Shillinglee Day ticket fishing news

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL ANGLERS. KHV VIRUS HAS CLOSED SEVERAL LAKES LOCALLY. THIS DISEASE IS DEADLY AND LIKELY TO KILL EVERY CARP IN THE LAKE. THERE IS NO CURE. ALL WE CAN DO IS TAKE PREVENTIVE ACTION. ALL LANDING NETS MUST BE BONE DRY BEFORE ENTERING THE FISHERY. ALL LANDING NETS ,CARP SACKS UNHOOKING MATS TO BE HUNG UP IN THE TREES AND TAKEN DOWN WHEN A FISH IS CAUGHT .U.V. RADIATION KILLS THE VIRUS. DO NOT THINK BECAUSE YOU HAVE DIPPED YOUR NET IN A DIP TANK AT SOME OTHER FISHERY YOUR NET IS FREE FROM THE VIRUS. THE E.A. HAVE TOLD ME THAT UNLESS THE NET IS LEFT IN THE DISINFECTANT FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES THE VIRUS MAY STILL SURVIVE. IF YOU HAVE FISHED ON ANY OF THE FARNHAM ANGLING CLUB WATERS OR WILLINGSHURST COMPLEX AT CRANLEIGH IN THE LAST MONTH PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM SHILLINGLEE. IN THE INTEREST OF THE WELFARE OF OUR  FISH

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. ROBIN.

1st.March. Despite the very wet weather Carl landed two nice common carp at 16lb.and 19lb. A good number of nice pike were also caught this week.

13th.February. After much expectation from our anglers, and despite the bitter north easterlies. Two anglers set up under the oak tree. Put out a handful of freebies and at 9 am they landed Shillinglee's  first forty pound Carp. It was a mirror and weighed in at 40lb.12oz.Carl who was fishing opposite, was nearly as excited as they were, as he has been working to catch one of the big mirrors all winter. He also has had success this morning with a 16lb.Mirror,amazing considering there is still some ice on the lake.

11th.February. Despite the bitterly cold north west wind, the pike are feeding with some nice doubles being caught this week.I  think the wind needs to drop and be a touch warmer to get the carp on the feed. Roll on the Spring.

4rd.February.  Lake is now free from ice.

24th.January.Graeme our first angler of the year caught a pretty 13lb.Common yesterday and with ice still on the lake he was happy.Lets hope this year, Shillinglee makes a lot of anglers happy.

 23rd.January. Finally we have lost most of the ice. Lets go fishing.

30th.December. The lake is mostly ice free today and fish are showing interest on anglers bait.

28th.December. Jack has visited over night and left a thin layer of ice over the lake.

27th.December. The ice has nearly gone and people are fishing again.

21st.December.Lake totally frozen over. Will update site as soon as ice has thawed.

Sat.19th.December. The sun is out and the lake is not frozen.

18th.December. The lake looks stunning with the snow on the trees. The lake is cold but free from ice. Will update the site if situation changes.

7th.December. Despite this awful weather, Dan Carl and Andy all caught good sized carp this weekend. Carl landed one of our ghost carp at a respectable 16lb.Bailliff Andy who was celebrating his 50th.birthday succeeded in landing a lovely 17lb.common within 30 minutes of casting out. Welcome to the fifty club Andy.

30th.November. Carl kept the flag flying for the carpers with a couple of lovely fish in particular a 23lb.linear scaled stunner hopefully a picture will follow shortly..The heavy rain seemed to have suppressed the pike this weekend.

24th.November.The carp continued to feed for some  over the weekend with Carl taking a 19lb.common and a 12lb.mirror.Dan took a 21lb.lightly scaled mirror from the back of the lilles by the boathouse.

20th.November.When Domonic presented me with his camera battery and asked me to put it on charge I guessed he had had a good session, looking at his huge grin I knew I was right.He took 5 carp, 4 where good doubles including a 16lb. and 17lb.common and topped the bunch with a 25lb. 6oz. mirror, with the 37lb.fish from last week he certainly has something to smile about. Before you ask, I do not know the bait he uses other than I think he has it made, from  somewhere in East Sussex. Well done Dom. Lets hope the fish keep feeding through the weekend.

 17th.November.With trees down all over the place I was surprised to see anyone here over the weekend. Those that braved the storms were on the whole successful, with Paul, Russell and Dan all catching carp between 12lb. and 22lb. Today we have some river anglers visiting us because the Arun and Rother are in flood,  they seem very happy with our Roach with several roach over a 1lb. It is nice, when we have anglers, catching our stunning roach and Rudd. I just wish there were more of them. Perhaps I should hope that the Arun floods more often.

13th.November. Very changeable weather this last 10 days, this has not stopped the pike feeding with most anglers catching. A different story for the carpers who have struggled until now. But this morning all changed with Dominic catching a stunning 37lb.14oz.common,I am sure a lot of anglers would have claimed a 38lber but not our Dom. Yet again it proves put the time in and you will succeed. Well done Dom.

3rd.November The weather has certainly changed for the worse, but has resulted in a bundle of carp for young Dan. From memory his two days resulted in 8 carp. 5 mirrors and 3 commons. the largest was a 26lb.10oz. Mirror caught this morning at about 10am. He also took a 18lb mirror a 19lb.common and five other carp from low to mid doubles. Dan tells me he has a new bait but gives me no clue to its contents. But clearly the carp are quite smitten with it. Well done Dan.

 30th.October This last 10 days has been a real Indian summer and the autumn colours have been the best I think I have seen. Pike have continued to provide good sport with an 18 lb. girl being the best. The carp have slowed right down, however the weather is on the change and Andy took a 24lb.mirror from close to the pads this morning and Mark caught  a lovely 6lb.Tench and although he was fishing for carp he was happy with such a stunning looking Tench.

19th.October I am often asked where are the hot spots on the lake. This last week illustrated perfectly that fish feed all over the lake with Dominic catching a 22lb mirror and a Common at 18lb.  in the shallows, Carl taking a 18lb mirror in about a 3 foot of water halfway down the lake and Andy landing a 24lb mirror and a 12lb.Common by the dam in deep water. Some good pike have been caught this week including a nice 15lb.specimen which is the best of the season so far.

8th.October.First big mirror this autumn ,caught by Dan today at 38lb.8oz.in deep water. Well done Dan he has have been working all summer for one of the big mirrors. For the regulars it was the fish with one and a half barbs. Also two nice 18lb fish caught by Taylor and Dom one common and one mirror.

5th October I have been away for a few weeks hence the lack of news. Ben who has been looking after things while we have been away tells me that some nice carp have been caught including a lovely 37lb.Common. The pike season has got underway with a good number being caught no monsters yet though.

13th.September.Lovely autumn sunshine has produced some good fish. Mark had good reason to be smiling when he landed his P.B. with a 33lb.6oz.common carp. It led him a real fight but with help from Chris they managed to land the beauty. Mark had been putting in the time so this was well deserved. Well done Mark.

30th.August.What has changed to make the carp suddenly interested in our anglers bait? In the last week nine carp, mixture of commons and mirrors have been caught all just over or just under 20lb.Several other mid doubles have also been landed. Many large fish are cruising in the sunshine. Long may this continue.

22nd.August.Hot days wet days has made the carp fishing quite challenging, but good fish are being caught. Carl taking a nice 26lb.Mirror and Dan using his new bait, today landed a stunning 33lb.Common ,he had been trying for one of our thirties for some time and finally succeeded. Well done Dan.

10th.August It is always good to see happy faces when anglers break their personal best. This week their were two anglers that each broke two P.B.s. Denise landed a 2lb.4oz. Roach and a 6lb.Tench giving her two new P.B.s. Paul also did the trick with a 22lb.8oz.common and a 6lb.8oz.Tench.Well done to you both.

3rd August Changeable weather this weekend. Bailiff Andy kept the big carp coming with a 32lb. beauty. Paul took a lovely 6lb 10oz. Male Tench that made his day. When the sun came out lots of big carp seen cruising between the pads.

28th.July. You see a lot of strange things walking round the lake. Including a pair of black underpants hanging from a tree next to where Steve was fishing. Either he had had a dodgy curry or had been swimming for his fish. One look at him with a grin from ear to ear told its own story. He had battled with one of the big mirrors that had taken him from Lilly pad to Lilly pad and back eventually winding his line around the nearest pad. There was only one thing for it said Steve and in he went, freed his line and with the fish still on he successfully landed a stunning 32lb.6oz. mirror .A personal best for Steve. Well worth taking of your underpants  a Steve?

 20th.July. After a lean spell on the carp front. The tables are starting to turn with several nice fish caught at the weekend. Carl took the biggest at 24lb.12oz.Nice Tench and some decent Roach were also caught.

18th.July.This last week has produced some stunning Tench six where reported  over 6lb.with Dan taking the biscuit at 8lb.2oz.Carp have been more challenging several half chances missed with not many landed, however a 17lb.8oz mirror was caught this morning. Roach, Rudd and Perch keep providing excellent sport for those that fish for them.

 7th.July the weather remains very changeable Richard has taken this opportunity to take a 7lb.Tench two double figure carp and a 23lb.common. Well done Richard.

3rd.July. The weather is on the change. Dominic lands a lovely 16lb.mirror. Dan set up in the shallows and between the lightening caught three carp a 14lb.mirror a 16lb.common and a 21lb mirror. Pictures to follow.

26th.June If you are brave enough to  hold a carbon rod during a thunderstorm you may catch big fish. Alistair proved the point when he landed a wonderful 31lb.7oz.mirror this morning.

Saturday 20th.the main lake will be closed for a private function. Silverdale and the Canal pond will remain open for day tickets.

16th.June Russell landed a lovely 30lb.10oz. Mirror on Monday. Dan also took a 24lb and a 15lb. mirror. Carl took the seasons best Tench at 9lb.on Saturday and Paul caught the first eel of the summer at 3lb.Then took two more at 3lb.10oz.and 4lb 14oz. Well done you guys.

5th.June. Dave and Steve had several nice mid double carp during  this week Barrie caught two nice Tench over 5lb. Terri went for perch and roach and had some of both with all of the perch over a  lb. and several roach at similar weights.

1st June. The weekend saw something of everything from Rudd to Carp to Tench and perch, nothing of any great size or quantity, perhaps the fish were just enjoying the lovely weather rather than feeding.  Who knows?

27th.May. Wednesday last week saw one of the very old girls caught by David at 25lb.She is probably over thirty years old but despite battle scars she was fit and healthy. On Thursday Graeme took a cracking linear at 21lb.She looked magnificent more than you can say for Graeme who stabbed his forehead in his excitement to start fishing picture to follow. The bank holiday warm weather started the carp spawning making a cracking sight for us all. Cold weather has returned and put a stop to all of that for the time being. Despite the cold wind and rain Steve took a superb 29lb.8oz. mirror and I had to miss the foote to photograph it, but what a beauty. Picture will follow shortly. Well done Steve.

 18th.May.Windy and wet most of the week, uncomfortable fishing conditions but for those who stuck it out there were some good rewards. On the carp front three twenties were caught .With Richard in heaven after landing an upper thirty Common. Warwick and Richard weighed the fish with different scales one said 39lb.the other 37lb. so I think 38lb..is about right. Well done Richard. Some nice Tench also caught, unfortunately most were caught on heavy carp gear, so the real fun of catching a seven pound Tench tends to be lost. How about some of you carpers using one rod just for Tench.  Not wanting to rattle anyone's cage, just a suggestion!

11th.May The weekend was quieter than the bank holiday but Jamie took a 20lb.Common and Andy a 23lb.Mirror.There were several doubles caught and a couple of nice Tench.

 5th.May. The bank holiday proved to be a busy time for the lake, We were away for the Monday so unable to report on the success or not of our anglers. The beginning of the holiday found Mick Gould very happy after landing a stunning 35lb.10oz. Mirror. Bailiff Andy was on hand to to weigh and photograph the beauty. Mick thinks it is the sister to the fish Kevin caught several weeks ago. Richard succeeded landing a 23lb.Mirror from the shallows. The Tench were steadily caught including another 5lb.male.  Roach and Rudd were courting giving everyone a view of their love making.  Spring is really here.

27th.April.The weekend produced six carp over 18lb. with Mark catching a 22lb. common and Dom landing a 22lb.Leather carp. Tench were caught throughout the weekend including on the Canal pond. While the Roach and Rudd were keeping up, with some fish topping the 1lb.

24th.April.  I stand corrected. Mick Gould caught the big Girl last August at 36lb.8oz.How could I have forgot Mick. Steve ended yesterday with three Carp, catching an 18lb.fish in the evening

23rd.April.Wonderful weather and superb fishing with Russell hitting the sweet spot with a new lake record Common Carp at 38lb.8oz. Last time this fish was caught was 11 months ago at 35lb.8oz. Steve landed a lovely 19lb.Common Carp at 9am this morning then at 4pm.bags a stunning mirror carp at 21lb. I have a picture of this fish when it was just 5lb. five years ago. Well done Russell and Steve. Pictures will follow shortly.

20th.April.A good weekend for Tench and Carp with several large doubles and a 28lb.Mirror carp for Russell. Also the Kingfishers are back catching roach with ease, unlike some of our anglers. The Canal pond was again giving up its Tench to a very happy and contented fisherman.

17th.April.This last few days has produced some lovely Roach and Rudd a real sign that spring is here. Today a 6lb.8oz. male Tench was caught, in the pouring rain, this  is the best male Tench caught this year.

14th. April Easter was good for the carpers with six fish over 15lb.Plus a 24lb.Mirror and Warwick took the best with a wonderful 35lb Mirror. Bailiff Andy identified the fish as one that was caught last year at 32lb.It was caught on Warwicks 35th.Birthday.What a present. On a serious note Graeme and David rescued a large tethered carp. It was hooked on a barbed hook with the lead clipped so firmly that I struggled to free it. This would have resulted in the fish having a terrible death. I will be inspecting all rigs. All barbed hooks and micro barbs are banned.
 

11th.April After a lean couple of weeks on the carp front. Three nice doubles were caught yesterday. Andy taking a 15lb.Mirror down by the dam. Dan landing a 13lb.Common up in the shallows and Russell taking the best of the bunch  an 18lb.8oz. common from the middle of the lake. Just shows that the fish spread themselves around the lake. Several Tench were also caught with Andy catching the best weight at 4lb.6oz. The Roach are also coming in steadily with a couple over 1lb.

9th.April. Real April weather,  showers and sun and very mild. The roach and Rudd are being landed, with several over a 1lb.Tench continue to be caught, with one angler taking 20 Tench in an afternoon from Canal Pond. Lets hope these mild temperatures continue over the Easter break.

6th.April.A stunning week weather wise not so good on the fishing. A couple of nice Tench over 5 lb some nice perch and Rudd, the carp where busy make their presence known but seemed to keep pulling the hook adding to Doms. frustrations.

 30th.March This last week has been cold and wet, but the fishing has not been bad with pike  Tench and some cracking carp caught, the best was landed by Graeme a lovely 21lb 12oz linear mirror carp followed by a 12lb Ghost carp.

21st March. Another stunning spring day particularly for Kevin, who broke the lake record this morning with a perfect  golden  mirror carp on the button at 38lb. Lots of big carp showing, Warwick again  has been catching the Tench with another cracking fish over 6 lb. He also took a 17lb.common carp this morning. Long may this weather continue.

20th March. A Mystery!!!! Our regulars will know that the canal pond is full of young Tench with a few golden Rudd. Yesterday an angler wanted a mornings Tench fishing so I suggested the canal pond. After catching a young Tench he promptly catches several 4lb carp. Where did they come from??? The angler was happy because on light Tench gear he had real fun landing the carp.

17th.March. Another lovely sunny day and the lakes look superb, the Tench started to feed and Dominic caught lovely 5lb.female, followed by a young healthy looking common at 12lb.Several large carp were seen tail jumping always a cracking sight.

 16th.March.Sunny warm days but cold nights have kept the carp elusive, with Andy catching the best of the week, a 14lb.8oz.common.Sivlerdale produced a good number of young carp particularly around the waterfall.

9th.March A bright but cold weekend produced several nice young carp the best at 17lb.the smallest at just 12lb.Warwick landed the first male Tench of the year at a very good 5lb.8oz.

6th.March.No spring has not arrived, this week has been wet and cold, today is sunny and the pike are being caught, Matt manages a 12lb.8oz.picture to follow.

2nd March. Has spring arrived? The Tench think so, with Warwick landing a nice 6lb.8oz.female.The carp continued to feed with Warwick also catching two double figure commons.

28th.Feb. Weekend started well with Dominic landing a lovely 23lb. Leather Carp followed by a young 12lb Common Carp

27th. The sun continues to shine. So far today Andy has netted a 16lb. Common Carp, and Phil comes in with a 19lb. Mirror Carp. Graham on only his second visit to Shillinglee tops the day with a 20lb 8oz, Mirror Carp.

26th.Feb.The warmer water is starting to produce good carp. Karen is back after her successful pike session on Sunday. Today she was after carp and what a beauty she caught at 22lb 1oz. she was a golden brown mirror in perfect condition.

24th.Feb.A good day for the Pikers, six caught the best 14lb.

22th.Feb.A whole week free of ice, maybe winter is over. The water is slowly warming up. Warwick opened his new year account with a young 16lb.golden common carp. Karen took two pike  the best being 8lb.8oz.While she was playing the fish  a monster struck and put a nasty gash in the side of the fish. One for next time Karen.

15th.Feb. Lake free of ice, plenty of fish moving about.

14th.Feb. south of lake covered with a thin sheet of ice, north end clear of ice.

12th.February.most of the ice is gone, leaving a lovely sunny winters morning.

11thFebruary. Lake frozen.

9th February. Lake clear of ice.

8th.February 80% frozen.

Saturday. 7th.February. Welcome sunshine and the lake is clear of ice.

4th.February. The ice has nearly gone and should be well cleared by tomorrow.

3rd.February.Lake frozen will update site as soon as thaw kicks in.

1st.February.The lake is blasted by a bitter easterly wind today and certainly sorted the men from the boys. There were several pike caught and as many nearly caught. Karen caught the best at 11lb.2oz.she fought well for a minute then allowed herself to be netted without much trouble. The pike that is!!!

22nd.January. Wet and mild. The Carp probably prefer this and Matt proved the point when he caught a 16lb Common carp in deep water yesterday.

18th.January. Finally the lake is clear of ice and the pike loved it with several caught today, the best weight was 12lb, caught by a youngster who had not caught pike before. Hopefully we can look forward to some good winter fishing, our record carp was caught last February at over 37lb.

12th.January.Finally lets go fishing. Ice should be clear tomorrow, good luck.

The main lake with a covering of ice

3rd.January minus 4 this morning, lake frozen solid. Will update site as soon as thaw sets in.

2nd January The top of the lake is free of ice. Matt and his father-in-law did some piking, they caught three the best about 9lb.The deep water swims still have a thin covering of ice.

1st January 2009: We wish all our anglers a happy new year and tight lines, unfortunately the lake is still mostly frozen. I will update at soon as it clears.

31st December. Still frozen, but warmer than yesterday.

30th. December The lake has a thin coating of ice over 75% of its surface, looks like Winter might have finally arrived in Sussex and Surrey.

26th December. Santa was kind to Simon yet again, providing him with a 23lb. Common Carp caught at midday just before most of us where tucking into Christmas Turkey.

23rd. December. The lake is open for day tickets over the Christmas holidays. Simon is booked in for Christmas day, last year he landed a lovely 28lb.Mirror carp. He is hoping to catch the 37lb. common carp that he landed last February, it maybe now  be 40lb. What a Christmas present. We will see. Happy festive season to all our anglers and thanks for your support over this last year.

December 18th. Where have all the Surrey anglers gone, Christmas shopping I suspect. The lake is coloured after all the rain, the eastern bank is nice and dry, whereas the other side is quite muddy, but all the swims are fine it is just the paths that are wet.

December 6th. Despite the bitter cold, Andy landed a lovely 21lb.Mirror yesterday.

November 23rd Despite the weather throwing everything at us, Our anglers did not give up this weekend, Keith caught, in his own words a stunning 26lb Mirror Carp. He said she fought well and by the time he had landed the carp his hands were like blocks of ice, not to worry though as he quickly massaged his hands over his gas heater. GAS HEATER what are Sussex anglers made of,. we are not that far up North? Sorry Keith. The pikers also stuck it out and about 8 pike were caught ,the best I heard of was 9lb.

November 20th. Richard returned on Sunday and caught another three pike. The anglers that caught the 25lb. Pike a few weeks ago came back to try and better their P.B. they caught five pike but none bigger than 7lb.

November 13th.  This last ten days has been wet. wet' wet . But this did not dampen Richards spirit particularly after taking a 16lb. mirror carp and two hours later a 16lb.10oz. Common carp. Then trying his luck with the pike landed four in three hours, best was 6lb. the others from 2 to 5 lbs. A happy but damp Richard. Well done.

November 1st.This last week has been cold and wet but this has not put of the fish. Several double figure pike have been caught by day ticket anglers the best being 15lb. Warwick enjoyed himself landing three nice carp the best a mirror at 18lb. Andy endured the weather and took 4 carp including two twenties the best a 24lb.4oz. mirror carp, picture to follow in a week or so.

24th October. Matt took a lovely 25lb leather carp on Tuesday, technically it was a mirror carp but had only one scale on its flank. The autumn is a great season and the Pike are loving it with this seasons best being landed on Wednesday at 22lb plus two other doubles.

14th. October Matt had a good weekend fishing for Pike on one rod and Carp on the other. Landed a 23lb.Mirror carp and four pike mostly doubles. Sam also took a nice mid twenty common carp from the middle of the lake. A newcomer to the lake landed a nice 6lb8oz Tench and several lovely big Roach.

10th. October. Young Ben landed one of the lovely Ghost carp at 13lb.But the week must go to the Pikers who I think, without exception caught good fish with several mid doubles amongst them.

6th.October. Autumn is here and Sam will remember the 28th September with his success in landing a 34lb. Carp. 3rd October produced a 23lb. and 16lb. carp for Kev. Graeme and Mick satisfied themselves with Autumn Tench, one of them fought so well Graeme thought he had a good carp on.

21st. September. The sun is still shining and the nights are crisp and cold, just right for Mr Pike, and the piker's yesterday all caught nice pike, the best being 16lb. Andy and Keith both caught double figure Carp, Roach continue to amaze with another 2lb.specimen.

13th. September. The sun is shining and the fish are playing. Phil takes a 32lb 9oz. from by the boathouse, Mick lands a 18lb.4oz. in the middle of the lake and Kevin takes two cracking 6 lb. Tench from the edge of the lilies. Lets hope the sun stays out.

11th. September. Only the second visit to the lake by Charlie and he lands a lovely 27lb. Mirror carp. Karen has started the Autumn of well with a nice mid double pike, and Keith lands a cracking 2lb.2oz. Roach. Well done pictures will be up soon.

28th. August. Autumn and deepest winter is when our carp records are broken, so either autumn has started early or the trends are changing, In any event Kevin had a broad smile on his face when he landed a perfect 35lb.Leather carp from the same spot that Mick had landed his 36lb.Mirror carp 3 days earlier. Picture will be on site shortly. Well done Kev.

25th. August. Mick is back after his success on Wednesday. He reminds me of the fact that just two weeks ago he was struggling to beat his P. B. of 15lb. How things change in just a few days. This morning he has hit the jackpot with a stunning common carp at 36lb.8oz. A famous politician once said You don't do something because it is easy, you do it because it is hard. This is true of most of our successful anglers. Well done Mick. Pictures of all three fish will be on the site shortly.

21st. August. Mick who normally goes for the Tench, had a success with the carp today, landing a 16lb.Common carp and a 25lb.Leather carp. Both had the mouth veil intact.

18th. August. Graeme [our very own Chris Yates] succeeded in landing a lovely double figure common carp after stalking her, she was feeding frantically together with a ghostie, Graeme popped his bait on her head and away she went, fighting all the way. Traditional ways working again. Well done. Those who regularly read our news will recall Stuart catching two lovely Tench and a 29lb.Leather carp at the beginning of July. His day was filmed by Kevin Green the editor of Improve your Coarse fishing. This months magazine includes a six page editorial explaining in some exceptional detail the ways and tips that Stuart uses to consistently catch large Tench from our lake at Shillinglee. The article is very well written and I have had numerous compliments to pass on to Stuart from visiting anglers. He has been rewarded by having one of our Tench and himself making up the front cover of the magazine. Well done Stuart.

 13th. August. Andy, Mark and Chris all caught nice mid double carp this week, together with several Tench all good weights. Lovely Rudd and roach still coming out in good numbers with the odd nice perch.

28th.July. This last week has seen several nice carp caught, the best being 22lb.6oz. Mirror carp caught by David yesterday, a 20lb.Mirror carp by Andy on Saturday and a lovely young Common carp at 16 lb by a new day ticket angler to Shillinglee. Nice summer Tench are being caught as are the roach and Rudd together with the occasional small pike. All in all not a bad week considering how hot it is.

21st.July. The best Tench this year was caught by Kevin at 9lb. He then went on to land an 8 lb. one as well, a happy chappie. Mick continued to catch the roach and Rudd the best being 1lb.4oz. Paul became the forth to nearly catch a big carp this last week, only to have the hook break  at the critical moment. In my last update I mentioned that Richard had nearly landed a big fish two weeks ago, well he made up for it yesterday by landing one mighty 30lb.6oz.Mirror carp. Well done Richard.

18th.July. Last week was the week of nearly caughts with Matt ,Richard and Dave all hooking into big fish that promptly spat the hook, how big we shall never know. The roach fishing is attracting day ticket anglers from far and wide, dozens of 2 lb. fish are being caught with the occasional one approaching 2lb.8 oz. Tench fishing is good particularly when using tootie fruitie baits. Pike are being caught on spinners and the occasional one being landed after grabbing a roach that was hooked. Ben landed a 14lb.mirror carp this morning, and reported seeing a lot of movement in the water, which may mean a good weekend. We will see.

1st.July. June ended on a high for Stuart who caught two lovely 7lb. Tench and then went swimming after a 29lb.Mirror carp took his Tench bait and put up a grand fight, with Stuart eventually succeeding in landing the beauty. Pictures will follow next week. After three years of holding the same day ticket prices. Two rod day ticket fishing increases from £8 to £10 from 1st.July.

16th.June. This last week has been a Mecca for the carpers last Sunday the 8th. saw Mark land the first 28lb.Leather carp of the season. Then on Friday during the bailiffs night A 23lb common carp and a 20lb mirror carp together with a 16 lb ghost carp and then Andy stole the show with a wonderful 35lb 4oz. Common carp, several nice Tench were also caught finishing off a cracking week. Today has started well with a 7lb 8oz. Tench and Karen is pulling in some lovely 3/4 lb. Rudd and roach.

29th.May. Bailiff Phils birthday. I take down a bottle of Jack Daniells to celebrate on the lake side. The evening is lovely and still and the rain has stopped, birdsong is vibrant with a wren singing for England. another sip of J.D. and we think we are in heaven. Then all hell lets lose the buzzers, rods and line go haywire. Phil moves like a rabbit with the J.D. going in one direction and Phil in the other. The line screamed out ,Phil held on, then started reeling in, and then off again, six times this happened, finally she was in the net, not a big thirty as was thought but a very strong and powerful 28lb.4oz. Mirror carp. The fish looked fitter than Phil after that fight, but he will remember his birthday for catching the fish and spilling his J.D.

28th May. Wash out for the bank holiday and day ticket anglers, but the rain has now stopped and Andy has landed a couple of high double figure Carp, One of them he describes as long slim and trim at 19lb.8oz. he thinks this could well be a big fish of the future.

24th May. A couple of Sussex anglers were up for the first time and had an enjoyable days float fishing catching mostly Roach and Rudd.

23rd. May. In 17 years I have never seen so many splendid Rudd and Roach, we must be nearing an average of3/4 Lb. Just today there has been several over 1 lb. Maybe its time to give the carp gear a rest and dig out the float and centre pin and have some fun. This week has seen two carp over 20lb. another at 16lb. and several fish around 9lb. Andy has taken four Tench this morning again all good weights over 5lb. Silverdale in its pretty setting is coming into its own now with dozens of young carp up to 5 lbs showing off in this lovely sunshine, lets hope it continues for the bank holiday.

16th.May. The carp have finished their spawning after giving everyone on the lake a good view of dozens of 20lb. +fish performing. their antics. Now they should be ready to feed, so good luck. Tench have come out all week together with some super Rudd And Roach with a nice Perch at 1lb.8oz.

May 7th.Hot and sunny. Ben and Greg had been doing a bit of pre-baiting during last week and it worked with Greg landing a 23lb.linear mirror and Ben a 21lb common carp and an 11lb. common carp. they both also notched up their personal best Tench 6lb.10oz. and 5lb.4oz.together with several smaller Tench but none under 4lb.

May 2nd.Sunshine at last. David returns after major heart surgery. He did not take it easy landing six Tench with his and our best this season at 8lb.8ozs. I was not expecting this much action it was great he said.

.April 28th. This weekend saw Tench, Tench and more Tench, all super weights over 5lb. Andy also caught a 2lb.Roach and a 12lb mirror together with three Tench. Several large carp were jumping in the shallows.

April 13th. This weekend was pretty exciting, I was told of six Tench caught over 5lbs with the best being 8lb.3oz.caught by Richard. Graham had his usual Sunday afternoon session using his cane and centre spool hooked played and landed a stunning 17lb.mirror carp. The sound of the centre spool spinning away was magical if only more people could come back to the old traditional ways, I was lucky enough to be with Graham through the whole adventure.

April has been slow to start with the snow the cold and the rain, saying that several Tench were caught last week. The sooner it warms up the better, bring on the Surrey and Sussex Summer

Good Friday saw a bitter north wind sweep the lake, despite this Simon landed a 20lb.Mirror and then an 8lb.Common carp plus a good take missed. Worth getting cold for.

18th.March. Regulars Phil Sam and Andy all caught double figure carp, Phil with the biggest at 14lb. Paul landed pike yesterday despite a lot of spawning activity around the margins.

3rd March. Month starting well with Sam landing a 17lb. 6oz.common carp and Andy a couple of decent Tench. Pike fishing was fairly good over the weekend with four caught that I know off.

11th Feb. What a wonderful weekend with temperatures of 14 degrees. I saw two red admiral butterflies. It was also a unforgettable Saturday for Simon who finished his bank side breakfast and promptly got into a battle with one of the big carp. Which he eventually landed at 37lb.9oz. what a stunning Common carp it was. Dene landed another winter Tench at 4lb.8oz. and on Sunday Richard was catching and missing his pike. February is starting well.

31st Jan. A good number of double figure pike have been caught this month together with a a number of mid twenty carp, so all in all not a bad month.