Bailiff Comments

Week Commencing: Sat 28/02/2026

Van Wrecker

This week was the first week the Road lake opened after its winter shut down and for a few lucky anglers it fished well. Fish showing all over the one arm of the lake and if there was a bit of shallower water in-front of them it was game on. With the warm days and cold nights it seemed very tricky for anglers who was fishing into deeper water but still a total of 30 fish were caught all coming from Turtles, Bachiliars, Tea Party 2 and Tea party 1. 

First off we have most and also biggest fish going to Colin Reed in Tea Party 2. Colin had a great weeks fishing over to the far margin, most but not all came from half a rod length from the bank in shallow water. 25 wraps with his right hand rod doing most but he did catch a couple from his left hand rod, off the spot in slightly deeper water. Colin ended the week on 18 carp catching every night from the off, all his fish came in the hours of darkness bar the odd one coming just after first light, something to keep in mind on bite times! Colin managed to land 2x 60s one being the king “Ron’s” at 66lb and the other being “Eye-Q” at 60lb. He aslo managed 3 back up 50’s, “Missing Link” at 51lb 8oz, “Nanna’s Mirror” at 50lb and a 58lb 8oz mirror that managed to slip away in his arms after a wrestling match before photos. Colin was fishing very simple “winter tactics” feeding crushed boilie, flake maize, hemp and sweetcorn. Not going to heavy with the bait, just enough to keep the bites coming and of course the ever faithful spinners with little yellow pop ups or fake maize as wafters over the top.  

Then we have Harry Ingram next door in Tea Party 1, Harry has visited us a couple of times in the last year or two and this time it was much more relaxed for him. After the last visit with him putting a baiting needle in his hand and a hospital visit we were watching him around sharp objects but after a week of no harm done he did manage to catch a couple. A very frustrating week watching Colin next door have a session of a lifetime and seeing fish showing all over him. But the carp were not willing to feed In the deeper water that’s in-front of Tea 1. But after a move to Billy’s and back he caught “Mr Mison” at 40lb 8oz and then the following night he also caught a 31lb 6oz mirror. Both fish coming from the 19 wrap spot towards the corner of Turtles. Harry was fishing very similar to Colin, Hemp, crushed boile, Flake maize and corn with spinners and yellows over the top. The lack of carp certainly wasn’t from lack of effort, Harry fished his hart out all week but the carp just didn’t want to play ball! 

Next up we have Justin Rowlinson AKA Peanut! As we’re on the topic of Justin’s weeks fishing I should probably explain the reason behind the title of the catch report “Van Wrecker”. Justin turned up in a lovely brand new Transit Custom, a absolute gorgeous  bit of kit and I managed to reverse the tipper into the rear side taking out the rear light! I felt slightly sick with my tail between my legs as I walked to his swim “Bachiliars” to explain to him what’s just happened but to his due he took it on the chin and the joke was on me for the rest of the week, luckily only the rear light was damaged, something we both won’t forget! And something the lake won’t forget either as he managed to catch 6 of our brand new stockys naming one “Bind Side” for obvious reasons and another “Crash” also for obvious reasons. Justin went on to catch a total of 9 carper for his efforts with the biggest going 37lb 8oz, all coming from between the left hand marker and the bank at 25 wraps. All his fish came to the left hand rod also In slightly shallower water. Again that winter mix was applied feeding just before last light knowing the bite time, a mix of hemp, corn and crushed boilie. 

Last but no means least Matt Lambert over in Turtles corner, Matt had a frustrating week fishing the same margin as Colin but the fish did not want to swim that 20 yard distance to his baited spot. Just goes to show you can be so close but so far away at the same time. Matt did save the blank on the very final afternoon but it came to a solid bag at a showing fishing in open water to his right, a fish known as “Wage Packet” at 36lb. 

That’s it for this week guys, I fished in the Poo for 3 nights to no joy! Very frustrating, the fish were there every night but they would not go down to feed. But the good times are ahead its all starting to turn into spring here, lovely weather, trees are turning to blossom and of course the fishing is starting to pick up. 

Until next time  

You have a small willy if your not fishing!

Tight Lines

Ben 

P.S Sorry Justin