Churn Pool Fishery

Archive for March, 2012

Withing the last week, over 150 fish have been aadded to the lakes stocking, the majority fighting fit and well coloured Rainbows between 2 and 4lbs.

Now the evenings are drawing out, its well worth trying to catch the evening rise for some good sport on the dry fly

Being a fishery that promotes catch and release, ensuring correct fish care is vital.

The trout are a delicate fish that need to be handle correctly to ensure their enjoyment for eveyone.

It has come to my attention lately that some anglers have not been handling their catch with the due care needed.
This must stop immeadiately.

Wherever possible, if you are not retaining your catch, please unhook your barbless hook carefully whilst the fish is still in the water.
I understand that some anglers may find this tricky, so I ask is that you please unhook them as carefully as possible. I have chatted with most members about this already.

In coarse fishing, where every fish is catch and release, most venues insist on an unhooking mat for your catch. For serious carp venues, ourselves included in the summer months, fish protection is of the highest importance on any rule list. We (and many others) supply superior unhooking mats and fish care kits for our customers to use.

I may be running off on a tangent here, but just want to ensure our fish are well looked and fighting fit for every angler to enjoy.

If anyone requires help with methods of unhooking, please dont be afraid to ask, I am here to help.
I also have unhooking tools available to buy should anyone wish to purchase one.

Tom

For anyone who is interested in the otters here are a few web pages worth reading below.

As many of you know, I am a very keen big carp angler, and spend a lot of time researching them. Much of the otter related material relates to them, but the otters will eat all fish, in our case, the trout you are fishing for!

e-petition http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/27441

the korda website http://www.korda.co.uk/news/?id=139

Carpforum discussion http://www.carpforum.co.uk/Shared/Messages.asp?TopicID=285774&ReadAll=1

With the advent of some warmer weather, many of the trees are beginning to bud and the daffodils are fully out.
Weed growth has started and the fly life has now become active after its dormant winter state.
Many anglers are catching well on various black patterns, fished at all depths, with early mornings and late afternoons providing the best sport by far.
Many of the fish have been caught very close to the bank, so remember to cover the margins whilst fishing.

Over the last week or so the fishing has been a little harder than I expected it to be. The lake has a very good stocking density currently.
I beleive the slightly slower fishing is due to the presence of otters in the westerly corner.
They appear to have been coming in during the cover of darkness, and worn ‘slides’ are evident into the main lake.

The presence of a vicious predator such an otter can really spook the fish, hence the fishing being difficult.
I am onto the problem though, and hope to have their presence eradicated by the early part of the coming week. Lets hope they stay away.

Being someone who appreciates nature, I understand that it is no fault of the otter that it has come here to Churn Pool to hunt. Indeed,when it came across our oily fish rich waters, it must have felt like it had hit the jackpot!
Otters are a lovely creature, but personally I beleive they have no place in todays mainstream countryside environment, especially in their protected status.

Many fisheries and livelyhoods across the country have already been wiped out by them and the problems they cause will only worsen. In the Devon/Cornwall area, the fishing has been decimated by otters, such a sad sign of the times.
Here on the Cotswold Water Park, many fisheries have also been affected, with a few totally wiped out.

At Churn Pool, our fencing system on the far bank has kept them out up until now. I am planning to fence the remainder on the western bank to keep them out.
It may be slightly unsightly for a time, but I would rather have a fence and fish, than no fence than no fish.