THE Welland Valley Specialist Fishery (no Day Tickets)
30 Carp were stocked into the Big Pit and 50 Carp into the Match Pit to a total weight of 611lb. There was about a 50/50 split between Mirrors and Commons. They were sourced from Centre Parcs as usual. Below are a few examples of the stocked fish, they were on the range of 18-8lb.
In April 2014 a stocking of 100 Carp took place into the Orchid and L Shape.
These fish were from Centre Parcs near Nottingham. Weighing a total of 600lb in total, generally weighing about 8lb each, the largest a 17lb Common (last photo below and a big bloke is holding it!). They were a mix of mirrors and commons about 40/60 split. 30 Fish were stocked into the Orchid and 70 were stocked into the L shape. Below are a few example photos.
Total stocking into the L Shape now equates to 126 Carp since the 2006 fish kill and 69 Carp into the Orchid to add to the resident fish since 2007. Future stockings will now concentrate on refreshing stock in other lakes on the complex.
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In February 2013 a stocking of 60 Carp took place into the Big pit.
These fish were from Wayside Farm Fishery, near Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Weighing a total of 300lb in total, generally weighing about 5lb each. They were and equal mix of mirrors, leathers and commons. Most of the fish were of exceptional beauty. Below are a few example photos.
In December 2012 a stocking of 35 Carp took place into the Orchid pit.
These fish were from Centre Parks weighing a total of 250lb in total, in a range between 5lb and 13lb. They werer a 60/40 mix of Mirror Carp and Common Carp. Below are a few example photos.
In July 2011 a stocking of 16 Tench took place into the L shape pit.
These fish were from a local carp fishery near Huntington and from previous experience are extrememly difficult to obtain. I hope you enjoy the photos and enjoy catching the fish. The sizes range from 7.5 pounds downwards, average weight about 6lbs.
In June 2009 500lb of Bream in the 5-7lb range were purchased having obtained them from an estate lake that was requiring cropping for cash. These fish were as usual in excellent condition but had already spawned for that year so their weight were low for their frame.
This stocking now means that double the loss of fish in the August 2006 tradegy have now been stocked and Bainton Fisheries now considers this lake as a viable option for fishing now.
In March 2009 Bainton Fisheries obtained some pike from a pike removal operation, 120lb of pike were stocked into the Carp Pit, including this 21lb beauty, a 19lber, and two 18lb fish plus a few backup up fish in the 8-12lb bracket.
In June 2007 Bainton Fisheries were invited to perform a Bream removal on Culverthorpe Lake, near Grantham. Some members volunteered for a mid week session pulling a 200m net around the shallow end of the lake. All in all about 125lb of useful skimmers were extracted and stocked into the L Shape.
In May 2007 Bainton Fisheries obtained permission to extract fish from Buckden Gravel pits. The fish quantity in this complx of gravel pits was unknown, but it was regulary “poached” by carp anglers on this private complex. After an initial day of site surveying two lakes were selected for electro fishing. Only one of these produced any fish, but a mixed bag of a few large carp, pike, bream and tench were extracted and stocked into Bainton Fisheries, Pike into the Carp Lake, Bream (one of 13lb!) and Tench (10lb) was stocked into the L Shape and the carp went into the Orchid. Although not a huge haul weight wise, the specimin fish the pits revealed were excellent and the bream potential is excellent for a further removal if it can ever be arranged.
A 24lb Common going into the Orchid. One of several…..
Following agreement at the April 2006 Members meeting it was agreed that stocks of Bream and/or tench would continue to be obtained to develop the pleasure angling side of the Fishery. In July 2006, 29 Bream in the 3-5lb range were purchased and stocked into the L Shape Pit. Again, these fish were uncaught fish having been removed from Abbey Park Boating Pool in Leicester as previously obtained in 2004 and 2005. Pictures below indicate a sample fish and the stocking.
Bainton Fisheries in February 2006 hired some contractors to remove fish from the National Grid Pit to stock them into the L Shape. It was a very cold day and the weed was still at least 2 feet thick on the bottom of the pit. Therefore electro fishing seemed to be the only option.
In summary several hundred small fish mainly Skimmers and Rudd were removed, plus 15 bream of superb condition of approx 3-4lb in weight.
However 2 fabulous perch were also caught which were immaculate, weighing approx 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 lb each.
Following agreement at the April 2005 Members meeting it was agreed that stocks of Bream and/or tench would continue to be obtained to develop the pleasure angling side of the Fishery. In November 2005, 300lb of Bream in the 3-5lb range were purchased and stocked into the L Shape Pit. These fish were uncaught fish having been removed from Abbey Park Boating Pool in Leicester as previously obtained in 2004. Pictures below indicate two sample fish. It is hoped that further stocking into the L Shape will take place during the winter of 2005/6.
Following agreement at the April 2004 Members meeting it was agreed that stocks of Bream and/or tench would continue to be obtained to develop the pleasure angling side of the Fishery. In November 2004, 330lb of Bream in the 3-5lb range were purchased and stocked into the Stock Pond. These fish were uncaught fish having been removed from Abbey Park Boating Pool in Leicester. Pictures below indicate two sample fish. It is hoped that the three swims on the Stock Pond will be finished during the Spring working parties to develop this pool into a pleasure fishery. This will complete the stocking for this water which is now up to maximum carrying capacity.
Following agreement at the April 2003 Members meeting it was agreed that stocks of Bream and/or tench would be obtained to develop the pleasure angling side of the Fishery. In September 2003, 39 Bream averaging 7lb each (5-9lb range) were purchased and stocked into the Bailey Bridge Pit. These fish were uncaught fish having been removed from a water supply reservoir in the Trent Valley. Pictures below indicate two sample fish and the stocking. These fish were stored in a cage for a few days prior to shipping so their fins got a bit damaged, but within a few weeks they should heal up.
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As agreed at the April 2002 Members meeting a supply of Crucian Carp for the Bailey Bridge pit has finally been secured (third time lucky!). 290 4-6 inch fish and 235 6-8 inch fish costing a total of £1071 were stocked on 16th December. So please make sure they stay put and no using for livebaits as they cost too much. It will be interesting to see how well they do and how catchable they are in the spring, as Crucian Carp are notoriously tricky to catch. Pictures below show the stocking.
Typical size – around 3-4oz
One of several bucket fulls into the bailey bridge pit. This is where all the permit money goes!! |
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Permission was obtained to net the big lake at Summer Leys Nature Reserve on the above date. 5 members gave up their time, coupled with myself and two contractors a team of eight had to pull a 200 metre Seine Net across the enormous gravel pit. The work was extremely hard and I am extremely grateful for the full day of effort that everyone contributed. Perhaps the next netting some carp anglers could try and make an effort to help as it was their benefit that the big pit is being developed into a carp fishery.
The two contractors float the net off across the lake on a punt to reach the other side.
Derek, Kevin, Harold, Alan and Dominic the contractor pull one side on the 200 metre net. Here are the biggest fish. 198lb of Carp all in all.
10.12 Mirror Both Sides
12.12 Common
13.8 Mirror Both Sides
14.0 Common with dodgy top lip
15.12 mirror both sides
16.8 Common- or is it a fully scaled?
Another 16.8 Common – same scale pattern, peas in a pod, different fish honest.
18.14 Mirror both sides
30.02 Both Sides
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OK, it was only six fish but they were left over from a previous netting. Fish ranged down from 13 1/2 lbs. The best fish was a fully scaled mirror of about 8lb.
The biggest was a plump Leather, both of which went into the big pit.
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We were invited to net a large garden pond by the Environment Agency, the owners were concerned that the water was clouded and they wanted to have clear water. It was believed that large amounts of small carp, orfe, rudd and roach were churning up the water. These fish were free and all we had to do was borrow some nets and go and get them. The pond was in Badby, near Daventry. It was about 30 metres long and about 10 metres wide and no one really knew what it turn up.
The Badby Pond, would it turn up any golden nuggets? Well we did catch about 300 fish but most of them were two inches long, either being carp (both mirrors and commons) or some kind of orfe thing that may have been an immature rudd hybrid. It was all a bit hard to tell to be honest!
Anyway we thanked the owners and drove back to Bainton with two tanks of fish with the Oxygen bubbling away. There was however about 20 fish that looked at first like crucian carp of about 6oz. But some of them had big fan tails, these were brown goldfish or again some king of weird hybrid. Stunningly attractive fish and very tame. Just have a look at the gallery below. All the fish were stocked into the New pit. I would estimate the stocking as follows:- 200 Carp of about 2 inches. 100 Orfe type things of about 2 inches. The jury is still out on them. 20 Rudd of about 6oz 20 Fantail Crucians (goldfish to you and me) All the fish are very tame and respond well to slices of bread on the surface, they also follow you around the lake hoping you will feed them.
And my personal favorite……………..
So we went in search of Golden Nuggets, and came home with Goldfish |
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As some of you will know the Match pit is licensed to hold 20 catfish until the MAFF ILFA scheme. Last year 7 were stocked at about 3lb and now an additional 13 licensed fish have been introduced. These fish are between 4 and 5 1/2 pounds.
After spending 4 hours netting a lake the cats are driven to the weigh station by a snowmobile. Never seen one up close before, only has a 1500 cc engine.
Bags of Cats waiting to be stocked on the Match Pit. Just like buying goldfish really. If you put them in a tank all together they chew each others whiskers off!
One of the new recruits. 5lb 4oz. Should make 10lb in two years. Two more stocking due in October. |
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Summerleys Netting July 2001 In Mid July Carp were netted from Summerleys nature reserve and stocked into the New Pit and Big Pit. The plan was to remove as many double figure and 20lb carp as possible to stock into the Big Pit. 6 members of Bainton Fisheries offered their time and put a huge effort into pulling 50 metre Seine nets across the bird reserve pit.
A big thanks to the Environment Agency for lending Bainton the equipment and supervising the netting. Proceeds from the sale of the carp will go towards the local wildlife trust. The tally of carp is as follows:
All double figure fish were stocked into the Big Pit and two very nice 8lb fish were also put in, a leather and a beautiful mirror. The remaining 28 fish were all stocked into the new pit. The idea that they will grow on and when they get to mid doubles will be moved into the Big Pit. A few sample fish can be seen below.
24lb Mirror
18lb Mirror. We hope to return next year for another cropping of carp. All in all and hard days work but very satisfying nevertheless. |
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
