I suspect many carp will have new passports over the coming days. The winter Piking has been a wash out for the last six weeks for me, but I suspect a few pets will be found in a few rivers over the coming year.
A question to all you river carp anglers though, do you find lower reaches seem to fish better the spring/summer after a winter of flooding, or does it make it more difficult? Do you find tribs of big rivers seem devoid of fish as the winter floods force them down river into the bigger rivers? Would you look at fishing the lower reaches? How long do they take to recover, or do the carp seem to find their way back upstream quickly? Do they even go downstream at all, or opt to sit in the bends and marinas?
I know it's a lot to ask. many thanks
A question to all you river carp anglers though, do you find lower reaches seem to fish better the spring/summer after a winter of flooding, or does it make it more difficult? Do you find tribs of big rivers seem devoid of fish as the winter floods force them down river into the bigger rivers? Would you look at fishing the lower reaches? How long do they take to recover, or do the carp seem to find their way back upstream quickly? Do they even go downstream at all, or opt to sit in the bends and marinas?
I know it's a lot to ask. many thanks
In reply to Post #1
I think many people underestimate how easily fish cope with floods.
I think many people underestimate how easily fish cope with floods.
In reply to Post #1
I walk my local river almost daily and currently the flood plain is several feet deep and the main river is tanking through. I'd love to know how the fish of all species cope. I doubt very much if they get swept away downstream though.
I walk my local river almost daily and currently the flood plain is several feet deep and the main river is tanking through. I'd love to know how the fish of all species cope. I doubt very much if they get swept away downstream though.
In reply to Post #3
This is why backwaters are so important. Anywhere out of the main flow you'll find the fish grouped up.
Probably worth fishing if you can get to it.
This is why backwaters are so important. Anywhere out of the main flow you'll find the fish grouped up.
Probably worth fishing if you can get to it.
Carp are a curious fish and will go for a "Swimabout" exploring as we have seen in news reports in the past when they have been seen swimming down footpaths etc in parks.
One of the ponds I used to fish got a welcome bonus of lots of small doubles that had swam about three miles down a dyke and through small drain pipes that had been close to a fishery and during the flood, all three waters got linked.
Another water has a river running alongside and both are connected with large drain pipes to allow water to pass through from the lake if it gets too high and into the river but its usually a constant trickle. But, when the river on very odd occasions gets extremely high, the carp swim through from the lake and into the river, and dissapear for a while not to be seen. But rather amazingly, they return and hang about near the overflow pipes in the river waiting for an extremely high tide and then swim back into the lake. And then they do it again.
The fish in my garden pond when I have topped it up a bit higher than normal, will swim around the edge investigating everything that was dry land and I once had a small "river" running into the edge of the pond from the pump as a ways of returning the water instead of a waterfall. I had to get rid of it as the larger carp were constantly trying to swim up it like salmon and some of the surges the carp made almost had them flying out of the pond.
Only carp seem to have this tendency to "Roam" so I have read as most fish will stay in the river but I have seen perch doing it swimming out of a pond and against the flow of floodwater as I have had to net them and relocate them.
One of the ponds I used to fish got a welcome bonus of lots of small doubles that had swam about three miles down a dyke and through small drain pipes that had been close to a fishery and during the flood, all three waters got linked.
Another water has a river running alongside and both are connected with large drain pipes to allow water to pass through from the lake if it gets too high and into the river but its usually a constant trickle. But, when the river on very odd occasions gets extremely high, the carp swim through from the lake and into the river, and dissapear for a while not to be seen. But rather amazingly, they return and hang about near the overflow pipes in the river waiting for an extremely high tide and then swim back into the lake. And then they do it again.
The fish in my garden pond when I have topped it up a bit higher than normal, will swim around the edge investigating everything that was dry land and I once had a small "river" running into the edge of the pond from the pump as a ways of returning the water instead of a waterfall. I had to get rid of it as the larger carp were constantly trying to swim up it like salmon and some of the surges the carp made almost had them flying out of the pond.
Only carp seem to have this tendency to "Roam" so I have read as most fish will stay in the river but I have seen perch doing it swimming out of a pond and against the flow of floodwater as I have had to net them and relocate them.
In reality I don't think fish actually move too far. As has already been suggested they will seek sanctuary in backwaters out of the main flow pretty quickly.
Mate of mine had a great net of Roach, (including some big ones as well) last weekend fishing some slack water just off the main river Nene that is usually no more than an inch deep trickle.....the water was like a milky coffee but they were stacked up there....I would imagine the same goes for a lot of species...
Mate of mine had a great net of Roach, (including some big ones as well) last weekend fishing some slack water just off the main river Nene that is usually no more than an inch deep trickle.....the water was like a milky coffee but they were stacked up there....I would imagine the same goes for a lot of species...
In reply to Post #6
When i was a kid i was fishing in a match on the Thames near Chertsey. The river was in flood and i was catching Gudgeon in the slack behind a bush, which in normal times was 4ft above the water. I was fishing over grass.
When i was a kid i was fishing in a match on the Thames near Chertsey. The river was in flood and i was catching Gudgeon in the slack behind a bush, which in normal times was 4ft above the water. I was fishing over grass.
In reply to Post #5
Carp will def go for a wander - fished a syndicate prone to flooding adjacent to the Trent and they were constantly 'chasing' carp visibly flapping across fields in the semi sunken long grass to retrieve them. Once the floods had subsided there were never any monster boilie fed barbel caught in the lake however . . .
Carp will def go for a wander - fished a syndicate prone to flooding adjacent to the Trent and they were constantly 'chasing' carp visibly flapping across fields in the semi sunken long grass to retrieve them. Once the floods had subsided there were never any monster boilie fed barbel caught in the lake however . . .
In reply to Post #8
Some of the pictures from the Trent valley today show it's in a right state. Record levels I believe. The A1 pits are now one, half way up the trees and joined to the river.
Some of the pictures from the Trent valley today show it's in a right state. Record levels I believe. The A1 pits are now one, half way up the trees and joined to the river.
Really feel for fishery owners in the areas affected. I used to dream of owning my own fishery, but having been a club chairman for many years, I had a little insight into some of the grief involved, these floods are the potential ruin of some fisheries.
This is where Otter fencing is worth its weight in gold to the lakes that have it - it doesn't just keep Otters out, it keeps the Carp in. The Trent is in ruins at the moment, have a look at the aerial shots on Collingham AA's Facebook page today. Even the A57 at Dunham Bridge is underwater.
On my tidal Trent syndicate I've had a couple of Carp over the last few years that looked nothing like river Carp. Tbh it's what excites me about fishing a big river, you have no idea what's actually in there. I really feel for any fishery owners who are losing business and fish through this though.
Even Linear have said they expect to be closed for 3 weeks+ due to the flooding.
On my tidal Trent syndicate I've had a couple of Carp over the last few years that looked nothing like river Carp. Tbh it's what excites me about fishing a big river, you have no idea what's actually in there. I really feel for any fishery owners who are losing business and fish through this though.
Even Linear have said they expect to be closed for 3 weeks+ due to the flooding.
In reply to Post #11
Gameflex is a good temp option at times like this if you're looking at keeping stock secure.
Gameflex is a good temp option at times like this if you're looking at keeping stock secure.
In reply to Post #12
I used 6ft deer fencing to make a flood fence, 2" thick strong plastic mesh.
This was pre-otters, though.
I used 6ft deer fencing to make a flood fence, 2" thick strong plastic mesh.
This was pre-otters, though.
The Trent will now have so many carp in it after these floods go down
In reply to Post #1
I fished for barbel for many years and used to pray for a good flood (perhaps not quite as big as the one at the moment!) The fish would always find a "comfortable" swim and if you were on it, it was fill your boots time. Swims like a classic cow trough swim that were only inches deep normally but were tucked out of the main flow were always bankers.
The flow at the river bed is no-one near as fast as on the surface and the idea of fish being washed out to sea always makes me chuckle. They know their environment and will seek out areas that they can comfortably hold station.
Some fish do wander and I have found or heard of fish being stranded in the middle of fields when the level drops. Some large carp have escaped from the likes of Savay and ended up the canal.
I fished for barbel for many years and used to pray for a good flood (perhaps not quite as big as the one at the moment!) The fish would always find a "comfortable" swim and if you were on it, it was fill your boots time. Swims like a classic cow trough swim that were only inches deep normally but were tucked out of the main flow were always bankers.
The flow at the river bed is no-one near as fast as on the surface and the idea of fish being washed out to sea always makes me chuckle. They know their environment and will seek out areas that they can comfortably hold station.
Some fish do wander and I have found or heard of fish being stranded in the middle of fields when the level drops. Some large carp have escaped from the likes of Savay and ended up the canal.
In reply to Post #11
>>>>"This is where Otter fencing is worth its weight in gold to the lakes that have it" <<<<
>>>>I used 6ft deer fencing to make a flood fence<<<
In theory, yes, but it may not be the case in some circumstances. The complex I used to fish had otter fencing around it and it got severley flooded a few years back when a river burst. All the flotsam, branches, grass, straw, anything that could be carried along with the floodwater etc just got stopped by the fencing, reduced the water flow, pressure built up and ripped all the fencing down breaking the posts and flattened the whole fence. The only thing that stopped losing the fish and stopped the flow of water was an earth bund. So about 6 lakes became 1 large one and after the water level dropped, it was found when people started fishing again, known fish had migrated from their usual pond to another pond.
>>>>"This is where Otter fencing is worth its weight in gold to the lakes that have it" <<<<
>>>>I used 6ft deer fencing to make a flood fence<<<
In theory, yes, but it may not be the case in some circumstances. The complex I used to fish had otter fencing around it and it got severley flooded a few years back when a river burst. All the flotsam, branches, grass, straw, anything that could be carried along with the floodwater etc just got stopped by the fencing, reduced the water flow, pressure built up and ripped all the fencing down breaking the posts and flattened the whole fence. The only thing that stopped losing the fish and stopped the flow of water was an earth bund. So about 6 lakes became 1 large one and after the water level dropped, it was found when people started fishing again, known fish had migrated from their usual pond to another pond.
In reply to Post #14
The Trent has always had plenty of carp. We used to fish it for carp 30 years ago and never catch a barbel..... Bit different now!
The Trent has always had plenty of carp. We used to fish it for carp 30 years ago and never catch a barbel..... Bit different now!
In reply to Post #17
Drove past Chertsey earlier on way back from London, the bourne had flooded into it and Thorpe pk via the ditches under the M3 & the river running alongside it. They'll be plenty of fish moving between the lakes including twynersh and the river. All the lakes were heavily coloured up with river water
Drove past Chertsey earlier on way back from London, the bourne had flooded into it and Thorpe pk via the ditches under the M3 & the river running alongside it. They'll be plenty of fish moving between the lakes including twynersh and the river. All the lakes were heavily coloured up with river water
In reply to Post #9
A1 pits does look like they might have to re-evaluate stocks when the flood eventually subsides - the river will be the only winner
Luckily my syndy (which has flooded twice this winter) has otter fencing around each lake as well as the entire complex (multiple jigsaw lakes) to stop fish movement during floods . . .
A1 pits does look like they might have to re-evaluate stocks when the flood eventually subsides - the river will be the only winner
Luckily my syndy (which has flooded twice this winter) has otter fencing around each lake as well as the entire complex (multiple jigsaw lakes) to stop fish movement during floods . . .
In reply to Post #18
Can imagine the lakes will be different even if fenced. Influx of sediment, nutrients, etc. weed growth will probably explode in a year or so after the colour drops out.
We had similar levels of flooding Xmas 2020, that was a 1in200yr flood. Climate change in action. I make it 1 in 3yrs not 1 in 200!
Can imagine the lakes will be different even if fenced. Influx of sediment, nutrients, etc. weed growth will probably explode in a year or so after the colour drops out.
We had similar levels of flooding Xmas 2020, that was a 1in200yr flood. Climate change in action. I make it 1 in 3yrs not 1 in 200!
In reply to Post #19
100% there will be lots of fish lost, last time they pulling them out of the fields the bailiff told me. Another lake I know is renowned for it, water up they are out and in the river, small plus point is there is a match lake that floods into that, all kinds of coloured things swimming about, some nice pike bait lol
When the water is up the fish are generally in it, washing food out of the ground too
100% there will be lots of fish lost, last time they pulling them out of the fields the bailiff told me. Another lake I know is renowned for it, water up they are out and in the river, small plus point is there is a match lake that floods into that, all kinds of coloured things swimming about, some nice pike bait lol
When the water is up the fish are generally in it, washing food out of the ground too
my club lake is a gravel pit and there is no way for the fish to escape since the path ways are kind of in the bowl as well so the water would need to rise about 15 ft before any fish could escape.
One place i would be interested to know how the recent flooding has impacted them is broadlands. Drove past it on the M27 yesterday and couldnt see the difference between the river which runs a long side it versus the 3 lakes they have.
With all this flooding, I guess i can forget the idea that the EA are just being hyperbolic about not wanting Catfish being kept in certain waters...
One place i would be interested to know how the recent flooding has impacted them is broadlands. Drove past it on the M27 yesterday and couldnt see the difference between the river which runs a long side it versus the 3 lakes they have.
With all this flooding, I guess i can forget the idea that the EA are just being hyperbolic about not wanting Catfish being kept in certain waters...
There is a chain of five lakes close to the river Wye in Hereford between Hampton Bishop & Mordiford it's practically the next field alongside the Wye on a flood plain stocked with carp in all of them, I used to lease these lakes 20+ odd years ago but even then there was no point in fencing it as the flood debris coming down the Wye in high water would of taken it out straight away it would only be a matter of time, I've seen some mega trees coming down the river over the years.
Some of the Wye carp that have flooded in over the years are from these lakes I know that for sure, the history of the fish years ago were from Homersfield, someone I know leased it 7 or 8 years ago and I fished it again a few years ago he stocked some VS fish around 2016/17 they were from high singles to low 20's.
Some of the Wye carp that have flooded in over the years are from these lakes I know that for sure, the history of the fish years ago were from Homersfield, someone I know leased it 7 or 8 years ago and I fished it again a few years ago he stocked some VS fish around 2016/17 they were from high singles to low 20's.
In reply to Post #22
Funnily enough you mention broadlands. I did a netting on their years ago whilst at Sparsholt, the reason was to remove the cats. EA were present to ensure if we caught one it wasnt returned. We only got one, around 35lb and it went back to college with us.
I'm pretty sure you wont get a permit to stock catfish within a floodplain, even if you're fenced off. Same with Grass Carp. which seems a bit overkill but hey ho
Funnily enough you mention broadlands. I did a netting on their years ago whilst at Sparsholt, the reason was to remove the cats. EA were present to ensure if we caught one it wasnt returned. We only got one, around 35lb and it went back to college with us.
I'm pretty sure you wont get a permit to stock catfish within a floodplain, even if you're fenced off. Same with Grass Carp. which seems a bit overkill but hey ho
In reply to Post #21
plenty of Savay Lake fish ended up in the canal next to it known fish have been caught from the canal
plenty of Savay Lake fish ended up in the canal next to it known fish have been caught from the canal
In reply to Post #25
And thrived. One known Savay fish going on to become the Grand union record at 40 plus..
And thrived. One known Savay fish going on to become the Grand union record at 40 plus..
In reply to Post #26
I'm not sure that one was ever proved to be a Savay fish? Others were, for sure.
I'm not sure that one was ever proved to be a Savay fish? Others were, for sure.
Have any UK rivers been stocked with carp?None of the ones i know of anyway.
Why would u ?
Why would u ?
In reply to Post #28
I remember Mark Bryant saying on there podcast. He approached the enviro agency I believe about donating some carp for local stretchs of river and canal. They replied saying the couldn't stock them as they were a non native species..
I remember Mark Bryant saying on there podcast. He approached the enviro agency I believe about donating some carp for local stretchs of river and canal. They replied saying the couldn't stock them as they were a non native species..
In reply to Post #29
Thats what i thought.👍
Thats what i thought.👍
In reply to Post #29
The latest episode, and one not long ago from the 'Ginger Fisherman' on Youtube shows him fishing a farmers field that the river next to it has flooded into. The field will soon dry out so he's 'rescuing' the fish. In the earlier episode he finds quite a few goldfish but can't free them as not native so they go into local ponds.
The latest episode, and one not long ago from the 'Ginger Fisherman' on Youtube shows him fishing a farmers field that the river next to it has flooded into. The field will soon dry out so he's 'rescuing' the fish. In the earlier episode he finds quite a few goldfish but can't free them as not native so they go into local ponds.
In reply to Post #31
I really like his vids,hope he puts in YouTube when he catches the ghostie
I really like his vids,hope he puts in YouTube when he catches the ghostie
In reply to Post #32
Me too mate, very easy going honest fella to watch
Me too mate, very easy going honest fella to watch
Another vote for Ginger Fisherman
I'm an ex ginger
I'm an ex ginger
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