Fishery Report March 2013

Well, l as I write this it seems the sun may have finally found its way back to the UK, but then again I wouldn’t advise holding your breath and celebrating the new spring season just yet.

What a weird, wet, windy, wild, snowy and icy winter it has been. We seem to have had all of these conditions on a weekly basis, not knowing whether to dress for snow or rain.

As such, this has caused no end of problems for the carp anglers who have braved the elements to try and outwit their wily quarry. The water has been exceptionally cold and very much in flood, as a result the carp fishing has been for want of a better word - impossible.  “Nothing is impossible” I hear you say, but believe me it has been very close to it.

The water level has now returned to its normal level, after some finger numbing overflow clearing days by myself and John Pennington.  With the sun on the water, hopefully we will start to see a few more fish on the bank.

It’s not all been doom and gloom on Mill Lane.  What a winter we’ve had for pike anglers - a red letter season with at least  three specimens being recorded  at  24+ 25+ and a Christmas day cracker recorded at 27lb plus! Several back up fish to middle doubles as well as the usual jacks have put in an appearance. Well done to all the anglers.

As we are all aware time march’s on, and as we are now in March please remember all Farnham 12 month season venues are closed on the 31st March - no access to any closed venues.

With the successful purchase of new venues, we are experiencing a flurry of new members very late in the season, a lot of new faces fishing on Mill Lane and also a lot of visitors. Please remember to carry your permit at all times when on Farnham venues, also dogs must be kept on leads at all times. Most anglers do dispose of their litter but unfortunately we are having major problems on Mill Lane at the moment .PLEASE TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME.

Just like to add a couple of Thank yous

Big Thanks to the bailiff team for making it another sterling year on mill lane.

Big thanks also to the dynamic Duo the Hopkins father and son team for their much appreciated help this year also.

See it’s not all doom and gloom looking forward to another year of old and new members gracing the banks in the coming season.

Hope to see you all soon.
Dean Beale and the Team

Mill Lane - Fishery Report - Jul/Aug 2012

Hello, it’s been a while since my last confession. So here goes....

The venue has been its usual unpredictable self, but still giving up some very nice fish to the dedicated specimen anglers amongst you. The fish have successfully spawned resulting in them up to 25% bodyweight, but are better for it and are now avidly feeding again which is leading to some anglers having considerable success.

‘The Taffs mirror’, the resident “biggie” in Mill Lane has graced the banks at just a few ounces over the 40lb, a significant drop in weight from 2012 when it was at its heaviest recorded weight of 52lb 12oz, after several years of poor spawning.

‘The Parrot’ has also graced the banks with a weight loss of approx 6lb.

There are rumours of the ‘Scar common’ also being landed, though I’m not sure of the weight. (“Rumours in carp fishing.... never I hear you all cry !”)

Other fish being landed are also showing an average weight loss of 5lb +.

These we believe to be a result of a very successful year of spawning, which is very good news as the fish have struggled in the last three seasons to fulfil their spring ritual.

All the fish landed have been reported to be in superb condition. so I don’t think this weight loss is anything other than natural, and if anything may now enable them to increase their weight in the medium to long term.

With the summer comes the weed and Mill Lane is no exception, it is becoming denser and more widespread. This will only improve the fishery in the future however, allowing the fish to feed up on naturals and regain their peak condition for the cooler months ahead.

But the weed also brings the problem of RIGS and RIG SAFETY!!!

Mill Lane has seen a significant problem this season of bad and poorly tied rigs being found on the banks, in the trees and handed in by other anglers.

We are also having regular reports of angler’s lines being wiped out by fish towing rigs around the venue. Two of the residents have already had to be rescued having been seen to be tethered to weed beds by death rigs. Fortunately, so far we have managed to save these fish, but this will not always be the case and we could lose some very precious specimens if some anglers are not more careful.

PLEASE DO NOT BECOME TEMPTED, to use a rig that is unsafe or barbed, unannounced rig checks are regularly being undertaken by myself and the bailiff team.

The last rig check resulted in one member having his permit confiscated, two Written Warnings and several advisories. Please remember to read your rule book, and if you are still not sure, just ask us we are here to help. Expect to be rig checked on the venue. Education of members will come first, but please remember if you ignore the advice, it only takes one Written Warning and you are halfway to having your permit confiscated.

Enjoy the club, enjoy the venues and enjoy your fishing.

Thanks... Dean & The Bailiff Team

Mill Lane fishery report - June 2012

June on Mill Lane has been a fairly unusual month.

The fish captures have been erratic and fairly slow from the start of the month, even though the lake is still giving up the elusive inhabitants to the dedicated members who have persevered through the challenging weather we are experiencing.

The Tench fishing has seemed to be on the decline.  Even though there have been several caught weighing up to and over 9lb, we haven’t had the purist Tench anglers targeting the species as we are used to this year, compared to years past. The carp anglers have however been catching a few in the process of pursuing their preferred species.

One of the bailiff team had a very productive day targeting other inhabitants residing in the fishery, landing several Rudd to 1lb+ and the ever aggressive stripy’s (Perch) being landed to 1.5lb , an exciting species that can punches well above their weight for fighting and rod bending action.

In summer it has been a difficult month on the venue for anglers and fish alike, with the weather problems the fish have had trouble (getting their groove on).  Spawning has been difficult to say the least, but we think they have had a successful last two weeks in the month. Hopefully we can now look forward to a warmer summer and some more productive fishing for the members.

Just a couple of moans and groans from the bailiff team and I this month:

Litter is becoming more evident again, please take it home - I personally think there’s nothing worse than a litter strewn venue.

Fish safety is the major priority as always; please use suitable unhooking mats on the venue as theses are big girls and guys who need a lot of TLC to keep them in premium condition.  High quality Carp care kits from tackle shops and also mouth ulcer treatments are available very cheaply from chemists to help heal hook holds or spawning abrasions and these are also recommended.

Please do not bring any wet tackle onto Mill Lane as this can cause major problems with transfer of diseases, and can devastate a venue in the unpredictable weather we are having at this time.

Most of all enjoy the venue take care of the residents, and remember tea and one sugar for me!!

Thanks for reading - Dean & The Bailiff team

Water Report - The Bailiff Team: May 2012

Good Afternoon Farnham Anglers, we hope you have had a productive May. The beginning of the month looked very promising with the change in the weather, but unfortunately that was short lived as British weather always seems to be. As for the fishing at Mill Lane, this last month has resulted in some fish on the bank, as well as having had some amazing displays of fish sunning themselves and teasing the anglers by toying with their floating baits before spitting them out and waving a tail or flicking a fin as they swim away - leading to some very strong words and even prayers and tears from the anglers ! That said, there have been some impressive fish caught by anglers who have persevered and focused on their fishing. I have received reports that Tench have started to appear to carp anglers finally, but not in large numbers. The biggest Tench recorded so far in May were 10lb 4oz, 10lb 6oz, and a 9lb male as recorded by a very well respected tench angler, also a handful of seven pounders with several smaller back up fish not weighed.
Carp are being their usual elusive selves, whilst not many fish have been reported to the bailiff team, there has been a confirmed 40lb+ Carp landed. As the weather changed through May so did the water clarity, we have an algal bloom on the venue, which seems to be settling down now and causing no further problems. The water level is still up due the rains of April, but we see this as a good thing at the moment as the warmth of summer is hopefully not too far away. I would like to take this time to update you on changes on the venue; we have introduced two new bailiffs to the team in the last few weeks - Steve Cheeseman and Paul Ashford both of whom are very accomplished anglers with a good knowledge of the fishery and its management. I'm sure they are both going to be a great asset to the venue and club in the future. Just a few reminders for anglers... • Please read and take note of the rules on Mill Lane as they may vary from venue to venue. Fish safety is a major focal point for the team and we will be monitoring all anglers for safety of their rigs and the use of adequate equipment. Please remember you are fishing a venue with some very old and large inhabitants, these fragile fish need to be given the best care possible to allow them to thrive and survive for years to come.  • Please do not skimp on unhooking mats, a large padded unhooking mat approximately double the size of the fish is recommended, a carp cradle or similar would be an asset on this venue. (Please do not bring wet unhooking mats or landing nets onto the venue for risk of spreading disease.) • Carp antiseptic is also advisable to help repair any scrapes on fish landed at the venue, this will help ensure the fish's health, especially in the coming weeks as the fish start to spawn they could have scale or fin damage.  • Due to the size of the fish at this venue, we recommend the use of landing nets with a minimum of 42 inch long arms for Carp & Pike.  • All rigs used should be barbless and all leads need to be able to be ejected in the event of lost fish. • The anglers of Mill Lane are generally a very nice bunch of people, with no reports of problems and we wish to keep it this way. As such, we encourage all anglers that visit and fish the venue to respect other anglers and exercise courtesy when approaching other members and keep noise to a minimum. The fish in the lake are very spooky and you could kill your chance of a fish before you have even set up by being noisy, so please avoid using mallets to put bivvy pegs into the ground. This will allow us to all carry on enjoying the venue and ensure that the bailiff team will not get too many phone calls from upset members...! • We are also having an issue with litter being left on the venue and this is simply not acceptable. As a bailiff team, we pride ourselves on the lack of litter on at Mill Lane and the Farnham Angling network as a whole. Please assist us in keeping the venue clean and remember this addage: 'IF YOU BRING IT IN FULL - PLEASE TAKE IT HOME EMPTY'. By referring to the above points we are intending to educate anglers to ensure that fish caught are well cared for and that they avoid receiving Written Warnings for breaking FAS rules.
Please enjoy the venue and its inhabitants, but most of all respect and cherish them as once they're gone they're gone - along with the history that goes with them. We cannot replace these fish.
Most of all remember the bailiffs like a cup of tea when doing their rounds... ONE SUGAR FOR ME!!! Enjoy June and hope to see you on the bank in the near future.
Thanks – Dean & John, Graham, Kevin, Billy, Steve & Paul – The Mill Lane Bailiff Team 

Water Report - The Bailiff Team: April 2012

The new season has started and we are welcoming a lot of new members onto the water, as well as some more familiar faces who have returned to fish for their 20th season with FAS. As we all know every season is different in the world of angling, if it wasn't we wouldn't keep coming back to sit and ponder the days away making drastic decisions on how the world cup should be played and so on underneath a brolly in the pouring rain/ hail /sleet /cold winds!!! Oh the joys of spring, but that's what make us anglers. And as such the fish on the bank are less than we would expect for this time of year in comparison with previous seasons. Saying that there have still been some fantastic fish landed.... The best Grass Carp to date was 26lb, caught by a very happy first visit angler, who I feel sure we will be seeing again ! Leather carp 30lb + ounces & Commons of 31lb + & 34lb +. We also had some very good news on the 28th April from a member who has caught a 28lb Mirror Carp. The fish was identified as The Long Fish (see the Mill Lane gallery), which has been missing for at least two seasons and had been presumed dead, so it's good to see the old girl is thriving and surviving but showing hers years in bumps and scrapes... Tench around the 7lb mark are falling to carp tactics. The Tench anglers would normally be starting to appear for their spring season opening session, but unfortunately they seem to have been missing so far this season. However as we are all aware the weather hasn't helped the situation, with the springs longer warmer days and warmer evenings seeming a distant hope at the moment.
Roll on May, hopefully that will put an end to the UK's monsoon season we seem to be having at the moment, and we will see more of the red eyed green beauties gracing the banks. They are well worth targeting on Mill Lane; I have personally witnessed and photographed Tench of 10lb 6oz in seasons past.  The Toothy critters (Pike - love or hate them) in the venue are still very active, even though no being fished for they are often seen charging through the margins in search of the elusive bait fish which are still in the venue, this causing much frustration to the anglers as they charge through lines and so on. You cannot blame them when they have to compete with the Black Death (cormorants) for their food source.  Thanks for reading - The Bailiff Team 

February to 25th March 2012 - Dean Beale, Head Bailiff

The Pike sport has been steady for the anglers who are targeting the species. There have been some reports from members of 3/5 fish being landed in a single day on a static dead bait approach, most fish have been recorded as Jack pike in single figures. There has also been a marked increase in the number of doubles reported at around the 13 to 15lb category with the occasional 20lb fish, but they seem to be very elusive visitors to the bank. I have personally witnessed and photographed one 20lb fish for a member so they are there somewhere. The Carp angling side of the venue has been steady over the colder period of the start of the year, with the occasional fish coming to the bank of the dedicated anglers who are attracted to the water on a regular basis. Consistent practices and perseverance seem to be the key to success on the venue.
During the last four weeks end of February to mid March the Carp fishing has been very slow with no fish being recorded or seen on the bank. The last two weeks have seen a change in the weather and the fortunes of the anglers, with a couple of the elusive residents visiting the banks in their prime winter colours and in pristine condition. The Tench have started to appear on the venue with the odd fish being recorded to Carp anglers. The Bream have made an appearance also, to a Carp angler fishing the back of the new island swim 16. The fish even though an old warrior, was recorded as a very clean fish and weighed in at over 11lb. Even though the river season has now come to a close, I have been receiving some reports of Chub around 4lb with three fish taken in an afternoon, to the mobile approach of the anglers that choose to fish the small stretch of the River Blackwater that rounds the back of the venue. Mike Barras has been in and made a few very helpful improvements to the fishery : reinstating the walkway from the lake to the river , improving access for 16 June when the new river season kicks off. Also some improvements to the entrance of the venue, with some car park grading and levelling. 

Easter to 28th August 2010 - Reg Harper, Head Bailiff

Mill Lane has been fishing well this summer. Tench to 10lb + coming to the net and a few Grass Carp of 20lb + as well. Although camera shy, a few of the Mill Lane Carp have been obliging and taken a bait, a 38lb 8oz specimen being one such fish ! That is why a large unhooking mat and landing net is required at Mill Lane. Margins are being productive, you don't need to cast a distance at Mill Lane and push to the limits of your swim ! The weed is not quite so bad this year, so spots can be found to present a bait.

I would take this opportunity to remind members not to use barbed hooks size 14 or larger on Farnham's waters as we are finding some on the bank. We do regular hook checks and a few members are being booked, please do not risk losing your permit !

Also, if you can be bothered to bring packets etc full, then please remember to take the litter back home with you. Most members do, to keep their waters clean and tidy.

Thank you, Reg.  

Mill Lane catch report - Nov 2009 - Easter 2010

Members have had good sport over the winter with the Pike, fish to mid-doubles falling to popped up deadbaits and spinning being very productive. Hopefully the cold weather is behind us now and the Tench are starting to show, with members reporting having one or two, mainly on boilies meant for the Carp. Those anglers that are targeting them are catching them on sweetcorn. A few Carp have been seen, but none caught as yet, but that will change in the next few weeks. Last year a Common Carp of 38lb and a Mirror of 45lb came to the net, with other fish of 30lb + also coming out, but the Carp are not easy to fool and have seen it all before ! Hopefully the weed will not be quite as prolific this year. All I can say is pick your spots carefully, check your rigs are strong and safe and of course barbless.  Good luck - John Pennington, Mill Lane Bailiff