crusian

Blimey Danbury Lakes , that takes me back ! . I first fished there when I was probably 11 or 12 ; I don't know when I stopped possibly when I got my first car at 17 / 18 . When I first started fishing there it was for Roach and Gudgeon in the Top or Car Park Lake . Later it was ledgering for Bream in the Middle Lake , with the chance of a large Crucian . Then finally it was for Carp in the Bottom Lake , with the large Rudd . I have a 'photo of me with what was at the time my biggest fish , a Mirror Carp - I was so excited I forgot to weigh it ! . I'm guessing it would have been around 15lb . Later I caught a few more around 5lb float fishing luncheon meat . I heard a story around the time 2 of the 3 lakes were closed to Anglers that the fish ( well the large Carp anyway ) were transfered to what was Manor Farm Bottom Lake in Gt. Baddow - I think it's now called The Mill .

I was just about to ask the question - " where are the Carp , still in shallowish water , or have they started to slide off to the deeper water , because I can't seem to find them , or if they are where I have cast they are not blinking biting ? " , when I saw this thread . I can't remember who suggested it ( Newmarket ? ) , but 2 out of 3 of my last sessions were with a Northerly breeze , so when what wind there was swung around to the South I thought " this is it " - it wasn't . Usually after a hot , windless August , September brings big South Westerlys that oxgenate the water and shake things up , but apart from Newmarket in " Chicago " ( that'll teach him to live in Essex ! ) I don't remember any big winds . I guess that although it's unseasonably hot , the fish know it's Autumn because of the reduced daylight hours , and so are starting to slow down / stopped dead ! . It's very helpful to learn that I am not alone in my struggles to get a bite , at least it has stopped me fiddling unecessarily with my rig and / or change my bait .

Hi Essex carper I'm surprised Nick hasn't been along to help you as I'm sure he has had a campaign on Ardleigh in the past - I guess he's busy .

I have a spool of the Light Blend , and I was thinking about getting a spool of the Dark Blend , but I notice that Richard Gardner has Darth Vader as his Avatar ! . Dare I go over to the Dark Side ? ! .

Hi Is anyone fishing The Nunnery ? . Perhaps adders60 ? . If anyone is fishing there perhaps they could post a review . Ta

Thanks Mozibay . I took one of my rods out of its' padded sleeve , put it together and noticed the hook point of the Medium Curve Shank had " turned over " . So what with your comment on how you have had this brand of hook open up on you Mozibay I'll be keeping a close watch on them .

Thanks Kev. When I went to my local tackle shop to buy my first pack I was told that these new Ace hooks were the best selling hooks they had ever stocked , so I was expecting something super wonderful . The Curves may well " spin " without the need for a kicker ( I've only just started using them ) , but I wouldn't say they are definitely the sharpest hook I have ever used . So I may well have to keep using the JAG files ! .

Hi B.B. I think it was this week someone started a thread about a syndicate at Swan Lake , Hatfield Peverel .

Thanks for your helpful comments fellas .

Thanks Blank . I have been sharpening my hooks with the Jag files , but I'm wondering now if I've been caught up by possible marketing hype ; and hooks like the Ace range are already sharp enough especially as I'm fishing in the margins or only a few rod lengths out ? .

Hi Has anyone used these hooks , particularly the Medium Curve Shank , and if so what do you think of them please ? . Ta .

Cheers Nick . I might take a couple of mates and spread the cost , or I could go for the Traditional Lake as I like to fish close in to a feature - lilies , reeds etc.

Thanks Nick . Have you Nick , or anyone on the forum fished Jacobs Creek please ? - I have heard the weed can make it a real struggle to fish . Ta

Hi Nick Could you take the time please to give YOUR opinion on the different lakes at SWP , it would be much better than any official version . Ta .

Thanks for the update Nick

Thanks fellas , especially you Nick - I knew you would help .

Hi Everyone I 've heard stories about The Back Lake at Melton - rats , bad lads etc . Is there any truth in these stories , or would I be perfectly safe fishing on my own during the day ? . Ta .

Thanks Nick

Hello everyone Has anyone ( probably Nick ) used Kryston Supersilk please ? . Before I buy online ( my local shop doesn't stock it ) is this the braid that is tricky to work with , i.e. the various strands get caught on rough parts of your fingers and it's prone to tangling and air knots ? . Thanks .

Thanks fellas Your replies were helpful and interesting .

Thanks for all the info. fellas , it's all very interesting , but a bit depressing as it sounds as like I spent season 2009/10 fishing for carp that weren't there ( despite what the bailiff said ) . Reading your replies Jazzo are you saying that ( freshwater ? ) otters would cross the River Deben from the Bawdsey side to the Felixstowe side ? . Isn't the Deben saltwater at that point , or does the saltwater only enter the river from the sea for a few hundred yards ?.

Cheers Jazzo That's more or less what I feared . I fished there 3 seasons ago and it was good fishing , but the next season the majority of the larger carp just seemed to vanish . Oh well I guess I'll stay fishing where I am .

Hi Has anyone been fishing at Loam pond this season , and if so how did you get on please ? .

Hello Has anyone fished at Loam Pond this season , or know any factual information about the pond . Thanks .

Hi Sam If you do join the syndicate for Loam Pond all the best for this season , and I hope you enjoy yourself . There is a lot of wildlife around if you are interested - owls , foxes , kingfishers etc . I probably will not rejoin after the disappointment of this season unless I physically see the disappearing mirrors - perhaps I will get down there when the carp are spawning . Oh , almost forgot to tell you , night fishing seems to be the most productive time . Failing that early morning , or late evening , days are a waste of time unless you want to try and stalk the Commons .