DH FISHING |
Erics Willows has firmly cemented its reputation as the North's premier big fish water and indeed, one of the best in the country. With at least 5 different 50lb fish swimming about at the right time of year as well as numerous back up 40's and 30's, it really is the place to go if you live 'up north' and want to catch a Unit. I was first invited to walk round the fishery late summer 2016 by then Fishery Manager, Tom Broomhead and it soon became apparent it was a step up from what I had been used to in my angling. There's plenty of fish in the lake, well over 400 I believe, but extracting them from one of its 20 swims, most seasons can sometimes be a tactical game. The lake is well known for its rich environment, which consequently results in abundant weed growth, with many fish needing to be landed from a boat. I wouldn't say I was daunted by it, but I would say in certain situations it's not for the faint hearted, however in the meantime I was very focused on my Selby Campaign and visiting Willows hit the back burner. However as most will know that follow me on Facebook etc, I was lucky enough to land my main target fish from there, thus achieving my goal for 2017 - to catch my first 30lb Carp. I had heard rumours it had been fishing well and much to the surprise of many, the usually abundant weed was virtually non-existant! I decided to get booked on and turned up to a busy lake. But there were a few swims free in pegs 5-9, which I felt presented a very good chance of catching due to the lack of pressure on that area. I opted for peg 6. That left swims free either side of me and I hoped that would allow fish plenty of room to move around me. On walking round I was told it was fishing hard, with hardly anything out. I'd spoken to some of the regulars prior to arriving, who have consistent success on the lake and was told good beds of bait were key, but at the lake I was advised to go the opposite way. As you can imagine, having rocked up with the idea to fill it in, I was left in a quandary. But, I decided to go against that and go with my original plan, found a spot and introduced plenty of Hull Particle Darkside and Maize, with a good helping of CoreBaits CB4 mixed in. To my surprise I instantly began getting liners. Unfortunately, my plan of having space around me was soon kicked in to touch as a couple of lads jumped in 5 and 7, but it is what it is. Soon the lad in 5 had bagged two in an hour, with one being the big leather at 42lb+. Then the doubt started to set in, as the following day the lad in 7 had one of the known 50lb fish down in weight at 47lbs, an absolute unit known as Scar. I wasn't sure if I had just been unlucky as we were all fishing similar ranges and I had seen fish on me. But I didn't panic and stuck to my guns, introducing a bit of fresh bait and re-doing the rods for the final night. Thankfully not long after midnight, my persistence paid off with my first Willows Carp at 20lb 2ozs and at this point it became apparent that maybe it was simply that the wrong fish had picked my hook bait up and judging by the fact I had one in the net I must have done something half right! Nevertheless, I was buzzing to get my first fish from the lake under my belt and with two fish for over 90lbs out either side of me I felt I was very close to the chunk I came for. It was great to see those two units on the bank though, seeing the elation from the captors. That was it for that session although I was hungry to return and I had planned a long session a few weeks later and turned up to the lake full of optimism. I did the done thing of setting off with a bucket, but only got as far as peg 7 before seeing two fish show, one of which seemed a lump. So I thought it was as good a place as any to start and with pegs 5-9 free, I was was happy enough dropping in there with the lack of pressure. The first 24hrs passed without event, after introducing a good helping of bait in open water. So I wound in and much to my surprise i found fish up around the Islands. Stalking proved ineffective, so I opted to go back to base and drop a rig plus a good helping of bait in the baitboat up in to the mouth of the island channel. The following morning it was away! This one went over 20lbs and was a good start. For the next 24hrs things were relatively quiet, but in the early hours of Thursday morning things started to come together. The channel rod went again, with a 16lb+ Mirror, so the spot was obviously good and I was regularly hearing bigger fish crashing all around. As day broke on Thursday I awoke to fish literally everywhere. It was like a dolphin show. I sat on my hands thinking it had to happen. A rod surely had to go. Shortly after the left duly obliged and pulled up tight. Once again though it was another stocky which turned out to be a little pearler. It was getting a little frustrating not bagging something a bit bigger, but I felt as I was catching with each take I was closer to that lump. That was the last fish though, as I feel the fish moved on after that flurry of action. Still though, another good session and I cannot complain, with four fish from my first two sessions on the lake. I am intending to have another crack very soon, so maybe, just maybe, that lump will turn up now they're on their autumn munch!
Tight lines, Dan.
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