bigfrenak

Apparently there is a gravel bar running between 2 of the islands (far one and middle one). Not sure how true this rumor is as I haven't looked for it myself. One things for sure is that the fish do seem to like it between them islands.

I'm glad that I could help. If you need any more info then just PM me. I might not know all of the answers but I'll do my best to help.

I also live in Stevenage and have recently been searching for new waters. Here's a few that I have fished and also ones I have found on the net; Day Ticket Lakes Chestnut Pool (real runs water) - http://www.chestnutpool.co.uk/uk/home.html Manor Farm (2 carp lakes are medium difficulty) - http://www.manorfarmfishing.co.uk/ Banjo Lake (Not fished here) - http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/en/content/cms/leisure/angling/banjo_lake/banjo_lake.aspx Holwell Hyde (pay at bank - could not find website so this will have to do) - http://www.go-fish.co.uk/venue_2185.htm Rib Valley lakes (hard water, nice fish apparently) - http://www.ribvalleyfishinglakes.com/ Stanborough (not a fan of this place, nowhere fishes that well and boats are annoying) - http://www.fishsoutheast.co.uk/venueshertsstanborough.htm] Clubs None of the following I have fished. These are only clubs that I have found on the net recently. Gerrards Cross - http://www.gxudas.co.uk/ BADAC - http://www.badac.co.uk/ Verulam - http://www.verulam-angling.co.uk/ Biggleswade and Hitchin - http://www.bighitaa.co.uk/ Blunham Angling - http://blunhamac.co.uk/index.html Syndicates CEMEX water - http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/new_site/venueinfo.php?function=viewvenue&venueid=161&groupid=2 Season ticket for Manor Farm - http://www.manorfarmfishing.co.uk/coarse_season_tkts_28.html I hope this information helps, Craig

It can be a difficult water. Not many huge fish, a couple over 30 I'm led to believe. There are quite a few 20's and a few doubles. I don't know too much about this lake as I've only fished it a few times and blanked every time. When the weather warms up I might give it another go.

I don't think they have a lifespan as such. The only thing that limits their life is usage. If you are using them a lot then they can get damaged and hooks can become blunt - but if they are just sitting in your rig wallet then they should be fine for years.

Good work. You wrote 'strip off some coating', but to a beginner who may not be using coated craid will be very confused by this. I think you need to just do a basic knotless knot video using mono or supple braid, or change the the name to 'Knotless Knot - Coated Braid'.

Check out Manor Farm. http://www.manorfarmfishing.co.uk/ Both the carp lake and winters lake holds some bigguns, Winters lake holds the bigger specimens and hard whilst the Carp lake holds some smaller carp but a good chance of a 20. The carp lake responds well to a spread of boilies in open water or small PVA bags chucked into the mouth of the bay area. There is also Chestnut pool but this is an extreme runs water and I get the feeling your a more serious carp angler. http://www.chestnutpool.co.uk/ Another place is Banjo Lake. I haven't been there myself but have heard some good reports about this place. http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/en/content/cms/leisure/angling/banjo_lake/banjo_lake.aspx Can I also point you towards this thread - http://www.carp.com/carp-forum/viewtopic.php?t=26641&highlight=hertfordshire+ticket - you might find a few other places on there. Hope this helps

I have fished Chestnut Pool quite a lot over the last year and I have had very good success on this lake. Method feeder and small halibut pellets work well. Maize is also extremely good. Unfortunately I haven't fished Manor Farm yet so I can't comment much on which lake is better. I have, however, had a walk around the lakes earlier in the year and I was quite impressed with what I saw. The carp lake looks nice and the swims are spacious. The same to winters lake. Becks lake is a bit of a hole in the ground. It has no features and swims are quite bunched together. I don't think I saw damsel lake. I would have to say Chestnut pool but only as I haven't fished Manor Farm yet.

As Craigmarky said, they are attempting to make the lake into a big carp lake. Many of the carp were only introduced in May this year so they haven't really had that long to settle in to their new home. Rib Valley carp are notoriously hard to catch so it is much more of a challenge to catch a one. If I ever catch a carp from Rib Valley, even if it is a low double (or even a single) I know I will feel an immense sense of satisfaction as I know that I would have worked damn hard to earn that fish.

On google earth it's; Latitude - 51°47'10.71"N Longitude - 0°10'11.49"W

My Country isn't listed on the order page Carp.com currently supplies goods to many countries all over the globe. If you're feeling left out of the action, just email us or give us a ring and we'll see what we can do for you. I just found that on the 'about us page'. I think the only way you'll find out is if you get in direct contact the the shop.[/u]

Floater fishing IS allowed and rods aren't that pricey.

You say you want it close to you but you didn't say where you live.

When i went recently there was a large(ish) carp crashing. And yes the water levels are a lot higher than usual. I caught nothing but might try again mid-march.

Not fishing too well at the moment. Would wait a bit longer till the sun shines a bit more. If you do want to fish now then the places with a red line on would be your best bet (In my opinion). You could try floating where the carp seem to be surfacing (Oh i forgot to say, when i was there they surfaced between 10am-2pm) or try legering between the two island by the red line on the left. Good luck if you go