Huge pike kick new season off in style
... and Chew Valley’s total of 30lb pike already stands at 25
CHEW Valley and Blagdon Lakes proved yet again why many believe they will produce the next British record pike – with another string of huge predators being caught.
This year saw Somerset’s Blagdon Lake allow visitors to specifically target pike on the fly for the first time.
Local angling guide John Horsey boated the biggest fish so far in the shape of this 32lb 8oz predator (pictured below).
It’s the third fish over 30lb along with vast numbers of 20lb-plus pike from the Bristol Watercontrolled venue that’s open to pikers for limited days until the end of October.
“I’ve been a guide on Chew and Blagdon for 23 years and the buzz around both venues is nothing like we’ve experienced before.
“There’s every reason for it because I know what these venues are capable of,” said John.
“We all know what Chew is capable of, but Blagdon too has real record-breaking potential because fly anglers have caught pike to over 40lb in the past.
“To have not one, but two venues now open that hold such vast numbers of pike, including one or two of record-breaking potential, is so exciting.”
As Angling Times was due to go to press Chew Valley, which is close to Blagdon Lake, had been open for the annual pike trials for just five days and had already produced 25 fish over 30lb – the biggest at 36lb 12oz boated by Chris Morris.
To find out more about pike fishing at Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes visit: www. bristolwaterfisheries.co.uk