Like many fishery owners, we’re occasionally called to account for our ever-evolving – seemingly ever-growing – list of fishery rules.
In reality though, for anglers we know and trust – and who book either of our carp lakes on an exclusive basis – there is actually just one overarching doctrine:
Put the fish first – in terms of your approach, rigs and bait.
Would that life were always so simple.
Unfortunately, this being a day ticket fishery, we are unable to ‘vet’ anglers as we would were we operating a syndicate.
With this in mind, we ask first-timers to read, understand and adhere to a set of rules which, we believe, are fair and reasonable taking into account the widely differing abilities of the folk we meet day to day.
Most visitors tell us they understand the reasons behind the rules.
Indeed, the only overt criticism we’ve received originated in a fake Facebook account; an account owned by – colour me surprised – the disgruntled proprietor of a Fred-in-a-shed bait business.
As you would expect, I elected not to engage with the fellow: I ceased communing with imaginary friends many years ago.
However, since the chap in question took time to dig out a three-year-old Carpology article to back up his assertions – as to the “absurdity” of certain restrictions – I thought I’d take a moment to address, publicly, each of the points raised, and explain our rationale.
So here goes.
RULE: Non-angling guests are welcome but – for security reasons – are asked to call-in at the shop on arrival.
REASON: Our guests should be happy to leave their expensive tackle in situ – enabling them to take a shower, call in at the shop, socialise with pals on the other ponds, or drive into town… confident that their costly kit will be where they left it, when they get back.
Oh, and something else: when you visit someone else’s premises, it’s actually common courtesy to say Hello!
RULE: Only fishery-supplied landing nets, keepnets, slings and unhooking mats are to be used.
REASON: To eliminate the spread of diseases such as KHV and SVC. Which are rife. Nuff said.
RULE: Barbless or Gripz hooks only.
REASON: Both carp lakes are relatively weedy. Having already caught two anglers ‘pulling for a break’ (yes, really; in one case whilst standing next to one of the three provided boats!) I’m not prepared to risk fish becoming tethered, or trailing yards of line.
RULE: No self-tied/spliced leadcore (Safezone and other proprietary leaders are perfectly acceptable).
REASON: I’ve found too many ill-informed anglers fishing with out-and-out death rigs.
RULE: Braided mainlines are permitted but must be used in conjunction with tubing or a Safezone style leader.
REASON: Under tension, braid cuts like cheese wire, potentially damaging fish. Fact.
RULE (and perennial ‘elephant in the room’): The use of feed (not hookbait; feed) is restricted – to:
- RBS approved low oil pellets (max. two bags per day)
- Any of the three Pallatrax freezer boilie ranges (max. 1kg per day)
- Hemp (max. one pint per day)
- Sweetcorn (max. one 300 gram can per day)
- Maggots and casters (max. two pints per day)
- Groundbait (low oil, nut free, and limited to 1kg per day)
REASON: Maintaining water quality and fish health in small ponds is a constant battle, exacerbated by the volume and nature of feed bait used by anglers.
Nonetheless, this particular ‘blanket ban’ has ruffled a few feathers. So permit me to expand on the topic. Again.
Fact is, whilst I’m happy to agree other ‘approved boilies’ with folk booking the lakes on an exclusive basis, I’ve no intention of checking and debating every individual tub, bag and bucket of bait that comes through the gate.
This is not a money-making exercise. Anglers may choose to buy their boilies either direct from Pallatrax, or from the fishery at a discount.
We do however insist on the use of freezer bait only.
Shelf life baits are not acceptable, regardless of manufacturer.
RULE: No artificial baits to be used as hookbaits.
REASON: Plastic does not break down in water. Consequently snagged rigs baited with the yellow peril ‘continue fishing’ following crack-offs, leading to ripped mouths and, worst case, tethered fish.
RULE: Rods must NEVER be left unattended. If you leave your swim: wind in.
REASON: Obvious, surely. And yet, apparently not – given the number of folk I’ve watched carry their sounders with them to ‘the facilities’ at the opposite end of the lake.
RULE: Surface and zig fishing are not permitted.
REASON: The dense weed on the two ponds has led to unacceptable numbers of fish losses.
Moreover, foul-hooking is far more common when zig and surface fishing – especially in the shallow water.
And the waterfowl on the Back Lake are prolific – a fact which was apparently lost on one particular ‘carper’ (I use the term loosely) who was content to cast his fake bread hookbait into a pond full of ducks.
With hilarious consequences.
Less than hilarious is the brutal playing style adopted by certain anglers, which can lead to significant damage to our carp.
Indeed, one of our mid-30s – an old friend from Burwell – lost a big chunk of its lower lip as a direct consequence of this kind of abuse.
And this is not acceptable. Because, in our world, fish care is paramount.
It underpins everything we do. Including the development and evolution of our rules.
Does this ethos cost us, in revenue terms?
In the near-term: yes; of course. Some folk simply do not empathise with the challenges we face; they are unwilling to toe the line and thus – to stretch the metaphor – vote with their feet.
And good riddance. Because we’re acting in the long term interests of our fishery, and our stock.
Are we getting it right? Not always. We’re finding our way. But, more often than not: yes – I think so.
And, importantly, we’re attracting a growing band of ‘regulars’ who agree; experienced and competent anglers who ‘get it’: who understand why we do what we do.
Consequently, whenever these guys book the ponds exclusively, we can confidently leave them to their own devices, secure in the knowledge that they share our commitment to fish welfare. And will act accordingly.
Sadly, we can only extend this level of respect to anglers booking the entire lake: to do otherwise is to engender endless accusations of double standards; begetting the inevitable question: you let him; why won’t you let me?
And to my disproportionately frank response – which has been known, on occasion, to cause offence.
