There's still time to play catch-up at Bitterwell Lake
It's not everyone's idea of a good day out to sit on the chilly banks of a lake waiting for the big one to come along, but last Sunday, I witnessed carp to almost 14lb being coaxed from its lakeside margins.
Fierce, swirling winds put paid to long pole presentation or serious waggler fishing. Long chucks towards the aerator were pointless and it was the Bitterwell Lake regulars who scored highly.
Early morning and afternoon saw little action, with Hallen's Rob Turner, aged 25, the only angler catching fish. He set up two rods on the dam wall – a ledger to fish the middle of the lake and a waggler set shallow to tempt silvers and the odd carp that might be patrolling the lakeside lily pads.
His hookbait for both methods was the humble maggot and, until midday, he had managed only three small carp and an abundance of tiny perch.
His fishing partner, Aaron Powell from Southmead, fished the same bait and tactics, but his catch amounted to a few perch and the odd roach.
The only other person hooking fish consistently was Ian Swanston, who was set up beneath the old oak tree on the car park bank. The 50-year-old HGV driver, from Thornbury, poled an 8mm soft pellet over a green micro pellet feed into his right-hand margins and lost two of the three carp he hooked into at the net.
At 2.30pm, anglers started hooking the fish and it was veteran match angler Terry Church who started the ball rolling. He poled paste over a green micro pellet feed at five metres off the end peg on Road Bank and hooked and netted his first carp on the hour.
Several more followed and, within two hours of tackling up, the 72-year-old had caught five carp.
He said: "I have fished Bitterwell for as long as I can remember and I have been fishing since I could walk.
"It has always been my favourite lake, so, when I retired 12 years ago, I moved into the parish knowing that parishioners fish the lake free of charge."
A few pegs away, and tucked into the corner at the bottom of the steps, was another parishioner. Years of experience told Gordon Payne when were the best times to fish and it was just after 2pm when he took up his favourite swim.
It took him a mere 15 minutes to tackle up. He poled paste at five metres among the reeds, fed the occasional few micro pellets over the top and, within an hour, had netted three quality carp, all weighing close to the 10-pound mark.
He said: "I visit the lake as often as I can, depending on weather conditions. There is an ever-growing band of anglers, both old and young, who meet here regularly. It's a super place to be."
Bitterwell Lake is the perfect place for the novice to learn fishing. Species include carp weighing up to 15lb, roach to 1lb, rudd, tench, skimmers, bream and crucians. Barbless hooks are mandatory, along with landing nets and unhooking mats.
The lake, which is open seven days a week, from dawn to dusk, is managed by Clive and Mary Reid. They can be contacted on 01454 778960.
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