22nd March Tench preparation

Here it is 7 days and no fishing. Normally this time of year I’m sorting out tackle for the summer, getting reels repaired and serviced. I also re-spool my reels with new line ready for the off. Clean and put new batteries in the ATT alarms.
My tench fishing will be on Horseshoe Lake at Lechlade. The water does through up some very big tench towards June and July when they spawn.

I stopped fishing there early last year to start on my chub fishing on the H.Avon and D. Stour. This was a big mistake as several big tench came out after the majority had spawned.

There is some great fishing to be had if your timing is correct on this fishery. The vast amount of weed does put many off. However by fishing sensibly then great sport can be had.

Both with a trout pout!

I’m thinking of using a couple of methods to catch the tench. Early in April when the silk weed is around I use the method feeder rig. Then as this goes and clear spots appear then I’ll use the Drennan inline feeder.
I will probably use rubber maggots, casters and fake corn.

Normally the tench move into summer bay as spring approaches, and stay until they spawn then they spread out across the remainder of the lake.

First though I need to join the carp society and then obtain the summer ticket. Once I’ve got this then I can start in early April. I shall though be trying for the carp at night during April as the tench don’t feed much at night. I will also be looking for the big rudd that start to visit the shallow water of summer bay. The water in the bay is just over 3ft and is just deep enough so that you don’t get the swans mopping up your bait. They put an extra board in the outfall last year that made all the difference.

What I’ve got his year is the knowledge of the swims and where to cast to find the clear spots. Last year I took photo’s of the swims and put an arrow on which points of where to cast and how far.

So some of the hard work of last year may help me.

I may just get one more chance at Willow before the end of the month. Alan Stagg had a great session there last week, I think he had 6 roach of 3lbs plus. Now that’s got to an all time great I think. Well done Alan!