Well with all my information missing, this blog could turn into anything as I’m just going to make it up has I go along, so if its crap then please forgive me (what do you mean it normally is?)

Starting from where I left off, the boys from Trakker came down to do a bit of filming, (much to the dismay of one or two of our members). I would just point out here that they paid for the privilege of filming here and do a good job in promoting The Carp Society, all of which goes a long way to helping us keep the price of fishing on our waters down to a more than competitive price.  So if we can all learn to get along and put our personal wants to one side and focus on the benefits to the Society, this can only benefit everyone in the long run.  If Ebony and Ivory can do it, why can’t we!!!.  Anyway the Trakker boys’ arrival coincided with a slump in fishing at Horseshoe, but fair play to them, they worked hard and managed to land a dozen or so fish between them and get some film in the can (as we say in the business).  I dare say you can read all about it on the Trakker website.

As mentioned earlier, the fish catches slowed down towards the end of May, but a few people who managed to catch included Stephen Share and Garry Little, who enjoyed a 48 hour session, landing three fish between them, 29, 24 and 22lb respectively. Thank you for dropping off the catch report, it’s most helpful.

David Brown also enjoyed an eleven fish haul that included fish of 27 and 30lb, photos of which I have lost.  Also on the mark, was Nick Baron-Morgan who had a four-fish catch of 20, 22, 28 and 31lb, again the photos are lost.  Phil Alder also sent me a nice photo of a 20lb carp. This was Phil’s first Horseshoe carp after many attempts, so no doubt he’ll be over the moon that I’ve lost his photo.  Sorry Phil.  Andrew Endean was also into the 30s last month with a fish of 33lb, I didn’t lose his photo, it never arrived. I think it’s lost in the post with my pasty.

The lion’s share of the carp up till the back end of May, were coming from Winter Bay, but towards the end of May, Summer Bay started fishing well.  One chap had nine fish out of peg 70 and another chap had a fantastic seventeen fish from the lawn.  Needless to say the lawn has now taken over the Lagoon as ‘the going swim’

Rob Andrews enjoyed a red letter day recently with six fish in six hours including these two fish of 25lb and a new personal best fully scaled of an impressive 34lb.

Two more photos I can show you are from Summer Permit holder and Tench specialist Kenny Parsons.  Kenny was one of the first to target the Tench this year, and after a couple of lean months he finally got in to them with an impressive eighteen fish, including this pair of 9lb+ beauties. You know you’re getting old when two fish become a pair of beauties’.

Talking of Tench, this brings me on seamlessly to the Annual Tenchfishers Fish In held at Horseshoe over the weekend 21 to 23 May, and what a fantastic weekend it was.  Fifty of the country’s top (cough, cough) Tenchmen descended on Horseshoe, bringing the sunshine (and Alf) with them.  The sunshine brought high expectations of some good catches, but alas it wasn’t to be.  As a contest it was pretty much Usain Bolt versus Fatty Arbuckle.  A few of the lads didn’t catch, a few had one or two, three or four but out in front by a country mile was Chris Babbage who had an incredible forty Tench, one over 9lb and eleven over 8lb.  He also managed five nuisance carp to 25lb, well done Chris, that’s quality fishing by anyone’s standards.  To be honest though, the weekend isn’t about who catches the most or who catches the biggest, it’s really about a group of like-minded guys getting together and having a good time and helping each other, and to that extent they were all winners. Each and every one of them was a credit to their association and a credit to angling in general and certainly an association we at the Carp Society are delighted to be affiliated with.  We very much look forward to seeing them all next year.  I must also add here, that once again, the food was the star of the show, many thanks to Malcolm and David.  I’m sure that if we change from custard to Crème Anglaise we’d be in line for a Michelin Star or two.

Right I think that just about covers recent catches at Horseshoe.  The permits for Farriers and Langholme went on general sale recently and we had a magnificent response for both lakes. Tickets for Farriers sold out within 15 minutes of the phone lines opening. I know a lot of people were disappointed and a few were extremely happy.  All I can really say to the people who didn’t manage to get one is that I’m very sorry and hopefully you’ll have better luck next year, though I’m pretty sure it won’t be long till someone has a fifty out of there and current members would be crazy to let their ticket go.  But, hey-ho, the world’s full of crazy people so don’t give up just yet.

Talking of Farriers, here are a few photos of four forties from Nathan Fox who really got stuck into the big fish at Farriers

Onto Langolme now and just like Farriers the permits were taken up thick and fast, which is hardly surprising as there aren’t many waters up north with forties in, available for just £285 a year. There are however about four places left as I type. I do expect these to be gone shortly so if you’re undecided, I’d make your mind up soon or lose out on the chance to fish a well run, quality fishery.  Here’s a few samples of Langholmes delights to whet your appetite.

We are now in a position to take bookings for our ever popular Adult Masterclass.  This years event takes place over the dates 6 to 9 August. We genuinely expect this event to sell out very quickly, so if you’d like to be included, contact the office with your details and we’ll get the ball rolling.  If for some reason you can’t make the event don’t forget that we now have three quality angling coaches with bags of Horseshoe experience who can teach you everything you need or require to know about fishing Horseshoe and Carp fishing in general.  Email or phone the office for details, you’re never too old to learn and certainly should never be too proud to learn.  Better to have 24 hours learning than 24 months blanking.  You know it makes sense.

Here’s something for our lady readers now. It’s this month’s Mr Horseshoe (talk about mining a thin seam) contestant, Warrington John.

John’s vital statistics are 46 – 36 – 9.  He is currently single and says his charity work doesn’t give him much time for a girlfriend, although his ideal girlfriend would be a cross between Mother Theresa and Lady Gaga.  John’s main ambition is to go to Africa and save all the starving kids.  If he was Prime Minister for a day he would put an end to war and the celebrity he most admires is Bono, “he single handedly has saved the world” said John.  If you’d like John to join Deputy Head Bailiff Steve Bowles in the swimwear round, text in now.

John also catches a few fish, and these just a few for the long suffering Vera.

Don’t forget, all the England games will be shown in the Lodge, so no need to miss out on your fishing or the football. So if you’re reading this Theo, come along.

That’s about it for now then. It’s the Junior Carp Camp this weekend and the little miracles are just arriving now.  Best get my Tinchy Rascal records out, it’s time to get down with the kids.

Laters innit.
Miles

The blogs so far this year have been mainly concentrated on Horseshoe, but as you know, we also control two other lakes. These have not been ignored, it’s just that we’ve had no reports, but just as the renewals are due at Farriers, three 40lb+ commons came out in the same week the biggest being 45lb and a new lake record to Tim Wagner, beating his own old record by 2lbs or so. Well done Tim, I’m sure that’s as good a tonic as any doctor could prescribe.

Also in the 40’s was Dave Jeffrey with a fish of 40lb, the other 40 out was 41lb and caught by Richard Shelley. John Morgan has also had a nice fish of 32lb; thanks for the picture John. 

PHOTO: Steve White

to follow

Things have started to happen for our friends in the North. Steve Hall, one of our fine bunch of bailiffs at Langholme, has just been on the phone to tell us the Langholme lake record has just been beaten by Rob Hill with a mirror of over 41lb, congratulations Rob, a picture would be most welcome. Graham Howarth sent us 2 pictures of fish he has had out of Langholme recently, lovely fish of 29lb and 27lb well done Graham and thank you for the photos. The remaining permits for Langholme go on general sale on 24 May.

PHOTO: Graham Howarth

Those of you who like your football needn’t miss out on your fishing or the footy during this World Cup.  We are planning to show the games (certainly all the England games) in the Lodge on our 50 inch, all-singing, all-dancing plasma, HD television. Refreshments will also be made available, so come along and cheer England on and catch a few English carp. Simples!

Can I just remind everyone that they must not give any of the gate codes to anyone. I really can’t emphasize the importance of this enough.  Anyone who is on the lake legitimately will have the gate code. In no circumstances must you let anyone in, be they friends, strangers, whoever.