taken on a deadbait by Gary Wilkins within an hour of starting to fish. The pike seem to be amongst the shoaling roach which are coming out in large numbers to around 8oz on both maggot feeder and float tactics. On the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake venue regular Peter Gill had an excellent perch of 3lb 2oz and club fishery officer, Nigel Gilbert took two of the stripeys weighing 2lb 6oz and 2lb 9oz when other anglers have struggled on the water during the last week. Vic Jackson couldn’t buy a bite so moved to the adjacent Stanford Canal and proceeded to land three chub to 3lb 8oz and two perch over 2lb. Again on the lower stretch of the canal member, Mr Pike fishing for his namesake had four fish with the best a 16lb 8oz specimen. Maintenance work will continue again this Sunday 17^th February at the Airman Pit when the venue will be closed from 8-00am. However everyone is welcome to help and those attending will be allowed to fish the venue when work is complete around lunchtime. The match group will be out again on Sunday 24^th February when the venue will be Biggleswade Common with the draw at 7-30am. Details from Alan Andrews on 01462 817228.

Peter Gill

With water levels back to normal for the time being river venues have started to produce some decent fish for members prepared to venture out in the widely varying weather conditions. In particular, pike anglers on the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake have landed a number of double figure fish. The best recorded was by Andrew Heyday who had fish of 16lb 8oz and 15lb 8oz and also Darren Brown who had a 16lb 5oz fish form the same venue. This stretch of river has also produced two carp up to 7lb and chub to 3lb for one member fishing a session on bread. The best perch recorded this week is an excellent fish of 3lb 2oz taken on an ondex spinner and several twos for members fishing worm. On the River Flit near the Horsbridge, Bob Izzard fished a short session catching chub to 3lb 6oz, roach to 1lb 4oz and several good dace.  Club match secretary, Alan Andrews in a pleasure fishing session on the IPA’s Biggleswade Common using the stickfloat tactics took six chub averaging 4lb with the best an excellent 6lb.  Maintenance work will continue tomorrow, Saturday 9^th February at the Airman Pit when the venue will be closed from 8-00am. However everyone is welcome to help and those attending will be allowed to fish the venue when work is complete around lunchtime.

Alan Andrews

Andrew Heyday’s 15lb 8oz pike

With the rivers over their banks it has once again been a very frustrating time for members wanting to get out again. However days before the River Great Ouse flooded, Alan Andrews, Vic Jackson and Nigel Gilbert bagged up on the bream that had been showing in large numbers on the Lamas Meadow fishery at Little Paxton. Alan had a net full of slabs with Nigel taking the best fish, a 7lb 8oz specimen in another multifish bag. It is hoped to fish the next club match on this venue this Sunday 27^th January with the draw at 7-30am. Details from Alan Andrews on 01462 817228. On the lakes it is the Airman Pit that has been producing a few mid double carp for members Colin Wright and Craig Leach who have been catching two or three fish in short afternoon sessions.

With the rivers largely unfishable it only been the brave souls that have ventured out onto the waters. Before the inclement weather set in David Hawkes fished the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake only to be troubled for most of the day by crayfish. It does appear that this year is worse than ever for the creatures. However David reported that another member fishing at the same time claimed to have caught two low double carp on bread intended for chub.  Nigel Gilbert, club Fishery Officer would like to thank all those attending the work party on Broom Lake last weekend. Another one on the same venue is planned for tomorrow(Saturday) starting at 8-00am. The venue will be closed but those members attending the work party, should they wish, will be able to fish after the work is complete. The next club match on 27^th January will be on the River Great Ouse at Lamas Meadow, Paxton and not at the Airman Pit as stated in the clubcard.

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