Subject: TallTrees Carp Fishery Newsletter January 2011
FISHERY
NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2011
2011 has
arrived, and we have finally created a long overdue newsletter!
The new
website is up, and hopefully be a bit more interactive this year, although as
pretty much as the way of the world is going, we do have a lot of interaction
on Facebook & Twitter!
2010 saw
massive changes at Talltrees, with the winter works programme probably one of
the biggest works schedule ever done on an established UK lake. Bankside saw a
few swims improved, a new deck swim created and hundreds of shrubs & trees
planted in the landscaping programme. (A special thank you to the “3 Stooges’”
from the “Shuttleworth college work experience program” on the landscaping
work.) The water improvement works saw a massive drain down operation with
hundreds of snags removed, lily management, silt removal and many new feature
contours created.
The works for
this winter are not quite as dramatic! We will be cutting back a good few
overhanging branches, and returfing a couple of swims early spring. The siltex
program will continue, as will the lily management and a couple of fish are to
be introduced!
2010
catches
One of the many reasons for last year’s winter works
programme was to improve the catch rates at Talltrees. Whilst last year’s
average catch of 18lb and a 50% chance of a fish 20lb+, I was not quite happy
with the rate of catches to sessions. Although regarded as a hard water, the
catch rates have been pretty low over the past couple of years, and coupled
with the strange weather patterns we have had the past couple of years we
really strived to improve the catch to session ratio. This we managed in
spectacular style, with one week alone in June seeing a haul of 38 fish in 7
days! Comparing that one week of 38 to a total of 106 total catches for the
previous year, was a justification of the Ł35,000 (and over budget) works
programme! Whilst the 30lb+ fish have been almost as elusive, the 20’s have
been prolific. Below are the 2010 catches.
|
8-10 |
11-14 |
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
33
|
|
16
|
28
|
14
|
8
|
12
|
14
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
9
|
11
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
Statistics:
Total Catches:
175
Average
weight: 19.8lb
% 20lb+: 42%
%30lb+: 2.5%
The figure
show that the catches went up by around 65%, with the average weight up by
around 1 & 1/2lb. The percentages for 20lb+ catches has dropped by 8%, but
we can easily put that down to the fact we added 20 stockies between 8-14lb. If
we take the new stockies out of the statistics we have a slight rise is
catches, and an average catch weight would be over 20lb and better 20-30lb+
percentages.
Bookings
2011
Usually we
release dates for booking on the 1st of January, but this year we
have released them earlier due to so many groups wanting to rebook the same
week they had last year. Already we have seen 50% of the main summer weekends
booked, so if you want a weekend reserving, please get your requests in soon!
This year we have had to make a slight increase in the cost of day tickets and
private hires. With the VAT increase adding another 2.5% to the cost, our
feeding programme introduced in the summer of 2010 has made running expenses
dramatically increase! Whilst fishing prices have been slightly increased, all
tackle and bait prices on site will remain the same, and I’m sure you will
agree terminal tackle at trade prices, Ł8 a kilo for boilies and Ł3 a kilo for
pellet is exceptional value!
All dates
still available are on the website “Availability” page.
http://www.talltreesfishery.com/2011/availability.htm
Membership
2011-12
The membership
on Talltrees will renew on the 1st of May as usual. Members will be
sent reminders in the next couple of months. As per normal, we will be having a
“Membership Open Weekend”, where prospective members can come along and meet
current members, take a good look around and get a “feel” for the place. This
is always done under no obligation, it is a great way to see if you like the
water, feel you can get on with the current members and feel you would fit in with the Talltrees community. The open
weekend for this year will be Sat 26th & sun 27th of
March. Anyone on the waiting list wishing to come along on one of those days,
please text, call or email.
Talltrees
Carp Cup 2011
The Talltrees
Carp Cup introduced last year by Russell was a fantastic weekend for those
involved. The fantastic weather put paid to the catch rate, but at least a few
fish were landed. Winner Dan will be back to try and get his name on the trophy
for a second year! It was made a bit easier for him last year, as our guest for
the Cup match Bob James fell in love with the place and decided to spend his
time taking in the Talltrees atmosphere from the bench in front of the cabin!
Bob has said
he would love to come again this year, possibly with his good friend Chris
Yates. They are considering getting the old gear out and fish Talltrees
“Redmire Passion for Angling” style! That would be a sight to behold! With Matt
Hayes also on the competitors list for this year, it’s going to be tough for
the members who fish for the cup! Perhaps we will do a bit of pre baiting to
give the members a bit of an advantage!
Talltrees
looking forward into 2011
It would be
nice if we had a crystal ball and knew what was in store for the coming year!
All we can say is that we have faith in the winter works from last year to keep
Talltrees going forward. Catch rates to increase, weights should rise above
average now the feeding program has really settled in, more 20lb+ fish to be
named and perhaps a couple more of the 30’s hit the bank earlier in the season,
especially the un-named ones! Personally I would like to get the rods out a bit
more frequent this year, but with all the usual maintenance of Talltrees taking
so much time I won’t hold my breath! We will once again be donating to Carpin 4
Cancer. The lads behind it organise a great event, and we are proud to offer
our continued support.
Weather you
plan to fish Talltrees this year or not I would like to take the opportunity to
wish you a great year ahead on the bank!
Regards
Talltrees Jay
