First 24hr session at Todber
Todber Manor Fisheries, Little Hayes - 27th April 2013
After a big move from Bucks to Dorset I had booked myself in for 24hrs at Todber Manor (http://www.todbermanor.co.uk). Ideal for my new location, as its only around 8 miles from the new home.
I originally booked for the session to be on the small Paddock lake for the Friday, unfortunately I had to change this to the Saturday due to other commitments (you know, the ones your wife/girlfriend don't tell you about!). Due to this I had to change which lake I was to fish as the the Paddock was booked for the Saturday and Sunday, I must add that I think this is a great idea by the way Todber; The whole Paddock for £140 for 24hrs.....something I can see myself and Father in law doing in the future.
I opted to change to Little Hayes lake.
I originally booked for the session to be on the small Paddock lake for the Friday, unfortunately I had to change this to the Saturday due to other commitments (you know, the ones your wife/girlfriend don't tell you about!). Due to this I had to change which lake I was to fish as the the Paddock was booked for the Saturday and Sunday, I must add that I think this is a great idea by the way Todber; The whole Paddock for £140 for 24hrs.....something I can see myself and Father in law doing in the future.
I opted to change to Little Hayes lake.
swim 7
A complete new water and complex for me, excited I arrived on the Saturday morning at 10am. I hadn't done any homework on the lake at all so wasn't sure how I would fish it or what to expect from the lake.
The water was quite clay/grey looking in its colour, and dense too. Seing this my thoughts on bait started flying around my head....high attract smell and colour for sure will do well I thought to myself.
Fishing this sort of coloured water is not the norm for me, something I need to get to grips with as most of the Todber lakes I've seen look similar in colour. I have been very lucky with my past venues such as Linear, Thorney Weir and a couple of Reading waters. All clear water in comparison to what I see in front of me.
The lake has 15 swims all very well spaced (nice wood chip bases), most of these were already taken, predominantly to the West half of the lake. The wind was blowing in from the east, making me wonder if I had missed out on a swim on the west side. However, although the weather had been good for a couple of weeks, the easterly wind had a real nip in it. I stopped at swim 7, it covered quite a bit of water, most of the island bank except the left corner and the next swim looked to be all the way around the right hand of the island. A small fish showing off the island bank had me unpacking the car.
The water was quite clay/grey looking in its colour, and dense too. Seing this my thoughts on bait started flying around my head....high attract smell and colour for sure will do well I thought to myself.
Fishing this sort of coloured water is not the norm for me, something I need to get to grips with as most of the Todber lakes I've seen look similar in colour. I have been very lucky with my past venues such as Linear, Thorney Weir and a couple of Reading waters. All clear water in comparison to what I see in front of me.
The lake has 15 swims all very well spaced (nice wood chip bases), most of these were already taken, predominantly to the West half of the lake. The wind was blowing in from the east, making me wonder if I had missed out on a swim on the west side. However, although the weather had been good for a couple of weeks, the easterly wind had a real nip in it. I stopped at swim 7, it covered quite a bit of water, most of the island bank except the left corner and the next swim looked to be all the way around the right hand of the island. A small fish showing off the island bank had me unpacking the car.
I decided to start with bottom baits, 2 rods to the island where I had seen the show. Both with small mesh bags with particle and pellets and some Goo (http://www.kianacarp.org). Some handfuls of boilie over the top.
The 3rd rod went just out to my right a couple of rod lengths. All 3 rods landed with a firm thud so I felt happy with these positions. I then put my bivvy up and made the custom cuppa tea.
2 hrs pass and I re-cast the right hand rod but with a pineapple pop up. The wind is starting to get even stronger now, really testing my Stealth bivvy. Then the rain comes forcing me inside the bivvy. The rain is heavy in the wind and by 4.30pm it is a full on storm with hale.
The weather calms around 5.30pm and I decide to have a little exploration with the marker rod. I cast it to the right hand corner of the island and eventually find a spot just off its corner approx 4 and a half to 5ft deep, giving faint tapping on the rod tip as I dragged the lead across. I don't think it was a gravel bar as such but certainly different to other areas. 10 pocket spods go out to the spot with particle and boilie and then my right hand rod.
I also re-cast the middle rod with around 3 handfuls of boilies.
Another cup of tea.
7.30pm now, and still not even a bleep on the alarms, feeling a little frustrated a solid bag goes out on my left rod just short of the island in front of me.
8pm and a Stag chilli and rice is on the go mmmmmm. Whilst eating, a guy on the opposite side is into a fish. He is probably about 2 swims down but opposite I would say. He lands the fish, and I watch him take the photos and weigh the fish as I eat my supper.
9pm and the wind finally dies but the rain starts, its getting very cold now. I get into the warmth of my sleeping bag.
2am I awake, so cold that my toes were actually painful! I counted them to make sure I hadn't lost one and added another pair of socks. I took a walk outside, the bivvy was completely covered in thick ice and a heavy frost was already on the ground. I checked my rods hadn't frozen to the alarms and then got back to sleep after a few curses at the low temperature (it had been quite some weeks since we had any frosts).
I do not wake again until 7am with only a few hours left I recast the rods and spod 5 more small rockets to right hand island corner.
After a few cups of coffee I start to pack away at 9am, finally bringing the rods in last at 10am.
A disappointing first session, but with only one fish from the lake (stocked with 700 carp) during my session I don't feel I did anything to prevent a bite. The weather was very erratic and extremely hard going and must have influenced the feeding. I would probably fish the lake similar the next time but hopefully with some better weather conditions. I need to learn about the lakes more especially adapting my thoughts to murky water I think. I can't wait to go back but want to try the Paddock lake, not just for carp but for some of the cats too.
Todber Manor is a great place with plenty of lakes. They seem to be well organised and have a great tackle shop too. If you are in the area, you should check it out. Keep up the good work Todber.
The 3rd rod went just out to my right a couple of rod lengths. All 3 rods landed with a firm thud so I felt happy with these positions. I then put my bivvy up and made the custom cuppa tea.
2 hrs pass and I re-cast the right hand rod but with a pineapple pop up. The wind is starting to get even stronger now, really testing my Stealth bivvy. Then the rain comes forcing me inside the bivvy. The rain is heavy in the wind and by 4.30pm it is a full on storm with hale.
The weather calms around 5.30pm and I decide to have a little exploration with the marker rod. I cast it to the right hand corner of the island and eventually find a spot just off its corner approx 4 and a half to 5ft deep, giving faint tapping on the rod tip as I dragged the lead across. I don't think it was a gravel bar as such but certainly different to other areas. 10 pocket spods go out to the spot with particle and boilie and then my right hand rod.
I also re-cast the middle rod with around 3 handfuls of boilies.
Another cup of tea.
7.30pm now, and still not even a bleep on the alarms, feeling a little frustrated a solid bag goes out on my left rod just short of the island in front of me.
8pm and a Stag chilli and rice is on the go mmmmmm. Whilst eating, a guy on the opposite side is into a fish. He is probably about 2 swims down but opposite I would say. He lands the fish, and I watch him take the photos and weigh the fish as I eat my supper.
9pm and the wind finally dies but the rain starts, its getting very cold now. I get into the warmth of my sleeping bag.
2am I awake, so cold that my toes were actually painful! I counted them to make sure I hadn't lost one and added another pair of socks. I took a walk outside, the bivvy was completely covered in thick ice and a heavy frost was already on the ground. I checked my rods hadn't frozen to the alarms and then got back to sleep after a few curses at the low temperature (it had been quite some weeks since we had any frosts).
I do not wake again until 7am with only a few hours left I recast the rods and spod 5 more small rockets to right hand island corner.
After a few cups of coffee I start to pack away at 9am, finally bringing the rods in last at 10am.
A disappointing first session, but with only one fish from the lake (stocked with 700 carp) during my session I don't feel I did anything to prevent a bite. The weather was very erratic and extremely hard going and must have influenced the feeding. I would probably fish the lake similar the next time but hopefully with some better weather conditions. I need to learn about the lakes more especially adapting my thoughts to murky water I think. I can't wait to go back but want to try the Paddock lake, not just for carp but for some of the cats too.
Todber Manor is a great place with plenty of lakes. They seem to be well organised and have a great tackle shop too. If you are in the area, you should check it out. Keep up the good work Todber.
