UK ROUND-UP
NORTH RIVER RIBBLE, PRESTON, LANCS
The free stretch of the
Ribble by the Tickled Trout Hotel has been in great form this season. What’s been out? Quality barbel and chub have been caught in good numbers by local anglers, with fish into double figures a possibility Early mornings or evenings are some of the most productive times. There are also some quality dace and roach knocking about.
Tactics to use: A range of tactics will work, but legering big pieces of meat, pellets or boilies is a reliable way to go. For the silvers, hemp and caster can be worth a go, and you’ll also pick up the chub and barbel. Contact: Wayne’s Tackle, 01772 729227
Postcode: Tickled Trout, PR5 OUJ
LINDHOLME LAKES, EPWORTH, LINCOLNSHIRE
Britain’s premier commercial fishery has been in top form of late, with fantastic fishing across the complex. What’s been out? On Beeches Lake, huge catches of ide are on the cards after a recent stocking. On Benny’s Lake, you can land quality F1s all day. For proper carp, Bonsai is a great option, as is Loco.
Tactics to use: For the ide, use plenty of maggots and fish up in the water at short range. If you fancy a day bagging on Benny’s, set up a jigger float and fish hard pellet or caster. Groundbait and dead maggot is working well on Bonsai.
Contact: 01427 875555
Postcode: DN9 1LF
THE OAKS LAKES, SESSAY, NORTH YORKSHIRE
This fantastic fishery offers seven fish-filled lakes for the pleasure angler to try, where you can catch big carp and silverfish.
What’s been out? Cedar Lake has been in great form, with multiple 100lb-plus bags taken in recent matches. Silvers, including good ide, have been showing on Alders Lake. Tactics to use: The pole dominates on Cedar lake. Start fishing across and push the fish on to the mudline. Pellet can work, but groundbait and maggot is also well worth trying. Fish the margins later in the day. Contact: 01845 501321
Postcode: YO7 3BG
MIDLANDS RIVER TRENT, STOKE BARDOLPH, NOTTINGHAM
The day-ticket length known as the road stretch has been in great form. You can park behind your peg, making for a comfortable session. What’s been out? Good bream have been caught in numbers, especially when the river is carrying colour. There are also some quality dace, as well as chub near the outflow. Tactics to use: The feeder is a great method. Feed a sweet fishmealtype mix with plenty of particles, including caster, hemp, chopped worm and corn. Try a range of baits throughout the day. For the dace, try waggler and pole tactics. Contact: Matchman Supplies, 01159 140210
Postcode: NG14 5HX
PACKINGTON SOMERS FISHERY, MERIDEN, WARKS
This in-form complex is well worth a visit, with some of its pools in their best form in years.
What’s been out? All the lakes are fishing well, but one that pleasure anglers have had particular success on is Gearys, where pleasure anglers have landed carp to 20lb. For a mixed bag, try Gratuities for crucians, tench and skimmers. Tactics to use: On Gearys, boilies fished on the bottom is a great way to target the carp, but on a hot day surface fishing can be deadly. On Gratuities, fish down the middle with maggot or caster on the pole or waggler for a real mixed bag. Contact: 01676 522754
Postcode: CV7 7HR
NORTH LEVEL MAIN DRAIN, TYDD GOTE, LINCOLNSHIRE
The fishing has been great so far this season on the wide, slow-flowing North Level Main Drain, controlled by Tydd Gote Angling Club.
What’s been out? Quality bream make up winning catches in matches, with bags over the 30lb mark on the cards. There are also smaller roach and perch.
Tactics to use: The feeder is a good way to single out the bigger bream, and casting towards the far bank is the way to go. Feed groundbait and a mixture of particles through the feeder and try a range of hookbaits. Contact: 01945 467144
Postcode: PE13 5RG
SOUTH DORSET STOUR, STURMINSTER NEWTON, DORSET
Sturminster & Hinton Angling Association controls over 10 miles of the beautiful Dorset Stour, that has seen some good catches so far. What’s been out? A range of species inhabit this river, but quality roach as well as some decent perch have made up the winning catches in recent matches. Bags to double figures are on the cards.
Tactics to use: On the slower flowing stretches the pole is a great method, and fishing into the main flow feeding groundbait laced with pinkie and caster should get plenty of bites. Feed hemp over the top and try this on the hook for roach. Contact: David Rigby,
07770 891669/01258 269546
Price: £5 day tickets,
£50 membership
HILLVIEW LAKES, TEWKESBURY, GLOS
There’s a range of waters to try on this eight-acre complex, from canals right through to larger lakes. What’s been out? There have been good numbers of F1s on the canal lakes, alongside some better carp. In the larger Moorhen and Heron Lakes you’ll find big carp and silvers. Tactics to use: On the canals, fishing shallow with casters both on the short pole and in the margins can be devastating for the F1s. Later in the day, fish corn over pellet on the deck for some larger fish. On the bigger lakes the margins are a great place to find the larger examples. Contact: 078405 79087/ 01684 296719
Postcode: GL20 6JH