Hi!
This is the first time I have given my name to a fishery and I only do so now because I truly believe Kingfishers is uniquely special.
It is special in my own angling history. It was from the main lake at Kingfishers that I took my personal best pike of thirty-six pounds six ounces on December 23rd 1984. To say that's a day I won't forget is as about a big understatement as I can make!
Kingfishers is special also because I have known the Rogers family who own the Fishery for thirty-four years and I have always been aware how deeply they care for, protect and understand the natural environment. That's why Kingfisher is so beautiful and unspoilt and that's why I know it will remain like this for years to come.
Vitally, Kingfishers is special because of it's fishing. The huge complex of lakes and river mean you will fish in peace, exclusivity and serenity for carp over forty pounds, tench and bream well into double figures, big roach, chub, pike and even barbel. This is more than quality fishing. It can be exceptional fishing.
Kingfishers is also special because of the luxurious Kingfisher Apartments that border this huge varied fishery. They provide every comfort but don't take anything away from the essential feeling of being there on the river bank. I welcome my involvement with Kingfishers because I feel that here is the most ideal holiday opportunity in angling. Big and plentiful fish stocks in breathtaking surroundings. Great for kids who can fish the Lobster Pot Lake yards from your balcony in absolute safety. Great for families who want to see their fishing-mad Dad for breakfast after a tench-filled dawn session. Great for horse riding, sailing trips to Norwich or the coast or simply chilling out by the side of the heated pool. Great for relaxing in the evening over snooker, bowls or a meal in the onsite clubhouse.
Faced by rising flight costs, unfriendly exchange rates, fears of terrorism and ever-mounting hassle at airports, you will soon see why Kingfishers in the heart or rural England is special.
A haven in the countryside. A home on the waterside. A fishing break made in heaven.
See you there,
John Bailey – The Kingfisher Diaries
What we’re hoping to put before you now is a consistently updated account of the Kingfisher Lakes in the Wensum Valley at Lyng in mid Norfolk. Of course, they’re great waters – including a piece of river as well – and we’re really, really lucky to be able to fish them. There are over thirty acres of well-matured gravel pit with all manner of fish species running to specimen sizes.
But even if you don’t fish Kingfisher – and we hope you will! – there’ll be a lot for you to take away from these diaries and apply to your own local waters. For example, we’re beginning with how to kick off an autumnal tench campaign. Perhaps it will be successful for me. Perhaps it might spark your enthusiasm and the tips here will prove successful for you.
July 30th 2010
July Round-up
Can I just reiterate that the shop now is up and running under the excellent management of Kelly, site manager Matt's wife. I think she's done a brilliant job and I'm sure it will be really useful in the years to come.
I'd also like to highlight the fact that more people are actually fishing Willow Lake with serious success. The tench that have been coming out have been really great fish, several over six pounds in weight. And I mean quite a bit over.
The key to fishing Willow, as I've always said, seems to be all about putting in bait. There are
vast amounts of silver fish in there so you've got to bear this in mind. Small boilies, smaller pellets and anything the roach and rudd can't get their mouths round seem to be favourite. Quite a few of the anglers I've talked to report serious bubbling activity after bait has gone in and I guess the more people that do fish, the more the tench begin to make an appearance.
Talking to our holidaying anglers, it's apparent that quite a few of you like to think you stand a chance of bigger carp in the three smaller lakes. Let me assure you, there are a handful of twenties in Lily Lake. Not many but they are there. Equally, in Willow, there are a few very big fish still present. It wouldn't surprise me at all if a thirty-five pounder came out sometime in the summer. Wow!
July 27th 2010
The Kingfisher Fish Handling Code
It's been pointed out by a couple of guys from the carp syndicate that just sometimes fish handling on the smaller lakes especially leaves a little bit to be desired. I've put down a few of what I think are the main essentials but it could well be that some you out there would like to add your own thoughts before these go into print and are actually handed out to guests and visitors. As ever, contact me on info@kingfisherapartments.co.uk. Believe me, all your input is always hugely appreciated. So here we go...
The Kingfisher Fish Handling Code
- We really do encourage either barbless or micro-barbed hooks. They are a great deal easier to remove both from fish and from fingers.
- And, of course, NO KEEP NETS. We don't do matches at Kingfishers so there is really just not the need.
- ALWAYS have an unhooking mat with you. If you haven't got one of your own you can hire one from the onsite shop for a returnable deposit of £10. Make sure the unhooking mat is conveniently placed and keep it well-wetted - there's not a lot of point putting a fish on a dry mat.
- Make sure you are using safe rigs and always use sensible line strengths. Don't fish too close to what are obviously dangerous snags which is why we don't allow the use of bait boats. Too often a fish is lost before it's even half hooked!
- Always have with you good quality forceps and disgorgers. Also ensure you have all the necessary pike unhooking equipment like long-nosed pliers if you are fishing for predators.
- Make sure you have an adequately-sized, soft meshed landing net with you at all times.
- If possible, please try to unhook the fish in the net, in the water, providing this can be done safely. If we can keep fish off the banks altogether that is only to their benefit.
- If a fish is to be out of the water for more than thirty seconds or so, aim to have a bait bucket filled with water that can be sprinkled over the fish frequently to keep the gills, eyes and scales all moist. Wetting a fish like this is not a licence, though, to keep a fish out of the water for long periods.
- Make sure your scales and cameras are zeroed and ready to go if recording a fish is particularly important. Ensure, too, that a weigh sling is well-wetted.
- Don't hold fish over gravel banks which could easily kill them if they wriggle from your grasp. It's always a good idea to kneel when holding a fish for a trophy shot and make sure the fish is held over an unhooking mat. PLEASE wet your hands before holding fish under any circumstances.
- Upon return, hold the fish carefully in the margins until it is ready to swim off of its own accord. Sometimes it's a good idea to let them recuperate in the net until they are fully recovered.
July 19th 2010
Help Us to Help You!
There are many ways in which your feedback could be of real positive help not only to us but to you on your repeat visits in the future. And it is encouraging, by the way, just how many fisher guest I talk to state their intention of returning again soon.
First, could you keep your eyes open for any sign of small carp in Lily Lake and, especially, the Lobster Pot? I'm looking for fish here around a couple of inches in length, the product of the early summer spawning rush there. It's possible we won't see any fish of this of this size until later on in August but it would be good to know if you've had any tiny carp experiences.
Equally, any suggestions for our online and onsite shop would be welcomed. Kelly is taking over the vast majority of the shop's opening hours and in a short while we hope to have a regular 10 - 11 a.m. window. We are working on stocks in both shops but it would be good to have your views. We've already taken on board the maggot question. I can't see this happening this year, in all honesty...if we can get an old fridge and a supplier you might be surprised!
Whenever I'm around, I try to give out questionnaires on the angling at Kingfishers. If you do have time to fill these in, it's a great help to us. Perhaps they could be popped back into the shop, if you have a spare moment.
Finally, we are trying to build up our gallery of photographs on the Kingfisher website. Any and all shots you take of your fishing experiences at Kingfisher we would love to consider for putting up on the site. Simply email them to caught@kingfisherapartments.co.uk. If you want to get in touch with me on any of the other issues, as ever I can be contacted at info@kingfisherapartments.co.uk.
Thanks for your help!