|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #19
It was insane mate.
I remember seeing a shot of Dan Bruton with it. One of the most impressive pics I've ever seen. Incredible fish.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #14
"It's basically the Wraysbury story all over again innit. What it was was probably not sustainable. What it's become is a very, very different beast. Times change."
That was exactly what was in my mind Ian. I've not been there myself, but from what I've heard Wraysbury is a fantastic fishery now and both of interest to many anglers, rather than a hardcore few and financially viable, this securing the future of angling there.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #19
Not 'en trend', it's all scaley bangers nowadays, shame really, a big leather is quite a catch rarity wise 
|
|
|
|
The big leather really was one of the best about
Shame there aren't many like that about these days
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #17
Yep invite only I believe 
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #16
Same owners as Trent view.
Loads of the original big fish in Mary’s managed to swim 3 miles Up stream from ditchford lakes but it was a free for all then with many fish moving about the valley 
Anyone know any details on the lake next door to Mary’s?
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #15
Yes there is still fishing on there mate, I have a pal with a ticket. Some big fish in there too. Very hush, hush as you can imagine!
Ref Marys, does anyone know where the new stock came from? I assumed they were VS fish as I think the owners have that Trent View place too and I'm sure that was full of VS fish?
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #14
Hi Ian...  ...OK, sh!thole was probably a bit harsh!
That Leather was a gorgeous fish, John Iggy had it twice in successive weekends a good few years back as you probably know and agreed, must have been the biggest Leather in the UK at the time and would still be if still alive!
You are right, times change and things have to evolve. Marys still holds some very nice fish and IMO is far from a manufactured water, unlike the day ticket lakes on the venue. The guys down there work extremely hard so credit where it is due.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if the fish you are referring to originated from Marys, like you say, it was rife back in the day! I'm sure you remember the syndicate being kicked of Waterville due to a famous fish that had taken a trip down the Nene and ended up in there! Mind you, anglers fighting with local dog walkers didn't help either...  ...shame, as that was a lovely place too....think there is still a bit of fishing on there now but not sure who has the rights?
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #13
It was certainly otter infested Matt but I don't think it was a sh!thole. Unless you knew the right people it was pretty much impossible to get a ticket (I was on the waiting list for 8 or 9 years and still never got one before it got taken over)! The old stock, and particularly the leather (which as far as I'm aware to this day is the biggest 'proper' leather to ever live in the UK), was very, very special indeed.
It's basically the Wraysbury story all over again innit. What it was was probably not sustainable. What it's become is a very, very different beast. Times change.
Interesting story for you Matt - the original biggun (which is still going strong as far as I'm aware) in the lake that we fished together is rumoured to have come from Marys back in the day. I don't know how true that is but fish were moved all over the Valley back then so I could easily believe it.
|
|
|
|
It was an Otter infested sh!thole before the current owners took it over. As for the comments about the protected status they do the best they can to preserve this and by fencing the lake properly, it has also allowed the birdlife to flourish that were also being predated.
Left alone it would have just become another desolate Nene Valley pit.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #11
High stock level compared to what it was before they took it over and what the locals valued. Like I said, if you’re local and know the history, you look at it differently. The fish they stocked are nowhere close to the original stock in terms of looks.
It’s gone from a low stock, highly sought after venue with bags of history behind it, protected as that, to a commercial “syndicate” venue. Then you could goon to the flagrant disregard for the protection designations on the place, which shows an attitude of the owners I guess.
|
|
|
|
650 fish in 50 acres is considered a high stocking level? 13 fish an acre!
Viv Shears recently mentioned that they've stocked out fish that have put on 12lb in a year, that is some growth rate. Are we now suggesting that stocking anything that grows quickly in the right environment is a bad thing?
I'm honestly baffled by anglers sometimes.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #8
Yeah the originals are nice fish, the bigguns both gone sadly but the originals are old. Can see why you’d stock it but it’s forever ruined a very old line of fish with the fast growing strains being introduced. If you’re local and know the history I guess you feel about it differently to others maybe.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #8
Wronguns was possibly a bit harsh. Fast growing strains would probably be more fitting. I’ve edited my post.
The owner spent a fortune buying the place and needs to make his investment pay back, hence the heavy stocking, expensive tickets and too many members. It’s a shame as it was once a lovely lake, but its been turned into a commercial cash cow.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #7
In what way are the fish 'wronguns'? I just had a quick look at their Facebook page and it looks like there's a mix of fish in there?
|
|
Venues (UK)