Search the Community

We have a large pond that needs stocking. It has been established for 10 years or more and has some smaller species of fish such as Roach and Rudd. My question is; what is the best method of stocking a pond? Should a local garden centre be used (which can expensive if they balance the price they want to sell at), or can you go direct to the stock suppliers? Also are there online centres that can be used reliably at a good price? (if so can you recommend) The main criteria we're looking at is value for money with a large quantity of fish, balanced with quality (so that they survive well). We are looking to stock the following; - 20 rainbow trout - 20 golden Orfe - 10/ 15 Mirror/ Leather carp - Some Common carp - Some Tench Thanks

After failing to write anything for over a year...... I think this may have been the first time I have fished for coarse fish in April as I usually wait until May before venturing onto the bankside. However, recent surgery to treat kidney cancer and the loss of my main work contract meant that I currently have a bit of time available. In addition, fishing is supposed to be a fine method of recuperation. So, after a leisurely start to the day, read instead, stuck in traffic on the M4 and A4, I was fishing by 9:45 in one of my favourite swims in very pleasant angling conditions. The plan was to float fish the margins for a couple of hours and then give a try to pellet waggler fishing, a method that caught me a few fish on a couple of short sessions last summer. However this time I had a new rod, bought specifically for the purpose, well, almost, it should also be good for a bit of small stream dace and grayling fishing in the winter. So, for a couple of hours I stared at a float, in the margins, which only moved when I recast it. The time gets to 11:00, mug of coffee and a late breakfast sandwich while I watch the lake for signs of movement. A few carp appear to be mooching around sub-surface, just what I wanted to see, although without sunglasses it was hard to estimate sizes. So, pellet waggler fishing, the required setup, rod, bait, float, etc are pictured below, just as it was by the lake on Thursday morning. Those of you who have tried this method will immediately spot where my cunning plan falls apart…..no sunglasses, and no catapult. Without the former I wasn’t going to be able to easily spot fish, and without the latter, my loosefed 6mm pellets weren’t going very far. Ho hum…..instead of hauling out a load of carp on this method, I sat and watched my stationary float in the margins for another hour before the call of a cold pint of beer on the way home became too great. There’s always next time, and I won’t forget the catapult and sunglasses again!!