| Birch Farm Lake |
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| Good chance of a large perch
If you require secluded carp fishing deep in the Sussex countryside with the chance of a 20 lb carp, then this could be the water for you. Only four anglers are allowed onto the lake at any one time ensuring a quiet, peaceful day. The water contains only carp, commons and mirrors which can be caught either on boilies, luncheon meat or on the surface with floating baits such as Chum mixers. Particles are banned, but there is usually enough action from the good head of mid doubles on hair rigged boilies to satisfy most anglers. The lake is shallow and the deeper water, which is around six feet deep, tends to attract fish early in the morning and last thing at night. There is also a small floatfishing pond which holds a good head of carp, perch, crucian carp, roach and rudd. Two more small lakes are also planned in the future. On the main lake specialist carp tactics will account for the bigger fish and on the small floatfishing pond, maggot, casters, corn and worm are the better baits. |
The right route
From Hastings travel North on the A21 and exit onto the B2089. Follow this road to the B2165 for Bodiam and Birch Farm is situated one mile from Staple Cross on the right hand side. Factfile
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| Marshworth Res |
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| Catch a cat
This is the smallest of the three day ticket reservoirs in this famous group. There’s an astonishing head of specimen and smaller fish to aim for and it is a water that is suitable for all anglers. Bream, tench and roach to specimen size respond well to feeder fishing tactics with maggot, casters and mini boilies all catching fish. Pole anglers find this an ideal venue for good bags of small fish on maggot and caster tactics. For the chance of a catfish, which have been recorded to 30 lb. try a large piece of meat. During July and August, heavy groundbaiting tactics can pay dividends for large catches of bream and tench. The swims alongside the Grand Union Canal are good choices at all times, but the bigger weights of tench and bream tend to come from the far end reeds. |
The right route
From the Al at Tring take the B486 to New Mill and follow the signs to Marsworth. Cross the canal and take the B489 at the roundabout towards Pitstone. The reservoir is behind Startops on the right. Parking is in the dedicated car park at a cost of 50p per day. Factfile
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| Grand Union Canal |
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| 301b nets of chub
This quiet venue is set in pleasant surroundings and is situated near to Watford. The stretch lies between lock 72 and 71 and is 1,050 metres long. The water is managed by London Anglers Association and is popular with match and pleasure anglers alike. There is a good stock of fish and a great number of gudgeon exist here. Chub are also present in good numbers and it is possible to take nets to 30 lb in pleasure sessions. They are of a good size and run to 4 lb plus and are caught on bronze maggot and caster. There are a few odd carp along this section which can be caught on caster. Roach, skimmers and perch are also present and fishing with a pole or waggler is the favoured method. Roach and skimmer anglers tend to target the fish with pinkies or squatt on the waggler or pole. Plenty of fish can be caught across the canal fishing tight to the bushes. However, don’t ignore the inside line as this is full of gudgeon and small roach. The method for these is to fish with a short whip, fishing and feeding squatts in small balls of groundbait. |
The right route
From junction 19 on the M25 follow the slip down turning left onto the A41 towards Kings Langley. Approximately a quarter-of-a-mile further down the A41, just past the cricket ground, there is a turning to the left into Sarratt Lane. Turn here and park in the road in front of the church. Factfile
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| Stanborough park |
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| Plenty of roach
The South lake is some 16 acres in size and offers quality fishing for a variety of species. The main target for most visitors are the numerous carp that respond to a variety of baits in the summer months. The carp go to 20 lb plus and there is a big head of singles and doubles to aim for. There is a boilie and groundbait ban on the water but spodded pellets and particle baits work well, with a variety of hook baits fished over the top of them. There is also a good head of bream with individual fish to 6 lb which show to a feeder based attack. Pole anglers do well fishing in the margins for roach which are caught on maggot or caster and which should be fed little-and-often. Catfish have been reported as being caught from this water and it is worth a try if you can get a bait past the carp. The River Lea runs alongside the lake and access to this is also permitted in the price of the day ticket. |
The right route
From junction 4 on the Al take the A6129 towards Welwyn Garden City and turn right at the first roundabout. The lake and car park are situated a little further along on the left. Factfile
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