Badger100

I know you hear this sort of thing all the time. I am hoping it is not all true. I know another local river the Chelmer in Essex, the pike catches seem to be down in recent years. Perhaps there are other factors involves aside from illegal poaching.

Hello All, and a happy new year to all. I am trying to get back in to my winter pike fishing. I would like to try my local River Stour. Does anybody know if good pike are still caught here. Everyone I talk to say their are no good pike left as they have all been illegally taken. I hope this is not true, and there is still a chance of taking a good double now and again. I only fish a few sessions during the winter, and being retired do not want to pay £100 plus for the privilege. Are there any free stretches where I can fish. I have looked at a few club websites, and cannot find any clubs controlling the Dedham to Flatford section. Unless anyone can tell me otherwise. I do not want to poach. Are there any other free stretches where I might put a deadbait ?. Any help/advice would be much appreciated. Rayman

Thank you for your reply John, I believe you answered a question of mine once before. I wondered if you might PM me with regards a possible location I may be able to try for my first zander in daylight. Of course, as you state you may not wish to divulge such information. Merry xmas to you anyway !. Badger100

I am new to Suffolk, and was wondering if there is anyone out there looking for an occasional fishing partner in my area of Suffolk. I live midway between Hadleigh and Lavenham. I have winter pike fished for many years. I wanted to explore some of the fens around the Newmarket area for pike and possibly zander. I am in my late 50's and prefer to fish weekdays when it is mor quiet on the bank. I do not fish weekly, but try to get a few sessions in between October and March. Badger100

Thank you all, very comprehensive information, pondkeeper it is then. I will have a proper look at the info over the weekend. Thanks once again....Now where's my spade !

Hi, I am planning to dig a largish (30ft Dia) farm type pond. That is no artificial ornamentation, filters etc, basically a irregular shaped hole in the ground. What are my options on liners, I have seen people talk about triple layers of fabrics. Also a friend of mine suggested laying down teram, and filling over it with blue clay. Has anybody heard of this. Any suggestions/help/advice would be much appreciated. Also any likely suppliers for liners etc, useful website suggestions, and an idea of likely costs. Badger100

Thanks John, I guess there has not been that much rain since Sunday, so should be OK Thursday. Badger100

Can someone advise me please. In view of the past weeks rain. Does anybody know if the great Ouse around Littleport is in flood at the moment. As i am proposing a visit Thursday. Badger100

I returned to Weley Norfolk last week for a spot of piking, after a gap of twenty years or more. I'm afraid it was a blank day, and on talking to a couple of locals, they tell me that the Delph is not producing and has not done so for a long while. Also zander have not been seen there for many years. Does anybody know more about this. I would love to bag a zander before the end of the season, where else might I try ?. Badger100

Thank you for the info. I have been doing some digging around too. I was thinking of a trip to Welney this week, but have been told that zander are very rarely seen there nowadays. I havn't been there for 20 years or so, but they were fairly common in those days. Is there a drain in that area where I might have a chance of a Z ?. Badger100

Hi, I am planning a trip to the fens this week after a gap pf twenty years or more. I am after pike, but would also like to have the outside chance of a zander (a fish I have never caught). I was heading for my old haunt of Welney, but have just been told that zander are no longer caught around there. Is this correct, if so, where should I head to have the chance at a zander, aswell as good sized pike ?. Badger100

Hello John, you mention the fens being within 40 miles, where would you suggest trying for a zander. I hadn't realised I was that close, this is one fish i would love to catch. By the way found the Rushbrooke farm resevoir today, looks interesting and only 5 minutes away. Do the pike go to any size though ?. Badger100

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Ballingdon bridge is the one they just rebuilt, on the way out of town to Halstead ? Badger100

Thanks John for all your advice, it is much appreciated. Badger100

Hi matt, I have fished the Chelmer for many years, I had a narrowboat based at Hoe Mill for ten years. There are plenty of pike to be had in all of the river. The average has been going up of late. I have seen a few 20's in the lat 3 years or so. Cant wait to give the Stour a go now. Badger

Thanks to Watatoad, for your input, I have yet to try the lower stretches of the Brett. John, thank you again. I will try one of the Sudbury stretches before the end of the season. If you had to pick one spot for a twenty plus pike this end of the season, which one place would it be ?. Badger100

Thank you for your reply John. I would love to have greater detail if that is not to much trouble please. Like directions to the favourable stretches of the Stour would be good, and what these stretches are known as locally. Also the lake at Kettlebaston, I didn't know about that, I only live in Lindsey, a couple of miles away. What club does that belong to and how big do the pike go, and how big is the lake ?. Perhaps we could talk on the phone maybe ?. I recently joined Hadleigh club, but the Brett seems to shallow to hold good pike , but perhaps you know differently ?. Any help to a stranger around these parts would be much appreciated. thank you also to those who have sent a welcome, it's good to be here. Badger100

Thank you, I was wondering whether to post it in the coarse section aswell.

I would like to say hello to all forum members. I am a dedicated pike angler, and for the last 10 years or so have fished rivers only. Primarily the Chelmer in Essex, and the River Nene around the Wansford to fotheringhay section in Northants. I have recently moved to Suffolk, just outside Lavenham. I was wondering if any members could point me in the right direction of a good pike water in my area. Preferably river, or large gravel pit. I would like to get a couple of days in before the end of the season. Any help would be much appreciated. Many Thanks Badger100