June 2011 Fish Report

May was a bit disappointing for me in terms of numbers of anglers out. June was back on song with 78 fishermen. The weather/conditions were terrible for carp fishing with bright skies, light winds and almost every day what wind there was were Easterly... The very worst weather for Long Sault. Did the fish mind? WELL:

Top honours for June have to lie with Colin. The story of his magnificent 81 fish day on the Reedy is already on the forum, he also had a 37 fish day in the fast water and seemingly every session was plus 20 fish. But there were plenty of other big catches. A pisser for me was Paul and Tolans weeks. The boys were on fire and the records show 126 fish for Paul and 112 for Tolan, with 7 x 30`s for Paul to 35lb and 6 x 30’s for Tolan. However they had something like another 6 – 10 fish between 28 and 30 on their digital scales and one of Paul’s fish that weighed 31 on his scales went 33 lb on the Rueben’s. So the plus 30 tally was probably something special. I hate bloody digital scales!!!!

I love this place; John King and Mick I know were disappointed in their catch rate this year, but John still had 56 fish with 4 x 30’s to 35 and Mick 54 fish to 36 lb... come on boys that aint bad!!!

Sadie and Tony were back as normal. Tony out at 4 am, Sadies strolling down at 8.30 and bagging a 30 first cast. They were out for two weeks and Tony had 170 fish with 3 x 30’s to 34 and part timer Sadie 70 fish. The Yorkshire miners had a slower time this year. Cliff was top rod with 65 fish with Paul and Ken tying on 59 fish each... and oh dear! Paul did not catch a single 30. Mind you they have promised to bring the picks next year and put a tunnel down to the water to net the fish on the Dam.

Joe and Pete who had a tough time with us last year nicked over 50 fish each with Joe at 57 fish and 2 x 30’s. The Kettle boys had 186 between them with 3 x 30’s to 36lb. Merv, Jim and the boys had a bit of slow one, coming right in the middle of the hot muggy period. Merv, started his week like a train, doing his normal garden gnome impression perched on a rock in a place no one has ever fished. Unfortunately it tailed off and he ended up with 69 fish to 33.5. Jim and the boys had only 90 between them, but first timer Rob now has a new PB of 31.

You know I love a good story, and the moral of this one is don’t take the piss! Andy and the Birmingham boys had a good week. All of them were comfortably over the 50 fish mark, (Adam over 70) and all of them had had at least one 30, except Dave. The boys were ribbing him badly about this, and then on the last day he had a morning session before the airport trip and bagged 2 x 34’s and a 37lb fish, finishing the week on 80 fish. Guess who was Billy Big Bollocks on the flight home.

Harry Potter Haynes conjured up a fantastic 133 fish in probably the worst week of the month. He was on a mission this year I have never known the boy work so hard. Mick and Barry had 54 and 60 fish respectively and Mick now has a new PB of 36lb.

Munchie and Vaughan, had a really up and down trip but Vaughan ended up on 94 fish and Mr. Munchie had 58 and 3 x30’s with two over 36lb. But they also had some horrible days as well. (For the record Munchie request that I use his real name of William Wright, but he will always be Munchie to us, and I pray that one year the carp here feed as well as he does) Simon "the nomad" Down had 69 fish and his sidekick Richard, a Long Sault virgin now has a PB of 35.02.

A couple of shorter visits: Andy Law up for his second visit had 44 fish in 4 days. The Wrenkie boys were up for 2 days to stock up on their carp gear. Notably Lee broke the all time Long Sault beer drinking record, I got more on the deposits on the bottles and cans he left than I got for the rooms and Warren nicked a nice little 34 pounder off the Old Road. Mind you I forgive them anything for the fantastic steak dinner they prepared for us before they went home. Not bad hey? Pay for the room, spend a nice few bob in the shop and then make us dinner).

I have misplaced a little batch of catch reports (My secretary had big tits and wore short skirts, so I never did learn to file properly). But a few from memory; Andrew of Andrews Island fame had over 60 fish with at least 3 x 30’s. The Aquila guys fished for three days with us and I know one day was 28 fish and the other two over 10 fish. The Kent boys sheets are also missing, they missed Darren this year to show them how to do it, I think almost all of them had a least one 30 but numbers were down on last year.

AND I fished my first ever day in June. This year I was determined to take a day off and fish in June. Next year maybe I will book a week off. I had a nice little 38 fish off the Rocks with 3 x 30’s to 37.5 my new float PB.

So there you have June. As all who came will testify the weather was totally against us. In the whole month we had only one big blow, and it is no coincidence that was the day Colin took the 81 fish. Most notably I was pleased with the ratio of plus 20 lb fish and that most of the 30’s were good 30’s not scrapers, and we had a lot of mid 30’s to. The main reason for this is that we were back on the boilies. Last year the fish only wanted corn, the numbers were good, but the size well down... another lesson noted. The strange thing was no plus 40’s this June. Valis friend John had a 39. 12 and my competitor had one 40 from Long Sault but as it is many years since he had one we will give him that ☺

As always, apologies to those I have not mentioned, some of the guys do not fill in fish reports, and as I said a few have gone missing.

 

May 2011 Fish Report

It was a funny old May at Long Sault this year. April was OK and all was good and then in May the temperatures dropped and we had East winds almost every day. The main River was freezing cold and places like the Old Road and the Dam were a waste of time with water temperatures in the high 40’s low 50’s. In the bays the fish wanted to go mad. But as the bays warmed up, and we started to get good catches, we would get big rainfalls pushing the cold water into the system and shutting it down again. So it was stop-start all month. Two or three days good fishing, then a downpour and a crap day.

The good thing I can say about May was the average size of the fish was very good. We hardly saw any fish under doubles and almost every fish was at least an upper double with lots of 20’s and 30’s. Also most of the 30’s were proper 30’s not 30.02 or 31 like we have been getting the last couple of years, but good solid fish well over the 30 lb mark plus loads of upper 20’s. In fact, like it used to be 6 years ago.

We were not particularly busy this May, unlike June where we are mobbed out, so not too much to report. Cliff was first out in Early May and had only 20 odd fish in a week, and only one 30 at 31.04. The following week we had Sam who is the manager of my UK shop and his mate Tony out, and they did a little better with 65 and 77 fish respectively Sam had two 30’s to 30.12 and Tony Only one to 34.8 but had a couple of back up 29’s. Also out then were, Pepe and the Bear. Pepe has posted her story on the forum, but she livened the place up and they had a great time, edging up their PB’s several times and both now boasting plus 30 lb fish on their resume, On pain of death from Pepe I cannot tell you who had the biggest.

Wassy and the boys were also out early May. Wassy was top rod of the trio with 32 fish, which gives an idea of how tough things were. The Hamilton boys were also out for their annual 2 day bash, as always we did a lot of drinking and laughing and on the last morning Len "pinched" a little 34 pounder, but again numbers were not great.

Of course there were highlights, when the bays warmed up sport was good, I personally had a nice session in the Bay of the gods in May, 13 fish by 11am with three 30’s to 37.05 on the float, the biggest being a new PB for me on the float (now beaten in June) Locals like Peter the Dutchman, Vali and Mike al had some good sessions and some good 30’s and right in the middle of a bad patch.

We had a return trip from a Canadan father and son team ( I feel bad as I cannot remember their names) but they had a great time knocking out 20 odd fish in a day and half on the floats. No 30’s this time but some big 20’s.

So as much as it pains me to admit it, that was it for May. As I said, June we are banged out and there are more stories to tell!!!

 

September 2010 Fish Report

September started with a bit of a whimper.

Totally unexpectedly, I lost the Parkway swims when they closed off the whole area without warning to resurface the roads …Bastards. They would not even let me drop guys in by boat. However, fishing in horrible, bright sunshine in August had brought great fishing. First week of September was forecast for daily temperatures to drop from 32 degrees average to 15 and overnights from 22 to 12, with overcast skies, pressure drops and rain – BRING IT ON!!!

Bloody carp, how can they feed like crazy in tropical sunshine, and then shut off in perfect September weather? But that is what they did; catch rates went from 15 fish per rod to 5 or 6 per day. The Magpie did manage to squeeze out 61 fish that first week but most others were around the 30 fish mark. Although, some nice fish were caught.

What September 2010 is going to be forever remembered by is the amount of lost fish we had. Crazy amounts of missed runs, hook pulls and cut offs. Some days guys were getting 20 runs for 5 fish. Even veterans were losing fish, not just the new boys. I can remember one morning on Darren’s Island Mark, Jason and the Magpie had 30 to 40 runs for 6 fish between them. There are few more experienced anglers at LS than these three.

Andrew Faith and Luke were up for their second visit to LS, along with first timer Tom. Andrew was top rod this year with 27 fish and his first 30 with new boy Tom breaking his PB about 6 times in the week including a 26 on his last morning. Luke was not on top form this time and could not even catch Sarah ☺.

We also had a little Russian flavor, first week September, with Sergei up for a few days. Sergei had a slow start but had 20 odd fish in his last two days and now has a new PB of 27 lb.

In spite of indifferent fishing, I always love to see guys have a good time, and I think Mick Kearney thoroughly enjoyed his first trip with us. Mike only fished short sessions but had 27 fish to 26.8 mostly on the float. In the same vein, Paul Clifford stopped by for two nights and had 17 fish to 28.08. Paul is a carp guide in the UK specializing in French venues. His first Power Dam fish straightened him out and smashed his 50lb hook length in about 2 seconds. Welcome to Canada Paul … Have a nice day.

Joe and Pete had a strange trip; in all they only landed around 40 fish but they lost loads. As one of them said "If we landed half the fish we hooked it would have been a great trip" I watched them fish, I checked their rigs they were doing nothing wrong, but some days were averaging 10 runs for one fish. These guys have fished several places in Canada, so were not without experience, it was just one of those trips. They have rebooked for the spring so we will make amends then.

Merv and Jim, after smashing them up in the Spring, were out in the middle of September. Merv only had 22 this trip to bang on 30 and Jim smacked his arse this time with 32 including two 30`as to 32. My partner Bob was out in September with Bill, a customer from my UK shop. Bob did more helping me out and repairing tackle than fishing, and poor Bill had to fly home early due to a problem with his wife ( thankfully all sorted now) Bob had some nice fish to 29.12 and Bill was just starting to get amongst them when he had to leave. Next year Bill.

Ian Wragg was out for his second trip of the year, and found it harder going the second trip. Unfortunately, I do not have his fish report but he had around 50 fish I believe. Mark also was out for a second time and had 53 fish this time and the Magpie finished up on 169 fish to just over 30lb on his trip.

And that was about it for September. As with the other months this year we had far few anglers than normal. The fish count is the fish count, and it will show an average of only 30 odd fish per rod for September, but that does not really reflect the action. We did get a lot of runs, but as I said we lost far too many fish. Funnily enough, towards the end of September and now in October we stopped losing them. Also, September was a good month for average size of fish. We did not get as many over 30 as I would have liked but we did get a massive percentage of plus 20`s and a large number of these over 25. The Magpie’s last day out was, for example, 14 runs 11 fish 9 over 20 and 4 over 25lb. and October is so far much the same I am pleased to say.

 

July/August 2010 Fish Report

I know. I know the fish reports are late again, but in my defense I am short staffed this year and as soon as I have a bit of time and plan to do the fish reports, I think F#$K It I will go fishing for a few hours.

I say it every year, I hate July/August as I just don’t have enough fishermen out and some fantastic fishing is wasted. It is not worth me pre-baiting loads of swims so I shrink down to a few favourites so have no real idea how most of the system is fishing. Every year I think, while I am quiet I will fish a few new places. But above all else I am a fisherman, and when I get a chance to fish myself I just can’t resist going to one of my favorite spots where I know I will bag up. So, if you are interested I had a lovely time in July and August and bollocks to those of you who chose to stay home and worry about the recession.

Most of my sessions are just 4 hours on the float in the mornings, but apart from one week in July when I did not fish, I never failed to get 10 or more fish in a morning and had some nice fish.

The only serious session I did was a couple of days on the Dam, third week July, with my friend Jason, who did me a great favour helping me out this year. In total, we had 97 fish between us. Lots of plus 20’s and two 30’s. Of course, modesty forbids me to tell you that I had three more fish than Jason and the biggest one at 33lb.

To the guests; an old L/S Campaigner, Lionel. Moved his trip back to July to avoid the rush and was rewarded with 59 fish with 4 x 30’s to 37lb. At the same time we had two virgins out, Mike and Terry, who had 77 fish between them both beating their previous PB’s several times in the week. Along with these three guys, plus the back end of Ian’s trip and part of Alan’s trip at one stage that week, I had 6 anglers over 70 years old out.

During this period, as normal, we had more "part time anglers" rather than the normal Die Hards. Guys mixing fishing with a regular family holiday and fishing part days or alternate days. This obviously knocks the fish count but is testament to the power of the fishery, when even a guy fishing 4 hours a morning can knock up reasonable numbers. Andrew and Stuart had 37 fish to 32lb and were back with their wives by 10 am every day. Susan and Michael had 47 fish to 29 lb. The Maloney family had over 60 fish with young Jamie the proud owner of a new PB at 27: 09.

The middle part of July was fairly good fishing, if a little "Patchy", when we were on the fish we had big catches and good quality but a swim producing 25 fish one day would mysteriously produce 6 or 7 the next, in fairly consistent conditions. Andy Law, up for a few days from the Toronto area, had 26 fish, a couple of days he had good catches and a couple only 2 or 3 fish. Others were more fortunate. Peter Lyn had 27 fish in only a day and a half, and Janice and Trevor 16 fish to 33.8 in one morning. Radu, after his great catch in June, was up for two days – on the first day he had only a couple of fish. On his second day, I am not sure of the numbers, but he told Marian he had a great day. Both days he fished the same area.

The last week of July was the only downer. The fish just switched off for a while, fortunately, we only had 3 full time fisherman out that week and they had an awful time. Only 27 fish to 26 ½ lb to show for a lot of hard work. Even in paradise it happens and I can only say "We tried!!"

During July/ August I have a lot of "tourist trips". Typically people staying in the area or travelling through who book a 4 hour carp trip off the big boat. Most of these anglers, have never fished for carp and often we loose more than we land, as my rule is "if you hook it you fight it" and apart from giving advice I will not directly help or touch the rod. These trips are great fun for all of us, as seeing a 12 year old land a 20 when probably the biggest fish he has ever caught is a 2 lb Bass or something is fantastic. During July/ August I had 13 Boat trips and averaged just under 11 fish per trip landed and only one disaster (one fish). On a lot of trips we had well over 20 runs in 4 hours. I am still proud to say I have never blanked on a guided trip.

August was blue skies and 30 odd degrees of bright sunshine. Not good carp weather, but the fish kept on coming. Each day I was worried looking at the forecast, but every day we caught fish. Again, it was mainly two day trips and touristy trade in that month and now, embarrassingly, I am looking at the sheets and mostly my mind is a blank (a good enough reason for doing the fish reports on time). I can see from my own note book I caught well each time I was out. I know Jason was catching as were most of the other locals. I remember putting one of the locals onto one of our baited swims to get his son his first 30. I remember fishing two days with Len, one of our regulars, and doing OK but for the life of me I cannot remember specifics. The reason I know it was good is because first week of September overnight it went bad!! (Fortunately it did not stay bad).

(STOP PRESS: I have since spoken with Len. He had 39 fish in his 2 1/2 days, best day 22 fish. It is always the same if we are catching I am relaxed and not taking too much notice. If it is slow I am stressed out and remember every bloody day).

I also have three groups out on the sheets that fished for a week and I have no fish reports. From memory, I know Flat Cap Pete did not have big numbers, but caught fish. His time being split between his fishing and his family. Goran and Lee had some 30’s and reasonable numbers and Dean, Lewis and Marina had several great days and I am guessing at least 50 fish each, but no 30’s I can think of. Apologies guys – I am normally a walking computer for fish catches, I just seem to have a blank on August.

I do have fish reports for Jerry and Mark. 107 fish between them to 32:07. Sam Middleton with 54 fish to 29lb and Kevin and Harley with 46 and 49 fish to 33.06 (Kevin having 6 x 20’s in one hot morning spell). I also have the reports for one of my favourite guests of the year. Tony Balch. Fishing only short sessions in the mornings and late afternoon, Tony had 30 fish and in his words "Waited 83 years for my first 30". A beautiful 31 ½ pound fish out of the Bay of the Gods (where else!!).

And then came September……………

 

June 2010 Fish Report

Well at least I had a few fisherman to play with in June. I don’t like all this recession crap. If I don’t have fisherman Marian expects me to paint things!!

No Time for painting in June.

Where do I start, actually the fishing was no better than May, but the more bodies we have out the more bait goes in and the more fish we catch. On the forum a few tasters have been given out already. Records fell this June, a staggering amount of fish were caught. 3 out of the 4 weeks were excellent, but in the middle we had a poor week with high pressure and lousy winds.

I may as well start with the Geez and Paul as their story is already on the forum. The lazy bastards only fished five days plus a short morning session. You see all these tough guys talk the talk, but one good day and they have to take a rest! The Geezer had a paltry 137 fish to 40lb 2 oz and Paul only 154 fish.

Now on a serious note: Yes, these guys are carp fishing journalists but 100% for sure they got no special treatment in terms of swims or special baiting. They did the same circuit as the other guys and got their days on the top spots along with their days on the slower spots. Two things happened; one they are both excellent anglers, and secondly by coincidence they were on top swims on a day the fish went crazy. Paul’s 80 fish in a day is a new record and the Geezers 62 on the float is another record.

Whilst on the subject of records, another one went at the end of June as well. The "Old Fart" geriatric record got smashed to pieces by young Ian Wragg. Ian will be 70 around the time this is posted and he had 236 fish in ten days with us. Right in the middle of the ten days he had a three fish day, otherwise I am pretty sure the record of 210 fish in a week would have gone also. AND Ian did not need to take a day off.

It was not plain sailing for everyone and even some of our most prolific regulars could not get into the big fish. David Haynes, for example, had 119 fish but never topped 28lb. Phil had 106 fish but could not buy a fish over 25lb and the following which is lifted from a "thank you email" from Paul Williams I think, sums up the fishing here and why I love it so much).

"The trip was as enjoyable as ever with the highlight being the fishing at the dam where the fish undoubtedly fight harder than anywhere else on the system.

In terms of number it was 122 to me for 9 days, 72 for my Dad (who had 20 in a day, but there again everyone in Long Sault and now the Costa Blanca knows that!), 52 each for Steve and Tolan. Biggest was 28 and we all had fish over 25. First year for me not to have any 30s. Average weight of my weeks catch was 8.5lbs lower than the trip 7 years ago. Still you cant have everything.

The fish seemed to break the rules this year and didn’t conform to usual swims and methods. Back of the bridges seemed stronger than front which is strange, Bridge of dreams swim (you call it back door) fished well when there was no wind into it, in fact it fished better without the wind! Small baits and hooks seemed to produce better numbers but might explain why we did not get into the bigger fish. Accuracy was everything in baiting and casting (much more than any other year). Prior years I have fished next to guys who cast all over the place and bait in a haphazard way and I would catch just a few more fish by being accurate. This year the difference was more marked. Sprays and dips certainly got me more fish than the guys fishing next to me not using them…..but at the end of the day it was not about the numbers, it was a great holiday with lots of laughs and great hosts, as ever.

My Dad is still taking about it to anyone who will listen (not many left) and keeps talking about the morning we stalked a couple of fish at the dam in the margins and stood, hands shaking like schoolboys holding the rod, hardly daring to breathe as we watched the fish suck in the maize and then the rod explode to life in his hands. We stood giggling like kids (my dads 70) as we spotted fish moving in straight after returning the last fish to the water and then trying to muster all our self control to get the under arm flick just right and control the shakes, not easy on 80lb braid and 2 swan shot. That’s why it is not about the numbers.

8 years and 42 fish over 30lb…biggest going to 36lb. I hope that the big one does not come too soon so I can have some more fun on the journey."

For most though, it was a normal spring at Long Sault. Plenty of fish and enough 30`s to make it interesting. Returning after a poor September trip last year Cliff, Ken and Paul had a great week, Ken with 93 fish, Cliff with 90 and Paul with 70.

The Kent boys were back again, Darren was top rod again with 80 fish to 32. I do not have a fish report for big Bill but I know he was made up with a nice 30 mirror on the last morning. Roger up from Toronto, had 58 fish, with two 30`s to 31.5. Roy nicked a couple of nice 30`s to 36 lb. Jimmy S. had 87 fish with 4 30`s to 37.04.

Fishing was poor in the middle of the month and we had some horror stories as well, which is unusual in June. The Mullins group only had 20-30 odd fish a piece, and only one 33lb`er, likewise Geoff, Trev and Nick only managed 99 fish between the three of them.

Joe, from Carpology, and Goose popped in for three days and had a little bag up, on the back door. I don’t seem to have a report for Tony and Sadie this year, but I know they caught a lot of fish and that Sadie had a 30 first cast!!!

Mostly everyone else averaged 10-20 fish per day and I know I keep saying it – I do not keep records for the customers doing short trips, and we had some fantastic bags from the growing numbers of short stay guests we are now getting from all over Canada. Next year I will keep records.

So, to sum up, I had more guys out than in May but it was still well down in numbers of anglers for June. The beginning and end of June was great for quantity, but a little disappointing for big fish. I know the reason for this and am kicking myself as it was my fault. Late May the fish went mad on corn, with the giant corn being the N0.1 bait, so in June I told everyone to go on the corn. I know boilies take the bigger average fish, so did this to myself. Apologies guys, in hindsight it was a wrong call. Corn will always get the numbers, but boilies get the quality.

Still; When I stop learning I will go home.

 

May 2010 Fish Report

Well it was very obvious what was going to happen in May !!!!!!!!! I had the lowest number of Anglers I have ever had out during a May month, so of course the place fished its bollocks off.

Whilst us locals were happily banging the fish out since April, the first Brit out was not until the 17th. Lee Flint, on his first ever visit, had 92 fish in his week 35 over 20 but sadly no 30`s his best being 29.2oz. Terry and Reece Gwilliam had slightly fewer fish with 72 and 68 respectively but did get 4 30`s to 34.7 between them.

Nik Butler, another LS Virgin, knocked up 55 fish with 2 x 30`s to 34lb, his sidekick Brendan did not fill in his fish report but I think was up in the 70`s or 80`s for his trip.

The Hamilton boys, up for 3 days had mixed fortunes, Adam 21 fish to 27.5, Jason 44 fish to 29.4 Mr Minimal 35 fish with some nice upper 20`s topped off with a 31.4oz, but the Hamilton honors went to Len this year with 78 fish to 28.12 (not bad for three days Len!)

Andrew Mc Mears, the mad Scotsman, showed why I love and hate the bivvy holidays. In his first 3 days he had 5 fish and then finished up with 93 fish to 31 lb. If you are stuck in a bivvy they are either in front of you or they are not !! ( I was having a panic attack by Tuesday)

Wassy did OK on the numbers this year and had some nice 20`s but out of 71 fish he did not get a 30. Which is what you get fishing with Wingfield!!

And on that note, always there is a story at LS. Dave Wingfield, (no longer a CCC guest as he now has a house here,) but a good friend and supporter of our operation must be the unluckiest man in Long Sault. I do not know how many 100`s or possibly 1000`s of carp Dave has landed, but he had never caught a 30. As we were quiet, I bet him $50.00 that if he fished with us as an honorary guest we would get him one. It did take until the second last day but Dave is no longer a 30 virgin, and owes me $50.00. I was on the Pines and he was on the Pontoon and I heard the cheer from there. Now you have done it Dave, they will come thick and fast.

Thankfully another story was a severe matter of face for me. Merv and Jim, two of our favorites, had had three poor trips in a row. They come twice per year but the last three were horrible, no fault of theirs just unlucky weeks when conditions were against them. Of course they caught fish but not what we would expect. This trip was business as usual (THANKS BE TO THE GREAT FISH GOD) Jim had 92 fish with a couple of 29`s to 29.8, Merv had 117 fish to 36lb with a back up 33 and a 29. Mervs son James had only 69 because bloody Merv kept nicking the corn bucket!!!

It embarrasses me to say it but that was it for May. The normal suspects amongst the locals were catching well and some nice 30`s up to 36 were coming out all over. Colin had 5x 30`s before I had any, I was banging big numbers but could not buy a big fish. Jason, Peter the Dutchman and Vali were all catching well in fact pretty much everyone was. It is hard to say what the true potential was for May I simply did not have enough bodies out to fish all the places I wanted to fish. Hey Ho….In June we had a few more to play with !!

 

April 2010 Fish Report