PLUNDER LAKE JOHN’S SILVERS!
A 100lb carp-free treasure chest can be yours
NOW’S the time when carp come to the fore and silverfish are usually brushed to one side.
Rising temperatures have led to mirrors, commons and F1s feeding heavily virtually everywhere, and the guaranteed action they provide means that roach, bream and tench don’t get the attention they deserve.
But at a handful of fisheries silvers remain the primary focus – Lake John is one of these.
At the two-lake Essex complex, celebrating its 25th anniversary, breathtaking catches of quality bream and tench are coming out regularly, with 50lb nets average, 75lb commonplace and 100lbplus far from exceptional.
Consider that these hauls don’t contain a single carp and you’ll quickly realise that Lake John is a very special place indeed.
FISHERY MANAGEMENT
Colin Bartlett is the man at the helm, and his attentive management has played a big part in this success story.
Fish stocks are monitored annually, with lots of small silvers removed from the Top Lake to give the prime bream and tench plenty of space to grow.
Both species average 2lb4lb and there’s also a chance of landing a 3lb plus perch or a monster carp – dozens of fish over 20lb form part of the stocking policy.
Although the water was in good form all winter, the locals are amazed how early it is hitting top gear so early in the year.
The Bottom Lake has also attracted plenty of interest since the clocks went forward – this snake-type water is a better
option for those who enjoy catching chunky carp on the pole.
SIMPLE TACTICS
Whether you enjoy fishing the float or feeder, the Top Lake will share its riches with you.
Bream are known as a species that likes to feed well away from the bank, but the shoals here clearly haven’t read the script.
Using just a few sections of pole or gently underarming the feeder is all that is required, and many
locals make the 5m swim their opening gambit. There’s often no need to rotate swims, and you can net triple figures of silvers from one line all day.
FAMOUS FACES
Anglers of all levels of experience willl get a warm welcome from the management, and there’s every chance you’ll see some of the biggest stars of the sport in action on the bank at Lake John.
Over the years legends Bob Nudd, Dean Macey and Ali Hamidi have walked through the gates and left impressed with the sport they have enjoyed.
Guru’s Pemb Wrighting has also given the fishery a big thumbs-up. He said: “You’ll struggle to find a better silverfish commercial in the country.
“Once you get the fish lined up you can come back with a 3lb bream or tench every chuck, and when you are doing that it only takes a few hours to put together a memorable weight.”
It’s not just the stars of angling that rate Lake John highly. TV personality and former Family Fortunes presenter Les Dennis is a regular visitor too!
Many anglers have bagged 100lb-plus catches of carp in their careers, but if you want to join an elite group and land that weight in silvers then Lake John is the place for you.
PRICES: Adults £10 one rod, £16 for two. Concessions £6 one rod, £8 for two CONTACT: Call 07958 938153 or visit www.lakejohnfishery.co.uk LOCATION: Lake John Fishery, Aimes Green, Galley Hill, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 2BJ RULES: No boilies or barbed hooks. Keepnets only in matches