Cambridge Fish Preservation & Angling Society Ltd

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River Review

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One Hundred Foot
Burwell Lodes
Cam
Ouse - St. Neots
Lark - Prickwillow
Old West - Earith

 

CFPAS LTD has over 1200 members, many just love to go fishing and enjoy the countryside as much as catching fish.  So what are the prospects for the coming season?

Well as I write this piece its absolutely pissing it down and has been all day.  We have had a particularly wet May, which I feel will put our rivers in good condition but I fear some species will be late spawning or indeed will not go in to proper spawn conditions.  Still all could change and it might get blisteringly hot in June – such is our weather.

Our best performing river last season was without doubt the Lode.  It fished its rocks off all season.  Big Rudd, Tench and Bream, a venue now quite changed since I first fished it, but without a doubt back to its best.  Rake a swim and fish it the next morning or rove after feeding fish.

Some really big fish were caught on the Ouse at Little Barford.  Talk to Graham or Andy our Fishery Officers.  They will put you on to fish.  Night fishing is best for the specimen Carp, Bream and Tench but seed baits in the day will get you 20 lb of Roach – no problem.

The Cam last year was a bit in and out.  Things are definitely changing.  I cannot remember the lower Cam ever having so many big Chub as it now does.  Could this become the venue of the Bitterling and  Bleak?  A 6 lb fish is not uncommon on what has always been my favourite river

Whatever you fancy jour Club has something to offer.  There is even a growing trend for fishing the fly.  I have seen people using this method on Burwell Lode, Mepal Block Fen, the lode and the Cam.

Come on if you have not yet joined fill in the application form and get ready for the new season.

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Past Reviews...

River Lark

This information was sent to me by Club Member John Cullom - Thanks John

Just a quick note on the River Lark. Went fishing there a couple of weeks back and had a cracking day by the willow tree near the road bridge on maggot feeder. First cast I had a nice eel weighing 2ib approx. As soon as I returned it and cast back out, the quiver tip went again. I had a tiny chublet, which was being chased by four yes FOUR cracking Perch.

Eventually I wanted to get one of these cracking fish, so I used a  tiny live bait. First cast got one straight away. Weighed it was 2ib exactly. Put this in the net, and second cast on the same bait, I caught a second one also 2ib. I had a couple of more around this size and was really pleased with them. Caught these on the maggot feeder. I then had a couple more large eels and a few reasonable skimmers and a roach just over 1ib and to top it off a nice Tench weighing just over 5ib.

This by far has to be the best day I had on the River Lark over the last 6 years I have fished it and long may it continue. The quiver tip was literally none stop!

John Cullom and Tench

John Cullom

John Cullom and Perch

John Cullom and Perch

Be prepared here to clear your swim before fishing, as the venue is quite overgrown.  Five minutes cutting the grass etc down will do it.  If you are after specimen fish there again pre-bait over a couple of days.  A ground bait feeder and maggot approach will produce for the determined angler.  

River Ouse at Eaton Socon

This information was sent to me by Club Member John Cullom - Thanks John

I have also fished the Weir pool at River Mill, Eaton Socon recently, and have started catching more barbel recently and a magnificent perch (On Lobworm).  I have also noticed a lot of golden rudd around here recently and caught one of them. Has the river been recently stocked with these and the barbel stocks replenished? 

The few swims near the weir will produce early season.  Chubb, Perch and Bream with Roach showing in late June and July.  

The River Cam

The piling work undertaken by the Cam Conservators has created some excellent safe swims.  From the big bungalow near Horningsea Church.  The banks here were always quite high but now that the piling work is complete there are some cracking areas available, which will produce good mixed catches.  O.k. so it’s a bit of a walk but well worth it.  Hemp is essential and so will be a little ground bait with pinkie or maggot for hook bait.  

Burwell Lode

If  Tench and Bream are your quarry then hit the swims at Upware.  If you are really keen then pre-bait for a couple of nights before your session.  Early morning or evenings are best. I would fish big baits to avoid the little silver fish.  Be prepared to clear your swim.  

The Old West at Stretham

This is a venue I fancy early season and early morning.  Casters and ground bait for Bream and Tench.  The first signs of boats though may signal a decline in bites.

I like to pole fish this venue, which has a good level bank.  Light rigs are a must with pinkie a good back-up bait.  

Hundred Foot Drain

Second on my list of hits for the first week of the season is the tidal at Earith.  The big basin is the start of our boundary and it is here that the big Bream will show.  Head for the Pickerels for skimmers and expect 30 lb catches in the evenings.  There is no need for fine tackle here.  Red maggot is best, early season.  

 

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Contact Information:

Club Address:

Club President: Graham Tweed

Address: 27a Villa Road, Impington, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9NZ

Telephone: (01223) 234616 before 9pm

Membership:

Address: 39 St. Johns Close, Needingworth, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 4TT

Telephone: (01480) 301694 before 9pm

Membership: alirev@tiscali.co.uk

Webmaster: alirev@tiscali.co.uk

 

 Last modified: 12/09/08
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