I’ve just got in following a five hour stint with Dad on the banks of Parley Lake (Ringwood DAA Water). Now this is the first time we have ever fished this water so it was a case of try it and learn a bit about the location. A lovely small winding lake stocked with Carp, Crucians, Tench and Bream, we love the dense forest feel of the place. I would imagine that no matter which way the wind blows, shelter can be found. Both of us have always preferred to fish the smaller lakes and this one was spot on. Hopefully we will learn to get the best out of this venue over the weeks ahead.
Tonight we turned up with unflavoured 4 / 6mm Expanders (for the float), sweetcorn, Luncheon meat, Halibut pellets (8mm), Robin Red Pellets and Bread. It soon became apparent that the small pellets on the float were mostly attracting tiny Skimmers and Crucians, with the larger Crucians falling to cubes of luncheon meat or corn. Feeding a point next to an island with 2mm Halibuts, I soon had several Carp feeding happily, but the only bait that seemed to entice them to the hook was good old luncheon meat, with the larger pellets getting no response.
I managed several Crucians to around the pound mark and a hatful of Skimmers. I did hook into two good sized Carp on the meat, but both ran hard and fast towards the far bank and both very quickly slipped the hook. Dad also had a few Crucians, a Bream between 1½ and 2lb and following a couple of lost Carp at short range managed to land a plump Mirror of around 8-9lb. Not too bad for the first attempt here.
A lovely location that will become a regular visit.
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