Tuesday 15 July 2008

New Page - 'The Blog'

Hello everyone!

As I keep being told it's been a long while since I last did an update, partly because I'm kept very busy at University, and partly because it was difficult to access our website. However we've found a bit of a solution!
You've been redirected to a 'blog spot' which is a form of online diary. I used one this year to keep my parents roughly updated on what was happening in Nottingham, and it should prove useful for Lonsdale too! We're hoping to include the latest availability and special offers as well as the latest catch reports.

Firstly - University life! I've loved my first year and have worked very hard, but I have also passed my first year with a good grade. I have 4 years left of my course which only seems to get more exciting!
I've gotten involved with lots of different things at Uni, I was elected to represent my year on the Vet Society Committee and to the Uni, I've learned and loved Rock Climbing (mostly indoor but some out side near Derby, no ropes!), and I represented the University of Nottingham Ladies Team at Clay Pigeon Shooting which is great fun. I've made alot of friends in all kinds of places and next year I hope to travel to Australia to work on a ranch for a couple of weeks and spend a few weeks seeing Oz.

Secondly - Lonsdale!
The Arches Lake is now available solely to guests! Since doing this, more anglers are fishing it - it's almost like a new lake! The sport is very good, with average carp showing between 16 - 18lb. It has always been a good tench water, but the usual catch was topped off with a double figure beauty.
One of our new guests was Mr. Drinkell who landed a 19 1/2 lb common carp on his birthday this week! I think whilst our own Mr Drinkall was setting up the new addition to the Cafe...
Dad has added a decked and covered area for our BBQ and 2 tables so that post match celebrations will be less cramped and more people can enjoy the evening summer sunshine!
Also in the cafe we've added FREE Wi-Fi access to cafe users. This should help many of our busier guests stay on top of their game back home whilst they are relaxing here.

We made history this week with our furthest travelling guest! Mark Warick flew all the way from Jettysburg, USA to come 'and do battle with some of our fish' as Dad put it. Mark's father landed a personal best roach of 2lb 7oz, including 3 other fish over 2lb. So as you can see the Roach fishing is as good as ever!

There's been some notable Tench catches, fish averaging 5-6lb from Lonsdale, Jackie Dodd landed a Tench at 8 1/2 lb which was a cracker!

Reed Lake has been doing well with Carp to 28lb and many in the high twenties last week.

We had a pleasant surprise in the net for one our matches last week with a Crucian at 1 1/2 lbs! Although a splendid fish, this hasn't touched our best so far which Fran Quine from the Isle of Man caught last year and weighed in at 3lb.

Dad seems to be unlucky on the Willows and Secret Pool recently - although Roy (his co-driver and friend from Kent) fished and landed a 23 1/2lb mirror whilst fishing with Dad. Dad has mainly been catching eels and chub - probably due to the large amount of natural feed in the water at the minute.
However I know they are in there! Dad and I were out in the boat yesterday an went to investigate a shape in the reed beds. Elegantly balanced with his head down was quite a sizeable fellow - as I sat in the front of the boat Dad tried to get me to touch him, we were that close! A few moments later and an undignified splash of his tail he was sliding off into the depths leaving me with a wet face, and Dad desperate to christen his newly restored pre-war Hardy split cane rod!
A friend and regular guest restored the rod for Dad - it is superb! And I will have to steal it from him later! Wally is a true craftsman and if anyone is looking to get any antique tackle or have a quality, tasteful restoration done we can put you in contact with him.

Well that's all for now from me,

Tight Lines,

Emma