Redwood Park
Immerse yourself in some tranquil action
GOING off the beaten track and shying away from the big-name fisheries can get you some big nets, culminating in a red letter day that will live with you for a long time.
Redwood Park is one of these hidden gems, nestled in the tranquil heart of North Yorkshire between the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales.
It’s home to six lakes that all offer something a little bit different. They’re all shrouded in greenery, allowing you to immerse yourself in the environment and forget about the daily stresses of life. Carp to double figures and chunky F1s are plentiful, as you’d expect, but they’re by no means the only species on offer, with quality bream, tench and perch also present in healthy numbers.
Take your pick
Redwood Lake can cater for up to 32 anglers at a time and a range of tactics, including pole down the margins and feeder to the island, will produce bites.
The Arc lends itself to those who love chucking a Method feeder with pinpoint precision to the far bank, while Jessica’s is the ideal teaching pool as it is packed with silvers.
The Moat has disabled access at the heart of it, with several giant platforms from which visitors can pursue a wide variety of species.
All these lakes have a strong following, but Tom Bainbridge places The Canal at the top of his list.
The local expert has enjoyed plenty of hectic sessions at the complex, and said: “It’s a brilliant place that doesn’t get the credit it deserves, but it never fails to produce the goods.
“You’ll never get bored at Redwood because you have so many options, and no matter what tactic and species you fancy getting to grips with,
there’ll be a swim that ticks all the boxes.”
A cheap day out
We’re at the time of year when the fish have a large appetite and you may be tempted to pile in the bait. But that could lead to a disaster, with a little-and-often feeding regime much more effective.
“When I’m fishing on Canal, I’ll only use half-a-pint of 4mm pellets all day. I cup in six after each fish when targeting the far bank – introducing any more sends the shoal into a frenzy and leads to line bites,” added Tom.
You can fish reasonably light on Canal, with the carp averaging 2lb-4lb. Go with 0.18mm mainline to a 0.14mm hooklength and a medium wire size 18 hook baited with a banded 6mm pellet.
So why not give Redwood a go this week? You’ll quickly be wondering why you hadn’t sampled its delights sooner.