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Just got back from a 24 with my dad, we had a wicked session 👌 he had a 21 and two doubles 👍I did 25lb 8oz, 21lb 4oz and a mid double 👍 I think they are getting ready to spawn, they were all really plump and as we were leaving there were a few crashing around the back of one of the islands so that's gonna probably be it for a couple weeks now. Maybe have a dabble at some sea fishing 👍

It's great to see someone with so much history and experience in fishing! You've certainly seen the sport evolve over the years. The changes in tackle and techniques, especially with some modern practices, can be frustrating for long-time anglers who remember when fishing was more about skill and finesse, like you mentioned with lighter tackle and barbless hooks. I do agree with you about the damage that some of the heavy tackle and overpowered setups can cause, especially when used in more delicate waters or by people who might not have the same respect for the fish or the environment. It’s a shame when the sport starts to lose its connection with the traditions and values that made it enjoyable and rewarding. Hopefully, as more people become aware of the impact certain practices can have on fish populations and ecosystems, there will be a shift back towards more sustainable, responsible fishing methods. It sounds like your club lake might be going through a similar evolution. Hopefully, with the right leadership and the efforts of anglers like yourself, there will still be a place for more thoughtful, respectful fishing.

Nice one mate. Always nice to get a bend in the rod.

There is no problem in this case the gates there the fence is gone lol

You have other problems with gated fences on footpaths in that not everyone shuts them, or self closing gates don't close properly.

Change of hook baits over the same spot has done the trick & I'm off the mark .certainly not a big fish but very a welcome one 👍

OnE of the lakes on my club ticket was fenced off and had gates on it that were left unlocked so people could use it as it’s a public footpath. the locals complained and the fence was taken down the gates are still there 🔔🔔 river flows next to it

Fencing won't happen everywhere. Too many places can't be fenced, some syndicate, some club, even day ticket due to various reasons. Footpaths, farmland, even landscape regulations. As an example we would love to fence around it, but because it is in a Capability Brown landscape and historical grounds is subject to certain regulations. The property can be fenced, but there are inlet and outlet streams that can't be, so the lake has to be open. I believe syndicates are exempt from being able to apply for funding.

Won’t happen in a million years I thought that was the whole ethos behind Embryo.

Plenty of rod licence money out there for predator fencing. 2x a year clubs and fisheries can split for it. When the otters start hitting the Scottish and southern salmon rivers and the MPs start seeing the issue firsthand it’ll change. Whilst it’s mainly coarse species bearing the brunt of it they won’t pay it much thought. Public opinions being another issue for MPs. They don’t want everyone to hate them, after all it’s a popularity game.

Coots, pike, swans, geese and ducks. I've seen how otters will grab a swan by the neck, and bite in until it dies. I did see on on the lake going into a rabbit warren, rabbit numbers are very low around the lake this year. The roadside warren has been wiped out. It was 20metres from a copse alongside the lake, where the otter hid. The warren on the house side has less rabbits than usual, but that is right next to the main car park and track, so may get regularly disturbed.

No shareholders divis for the MP’s to get their hands on.

One of the big problems with otters returning is food, originally wild otters preferred freshwater eels, so as eels are rare Otters have turned to carp and maybe pike, fisheries should be able to apply to gov for funding to protect fisheries with decent fencing but the gov are not one bit interested

There are so many of them out and about now,definitely they are not rare or endangered.. When there is evidence suggesting, males are tolerating other males in their ranges ,then it could be said, rewilding them has failed as its now out of kilter with the nature available to them ... I know otters raid people's koi ponds to get food ..

Was greeted at my swim by this: Adult male, body right of path, head left, been chewed off, no signs of actually eating anything. This is one of 3 I've spotted around the lake this spring. The more of this I see the less I understand and have sympathy for our MR O. Looking more and more like a senseless killing machine to me! Oh and the female was looking around for her mate - heartbreaking. 😪

Two fish out this morning , Nige & mick both landing mid twenty fish. So great start 😎

I'd be livid! I'd be buzzing 🤣

Thanks mate 👍

Good luck mate, hope you catch a few.

Evening gents, well I'm out fishing. Sudden change of venue over the weekend as we had been double booked at churn ! We've ended up at the woolpack lake 4 exclusive, so considering it was so last minute not ended up to bad bit tight for 4 of us but its ok . Fingers crossed

Catching is a bonus

I fished main lake Sunday and blanked again but i enjoyed every minute and im starting to get liners/false takes, had a few fish cruising over the area i had my baits in, now the weather has improved i dont really care if i catch or not, its just cracking place to be

The one thing that I do feel is that different anglers have different references on big or small waters, it may even be water shape. On Taverham Mills and Barham B-pit which are both around 20acres, I never thought of as big, whereas the 12acre Weybread Number 1 I did. Weybread was more an open water where the other lakes were totally irregularly shaped, bays, points and peninsulas with no real long casting. I did really struggle on Weybread, it was the first water I was competing against other anglers including Jim Shelley, for a swim, and the 'team baiting'. Weekends were manic, and that at the time was my fishing time. As @yonny puts it, I was out of my depth, but I did catch my first 20lb carp, a fully scaled. The next year I went back to Taverham Mills and started catching on a decent bait. I started walking and locating, watching and learning. While I was catching far more, I didn't have another 20lb carp until 1995. I definitely class Ardleigh Reservoir and Alton Water as big, 160 and 475 acres respectively, as I do Nazeing Meads Central 40acres and South at 20acres which are connected by a bridged channel.

I spent the afternoon and evening on the beach at Felixstowe Saturday, no thornies, but did manage a couple of doggies and whiting. That is a decent size ray for your lad, sizeable across the wings. Bet they were like trying to pull the plug out...

Not carp exactly but…