June 2009 (1)
Welcome to ‘Baden Bites’, the first in a series of monthly
articles designed to share with you all the latest methods, tips, catches and
stories that make Baden Hall such a great place to go fishing!
If you are accosted by someone with a notebook who asks far
too many questions whilst you are enjoying the peaceful surroundings, then its
probably me; Clint Walker. I have been given the task of trying to keep you up
to date with the best ways to enjoy your visit.
I am not a professional angler, I am in a full time shift job,
but do have a monthly job related newspaper column in the local press, and I’ve
just started to write for an angling website as a hobby to run alongside my
fishing. I have been lucky enough to be involved in field testing baits
(dismally), and was part of the 2008 Staffordshire Fire Service Angling team
which won the UK Nationals competition; I’ve spent the day at Baden Hall with
the editor of ‘Improve Your Coarse Fishing’ magazine trying to catch big bream,
(again, dismally) but above all, I go out to enjoy the countryside and meet
likeminded people who can show me how to catch more fish!
It is my intention to find out as much as I possibly can about
this fishery. By spending time on the bank, I hope to talk to as many of you as
possible to put together your stories about you; about how and why you fish,
what you catch and why you visit Baden Hall. I want to cover each water, the
best methods, the most successful baits, the biggest fish, the strangest
tales....all the things that you should know to make your fishing fun.
I do fish regularly at Baden Hall, mainly on the Middle Pool,
but also on the Old Dam. I have used the canals, and occasionally the Doughnut.
I spent some time during 2008 trying for a double figure bream from the Old Dam,
and I managed it with some cracking specimens up to 13lb 3ozs. I’m no expert on
the carp, my best to date is 11lb from the Middle Pool so I’m open to
suggestions! I know there are some big fish here, I’ve seen them come out,
usually from the peg next door! I would like to bank some of the barbel, tench,
perch and roach that are present, so a diary of my attempts will also be
included.
Recently, I spoke to father and son
Antony and Oliver Burke from Walton near Stone who were both on the ‘Duckpond’.
Antony was targeting tench on the float, whilst Oliver was enjoying a break from
his GCSE’s by trying to tempt one of the bigger carp. Using the ‘lift’ method
when floatfishing is one of the most relaxing ways to spend a sunny afternoon
and straight out of
‘Mr. Crabtree’s’ favourites. An overshotted float
rises and lies flat on the surface, then slides away into the depths when a
tench picks up the bait; a swift strike connecting with the powerful fight of
the red eyed quarry is something that most Dad’s used to read about when we were
younger! Antony was changing between maggots and sweetcorn to try and catch one
bigger than his 4 ½lb personal best. Meanwhile, fishing a swimfeeder tight to
the island with corn on the hook, and another rod with a boilie over a PVA bag
in open water, Oliver wanted
a
carp. However; they were basking on the surface in the glorious sunshine, so
Oliver tried casting a bubble float and floating pellet at cruising fish, but
without success; after spawning, they just didn’t want to know... I sat with the
two of them for half an hour and they told me that they have previously caught
common carp to 12lb and 16lb respectively. Antony had ceased his fishing some
years before, but Oliver’s interest gave him an excuse to begin again. They told
me that they enjoyed Baden Hall mainly because of the ‘friendliness,peace and
quiet’. The Duckpond gave them the chance to relax in a beautiful environment
and spend a few hours together in the sunshine....
Antony and Oliver enjoy the ‘Duckpond’.
I spent some time with other anglers on the pool and witnessed
at least eight carp to 14lb taken on floating baits, and some fantastic crucian
carp caught under the rod tip on float fished maggots.
Duckpond has plenty to offer; eight feet at its deepest, with an island, overhanging trees, reedy margins and open water. There are carp to over 20lb, tench to more than 5lb and very few silver fish; the pool is a haven of tranquillity for the big fish angler.
‘Duckpond’.
Floatfishing small offerings in the
margins,
legering big baits or surface fishing are all great methods
to catch on this hidden gem. Tucked away at the top of the site, the Duckpond is
a 2 ½ acre water ideal for the novice or the experienced angler; there are
plenty of pegs to choose from and you are never far from that fish of a
lifetime.
Baden Hall continues to expand; new plans
for the future mean that owners Jamie and Debbie Goucher will further develop
the fishery and the surrounding site to bring visitors the opportunity for much
more than fishing!!
A new reception, tackle area and bait shop stocking
the latest in pellets, freezer boilies, particles and groundbaits along with a
newly commissioned clothing range exclusive to Baden Hall are exciting new
additions for winter 2009....Who knows what 2010 will bring? Find out first in
‘Baden Bites’.
Clint Walker.