SPRING TENCH
20 brilliant fisheries to try
AFTER a few weeks of sunshine, warm winds and mild nights, the temperature of ponds and lakes across the country is steadily rising – and tench are coming on the feed.
We’ve already received several good catch reports, so this week we have compiled a list of some of our favourite tench venues.
With banks expected to be busy, though, it’s worth giving any venue a call before arriving to book on or check availability.
STARCARR LAKES, BRANDESBURTON, E YORKS
The north of England isn’t synonymous with tench fishing, but at Starcarr Lakes you’ll find some fantastic tench on offer.
Not only can you catch them in numbers but you can also pick up tench over the 7lb mark. Make sure to book a swim before arriving. Contact: 07912 677302
Postcode: YO25 8RU
THE ROSIE, CONNAH’S QUAY, FLINTSHIRE
This intimate pool, set within the 160-acre Wepre Park, is crammed with features, including islands, lilies and marginal reeds. You’ll catch on the pole and waggler, but be sure to use fairly strong gear, particularly when fishing the snaggy margins.
Contact: Deeside Fishing Tackle, 01244 813674
Postcode: CH5 4HL
WYRESIDE LAKES, DOLPHINHOLME, LANCS
Although predominately a big-carp fishery, the River Lake is home to a range of species, including the odd quality tinca.
Everything from the waggler to the pole and feeder will work, and using larger baits such as pellets and corn gives you a chance of singling out a tench.
Contact: 01524 792093
Postcode: LA2 9DG
BUTTERSWOOD LODGE, BARTON ON HUMBER, LINCS
At this attractive day-ticket fishery, you’ll find a water known as the Tench Pond which, as its name suggests, is home to good numbers of these fish.
You’ll find a bait shop at the fishery too that stocks fishery pellets as well as hookbaits and groundbait.
This venue is closed for day tickets on Tuesdays, but it offers a year’s membership that allows you to fish whenever you like.
Contact: 01469 532633
Postcode: DN19 7NA
SICKLINGHALL PONDS, SICKLINGHALL N YORKS
Set within a tranquil, low-lying valley, the four ponds offer the rare chance of Yorkshire tench. Owned by Wetherby and District Angling Club, these small ponds are home to a good head of tench, particularly in Ponds 1 and 2.
There are loads of features to target, including lily beds and marginal reeds.
Fishing maggots, corn and casters over groundbait should get you regular bites. Membership is just £30 a year.
Contact: 07742 942990
Postcode: LS22 4BN
RYSON LAKE, WILLOWBROOK COARSE FISHERIES, THRAPSTON, NORTHANTS
If you’re looking for a venue that offers classic estate lake sport without breaking the bank, then Rysons Lake could be just the ticket.
There are 34 wooden platforms, so you can fish in comfort from your chair or seatbox. The best way to catch tench here is to bait a spot next to the lily pads with hemp and corn, and then fish a pole or waggler over the top with double corn or cubes of luncheon meat. Contact: 07999 589011
Postcode: NN14 3LE
A1 PITS, NEWARK, NOTTS
Pits 3 and 4 are best for tench. The margins can drop to 8ft and the bottom is hard gravel. Feed hemp and micro pellets to draw tench into your swim and place a maggot feeder bolt rig over the top. Three red maggots on a size 14 hook will catch you fish all day long. Contact: 07970 209433 Postcode: NG23 6EQ
FLOAT FISH FARM, PETERBOROUGH, CAMBS
The intimate, three-swim Tench
Pit is the ideal place for an earlyseason tinca. You’ll find both the golden and green varieties on this float-only water.
Keep things simple, feeding maggots, pellets and a bit of corn, and try a variety of hookbaits over the top.
The staff at the fishery are incredibly helpful, so just ask if you’re unsure about tactics. Contact: 07365 904040
Postcode: PE7 3DZ
BLICKLING HALL, BLICKLING, NORFOLK
Set in the beautiful grounds of the Blickling Estate lies a tench angler’s paradise in the shape of a 20-acre lake.
It’s run by the National Trust, but you can turn up and buy a day ticket from the pay and display machine in the Fisherman’s Car Park. The resident fish love natural cocktail hookbaits so it’s worth experimenting with maggots, corn and worms to see what works best on the day.
Contact: 01263 738063
Postcode: NR11 6NF
NAPTON RESERVOIR, LEAMINGTON, WARKS
The superb Napton Reservoir offers traditional tench fishing in an ideal setting.
You’ll catch them on the float, using corn or worm over a mixture of groundbait and pellets.
Controlled by Leamington AA, you can fish this water once you’ve joined. It offers affordable membership and concessions online and in local tackle shops.
Contact: Stratford Angling Centre, 01789 267992
£40 membership
Price: LINEAR FISHERIES, WITNEY, OXFORDSHIRE
Of the nine day-ticket waters on the complex, the best bets for tench are Manor Farm, Hardwick and Smiths Pool, or the intimate Hunts Corner.
Two-time Drennan Cup winner Dai Gribble is among those to have unlocked the tench potential of these waters, but be sure to check availability before arriving. Contact: 07885 327708
Postcode: OX29 7QF
HARTLEY LANDS FARM FISHERY, CRANBROOK, KENT
Head to Finches Lake – an 11-swim water filled with a variety of species including some specimen tench to double figures. This mature water is a hidden gem and is tree-lined and filled with lily pads and reed beds – ideal features to fish alongside.
There’s a host of other species in this lake, so be prepared for a few surprises while you wait for the tench to show up!
07703 825064
TN17 3PS
Contact:
Postcode:
THE GRAND WESTERN CANAL, TIVERTON, DEVON
Tiverton Angling Club controls 11.5 miles of the fishing on this shallow and narrow canal, and there are plenty of tench to be caught along its length.
The fish don’t grow to massive sizes, but there are lots of them. Fish the float to the far bank on either a pole or waggler rod. Keep your eye on it, too, as bites can be very subtle.
Contact: Culm Valley Angling, 01884 839273
Website: www.tiverton anglingclub.com
MILTON LAKE, BURY HILL, DORKING, SURREY
There’s some incredibly scenic tench fishing on offer at Bury Hill, in both Milton Lake and the famous Old Lake.
Each has lilies, reeds and overhangs to target, and catches on here can be prolific, with large bags of fish achievable under the right conditions.
Floatfishing scores well, using both a waggler and pole, although the feeder can also produce. Contact: 01306 883621
Postcode: RH4 3JU
FURNACE BROOK FISHERY, HALISHAM, E SUSSEX
Spacious, woodchipped swims are a comfortable base to fish from around the 5.5-acre lake at Furnace
Brook Fishery. It’s a tranquil environment for a day’s fishing, surrounded by abundant wildlife.
This lake sees quite a lot of carp anglers, so scaled-down tactics with small Method feeders filled with pellets and small boilies or wafter hookbaits are worth trying. The fishery operates an online booking system.
Contact: 01435 830835 Website: www.furnace brook.co.uk/fishing