Merry Christmas!

Dear all,

I hope this time of year finds you well equipped with gloves and a woolly jumper in pursuit of mythical predators, or perhaps you'd prefer to be a home with a glass of sherry and a mince pie...

Regardless I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, from our family to yours.

Love,

Emma, Paul, Val, and Amy

PS: Unfortunately Mum has been somewhat under the weather with pneumonia over the last few weeks so we got quite behind with cards, you have my sincere apologies if we missed you!

The end of an era.

Dear all,

It is with great sadness that I share our recent news.

On Friday our treasured old dog Mansell died, aged 19.

To call him a dog hardly does him justice, to those who knew him he was at first a young rogue, and later an old gentleman.

Many of you graciously (and occasionally unwitting or unwillingly) shared your luncheon meat, or lunch with him.

He had a long life full of adventures, and was much loved by all.

We will miss him.

Visit from fishing legend Ray Kemp - The Colonel

Yesterday we had the pleasure yet again of having Ray Kemp AKA The Colonel (made famous alongside Chris Yates) fishing here at Lonsdale. Here Ray has kindly given us an account of his day fishing.

Hello Paul

My night was filled with dreams of jagging roach, creaking cane and mugs of piping hot coffee, delivered to the swim by my trusty butler. With that in mind, I must thank you heartily for allowing me to christen the recently renovated James Aspindale 'Suredale' on your lovely Willows pool at Lonsdale. I had a joyful day. It literally was a bite a cast, resulting in a catch of pristine Rutilus gracing my net, the best being five at 3/4lb, one at 1lb exactly, one at 1lb 9oz and one at 1lb 10oz. All fell to breadflake on a size 12 barbless long shank hook, fished close to the bottom beneath a quill float and between one and two rod lengths out. Light feeding with mashed bread, of course, traditional angling at it's finest.

It took me a while to work out these fish needed to 'run' with the bait before striking. No finicky fiddling and barely detectable movements of the float here; more hard charging takes that resulted in misses if struck too soon. Putting the rod in the rest and folding my arms was the answer!!!! Another abiding memory of the day will be 'the Jaws moment', when, barely a rod length out, one of your mirror carp 'head & shouldered' unannounced, causing me to nearly choke on my coffee. I imagine it was either tearing into the shoal of fry near the surface or scoffing on the odd bits of floating bread mash; or, maybe, just saying 'hello' to the old Colonel, ' catch me if you dare'. Another day, dear boy, another day.

In all, a very fine day. So fine, in fact, I forgot how cold I was, making the regular mugs of steaming coffee you kindly supplied a real godsend. Thank you, my friend. Here's to the next time.

Best regards

Ray

Thanks Ray, looking forwards to seeing you again soon! Dad says you could give Chris a run for his money as this would be a good start to 'The Colonel's Fishing Diaries'.

Paterson's Pike

Out yesterday a belting 28lb 4oz pike!

Landed by Mr. Paterson on his first visit to Lonsdale - photos to follow

Richard Reels in - is it winter?????????

Well last week saw this lovely 20lb 7oz carp landed & this week a 8lb Tench. With the next couple of weeks predicted to be decent weather lets see what happens. Like us the fish don't seem to know what season it is.

Thanks for the photo Richard.

Kenny's Carp

Last week saw kenny Coulthurst visit us again. During his 4 day beak he had some good catches including this 25lb 8 oz Common.

Thanks for sending the photos Kenny!

Plenty of Predators!

Well the year is starting to turn towards autumn now and there's no denying it. We've picked the sloes and a daily ceremony of shaking the sugar, gin, and sloe mixture will take place until this time next month.

Last week Chris Platt stayed with us with his Dad Todd, son Jonny and his mate Steve. The boys targeted the carp and pike over the week mostly on the Arches.
Chris was rewarded with a toothy 24lber - which looked much bigger, whilst Steve had 8 fish in just a couple of hours. Steve was less lucky though when his battle with Lucius ended in a quick trip to A&E - one of the fish shook it's head violently and the treble buried deeply into his hand. All came right in the end though, and we look forwards to posting the boys photo's!

Meanwhile a local angler Jake, also enjoyed his holiday with us, pursuing the predators and was well rewarded.

Our current Autumn special offers (for a limited time only) - include lakeside cottages from £250 a week,
and of course we have plenty of Dead baits, plugs and lures in stock for the Pike season,
so give us a ring for a quote / more information on: 07770825896

Autumn glory!

As you can see we're making the most of our belated Indian summer!

I was fishing with Dad last week in the evening sunlight, and decided to take one of the weights off my already simple set up (Split cane, centre pin, float that Dad made when he was a boy, 2 BB and a hook) to leave my float laying on.
I pinched a flake of bread onto the hook in my own particular way and settled down.

I have never outfished my Dad. Not sat together side by side. (I like to think it's all the 'experience' he has on me)
But this night there was something going on. Maybe it's the pheromones.
My float twitched and slid under as one of the big roach got greedy. A few more big roach and Dad's float was decidedly still not 8 feet from mine. He re cast encroaching on my swim, and my float promptly quieted too.

A few minutes later and my float slowly right itself and slid away. Definitely 'carpy'. Not a heavyweight but he was determined to punch above his class! The Mark Simmonds stocked into the Willlows are very heavy set, strong fish, and once I got him to the bank I realised he was nearly as thick as my hands span - so I had to cradle him very carefully for a quick photo!

I slipped him back with instructions not to mention this to Walter, and settled down again.
The quiet was disturbed by the unmistakable "chi-keeeeeee" of the kingfisher as he swooped the length of the lake, banked around and to our surprise settled in to the young willows just on our right:
Once he'd arrived I got a bit distracted trying to take a picture, but did manage to land a few more very lovely roach.
And you guessed it. Dad's float might as well have been a monument to stoicism
(The endurance of pain or hardship without display of feelings or complaint)

So it was an evening to remember for a long time for me, and one worth sharing. Dad's certainly been back on form and soundly trounced me since!

Still at least the carp are still feeding!

PS: If you'd like to come and fish the Willows or the Secret Pool contact us on 07770825896 to book the Secret Cottage which has exclusive rights to these two cracking lakes!

Great North Run

I had a great time at the Great North Run on Sunday!
Above is me at the start line with my new friend Graham who was running for his wife who was diagnosed with breast cancer 18 months ago.
The whole day was a fantastic demonstration of the human spirit - everyone was running for a reason, and you could write it out and pin it to the back of your shirt, so I spent the whole day buoyed by pictures of hope and stories inspiring the determination of my fellow runners. And there was 54,000 of us!The locals turned out spectacularly and stayed through the torrential downpour to cheer us on. Many had bought oranges, ice lollies, jelly babies, face wipes and tissues to hand out to runners - all of which were very, very much appreciated!

The run itself was very enjoyable, the hardest bit was towards the end around 9-11 miles where the course turns uphill and you're just starting to fade. I was a fair bit slower than I had wanted to be (2:30) but I finished and really enjoyed it. I'd thoroughly recommend it!

A big Thankyou to everyone who sponsored me, it means alot.
Between the online and 'real world' sponsors I've almost reached my pledge of £500 for the British Heart Foundation.
It's not too late to help me, and even just the price of a pint would mean alot now! http://www.justgiving.com/Drinkall-GNR

Campbell's Charm the Carp Again!

Jamie Cambell and his party recently revisited us, and have kindly sent us a small selection of their photos (Thanks!)
As you can see despite the rather inclement weather this week they still captured some lovely fish, showing the carp still seem to be on the feed!

Last night Dad braved the rain to pursue Walter (those of you who have seen the film 'On Golden Pond' will know I'm referring to the near mythical but captivatingly real monster fish that lurks in the pond and is quested after by the main character and his Grandson)
But he was foiled when a gorgeous 2lb roach took his 15mm boillie instead! You'll have to forgive me for not venturing out to get a picture for you, but it was raining and I'm running my half marathon tomorrow and was trying to stave off a cold!

PS: any last minute sponsorship is much appreciated and you can do it securely online at: http://www.justgiving.com/Drinkall-GNR
Wish me luck!

Wally catches son of Walter

Here's a lovely photo of a great looking little Carp, one of our babies in the Willows. Despite two 25lb+ carp coming out of the Secret Pool the same week, Paul was more excited about this special little common which is off spring from the famous Mark Simmonds Carp so with that parentage he's sure to grow into a monster.

Wally caught this little fella during his stay last week.

You don't have to be broken hearted to help

First of all a BIG THANK - YOU to everyone who's filled in the Sponsor form at The Park for Emma's Great North Run. Emma is undertaking this on behalf of The British Heart Foundation.

If you want to donate it would be greatly appreciated by Emma ( Who's working hard with her training for this event as well as working hard) along with everyone who has in the past or may well in the future benefit from this great organistaion.

If you can't fill in the form you can donate by going to her "just giving " page.

http://www.justgiving.com/Drinkall-GNR

Harry vs Esox - No Contest!!

Harry Schmidt just spent the week at Lonsdale with his family. Harry very kindly wrote about one of his catches for us:-

Spent one week at Lonsdale Park Fisheris, had a great time. Carp to 22lb and 200 odd roach. Pike caught on dead bait at 16.10 24lb 2oz on 25th August 2011.

Harry Schmidt Aged 14,

from Tockwith, York

Mark & Brian outfish the Osprey

Hi Paul Val and Emma

Just a quick note to let you know the totals of fish from Brian and my 2 week trip this last two weeks.

Brian caught a total of 12 carp weighing a total of 124 pounds and 6 tench

I caught a total of 43 carp weighing a total of 472 pounds. (biggest was a lovely 24 pound common)

Some pictures attached as discussed and also a pictutre of the Osprey diving into the water. (Thank fully it missed the fish you see flying)

As always your guidance works and as you said 'If you feed them, they will come'

Many thanks for a lovely time and we didn't let the weather dampen our fishing.

Mark Carberry

Lucky Lucius...

This Friday saw Den Holding end his holiday memorably, whilst plumbing the depth of his roach swim when his line took off.
A rather irrate Pike proceeded to test his float gear by tail walking and putting on a display in the centre of the lake, Den went on to land a beautiful 22 pounder.
On landing the fish it was discovered it had actually taken the plummettwhich had then wedged in its scissors!
Esox has been starting to show ahead of the autumn, with Mr. Millington also landing a double figure specimen this week.

With Autumn still a little way off it seems like this year might be a cracker when it comes to our top predators!

PS:
Come September 18th I'll be running the BUPA Great North Run half marathon for The British Heart Foundation. I decided to run after my Uncle had a heart attack and had to have an extensive heart operation, so I figured if I should be keeping myself healthy, and at the same time help the BHF who help so many people affected by heart disease.
I'd just like to take the opportunity to thank those who have already sponsored me, and for anyone else who'd like to support me, you can safely and securely sponsor me at my Just giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/Drinkall-GNR
I'm sure we'll let you know how I get on!
Thankyou!
Emma

Jade, Scott & Thomas

Thanks Jade for sending over these photos of Scott & Thomas showing some of their catches during your weeks stay

hello paul, val and every one at lonsdale had a great holiday and looking forward to our next, just seding a few pictures of the fish we caught on our holiday there are a couple just taken on unhooking mat as scott stayed out one night by himself and had no one to take a photo of him and fish, thanks jade scott and thomas xx

Em's still hooked

A cracking roach. caught on quick visit home.

Jim & Barry's Week-End Break

Here are some photos of just a few fish caught by Jim & Barry over their week-end stay.

Thanks for sending them over Jim.

Weather Forecast

With a the weather forecast for next week looking good, give us a call for details of late availability offers!

Dean's Up date!

Well during the week Dean Lodge continued to do extremely well. He matched his PB tench - which had been caught at Lonsdale on a previous visit. A P.B. Roach at 2lb 8ozs and also his catch of 22 carp included his P.B.

Not a bad week Dean!

Dean Lodge - Tackle 2 U.com tackles Lonsdale

Dean arrived on Saturday and up to this morning has enjoyed some excellent catches. These include:-
7lb 8oz tench + 3 other fish, ghost carp at 9lb 7ozs & 7 more carp the largest weighing in at 21lb 4 oz and its only Wednesday.

Shoesmith Family

thanks Kathy for sending over photos of some of the boys catches!!

Terry - AKA Uncle Albert.

Here we have one of our regulars Terry who has visited us each year with his friend Jack for many years.

This roach is one of his bag produced during one of our matches.

Ken & Kieran Strike Again!

hiya val and paul
thanks  again for another great week at lonsdale, the
fishing was great, i always keep a log of what i catch
and was amazed when i tally up the weeks fish, when i
say it has to be the best weeks fishing in weight and
species caught that i"ve had since i started coming,
most of my week was spent on lonsdale"  in my bivvy,
even had my grandson ,kieran, sleep under the "stars "
with me one night!! he loved every minute of it( partly
because he could stay up late" fishing with his
grandad")but when i(sorry ,we !) caught some cracking
carp and tench his face was a picture. i think he
getting hooked on fishing !!anyway i put a list
together for you and some pictures, the tench is a new
p.b. for me all 8 pound 12 ozes of fighting muscle,
there"s a wild carp which weighed 14 pound 5 ozes,the
mirror carp was just under 18 pound,all in all i caught
over 50 pound of tench, biggest 8 pound 12 ozes,
smallest 4 pound,3 mirrors, biggest just shy of 18
pound,smallest 9 pound,3chub up to 3pound 8ozes,2
commons 7 pound and 10 pound and a roach of 2pound 7
ozes !!!
all in all
paul and val
i had the
best weeks
fishing for
a long long
time and
cant wait to
get back in
august
!!thanks
again to you
all see ya
soon
regards ken thwaites.

Lightowler vs Brown Year 9

Lonsdale 2011
The Lightowler and the Brown families were set to do battle again, for the 9th year running. It was to be the best year to date.
This year saw personal bests for the Lightowlers, especially Mike who cleaned up!
The same as every year we bought the trophies and made the t-shirts ready for the weeks fishing. We set out our bivvys and started to bait up! As ever Steve did what he had to do and slept until 10am most mornings. Like others years this seemed to pay off, as on the second day he caught a 14lb 6oz carp and then following up with a few tench. In the afternoon Steve caught another carp to conclude a great days fishing!
After the biggest fish of the week so far Steve was on a high and felt he had the trophy sown up......this was not the case as Adam brown (only down until the Wednesday) caught a great looking 17lb 7oz carp to take the lead. Steve brown and Bob Lightowler quietly going about their fishing with a few small fish but still nothing challenged Adams fish.......this was to stay like this until the Wednesday night when Steve lightowler stormed into the lead with a huge 19lb 8oz carp and this had surely sown up the trophy?
The week was pressing on and the fishing was great, we had all caught a lot of fish no more so than Mike lightowler who had at least 4 big fish a day ranging from his big chub up to the endless amounts of carp that seemed to be well into his baits!
The week was drawing to a close and the weather was getting warmer, the fish still kept coming and then the last day arrived and none of us wanted to leave. The fishing was good and the weather and company too! We all made a decision to stop fishing at 10:30pm on the Friday and do our final tally up, it was at around 8:55pm that mike had a huge run on his carp rod and after a decent fight and a big grin on his face we weighed in the beast at a very solid 20lb 11oz carp and the biggest fish of the week was stolen from Steve, well what a year!
Bob finished the week on a high. Within the last hour of the week he netted two large carp, 19lb the first and a stunning 14.7lb wild carp, the first one we have ever seen!! There was also a later entry from Steve brown with yet another 19lb fish.
The fishing and company was great the excitement of what might have been was in the camp so we have booked again to make it a nice round 10 years so we will all see you soon enough to do it all again!!

Hi All,

hope all is well and the fish are still biting!

I have attatched (hopefully) a catch report and photos of the fish that we caught whilst with you last week, we had a great week and the fishing as ever was excellent!

we will be watching the blog to see who you make famous!

thanks so much

looking forward to next year already!

Mike lightowler and family

Steve brown and family