FISHERY OF THE WEEK Harescombe, Glos
30lb-plus nets of redfins are on the cards
THE silverfish stocks in commercials haven’t received the attention they deserve over recent months. Now’s the time to change all that and revel in the phenomenal roach sport at Harescombe Fisheries.
With the carp feeding less aggressively in the autumn, the redfins are finally able to muscle in on the bait, and there is every chance that a gleaming 30lb-plus netful of them could be your reward at this Gloucestershire complex.
The fishery’s four lakes are built into the side of a hill, creating a ladder system. At the bottom, and closest to the entrance is the Match Lake which is a snake-style water that produces mixed nets of F1s, carp, chub and barbel.
Next in line is Field. This is a real gem for the silverfish, with plenty of roach between 8oz and 1lb waiting to be caught. It is also home to a solid head of carp that run to 15lb.
Further up the ladder is Pasture, which is the smallest of the lot and is an ideal training ground that produces some great mixed bags.
Last but not least, at the top is Meadow, and this is the favourite of one of the greatest anglers in the country right now.
Feeding frenzy
Des Shipp first visited the complex to put together a magazine feature, and since he made that first journey armed with very little knowledge of what to expect, he’s become something of a venue regular.
“This is a brilliant fishery and the silverfish sport is what I find most appealing,” he told Angling Times.
“Field produces exceptional action, but Meadow is my pick of the bunch. No matter where you set up for the day, you’re sure to be close to lots of hungry roach that you can whip into a feeding frenzy with just a tub of groundbait and a few of pints of loosefeed.”
Bites all day
A couple of balls of a groundbait packed with finely milled hemp are a good way to get an early reaction from the fish, with Sonubaits So Natural Black Roach a good choice.
Include a generous helping of casters in this and the roach
are sure to congregate over the top almost immediately. It is then a case of loosefeeding a few casters via a catapult every two minutes and adding a small nugget of groundbait if bites dry up.
Use a single caster on the hook but switch to a double if small fish are getting in on the action.
When it comes to rigs, a grade 5 solid elastic to 0.13mm mainline and a 0.11mm hooklength to a size 18 hook will work. On the float front, use a slimline version with a carbon stem when trying to catch on the drop, switching to the same shaped pattern but with a wire stem for fishing on the bottom.
Don’t run the gauntlet of uncertainty with commercial carp this week. Switch your attentions to the silverfish at Harescombe and there’s little doubt your day on the bank will be a success.