welder

Hi and welcome to this cracking forum. Orchard is the old, original lake on the complex, having been dug as an irrigation water for the fruit farm. I've fished it several times and have always done well on popped up fake sweetcorn over a bed of real corn. Ian

I have to agree. Can't remember the last time I used anything else. Ian

Don't buy anything with glass lenses, trust me. My brother in law lost an eye when, having overcast into bushes, was pulling for a break and the line snapped, catapulting the lead into his polaroids. It was the glass shards that blinded him, not the lead. Plastic................ Ian

I have to agree with Stuart (jonezy). Just land there and fish it. What's the worst that can happen? I've noticed this water whilst travelling on the Toll road, by the way, and have considered guesting it myself. Get in there. Ian

It's a pretty spot isn't it? It's been a while since I've fished there but I've always enjoyed my visits there. Forgot to say....welcome to the forum, Scotty. Ian

Willesley Lake near Ashby de la Zouch is well worthy of a look. Ian

Well, I'd be using their pellets as base feed and their boilies on the hair. Both will be recognised by the fish. I'd also take Mainline Cell because I love the aroma of the air-drying bags........ Ian

Yes, they've had the lake netted twice and removed a lot of the smaller fish. The remainder have now grown on to very good sizes and the competition amongst them for food has rendered the lake "almost" a runs water again. Take a look at the catch reports on their website. Ian

I really can commend Rushes Lake, Vire en Champagne, Sarthe. It's near to Le Mans. I've been twice and fully intend to return. Want tranquil? The silence can be heard. Want huge buzzards soaring overhead? Look up. It's almost a runs water with carp well into the 40s and a head of cats that will have your arms aching. There's a small town nearby with all the facilities you'd need or you could opt for the food package that will increase your waistline. Oh, and roaming the bank is productive and encouraged. If I get the six numbers I'll be found living there. Ian

Andy52 and Stoogi, both mods on here and both fishing buddies of mine swear by Baitworks products. And both have caught some very nice fish with them. I've not used their stuff yet but imagine that I soon will. Ian

That's an S-type. Ian

Along with four others I did three days/nights on Churn Pool, Cotswolds, a fortnight ago. The rain was incessant, varying between heavy and deluge. At no time did my ATTs show any sign of distress. Kevin, your post surprises me not one jot. Ian

Todd, I use a set of the underlit ATTs and they are the best alarms I've ever owned and used. If you should decide to buy a set I feel sure that you, too, will be delighted with them. Ian

The video puts me in mind of Weston super Mare at low tide.............. Ian

I'd just like to add.......nothing. Ian

Adam, I'm sure that you'll like Merrington, hard not to. As Stevo said, there's barely any weed and depth is fairly uniform with a flat clay bottom with very little silt. If you're on Facebook find Luke Tomlins on there. He's the full time bailiff and knows every inch of the place. He'll be glad to answer any questions you might want to ask him. He's a helpful, smiling young man. Oh, take lobworms with you. You'll have to trust me on this. Place 5 or 6 on a longish hair........... Ian

Nick, I too like fishing hard waters such as Willesley and Horseshoe and I enjoy the surroundings regardless of my catch rate. I have never subscribed to the "catch at all costs" mantra and I'm happy to take a nice 20 from a water which lacks larger fish. I haven't been called an idiot for some time. It's good to know that I can still provoke some level of debate. Thank you, dave_3. Ian

It's on the outskirts of Ashby de la Zouche, Tim. The lake is almost entirely surrounded by trees and was originally dug as the estate lake for Ashby Hall. I haven't fished there for a good while, purely down to circumstances, trust me. Ian

By "ent" do you mean "isn't"? It's now obvious that you're obsessed by attempting to catch fish over 30lbs. Why? Isn't just being in beautiful surroundings with outstanding facilities and the potential to catch gorgeous fish enough for you? Ian I

I imagine that you mean Horseshoe? The OP wasn't asking for alternatives to Willesley, he asked if anyone knew anything about the place with a view to doing 48 hours on there. You immediately assumed that he's looking to catch fish over 30lbs, apparently.............. Ian

When I was last there, in 2012, Iain implied that he and Kim were considering selling up and retiring to Cornwall. Looks like they're doing just that. In recent years Iain hasn't enjoyed good health so maybe the "lure" of the NHS is a consideration. If I should win the Euromillions some day soon................... Ian

"Cracking fish". "Hard fishing for little reward". Were you hoping that the better fish were going to leap onto your unhooking mat? Good grief..... I'd much sooner target lower 20's at a "stunning venue" than 30's at a muddy hole in the ground. Ian

Mick, is it the same management team/owners? Ian