Latest news
This page will be regularly updated with latest news from the fishery and our consultancy work, whether it's catches, wildlife sightings, a new project or anything else of interest.
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Fanfare for the common men...
Added at 19:47 on Thursday 24th August 2017
The last couple of weeks have seen some of Ashmead's large commons landed. The lake has been in typical summer form, with plenty of weed and an abundance of natural food making the fishing challenging but satisfying for the anglers who have pieced together the fish movements and feeding patterns. At Ashmead, it is good old fashioned watercraft coupled with a little stealth that brings rewards; epitomised by Ben Gatwick's capture of an upper-thirty common after nearly two days of watching it feeding under the rod tips on his bait.
The Long Common and friends...
Added at 18:01 on Friday 11th August 2017
Probably my favourite of all the Ashmead carp, The Long Common, was landed last week along with Patch the big fully-scaled, which is definitely my favourite Ashmead mirror and quite a rare visitor to the bank.... Lovely to make new friends at the lake and to welcome some old ones back to the Ashmead wetland.
One for the ladies!
Added at 14:32 on Saturday 05th August 2017
The biggest Ashmead carp don't often come out together but last week was exceptional. Martin Noble caught Moonscale from Craggy Island at 46+ and Vix Coyston landed Single Scale at 51+, beating her previous biggest carp by a considerable margin (a 32+ Ashmead common she landed the day before Single picked up her bait!).
James Grover pieced together the Ashmead jigsaw and landed three lovely commons and Lord Bamford of Redmire landed a 33+ common on his first visit to the wetland. Another great week in good company.
Henry's monster!
Added at 09:25 on Monday 31st July 2017
There have been a few good carp caught in the past month but the fish that brought the biggest smile to my face was young Henry's huge perch! It was the biggest fish he had ever caught and i think a life-long angler has been inspired on the banks of Ashmead. Yes, Ashmead holds some magnificent carp but for us, the Ashmead fishing is about so much more than just a hard-nosed pursuit of those specimens; it is about shared experiences, immersion in Nature and FUN!
Summertime.
Added at 10:31 on Monday 17th July 2017
The wild peace of the Ashmead wetland has always attracted good anglers who are looking for challenging fishing for quality carp in an unpressured and relaxed atmosphere. It was lovely to welcome Terry Hearn back to the banks of Ashmead last week and we have enjoyed the company of some really good anglers over the course of the summer so far. The fishing hasn't been easy but it never is, with the abundance of natural food holding the carp's attention. Some great fish have been landed though by anglers looking for that something special from their angling, which Ashmead provides; close encounters with some of the finest carp in a natural, relaxed and tranquil environment.
Summer Solstice...
Added at 15:42 on Sunday 25th June 2017
Some lovely shots from last week... I've added more photographs from this group of friends to the fish, scenic and wildlife galleries, as they are talented photographers as well as talented anglers... A great week!
Dinner is served.
Added at 14:11 on Sunday 14th May 2017
The Greater Spotted Woodpeckers have hatched.
Single Scale and friends...
Added at 20:32 on Monday 08th May 2017
Single Scale seems to have been lying up all winter and has now gone a bit of a binge.... She was caught for the second time in as many weeks by Kentish Stu, after a bit of thoughtful angling. Stu thought she would be sulking in the deeper waters of Tom's pond after her recent capture and it turned out he was right! She was just one of more than twenty fish in a week that saw several thirties landed, as well as the immaculate JC at over 40lb, which was caught on the last morning by Colin Tubb.
Lovely times!
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