Bluemoon Angling Thread

[Didsbury Dave]

Which lake in forest was that Dave ?

Do you know, I've often wondered myself. It was 1992 - I know because we had Primal Scream "Screamadelica" on loop for the whole trip. In fact we drove all the way from Manchester straight after an all night rave that my mate had put on without any sleep. But that's an aside, just to set the scene!

We stayed for a week in a caravan site on The Dorset Stour, one that's still there, because I've looked recently. We struggled with the coarse fishing really because we weren't brilliant anglers and it was clear and hot. Someone recommended a lake and all I remember is that it was at the top end of the New Forest. When we got there we paid a guy at a farm and I'd say that it was a sort of early, prototype commercial fishery, dug up on the farmland. It was a smallish lake (2-3 acres maybe?) with an island. We caught carp on float and leger tackle. Not big ones, pasties, but as inexperienced anglers we were pleased enough.

I've tried to identify the lake since then but not found it. I see where you're from: any ideas, fella?

 

[Saddleworth2]

Brilliant. Once you start river fishing it never stops its siren call. I think it's because no two days are ever the same. As for being "nervous", that's more likely adrenaline. My hands used to shake when I was younger as I put up my rod. Not so much now though I still miss a ring occasionally in the excitement (no gags please).

Let us know how you go on.

I think the Whitehouse & Mortimer episode that was filmed on our stretch of the Wye in June is on the box tonight. Look out for my face peering through the bushes.

Were you Bobs stunt double when he was rowing that boat?

 

[southamptonblue]

Do you know, I've often wondered myself. It was 1992 - I know because we had Primal Scream "Screamadelica" on loop for the whole trip. In fact we drove all the way from Manchester straight after an all night rave that my mate had put on without any sleep. But that's an aside, just to set the scene!

We stayed for a week in a caravan site on The Dorset Stour, one that's still there, because I've looked recently. We struggled with the coarse fishing really because we weren't brilliant anglers and it was clear and hot. Someone recommended a lake and all I remember is that it was at the top end of the New Forest. When we got there we paid a guy at a farm and I'd say that it was a sort of early, prototype commercial fishery, dug up on the farmland. It was a smallish lake (2-3 acres maybe?) with an island. We caught carp on float and leger tackle. Not big ones, pasties, but as inexperienced anglers we were pleased enough.

I've tried to identify the lake since then but not found it. I see where you're from: any ideas, fella?

Thought it may have been Sway lakes as there was/is a mink farm very close and animal rights protesters let them out back then......but is long thin, fish from one side without an island.
Will ask my fishing bud as he lives in forest and knows all the lakes,I've fished mainly the Ringwood ones.
Do you know the name of caravan site? Was the lake close by?

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Thought it may have been Sway lakes as there was/is a mink farm very close and animal rights protesters let them out back then......but is long thin, fish from one side without an island.
Will ask my fishing bud as he lives in forest and knows all the lakes,I've fished mainly the Ringwood ones.
Do you know the name of caravan site? Was the lake close by?

Just been looking online and the caravan site was Meadowbank Holidays (I think) and the lake might have been "Hordle Lake". I thought it was to the north of the New Forest, and this isn't, but I think it might have been there but they only had one lake.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

I don't think it's right that otters should be culled or controlled as many anglers want. They are just a part of the ecology and are a reintroduced indigenous species. We anglers have artificially changed the fish biomass and balance in most waters because everyone wants to catch big fish, particularly carp and barbel. I think we just have to live with it.

It would be great if they started to eat signal crayfish and mitton crabs as their primary food source, of course! Remember I posted early this season that something kept eating my bait through the night on the Tidal Trent? It turns out that the whole tidal Trent now is full of Mitton Crabs and nobody can keep a bait in he water for more than half an hour.

I agree in not culling otters and we anglers indeed have to live with it as sad as it is in them eating specimen fish.

No surprise about signal crays on the Trent but not heard of mitten crabs being a problem. How big are they, and are they edible?

 

[southamptonblue]

Just been looking online and the caravan site was Meadowbank Holidays (I think) and the lake might have been "Hordle Lake". I thought it was to the north of the New Forest, and this isn't, but I think it might have been there but they only had one lake.

Know Hordle, was my initial thought!.. its close to Lymington, south of forest though, multiple (very small) lakes now, but may have been just main lake (pretty round with island) back then? Remember it just after opening, mud/clay was orange...as was all gear and clothes end of the day!
Will ask and find out....mate lives 10min max up road from Hordle!

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Know Hordle, was my initial thought!.. its close to Lymington, south of forest though, multiple (very small) lakes now, but may have been just main lake (pretty round with island) back then? Remember it just after opening, mud/clay was orange...as was all gear and clothes end of the day!
Will ask and find out....mate lives 10min max up road from Hordle!

I don't know if it was that one. Whilst it was definitely a commercial style lake, ie stocked with pasties, it wasn't barren, it was well established in 1992 and was in pretty countryside near the farm and I remember there were trees right behind us as we fished. It wasn't newly dug. The island that I remember might not even have been an island, the lake might have been the shape of a comma with us fishing up the arm (if you know what I mean!)

 

[southamptonblue]

I agree in not culling otters and we anglers indeed have to live with it as sad as it is in them eating specimen fish.

No surprise about signal crays on the Trent but not heard of mitten crabs being a problem. How big are they, and are they edible?

Only answer to otters is a fence...my syndicate and few others here have had them a few years.....only other option is a gamekeeper, if on an estate who is happy to be a 'bad shot' and "accidently" shoot them lol
They don't even eat the fish fully....usually just a chunk out behind the gills and left on bank....total fuckers!

 

[Newman Noggs]

I don't think it's right that otters should be culled or controlled as many anglers want. They are just a part of the ecology and are a reintroduced indigenous species.

I have no strong feelings on the subject but it strikes me that, historically, otters had man as a predator hunting with otter-hounds and keeping the numbers down. Now, of course, they are the apex predator.

 

[southamptonblue]

I don't know if it was that one. Whilst it was definitely a commercial style lake, ie stocked with pasties, it wasn't barren, it was well established in 1992 and was in pretty countryside near the farm and I remember there were trees right behind us as we fished. It wasn't newly dug. The island that I remember might not even have been an island, the lake might have been the shape of a comma with us fishing up the arm (if you know what I mean!)

I'm determined to find out! When I get an answer or some possibilities will pm you.
Love reading about the fluffchucking (sorry fly fishing on here).....we are the UK fishing mecca down here, Avon, Stout, Test (if you can afford a day lol) along with countless lakes with 30lb carp,a lot with 40's and quite a few with 50's.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I'm determined to find out! When I get an answer or some possibilities will pm you.
Love reading about the fluffchucking (sorry fly fishing on here).....we are the UK fishing mecca down here, Avon, Stout, Test (if you can afford a day lol) along with countless lakes with 30lb carp,a lot with 40's and quite a few with 50's.

I've been looking around on the web and the main lake at Orchard Lakes looks like a distinct possibility!

I'm constantly jealous of you southern anglers. It is so much better down there for an angler, particularly in your region. There's a reason why much of Passion For Angling was filmed around there! I lived in the south east (London, Henley, Windsor) from 1990-96 and really loved the fishing along with the nature.

 

[southamptonblue]

I've been looking around on the web and the main lake at Orchard Lakes looks like a distinct possibility!

I'm constantly jealous of you southern anglers. It is so much better down there for an angler, particularly in your region. There's a reason why much of Passion For Angling was filmed around there! I lived in the south east (London, Henley, Windsor) from 1990-96 and really loved the fishing along with the nature.

Your right we are lucky! Bob Brown (passion for angling) was a syndicate member at sway for the huge roach/perch while I was on it.....also Terry Lampard (rip) multiple Drennan cup winner used to get guested.We often have anglers from the magazine's on the lakes..some more successful than others (the best lakes aren't easy!)
Not familiar with orchard round here....May get that as suggestion?

 

[Newman Noggs]

Were you Bobs stunt double when he was rowing that boat?

Boring story but I was watching as he rowed away in the last scene, he got out right where 3 anglers were fishing and then left the boat where it was and the support crew had to go round by road and fetch it. If he'd just landed on our side, they could have picked it up on their way out of the field.

I always thought it was funny that they rarely catch anything but saw how hard it actually is. It has to be filmed in good daylight with a cameraman positioned in awkward places whilst watched by twelve crew members. Throw in the low water and terribly finicky fish and it was a hard gig. Rolling meat was about all you could catch on. The crew applauded when he put the barbel he caught back.

Later in the evening, of course, we went on the same swims and caught plenty because it was much quieter, darker and had been baited since about 5.00 when John Bailey came down to bait up and prepare the swims for the day.

 

[idahoblues]

Only answer to otters is a fence...my syndicate and few others here have had them a few years.....only other option is a gamekeeper, if on an estate who is happy to be a 'bad shot' and "accidently" shoot them lol
They don't even eat the fish fully....usually just a chunk out behind the gills and left on bank....total fuckers!

The otters do a lot of damage but they are so cool to watch

 

[Newman Noggs]

I'm constantly jealous of you southern anglers. It is so much better down there for an angler, particularly in your region. There's a reason why much of Passion For Angling was filmed around there! I lived in the south east (London, Henley, Windsor) from 1990-96 and really loved the fishing along with the nature.

This was exactly why I retired down here in Warwick rather than dragging my girlfriend up north. In less than 15 minutes I have access to two rivers, the Leam and the Avon, the grand union canal and loads of still waters all of which are much easier to fish than northern waters. Plus it's warmer.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Only answer to otters is a fence...my syndicate and few others here have had them a few years.....only other option is a gamekeeper, if on an estate who is happy to be a 'bad shot' and "accidently" shoot them lol
They don't even eat the fish fully....usually just a chunk out behind the gills and left on bank....total fuckers!

I don't advocate shooting otters but I'm not surprised if gamekeepers pop one or two off. I've heard that they don't eat the fish fully, a bit like bears in salmon season then in just taking chunks out of fish.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Boring story but I was watching as he rowed away in the last scene, he got out right where 3 anglers were fishing and then left the boat where it was and the support crew had to go round by road and fetch it. If he'd just landed on our side, they could have picked it up on their way out of the field.

I always thought it was funny that they rarely catch anything but saw how hard it actually is. It has to be filmed in good daylight with a cameraman positioned in awkward places whilst watched by twelve crew members. Throw in the low water and terribly finicky fish and it was a hard gig. Rolling meat was about all you could catch on. The crew applauded when he put the barbel he caught back.

Later in the evening, of course, we went on the same swims and caught plenty because it was much quieter, darker and had been baited since about 5.00 when John Bailey came down to bait up and prepare the swims for the day.

That's not a boring story at all. Do you mind if I reproduce it (anonymously) on my Facebook page (dedicated to Chris Yates, by the way, not me!). There's been lots of discussion about the series and that episode. Chris Yates fished the same swim last Autumn actually.

 

[idahoblues]

I don't advocate shooting otters but I'm not surprised if gamekeepers pop one or two off. I've heard that they don't eat the fish fully, a bit like bears in salmon season then in just taking chunks out of fish.

Nature's a complex crazy thing, so many other creatures get to eat the leftovers, it's just how it works

 

[Newman Noggs]

That's not a boring story at all. Do you mind if I reproduce it (anonymously) on my Facebook page (dedicated to Chris Yates, by the way, not me!). There's been lots of discussion about the series and that episode. Chris Yates fished the same swim last Autumn actually.

Dave, I'll pm you on that later.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Boring story but I was watching as he rowed away in the last scene, he got out right where 3 anglers were fishing and then left the boat where it was and the support crew had to go round by road and fetch it. If he'd just landed on our side, they could have picked it up on their way out of the field.

I always thought it was funny that they rarely catch anything but saw how hard it actually is. It has to be filmed in good daylight with a cameraman positioned in awkward places whilst watched by twelve crew members. Throw in the low water and terribly finicky fish and it was a hard gig. Rolling meat was about all you could catch on. The crew applauded when he put the barbel he caught back.

Later in the evening, of course, we went on the same swims and caught plenty because it was much quieter, darker and had been baited since about 5.00 when John Bailey came down to bait up and prepare the swims for the day.

Not boring at all mate. Fascinating that you saw them in action. Nice Barbel PW got as well. Must have been knocking on 8lb don't you think? I thought Bob had a touch of melancholy about him this series. Some of the stories he told particularly about his parents were really sad. I used to think Paul Whitehouse was a bit of a 'geezer' before they made these fishing programmes but he does come over as a really lovely open bloke. The wye looked stunning as it always does to me.