STILLWATERS

ELTON CARP LAKES, NEWNHAM-ON-SEVERN, GLOS

There’s nothing particularly spooky about this two-lake Gloucestershire complex, except that Barn Lake holds an impressive number of specimen ghost carp! The lake has a couple of islands and a fairly weedy bottom, and chod rigs with bright pop-ups work well. It pays to take polarised glasses with you to spot the ghosties in the margins. There are also 10 gigantic Japanese koi to be caught here. Contact: 07581 122080 Postcode: GL14 1JU

COKING FARM FISHERY, GILLINGHAM, DORSET

This fishery consists of five distinctly different, well-stocked lakes. Three specimen lakes contain carp to well over 30lb and catfish to over 40lb. On Rush Lake a 200lb pleasure net is not impossible at this time of year. On this 30-peg, three-acre pool the biggest tench so far weighed 8lb 11oz, with anglers reporting fish from 6lb-8lb and crucians of 2lb-plus. There is a good head of bream to 8lb and roach and rudd to 3lb. Rush Lake fishes well under any conditions. Contact: 01747 839879 Postcode: SP8 5SF

FURNACE BROOK FISHERY, HAILSHAM, EAST SUSSEX

You can catch 70lb-plus of skimmers here, and it’s all thanks to the warmer weather. Fish a Method feeder three quarters of the way across in around 7ft of water with pellet on the hook and some free offerings mixed into the groundbait. Not only will you encounter skimmers and bream, but the resident tench, roach and crucians will muscle their way in as well. On a really hot day you can catch them close in on the pole with maggot over pellet! Contact: 01435 830835 Postcode: BN27 4QR WOOD LAKE, BUSBRIDGE, SURREY This picturesque lake was purchased by Godalming AS from Ladywell Convent in 1987, and is set in five acres of stunning woodland. However, over the years club members have shied away from night fishing this venue due to rumours of it being haunted. As darkness falls, those brave enough to be out fishing have claimed they’ve heard footsteps, rustling trees and the cracking of sticks and twigs. Other than that, the venue is an angling gem and provides excellent sport with perch, roach, bream, carp and tench to those fishing next to the many beds of lilies dotted around this water. Natural baits, such as corn, maggot or worm fished on a waggler in the margins or next to the lilies, will score. Prices: £80 a year, plus £65 signing on fee for new members. Contact: 07876 124941 or 01483 428226, Godalming AS