Hi every one and apologies for not updating the web site sooner with news of the massive undertaking of engineering works I’ve had carried out at “THE MEAD” the new name for the main lake. Well here’s the update and I hope you’re all as excited as me with the outcome.
“THE MEAD” has gone from a 3 acre bowl shaped clay pit with a ridiculous average depth of 23ft to a NOW, 3 acre gravel/clay pit with an average depth of 5-7ft with a very pleasing new shape without losing its charm. A few of the marginal bushes and some small trees fell into the lake when I drained down but these have been replaced with new young trees around the site which will mature and blend in perfectly. The mead has 5 purpose built swims, which protrude out into the lake, + the luxury cabin with its decking and its swim making 7 swims in total. Each angler will command a little under ½ an acre of water each to fish but the most important part of the engineering works have occurred beneath the water. I have had a central Island constructed which has already been grassed and planted with cherry trees and rhododendrons which will look stunning when in blossom. Beneath the water I have had installed around 8 substantial features comprising of gravel bars, humps and troughs. As you know underwater features make for fantastic fish holding and catching areas and as soon as half the carp were re-introduced into The Mead on the 16 November 2009 they were seen topping over the features within 2 days after some OM1’s and Trout pellets were introduced. Like people, I believe that carp enjoy congregating around features and objects which is why so many get caught around Islands and off or close to features. I have left one area in front of the luxury cabin completely untouched, it ranges from around 6-9ft in depth and has a huge blood worm bed with a huge bar going around it with a couple of light snags left in so this swim, for those who book the cabin, will become THE HOT SPOT on the lake.
“THE ENGLISH FISH” which will reside in The Mead are absolutely stunning old English carp and will consist of the following:
7 x 30lb+ Carp
70-85 x 20lb+ Carp
75-90 x 12lb -19lb carp
50 x 4-7lb carp (to grow on)
50 x 5lb-11lb+ Tench
32 x 9lb-25lb Pike
+ only a small amount of silver fish as I had over 1500lb of silvers removed along with all smaller Tench and Carp.
There should be around 220-240 original, stunning ENGLISH mirror and common carp introduced back into The Mead which for a 3 acre lake should make for some memorable fishing and if you do the math you should always be within reach of at least 1 x 30lb+ and 10-12 x 20lb+ carp in your swim, catching them however is a different matter, which brings me onto feeding and the ongoing feeding programme which I have, again, resumed from the 2007/2008 season.
OM1 boilies and High Protein/low oil Trout pellets are the order of the day and are now being fed into The Mead. I have moved away from the carp pellets this season with their low oil and low protein content due to the fact that the fish haven’t been fed any unnatural food sources for 8 months so now is the time to get them feeding and banging on the weight sensibly and healthily. My own recipe OM1’s (Olivemead one) are being fed in at the rate of around 20 kilos per week along with my trout pellets every day. Incidentally, anglers who purchased OM1’s from me have reported excellent catches and some new P.B’s from other waters as well as at The Mead so it just goes to show that a good quality food source bait works well anywhere! The carp are definitely on the munch as baited areas are being cleaned out when checked each time. The reason for the ongoing feeding programme is 2 fold, 1- the carp need to put a bit of weight back on and 2 – there isn’t hardly any natural food in the lake at the moment so I want to introduce anglers baits so that the carp will be used to eating my boilies and pellets with confidence and without fear of getting caught, well for a while anyway.
WATER QUALITY is a major factor at the moment, obviously, and I am constantly testing it to make sure everything is on the money and the carp are happy. Providing everything goes to schedule I am looking at RE-OPENING “THE MEAD” on the 16th JUNE 2010, and if this is the case what a year 2010 will be for The Mead, you will be, pretty much, fishing a totally new virgin water and for a massive head of carp which won’t have seen a hook bait or a rig for almost 2 years so if you haven’t yet caught a 20lber or a 30lber this year could be your chance.
INVESTMENT into “THE MEAD” as a “big” carp holiday venue has been substantial and scary but I wouldn’t have invested it all if I didn’t absolutely, whole heartedly and 110% believe that this venue will, within 3 years, become one of the country’s BEST English carp fishing holiday venues not only for the fishing but also for the environment, M4 aside, accommodation and hospitality and I predict that we will be seeing a new ENGLISH 40lb+ carp within 3 years if current growth rates are anything to go by. SEE YOU AT “THE MEAD” soon!
Scott
Catch Report - 2010
9th May - 12th May
Well this years fishing season has kicked off and what a start. Dale was back, can't get enough of the place, with John to accompany him and between them had a storming short session landing no fewer than 28 fish again with John landing one of the big commons and a new P.B to over 27lb. All the fish were in great condition with the majority of them being upper teens and 20's. Baits used were OM1's, Tutti Frutti's and Cell with plenty of pellet as loose feed.
15th May - 21st May
What a week for new comers to The Mead. John Meakins party, (John, John, John, Richie, Colin and Andy) and congratulations to you all on what can only be described as a "BLINDING SESSION" with well over 100 carp landed. All the boys beat their previous P.B's which is what fishing at The Mead is all about. The lads had around 20 different 20lb'ers with stacks of back up fish over 18 and 19lb. Under normal lake conditions the lads tally would have exceeded 50 different 20's but the bigger fish are a couple of pounds under weight due to being overstocked in our stock ponds while work was carried out. Nothing can be taken away from these lads though they came, they saw, they conquered and even DOUGIE the bull dog had a good time but JOHN you need to get him a girl friend before he falls in love with the carp (see photos). Baits used were OM1's and Cell along with OM1 TWISTED HEMP, PARTICLE AND METHOD MIX. Well done again lads and look forward to seeing you all again next May.
22nd May - 29th May
Well the big fish just keep coming and congratulations has to go Clive who has landed the first 30lb common of the year with the big girl going 30lb 3oz and looking stunning to boot. Not to be out done Doug had a new P.B of 17lb 8oz and Jamie had a new P.B Tench of 7lb and a new P.B carp of 19lb 12oz. Andy Taylor had a quick over nighter with Clive and landed 4 carp to over 18lb. All told the boys had 32 fish with only a handful under 15lb. The boys never fished for 2 days as the carp decided the time was right to spawn and spawn they did. The carp which were caught following spawning are looking a tad battered but full of fight. Baits used were OM1 boilies and the new OM1 boilies along with Cell and Assasin 8, OM1 TWISTED HEMP, PARICLE AND METHOD MIX. Well done boys and i look forward to seeing you all again next May.
29th May - 05th June
Another great week on The Mead with the kids from the FCA (Foster Care Association) doing the business with a little help from Brett and Austin. All told there were again over 40 carp caught going to over 20lb+. Every body caught a decent carp and every one went home happy. Baits used were the trusted OM1 BOILIES AND DYNAMITE BAITS PELLETS along with OM1 TWISTED METHOD MIX, PARTICLES AND HEMP. Well done kids you did everyone proud and showed us old timers how to catch carp. Can't wait to see you all again next May, Tight Lines.
05th June -12th June
Yet again Dale and Chris are doing the business on The Mead. Loads of fish caught to over 20lb+ and stacks of back up 18lb and 19lbers. Methods used were P.V.A. mesh socks filled with pellet and crushed boilie or method mix and particle fished over a bed of bait or on its own. Baits used were the trusted OM1's with our DYNAMITE PELLET and OM1 METHOD MIX and OM1 PARTICLES along with tutti fruitti boilies, cell boilies and matching pellets. The Mead is starting to get a little harder and the carp are beginning to wise up a little so more thought is needed when trying to out wit The Meads residents. Well done again boys see you in August.
12th June - 19th June
A little tougher this week for Larry Baum and friends. The carp proved harder to catch this week but still there were over 20 fish which managed to get caught. To be fair though the lake wasn't fished hard but still produced some stunning fish to over 20lb yet again. The lads had a good week though and all got a good bend in there rods. Baits used were the faithful OM1 range being fished both in small pathches and large beds.
19th June - 26th June
This week saw Andy, Harry, Liam and Darren return to The Mead and what a return visit they had. They caught over 60 carp between them with the biggest being a NEW Common of 25lb 10oz, which is one of our Lana Springs stockies from 2008. The fish has put on 8lb in only 18months so will be one to look out for in couple of years. Lots of different methods were used along with the whole OM1 range of baits and cell boilies. The boys fished well and thought about what they were doing changing tactics when the action slowed up. Although I have 210 large carp in The Mead its not a runs water and it always pays off to change tactics when the action slows up. Well done lads!
26th June - 3rd July
This week saw Mick Connoly and family visit The Mead and although they didn't fish it hard they still had a good week with plenty of fish upto 20lb. This week was a trial for Mick who returns in August to give it another crack. Well done to Micks lads too who had success both on the bottom and also on zigs, its great to see young kids getting into carp fishing and hopefully lads you'll both get that elusive 20lber on your return in August.
5th July - 9th July
Adam Rimes and party fished 4 nights this week but still over 40 carp came out with the biggest going 23lb+ and the biggest Tench so far this year of 8lb 8oz, brilliant!. Again these were thinking anglers and the boys changed tactics and methods as soon as the runs slowed up and they did this to continued success. If you think about what you are doing when on The Mead then you can keep the carp interested, as these boys proved, but sit on your bait for too long and the runs will dry up. Baits used were OM1 boilies, OM1 particles, OM1 hemp and OM1 method mix along with our Dynamite Baits Pellets, scopex boilies and cell boilies were also used to good effect. A big well done lads to have had 40+ carp in only 4 nights fishing is excellent fishing well done!
10th July - 17th July
Not a bad weeks fishing this week but you can't please everyone all the time! I think there were over 20 carp caught for the Steve Adams party with a good few over the 20lb mark however not all members of the party were happy with there catch and questioned the nmber of carp in the lake (210). Sorry lads if you were disapointed with your catch but thats carp fishing and The Mead is not a runs water nor is it a "chuck it and chance it " type carp water. There ARE 210 carp in the lake, see previous catch reports, but a word to the wise, you still have to think about what you are doing, it is a carp water after all. Baits used were the OM1 range.
17th July -24th July
Well it switched on again this week. Four anglers fished The Mead (Ken, Jim and the two Johns)and had a bumper session with over 60 carp being caught between them and plenty going well in excess of 20lb+. Baits used were our OM1's and our Dynamite Pellets along with Cell and method mix. The carp are staring to shy away from the known hot spots and seem to be slipping up more often out in open water and around the gravel bars in the lake. Well done lads and see you next year.
24th July
I got to fish my own lake for the day hoorah!! 4 runs with 3 carp landed upto 19lb. Sarah got a new P.B Mirror of 19lb and Caleb my 10 year old boy got a new P.B mirror of 15 1/2lb. Baits used were the whole OM1 range and to say they were chupped was an understatement. Well done guys and gals.
27th July - 30th July
A few fish for John Thomas and mates with biggest going 20lb+. A slower few days to be fair but the weather really didn't help being hot one minute then rain etc but the lads persisted and to their credit managed to winkle a few gooduns out. Baits used were OM1's, pellet, method and a variety of other boilies. Well done lads and good angling on what was a pretty difficult few days.
31st July - 6th August
This week saw Dale and Chris back at The Mead and I've got to say that these boys have sussed out the lake. Between them they landed no fewer than 36 carp with plenty over the magical 20lb+ mark. They also had a first for The Mead and the story goes - On the second night (Sunday) at around 8pm both anglers moved to the cabin deckin with 2 rods each and cast out. At around 9pm both anglers had a one toner at the same time and both struck into good fish. A tussle ensued which lasted approx 15 minutes and both anglers, together, landed mirrors of 21lb and 23lb. The first brace of 20's landed together at The Mead (check out the photos in gallery).. Excellent lads, well done!!! Baits used were the OM1 range along with our Dynamite pellets, cell, scopex and source boilies. Again you can't take nothing away from these boys they are doing the business on The Mead.
6th August - 14th August
A better week for them bigger fish with a good few 20lb+ carp coming out to the Connolly party. Well done to Ron who had 2 new P.B's with a common just over 20lb and a mirror to over 21lb and not to be out done was Dan who landed one of our stockies, a mirror stocked into the lake in 2008 at 17lb, which went over 25lb, a massive weight gain of over 7lb in 18 months. Nearly 20 carp were caught in total with Louise getting in on the action and the kids also. Baits used were the usual OM1 range with our Dynamite Baits pellets along with some cell and Dynamite Baits Monster crab and Scopex high attract boilies. Well done guys and we'll see you all back at The Mead next year.
Archive Page 2009
