Wingham Fish-In Sat May 19th to Mon May 21st

[Steve Burke]

I’m now taking bookings for the Wingham Fish-In. Wingham is a syndicate water that, apart from the annual AN Fish-In, is open to members only.

 

However, please note that the only way to book a place is to e-mail me at fishingbooks@uk2.net , and not by leaving a message here or via PM.

 

After last year’s fabulous catches (bream of 15-13 & 16-06, tench averaging a whisker under 7lbs up to 9-13, and several 3lb+ perch) I expect to be booked solid very quickly. In fact, half the guests last year got personal bests. So do hurry! You can read about last year’s Fish-In at http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.p...&hl=WINGHAM

 

As many of you will know there's a chance of breaking the bream record at Wingham. We had one of 17-14 three years ago, and as this fish was less than 12 years old it had several years of growth ahead of it! It will now almost certainly be well over the record. Last year Wingham threw up an even bigger bream, one of 18-06, and thanks to last year’s event we now know that there are at least three shoals of big bream.

 

You can see more about Wingham, including the latest catches at http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/fisheries/wingham.htm

 

Who can come? Anyone who's a Forum member! However, although the venue is 40 acres, places will be limited. If necessary priority will be given to those who haven't been before. Otherwise it'll be first come, first served. Non-fishing guests are welcome, but please don't wear bright clothing!

 

What's the cost to fish? Nothing! It's both a thank you to Elton for hosting the Wingham web site, and also a chance to meet friends from the Forum. However you’re welcome to put something in the bailiff’s box in the clubhouse. They’ve worked their socks off getting everything ready, and will be working again all through the weekend - including running a taxi service to/from your swim. Without them the Fish-In simply wouldn’t be taking place and you wouldn’t be reading this!

 

Where is Wingham? On a nature reserve in the middle of nowhere near Canterbury, Kent. The loudest noise is normally birdsong! Detailed directions will be sent to those attending.

 

When is the venue open? This year will be a 3 day event with the fishery open from 9am Saturday to 8pm Monday. However, please don’t arrive after 9pm.

 

Lunchtime BBQs. Every lunchtime they'll be a BBQ, and after the amount you lot scoffed last year, Peggy’s also providing jacket potatoes . The cost is £3 which MUST be booked in advance. Please let us know if you’re vegetarian.

 

Which lake can I fish? Normally the Fish-In is on the Coarse Lake only, which is 40 acres and contains most species. However this year if we’re full up I just may allow up to 5 lucky anglers to fish the 15 acre Carp Lake. This has recently produced a 3 day catch of three 30s and a 40 to a new member who’d never even seen the water!

 

Can I bivvy up and fish overnight? Yes. You can also sleep in the clubhouse that has a kitchen, plus toilets and a new high-power shower. Alternatively you can kip in the car park. Accommodation can also be arranged nearby.

 

What restrictions are there? No keepnets or nuts are permitted, neither are fishbaits. Also no barbless hooks above size 10 are allowed. In these larger sizes please use barbed, preferably micro-barbed hooks. 3 rods are permitted. Full rules will be sent nearer the time.

 

What about lure fishing? My syndicate members aren’t allowed to lure fish and so I’m afraid it wouldn’t be fair to allow lures on the Fish-In.

 

What tackle should I bring? The venue is very little fished and therefore the fish aren't tackle shy. With the very high average weights a minimum of 5lb line and preferably stronger is recommended. If fishing boilies please use line with a minimum diameter of .34mm (12 to 15lb depending on the make/type) as you may hook a monster carp!

 

I CAN’T STRESS HIGHLY ENOUGH THAT IF YOU’RE FISHING AFTER DARK IN PARTICULAR YOU SHOULD HAVE HEAVY BOBBINS ON AT LEAST AN 18 INCH DROP AND PREFERABLY A 36 INCH ONE. OTHERWISE YOU’LL STRIKE AT LINE BITES AND SPOOK ANY BREAM! THAT’LL THEN ALMOST CERTAINLY MEAN NO BREAM FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND. YOU’LL THEREFORE NEED YOUR RODS UP HIGH, AND SO LONG BANK STICKS OR STORM POLES ARE RECOMMENDED. I HAVE 5 PAIRS THAT THAT CAN BE BORROWED – 1ST COME/1ST SERVED!

 

CAN ANYONE ELSE HELP OUT HERE PLEASE?

 

What baits would you recommend? All common baits catch such as worm, maggots and corn, but remember the lake is very little fished and so unusual baits aren't likely to work so well as you can't pre-bait. Above all, do make sure you have worms, preferably lobs. I can order lobs or dendras for you from the local shop if given advance notice (9.30 am on the Monday before the event at the very latest). The cost is only £6 per large tub (approx quarter kilo.) This is a bit more than last year I’m afraid as my local shop has changed supplier, but still cheaper than normal..

 

What are the best tactics? The most important requirement is to keep quiet and still (no bright clothing!) as although the fish aren't tackle or bait shy they’re very easily spooked due to the lack of fishing pressure. Normally if there’s more than 2 anglers on the 40 acres it’s crowded!

 

The fish have definite patrol routes and they aren't likely to move off these routes. This is because of the huge amount of natural food - Wingham's the only water I know where your feeders come back covered not only with snails but snail's eggs, whilst Gaffer reckons any weed you retrieve crawls back in! So the best advice I can give you is to thoroughly plumb the swim and fish the margins as most of these are on patrol routes. Bear in mind though that most of the swims are deep, typically with 10 feet at the bottom of the marginal shelf. So if you're float fishing I'd suggest a slider.

 

Another reason for fishing at close range is that Wingham is a mass of bars, humps, plateaux etc., and so casting and feeding accurately is a must. If you're just a couple of yards astray you could be fishing in 12 inches of water instead of 12 feet!

 

In fact, nearly all the fish from the Coarse Lake, including bream, have come in the margins.

 

They'll be a series of aerial photos on view in the clubhouse, and I'll also point out hotspots in each known swim for those who'd like this info. However, some of the swims have little form as they've been fished on only a handful of occasions!

 

The bream are almost entirely nocturnal, the two last year both coming in different parts of the lake at 9.45p.m. The perch feed best in low light, especially early morning, whilst the tench can come at any time, but particularly in the mornings.

 

You'll also find more questions and answers from last year at http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.p...wingham+fish-in

 

What can I expect to catch? Wingham is very unlike the artificially overstocked waters that many of you are used to. It's very much a big fish water, so although you're not likely to catch lots of fish (and may well blank) you've every chance of specimens, especially tench and perch, not to mention record bream! For further details click on the link on my signature at the end of this post.

 

How do I book? By E-mailing me at fishingbooks@uk2.net (not by PM nor by leaving a message here please). Once you've booked I'll send you some questions about your preferences, and also ask whether you want BBQs and/or bait. Please do answer these questions in full as they'll also help me give each of you the kind of swim you want.

 

Talking of questions, you're welcome to ask them here as others may find the answers helpful.

Edited May 14, 2007 by Steve Burke

[jedibond]

Woo hoo !

 

 

[Elton]

Where is Wingham? On a nature reserve in the middle of nowhere near Canterbury, Kent. The loudest noise is normally birdsong!

 

Unless I'm bivvied up on the carp lake, when the loudest noise is that of me snoring and farting

[Anderoo]

The loudest noise last year was Budgie when he landed his bream!

[Steve Burke]

Broken link to last year's catch report now fixed.

[jedibond]

Unless I'm bivvied up on the carp lake, when the loudest noise is that of me snoring and farting

 

Well, it definitely won't be your bite alarms going off !!!

[Mister Toad]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! After working away for several years and reading enviously about this trip, it now falls right in the middle of a two week business trip

 

I'll just have to compensate by beach fishing in the Arabian Gulf outside my hotel.

[Maddog]

Hi Steve,

I tried to send you an email earlier, I just got the following back:

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your message to: fishingbooks@uk2.net

was blocked by our Spam Firewall. The email you sent with the following subject

has NOT BEEN DELIVERED:

 

Subject: Wingham Fish-in 2007

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I will try from a different email address.

 

 

 

 

 

Colin

[Maddog]

Hi Steve,

I emailed you earlier but it has been bounces with following message.

 

 

Your message to: fishingbooks@uk2.net

was blocked by our Spam Firewall. The email you sent with the following subject

has NOT BEEN DELIVERED:

 

Subject: Wingham Fish-in 2007

 

 

I have now sent you an email from my gmail account, hopefully this one will reach you.

 

 

 

Regards

Colin

[Steve Burke]

If that's Colin Rennison I've got your second e-mail and replied to it. If not please PM me. Cheers.

Hi Steve,

I emailed you earlier but it has been bounces with following message.

Your message to: fishingbooks@uk2.net

was blocked by our Spam Firewall. The email you sent with the following subject

has NOT BEEN DELIVERED:

 

Subject: Wingham Fish-in 2007

I have now sent you an email from my gmail account, hopefully this one will reach you.

Regards

Colin