John Bailey – The Kingfisher Diaries
April 21st 2010
Happy April!
I'm sorry I've got a little bit behind on my blogs over the last couple of weeks or so. There are sort of excuses: a house move has kept me pretty preoccupied and then these last few days I've had a cold I thought was going to kill me! So apologies to all, especially as there've been some exciting things happening here.
For starters, for the first time for a long time, the Kingfisher Lake has been open in April. I think quite a few of the carp boys have been pleased about this, especially considering the fierce winter has basically kept them off the water since November. And in that first couple of weeks of April, the fishing really started with a bang, with plenty of twenties and a few thirties up to a reported thirty-eight. Pretty good returns considering the nights have been consistently cold with plenty of ground frosts and the wind has frequently howled in from the northeast. However, on the warmer days, there've even been some carp visible and one or two of the guys have been seen stalking them in the bays.
Other good news is that we do not seem to have had significant otter damage through the winter and into the spring. Of course, the fact that the lakes were frozen for much of the time has had that unexpected bonus. Hopefully now there are plenty of us fishing on the water, the otters will give us something of a berth.
I'm personally pleased no big tench appear to have been found. It's well known they're my favourite species on the lake and I've just begun my spring campaign. As I write, it's April 20th and there's a freezing westerly wind. I've been here since five and I'm frozen through. However, I've seen some big fish roll close in, missed two bites and landed what I guess would be a seven and a half pound female. Not bad for my first three or four hours of the new year's campaign.
As far as I'm aware, none of the big bream have put in an appearance yet but the jack pike have kept everybody happy for the last two or three weeks. I've had two lots of youngsters with me - two of the grandchildren of actor and fisherman, Geoffrey Palmer - and they've gloried in light tackle fishing for pike up to ten pounds in weight. The clear water has encouraged light spinning techniques and it's fabulous watching the pike follow and frequently attack with the help of Polaroid glasses. And to my great glee, on one of the days, we actually managed to land one of the fabled Kingfisher monster perch. I didn't weigh it but I guess it was close to three. I've often heard of the big perch in the main lake but this is the first one I've actually personally witnessed. A great day.
Lobster and Lily are fishing predictably well with plenty of tench, bream and carp into low doubles. Willow remains the enigma and, with high, coloured water, it's receiving very little attention at present. Mick Moore had a fabulous catch of tench there last year to nine pounds in weight but I just wish I had the guts to put in the time and to follow suit.
I'm on the lake now a lot more frequently, so I'll keep you informed. And don't forget, if you do see me, I'd love to hear your news and views and perhaps see your photographs. Very shortly, we are going to have a photo gallery on the Kingfisher site and I'm pushing for a monthly prize for the photograph which expresses best what Kingfishers is all about. More details to follow!