Improve Your Coarse Fishing (UK)
Hayfield Lakes
This month Hayfield Lakes will be hosting the prestigious Fish O’Mania final. Tommy Pickering reveals how to tackle the UK’s premier match venue
Doncaster, S Yorks
THERE is one day of the summer where the banks of fisheries are mysteriously quiet. Usually willing to move heaven and earth to secure a session after a long week at work and other commitments, anglers give the rods a brief rest for a special occasion.
A couple of beers are placed in the fridge to chill, a giant bag of crisps are ripped open and sole control of the TV remote is requested. It is of course, Fish O’Mania final day!
Whether you have an interest in match fishing or not, this event has a way of mesmerising us all. Broadcast
throughout the afternoon on Sky Sports, the twists and turns of the big money event keep the eyes of every angler glued to the screen.
This year’s event will see 24 anglers that have booked their place by qualifying from heats at some of the nation’s top venues do battle at what is arguably the best commercial of them all.
Of the 26 Fish O’Mania finals that have been contested since the tournament’s launch in 1994, 12 have taken place at Hayfield Lakes. And that is exactly where the climax of the 2019 event will be held.
In the world of football, your chances of having a kickabout at Wembley are pretty slim. Thankfully, angling’s equivalent is less elitist. Both lakes at the Doncaster, South Yorkshire, fishery are open to pleasure anglers throughout the year, with anyone able to fish the exact same pegs where match fishing history has been made multiple times. Angling legend Tommy Pickering has fished Hayfield hundreds of times since it first opened in the early 1990s. So who better to demonstrate how to tackle the venue?
“This is without doubt one of my favourite fisheries in the country,” confirms the Maver- backed star.
“It is by no means an easy venue but employ a little watercraft and fish your chosen tactic correctly and there are plenty of bites to be had,” he adds.
Unusual beginnings
Construction work started in the late 1980s, with the 79peg Dannie’s Island the first water dug. Trout were initially stocked to test the water quality and once that hurdle was successfully jumped, in went thousands of mini carp. The venue went from strength to strength, before Adam’s Lake, which caters for up to 82 anglers, was made. Fast forward to the present day and the complex draws visitors from far and wide and it is the versatility that Tommy believes is one of its biggest attractions.
“You don’t have to follow the crowd and latch on to a certain tactic to catch lots here. You can fish in pretty much any manner you most enjoy and as long as you do it well, you’re in with a chance of action.”
Tommy has gained plenty of experience on both waters and it was Dannie’s Island that was chosen for a demonstration in front of the IYCF cameras.
Searching the swim
At this time of year the fish are well spread out but given the choice Tommy will always pick a swim in front of the island, particularly pegs 17 to 23, 46 and 52.
“A lot of anglers get drawn in by the island and fish it relentlessly but the open water is always home to lots of fish. I target three lines – a Method to the island, the bomb and a waggler over a spot 25m out and a short pole line at 5m,” he reveals.
“They won’t all necessarily work on the day but it gives me options and allows me to work through them to see what is best. That’s the beauty of Hayfield – it keeps you on your toes! No two days are the same.”
A few chucks to the island kick- starts things but the action isn’t prolific to begin with. Out comes the catapult and 6mm pellets are accurately pinged over the 25m line.
“If I want to catch the fish shallow on the waggler then firing in 10 pellets every 30 seconds is best but when I am trying to concentrate them on the deck I double that.
“This is because a certain percentage of the bait is inevitably going to be taken on the drop because the swim is around 12ft deep and I want to make sure some of it gets to the bottom,” explains Tommy.
Slowly but surely the action picks up and it clear to see how important it is to do things properly to keep the fish interested.
Any break in the feeding regime, no matter how brief, for photographs has an adverse effect on the sport and it is evident that regular, yet careful, baiting is essential.
Around 80lb of carp with the occasional carassio is placed into the nets, with the bomb and shallow waggler the top tactics on the day.
“If we came and sat on the same peg tomorrow it would be a completely different story. We would still have a chance of catching some stunning fish but we may have to resort to different tactics and feeding patterns to achieve it.
“Anyone that says commercials are easy really hasn’t been to Hayfield!”
“In the world of football, your chances of having a kickabout at Wembley are pretty slim. Thankfully, angling’s equivalent is less elitist”
The full package
Once the bagging is over it’s usually a case of making the journey home but Hayfield provides an experience that many other rivals can’t match.
There’s a well- stocked tackle shop but the post- session analysis with your mates can take place in The Hayfield – the complex’s very own pub and restaurant.
Whether it’s a hot coffee, a cold pint or a slap up meal you fancy, it really is worth a visit.
There’s every chance you will bump in to owners Noelie and Robin Goforth who will make an impression on you.
“They are both such lovely people that will welcome you with open arms, but by their own admission they are certainly a little eccentric!,” laughs Tommy.
“But no matter what help you need, they will happily give it to you and make sure you have a day to remember.
“The best in the business will come to Hayfield very soon ( Saturday, July 13) to try and win the biggest prize in match fishing ( a cool £ 50,000) but before they do, make sure you give it a crack yourself . You’ll soon see why Fish O’Mania has made its home here,” enthuses Tommy.