Alderfen

Some independent reviews of Alderfen

Simon Crow, writing in the January edition of Carpworld
"Wyndham Lake (the carp lake) will be a welcome addition for the large band of northern carpers, and who better to be offering this fishing than Mark Gregory and his team. It's not aiming to be an instant big-fish venue or to break any barriers at its opening, it's aim is to attract sensible carp anglers who want to have a bit of fun and not have to travel hundreds of miles to get it. The stock is currently almost perfect for it to become a nice runs waters with the chance of a twenty or two to boot. The biomass also gives the chance for the fish to grow, and I'm sure they will, because there are plenty of places for them to hide away, plus there is a lot of available food for them. As a lake, it's still very immature, but its setting is lovely and, with time it will develop into a fabulous little site. I predict an excellent future for this fishery and I suspect it will be one of those venues that everyone in the north of the country will be talking about in three or fours years time."

Gary Hartley of the Rotherham Advertiser
"Alderfen is a truly wonderful fishery with a huge future. My welcome was second to none, the staff were extremely helpful and informative and I caught my best ever tench. This is going to be my preferred venue for 2008."

Martin Read of the Sheffield Angling Star
"I had a terrific days fishing in peaceful surroundings catching a big roach and rudd to almost two pounds. The specimen lake at Alderfen is a delight for the serious float angler, and I can't wait to try the match lake when it opens. A top venue!"

Ted Cornish, Sheffield big fish man
"I can't remember when I enjoyed a carp session more. I had four doubles and a nine pounder and they all tried to pull my arm off. The old part of the carp lake is just my type of fishing, all intimate reedy bays, and although the fish aren't huge they more than make up for it in fighting ability. I'll be back."

CARP LAKE

The Carp Lake has fished very well throughout the month, except during the cold weather of the last week. As the water temperature rose during the warm spell, the fish quickly responded to zig rigs and surface baits, with many anglers reporting multiples of fish during their visit. Among those to make the most of the feeding spree were Ian McCarthy who topped a weekend haul of eleven fish with a cracker of 21.6, and the Skoyles lad and dad team, who had a busy Sunday afternoon out with fourteen to 18lb, all on floaters. Boilie and pellet good during the night.

SPECIMEN LAKE

Fishing its socks off! Numerous personal bests caught by lots of anglers, including Karl Emmerson's 2.8 rudd, the biggest of 6 over 2lb he had in a weekend, along with perch to 2.14 and a big orfe as well! Matt Brown of the Angling Times has filled his boots as usual, with a procession of big tench and silver fish. Lots of tench to just over 7, with chub to 6.5. Groundbait feeder with a maggot or worm on the hook is best, along with float in the margins.

MATCH LAKE

Also switched on. Lots of pleasure catches to 60lb. Best match weight during May 50lb 10oz to peg 20. Early numbers best for silver fish on hemp and tares or maggot. Carp everywhere on pole or feeder, soft pellet best.