specialman

Probably the best options for you are the stretches of the Grand Union around Leighton Buzzard, if you have transport. Just about everywhere has a carp of some description - I've seen twenties out of several stretches like Grove Church and Marsworth. Boats are a problem at times but there's miles of bank to go at and a mobile approach could easily pay off. They get fished for but a boilie or pellet approach is probably the easist. Floaters work in the summer - just look for overhanging trees and what not. As for rivers, the Ouse is your local river, right? I'd get in touch with the local clubs to get a range of access.

Can vouch for the quality of the fish - been down a few times over the past two years and although I've only ever been on the left-hand lake (the rectangular one) it's always produced on a variety of methods throughout the year. The quality of the fish is excellent - out of a dozen or so mid-doubles banked probably two showed any sign of wear and tear (so to speak), which was slight mouth damage, that's it. Absolute corkers and a really fun, reliable water to try new stuff or just have a confidence boost. One thing to remember though is that the track from the village to the fishery is savage; probably the most rutted I've seen for many years. It's okay if you take your time (or if you have a 4x4 with good clearance) but be very careful, especially when it's wet because the potholes turn into big puddles that you can't gauge the depth of; some at 2" deep, others are 7-8" deep. It also gets a bit boggy down in the entrance to the car park after a shower so don't wear your best shoes Other than that, wish it was one me doorstep

Had the same with my 6-month-old staffie a few years back; Went out to a gig and locked it in the kitchen (where it had it's bed) - came home and it'd butted the door into my fishing room off its latch and had eaten three trade packs of Mucilin (fly line floatant), plus a few cards of flies were mysteriously lacking in numbers too. Next morning, it was the only time I've seen dog poop setting rock-hard as it went from the warm interior of Dave (that's the dog) into freezin' cold mid-winter air. Mind you, it was easy to clean up - looked like those fake poops you get in joke shops Never did find the flies though....

Which lake you thinking about? Lake 1? From personal experience, the Method with either a 10mm boilie or a bunch of dead red maggots has always been successful for me, especially chucking to an island on any of the lakes. I generally go for a mix like DB Method Mix or Marine Halibut and whack 3mm pellets and hemp as a bit of food content. Either use something like a big Korum or Fox feeder, or just wrap an inline lead with groundbait. It's snag-free so you don't need to worry about dropping leads. I think Makins now has a website and that might have catch reports and the like, although I expect it'll be more match-based.

I know Total Carp and Advanced Carp Fishing magazines have video sections with rig-tying films on them that may be of help and they're free http://www.totalcarpmagazine.com/Videos/category_7/page_2/ http://www.advancedcarpfishing.com/Videos/category_3/

Probably a late reply that's not of much use:) This is the place next to Ashmead, right? Have been down there a few times with a mate and it's always been a reliable venue for runs and without being busy at all, although it's always been mid-week when I've visited. Invest in a monster truck or a hummer as the track down to the fishery is like the high street in downtown Basra after a bombing run. Fishery is nice and green and feature-packed, although as stated, the lakes are tiny with no islands. The reedbeds are nailed on for fish, especially with a wind blowing into them; the fish seem to respond to to everything you can throw at them. A big bait over maggots is very good. Fish condition is good and some of the commons I've seen out have been pearlers; not a mark on them and clean mouths. The bailiff lives in the on-site caravan and is going for some kind of chain-smoking record.... Nice little runs water, if a bit easy. Ian Chillcott shoots some of his Total Carp stuff down there when he just wants to show a method for the cameras and gaurantee a fish in the depths of winter.