Alderson canal lake

[Les Hart]

For those of you who are unaware the canal lake has been stocked with 1000 tench, 1000 bream and 3000 roach. Although small at present these were supplied by the environment agency and are of good quality. Added to this we have of course another batch of fish on order for early this year as and when safe to introduce them. This stocking will take place over all three lakes on the complex and exact numbers will be advised when they are added. The fish provided by the agency were part of our overall scheme when the lake was constructed in conjunction with the disabled anglers and other partners.

We would very much like to thank the agency for this gesture and they were gratefully recieved.

Les

[sammyfish]

This is obviously good news, but 5,000 new fish seem an enormous amount to me!
What sort of size were they?
Am I right in presuming that they were very small fish with an expectedly high mortality rate?


Secondly can you give me any tips for best swims on the big Alderson lake?
I'm planning on fishing there in March /April when the weather has hopefully warmed up a little, I'll be 'pleasure fishing' as opposed to specimen hunting, but a tench or three would be VERY nice.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks
Sammyfish.

[Les Hart]

Sammy, the fish were approx 5 inches in length, and yes with all stockings you do expect some sort of mortality rate to occur. Hopefully the tench will get their heads down and keep out of harms way until the water starts to colour up again by which time they should be able to look after themselves. As I have said here and in the monthly newsletter, we also have an order for crucians on order and these will be delivered as and when available and the conditions are right to give them the best chance of survival. The canal lake is going to be designed to be high stocking level to give anglers of all ability to be able to catch a few fish. We are not finished yet, hopefully with more new members we can afford more stocks for next year and not only in the canal water. We are trying (committee) to really get our waters up to a good standard and measures we have taken at Alderson will hopefully protect the fish we are introducing. If you were unaware these are the floating islands. the new peninsula which was created from the spoil from the canal by planting this with rushes to allow small fish cover, and leaving some parts unmaintained. Hopefully this will all help to preserve the fish we have and those we introduce.

Second question
If it was me trying to catch a tench or two I would try the early pegs or if it has not warmed up in the pegs near the corner on the canal lake bank nearest the main road - early teens.

Hope this helps

Les

[sammyfish]

Thanks Les, that answers all nicely.
I learnt to fish, as a small child, by catching Crucians and Tench, so I can't wait for those Crucians you mention - I haven't caught one in a couple of decades!
Give me an 8oz crucian on light tackle any day, they may not be big, but I for one love them.
Roll on the Spring.

John