Welcome
We sincerely hope this News Letter finds you, your family and friends in good health.
Welcome everyone - We reopened again on Wednesday 13th May for fishing only (after closing due to HMG guidelines on the 23rd March).
2020 Bookings
Important changes for Fishing Bookings
Presently fishing is limited and available only to the following:
Those from the same household and up to one from another household
Not from a vulnerable group still needing to remain shielded
There has a been a huge supressed demand for fishing (and many last minute Membership applications) since reopening on the 13th May. Although we have indicated we are full, anglers are still turning up unannounced at the fishery where they are being barred access, as well as many requests for fishing from non-Members. We have become almost over-whelmed with the associated administration and reluctantly now need to become a little more formal with bookings and payments.
Email and phone reservations, which are often incomplete, can no longer be accepted. Going forward we can only accept online Booking Requests via https://www.manor-fisheries.co.uk/reservations/. This is now the only method to make a reservation.
We have also decided to minimise contact. Therefore, all lake bookings must be online from a Member and paid at least 48 hours in advance via Bank Transfer. To help with our increased administration due to COVID-19 please see our new Booking Procedure at https://www.manor-fisheries.co.uk/reservations :
Have at hand your 2020 Member number (and for all in your Group)
Check "Availability" online via https://www.manor-fisheries.co.uk/availability/
Read the Accommodation and Fishing Terms and Conditions and the Fishing Rules.
Recognise the angler Booking is responsible for the whole (Group) Booking payment
Payment is not to be made before receipt of a Preliminary Booking (Quotation) from Manor Fisheries
A single payment is via Bank Transfer and must match Preliminary Booking (Quotation) amount. i.e. If the quotation includes multiple dates a single payment covering all the dates shown is required.
Bank Transfer details to include “your name making the booking and arrival date”. For example:
Name initials and visit date (e.g. John Smith and 15 May becomes JS 15/05).
Notice of three days is required to change a confirmed “Fishing only” Booking
Prior to arrival a Booking Confirmation from Manor Fisheries is required
2020 Accommodation Bookings
These are not available until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions.
2020 Membership
This season all anglers need to become a Member which is limited in numbers. This does not apply to those booked with accommodation. Within days the Membership (for all lakes) became full but a few spaces remain for “ Lake 3 Only Member”. There are two Member levels:
A Member who can fish any lake
A Lake 3 Member who can fish Lake 3 (Mixed) only.
How Covid-19 is affecting Manor Fisheries
We were invited by Anglers Mail to submit an article describing the effect of COVID-19 at Manor Fisheries and the following was published in Anglers Mail on the 12th May in the “Where to Fish” special report by Duncan Charman :
It is extraordinary how “unnecessary travel and social interaction” can be interpreted.
Since we opened for our 2020 season on the 23rd March, this year has already proven to be challenging. We sadly closed next day until further notice after HMG published instructions to consider carefully “unnecessary travel and social interaction”.
The result of this notice has had drastic implications for both visitors and the Fishery. We immediately updated our website on the 24th March to reassure all those who had already booked for 2020 that we would provide a Credit to the amount of booking monies provided (and unused Membership). This Credit will be valid for 2020 and 2021 as it is likely some visitors who booked for 2020 cannot now visit Manor Fisheries even if the lock down is lifted this season. We also indicated that bookings will resume when HMG gives the all clear with appropriate guidelines and this we will publish on our website at www.manor-fisheries.co.uk.
With sudden Fishery closure all the 2020 revenue (with the exception of 21st to the 23rd March) has vanished at a stroke. This resulted in us taking a deep breath as we were aware that maintaining the Fishery has responsibilities and on-going costs which fortunately has now been helped with the receipt of a small HMG grant. This has enabled us to purchase an additional 800Kg of high-quality fish food and continue a daily feeding program to compensate for feed normally introduced by anglers. In addition, we have been able to continue engaging help with maintenance of the grounds, accommodation and security systems.
We can confirm that Manor Fisheries is alive and well with the trees in blossom and the frogs tuning up for their noisy chorus. April has been warmer than usual and Carp are already spawning. The number of young Rabbits, Moorhens, Mallards, Coots and Geese (Canadian and Greylag) are increasing daily plus a sight of an occasional Kite. A couple of Swans also stayed for a short while and competed with the geese for island space before flying off. Every negative has a positive and the wildlife is having a lovely peaceful time. While surveying the fish (by sight and rod and line); they are enjoying their “sabbatical” and you will be pleased to know they are gaining weight and are stronger than ever.
HMG closed all fisheries, and whilst waiting for HMG guidelines regarding reopening, we have decided to minimise our contact for safety reasons. To eliminate the handling of cash when we re-open, all lake bookings will need to be paid at least 24 hours in advance via Bank Transfer. In addition, to ensure there is no virus in an Apartment we decided we need a gap of at least 3 days between an Apartment being cleaned and reoccupied. In the event the minimum 3-day gap cannot be achieved some Apartment bookings may be cancelled (or rearranged) but we will keep visitors informed well in advance if this situation arises. We recognise a gap of at least 3 days between Apartments being cleaned and reoccupied will potentially reduce overall accommodation revenue but for safety reasons this is something we support and a requirement HMG may also introduce.
For anglers wishing to fish our specimen lakes, we decided two years ago that Manor Fisheries would become a Members only fishery as this assists in administering visiting anglers. This decision has proven a success and we have decided that when we re-open, we will become a 100% Members only fishery for all three lakes. Visitors booked with accommodation are automatically Members for the duration of their stay. The decision also supports easier visitor tracing should the need arise with the current on-going threat of COVID-19.
Before reopening it is essential that HMG provides clear guidelines to fisheries for the prevention of COVID-19 appearing and visitors being exposed to COVID-19. This is important. Since being closed, we have received several requests from anglers to book fishing who are prepared to ignore “unnecessary travel and social interaction”. Fisheries cannot expose anybody to the potential of COVID-19 in association with visitors who take a casual and in my view, a selfish view of HMG guidelines.
The reaction of our regulars has been very understanding and supportive with many itching to visit at the earliest opportunity. All accommodation and fishing Availability can be seen via our website and once we reopen visit requests can be managed smoothly whilst ensuring the lakes are Never knowingly over-crowded with a maximum of 4 anglers per each specimen lake. Limiting numbers on each lake has proven to be a popular decision by anglers. Once we are back to more normal conditions, we look forward to meeting our visitors again. Meanwhile we sincerely hope you, your family and friends remain safe and in good health.
Fishing Report – 13th May 2020 to 31st May 2020
Summary
It was good to again welcome our regulars (and new) visitors when we “Opened” during an overcast Saturday 21st March for three days only. All three Leader Boards were soon up and running with many new PB’s being achieved.
See https://www.manor-fisheries.co.uk/2017-leader-board showing how the 2020 Leader Boards keep rising.
Lake 1 (Carp)
On the original 21st March opening day Bob Irvine topped the Carp Leader Board with a 17lbs 8ozs Common.
Andrew Burton had a good opening session landing Mirrors weighing 13lbs 8ozs and 13lbs plus Commons at 17lbs, 16lbs 8ozs, 15lbs and 13lbs while Brad Burton landed a 15lbs Mirror and 2 x 16lbs Commons.
Visiting on the 15th May Terry Hare landed a 18lbs 2ozs Mirror and a 18lbs 4ozs
On the 16th May Paul Teakle landed a 10lbs Mirror and Commons weighing 17lbs 4ozs PB, 14lbs 2ozs, 11lbs 2ozs and 8lbs 4ozs.
Terry Hare visited again on the 16th May and landed a 18lbs 4ozs Leather Carp and a 18lbs 12ozs Common to Top the Carp Leader Board.
Dan Luckhurst visited on the 17th May and over 24 hours landed 12 x Carp weighing from 11lbs to 17lbs .
Adrian Burton landed Mirrors weighing14lbs 5ozs and 11lbs plus Commons of 2 x 15lbs and 12lbs.
Jason Tuckey returned on the 18th May for a 24 hour session and using boilies plus cream pop-up baits landed 6 x Commons from 7lbs to 18lbs 8ozs and 9 x Mirrors from 12lbs to 19lbs 10ozs.
Using pineapple boilies and pop-ups on the 19th May, Roger Austen landed Commons weighing 15lbs 8ozs and 11lbs 6ozs.
Visiting on the 23rd May Jack Osborne landed a Common weighing 19lbs.
Jack and a 19 lbs Common
Using CC Moore boilies on the 26th May, produced 3 x Commons for David Hare weighing 15lbs, 14lbs and 11lbs while Terry Hare landed a 12lbs 8ozs Common and a 10lbs 8ozs Mirror.
Mark Sheaff and Jay Hodge used Cell boilie bait on the 25th/26th May and landed Commons weighing 15lbs 2ozs, 13lbs 8ozs, 13lbs and 12lbs 6ozs.
Regular Adrian Burton returned on the 29th May and landed Commons weighing 17lbs and 16lbs 4ozs plus a 10lbs 8ozs Mirror.
Fishing on the 31st May resulted in a 18lbs 8ozs Common for Ray Hillier.
Visiting on the 31st May Connor Cambridge landed Commons weighing 18lbs, 12lbs 8ozs, 12lbs and 11lbs 9ozs.
Lake 2 (Carp/Catfish)
Indicative Catfish figures caught and recorded by anglers in the Cabin Log Book since reopening on the 13th May (14 days ago) have been good in both numbers and weights, including 65+ over 30lbs and 8 over 40lbs.
On the original 21st March opening day Paul Lewis topped the Catfish Leader Board with a 39lbs Cat.
Aaron Lamptey was soon amongst the Cats on the 13th May with weights of 40lbs topping the Catfish leader Board, 39lbs, 30lbs and 27 lbs while colleague Steven Langley had one of 30lbs.
Aaron and his 40 lbs Cat
Ian Brown visited on the 13th May and had success landing a 36lbs Cat.
Robert Bates bent his rods landing Cats weighing:
15th May - 37lbs and 32lbs
16th May - 37lbs Cat
17th May - 32lbs and 37lbs.
while David Platt landed Cats weighing 40lbs, 38lbs, 37lbs 8ozs, 37lbs x 2, 34lbs x 3 and 32lbs during this session.
Gary Atkins had great session on the 18th May to top BOTH the Carp Leader Board with a 21lbs 4ozs Common and the Catfish Leader Board with a 42lbs 8ozs Cat plus a further Cat weighing 33lbs.
On the 19th May Terry Hare landed 4 x Cats weighing 7lbs, 17lbs 8ozs, 37lbs 8ozs 1st PB and 38lbs 4ozs 2nd PB using luncheon meat bait.
Eric Scott visited on the 19th May and landed Cats weighing 38lbs 8ozs and 32lbs while colleague Peter Parsons topped the Catfish Leader Board with a 43lbs Cat.
Eric and his 38 lbs 8 ozs Cat
Ross and Steve Mitchell visited on the 20th May with Ross landing Cats weighing 41lbs, 39lbs, 37lbs, 32lbs and 25lbs while Steve had Cats of 37lbs, 35lbs and 31lbs.
During his 48 hour session starting the 20th May, Steven Hall landed a 40lbs 5ozs Cat.
Ray Binks arrived on the 21st May for a 24 hour session and landed 22 x Cats weighing from 19lbs to 40lbs 3ozs while his colleague Paul Wood landed Cats weighing a PB 34lbs, 31lbs, 30lbs and 12lbs.
Arriving on the 22nd May Paul Wood landed Cats weighing 34lbs, 31lbs, 30lbs and 12lbs during his 24 hour session.
Visiting on the 23rd May Kevin Barron used 20mm garlic boilies to lure Cats weighing 36lbs, 29lbs and 28lbs while colleague Josh Turner used robin red pellet and caught Cats weighing 35lbs and 5lbs.
During a 24 hour session starting the 23rd May, its congratulations to Maria Fletcher who landed Cats weighing 42lbs and 34lbs when the successful bait was luncheon meat while Sean had a Cat of 18lbs.
Maria and her 42 lbs Cat
Connor and Alan Cambridge arrive on the 23rd May for their 24 hour session and using Robin Red baits finished with 8 x 30’s to 39lbs plus weights of 27lbs, 25lbs, 22lbs, 21lbs, 19lbs and 17lbs.
Aran Flemming was into the Cats day fishing on the 25th May with a total of eight weighing 36lbs, 32lbs, 2 x 28lbs, 2x 26lbs and 2 x 20lbs while Eric Scott had weights of 36lbs, 32lbs and 25lbs.
Visiting on the 27th May, Mark Sheaff and Jay Hodge used spicy crab boilie bait and caught Catfish weighing 38lbs 2ozs, 36lbs 2ozs and 17lbs 4ozs while David Hodge landed a Cat weighing 26lbs.
Arriving on the 27th May for his 24 hour session resulted in a catch of 8 x Cats weighing 38lbs, 37lbs, 2 x 34lbs, 31lbs, 28lbs, 25lbs and 17lbs for Shane Riddett.
Paul Jenkins landed Cats weighing 30lbs, 18lbs and 15lbs on the 28th May and father Mick had one of 26lbs while colleague Ian Brown landed 6 x Cats weighing 40lbs 8ozs, 39lbs, 37lbs, 36lbs, 29lbs and 28lbs.
Regular Keith Grey returned on the 29th May and landed 10 x Cats including weights from 28lbs 8ozs plus weights of 34lbs 6ozs, 36lbs 4ozs and 37lbs 8ozs.
Bruce Constantine targeted the Cats on the 30th May and landed three weighing 26lbs, 25lbs and 10lbs.
Jay Turk began his 24 hour session on the 30th May and finished with Cats weighing 39lbs 4ozs, 30lbs and 26lbs 8ozs.
Visiting on the 31st May Kevin Barron landed 9 x Cats to 36lbs plus Commons weighing 14lbs and 8lbs.
Lake 3 (Mixed)
On the 14th May Peter Gardiner landed 6 x Carp to 8lbs 4ozs and 3 x Tench to 4lbs 14ozs to Top the Tench Leader Board.
Visiting on the 16th May Gary Rust landed 9 x Carp from 3lbs 8ozs to 8lbs, 5 x Tench from 2lbs 4ozs to 3lbs 8ozs plus Bream and Perch using sweetcorn and prawn baits.
Graham Payne returned on the 17th May and landed a 15lbs PB Common, 5 x Mirrors and 4 x Bream.
Visiting on the 17th May Mark and Luke Blackman landed Carp to 4lbs and a 2lbs Tench.
Fred Rosier returned on the 19th May and landed 4 x Carp from 7lbs 7ozs to 9lbs 10ozs plus 7 x Bream from 3lbs 11ozs to 4lbs 5ozs.
On the 19th May Andy Worf landed 4 x Carp from 2lbs to 6lbs plus 4 x Bream from 2lbs to 3lbs.
Fishing on the 19th May resulted in 3 x Carp to 7lbs for Andrew Bracey
Is was a sunny 24th May when the Nockups AC visited for their 5-hour match and the results were:
1st – Mark Downs with 29lbs 1oz
2nd – Terry Lawrence with 28lbs 7ozs
3rd – Jay Purtis with 15lbs 10ozs
Graham Payne returned on the 27th May and using sweetcorn and luncheon meat baits caught Commons weighing 10lbs, 6lbs 8ozs, 4lbs 8ozs and 2lbs plus Mirrors weighing 8lbs, 5lbs and 4lbs and a 3lbs 8ozs Bream.
Roger Austen used sweetcorn and a method feeder on the 27th May to catch a Common weighing 9lbs 12ozs, a 3lbs 12ozs Tench and a 4lbs Bream.
Peter Foster had a mixed bag on the 28th May including 6 x Carp weighing from 4lbs 8ozs to 9lbs 8ozs, a 4lbsBream and a 2lbs 8ozs Tench.
Visiting on the 28th May Michael Dougherty used luncheon meat bait and landed 3 x Carp weighing from 6lbs to 8lbs.
It was a good mixed bag for James Constantine on the 30th May when his bait was maggots and his catch included 3 x Commons weighing 8lbs and 2 x 6lbs, a 4lbs Bream and Tench weighing 4lbs and 3lbs.
Matthew and Luke Blackman returned on the 31st May when Matthew had 2 x Tench at 2lbs each plus a 2lbs 8ozs Carp while Luke landed a 4lbs 8ozs Common and a 5lbs Mirror.
Cabin Logbook
Please record as per your Membership T’s and C’s your catch in the Cabin Logbook provided and include Cats weighing over 30lbs, don’t be shy ……. please also record Carp over 20lbs as this forms the basis of our Monthly News Report and provides valuable input to our lake management plans.
Thank you to all those anglers who have spent a few moments in the past to summarise their catch in the Cabin Logbook and we wish you a very successful 2020 season.
Manor Fisheries Specimens
Each year we award every angler with a PIN to commemorate catching their first Manor Fisheries specimen fish for each species shown below. To qualify record your catch in the Cabin Logbook noting the 2020 PIN qualifying weights are:
2020 Leader Board
The Leader Board competition will again run throughout our 2020 Season and commence on Saturday 21st March 2020. Prizes will be awarded for the specimens caught by or on Sunday 11th October 2020 and to qualify record your catch in the Cabin Logbook:
£50.00 for the first verified 50lbs+ Catfish
£50.00 for the first verified 30lbs+ Carp
£50.00 for the first verified 8lbs+ Tench
In the event these “Target weights” are not met, the above prizes will be awarded for the heaviest verified Catfish, Carp and Tench specimens recorded in the Cabin Logbook by or on Sunday 11th October 2020.
Meanwhile keep safe and if you have any queries however small please do not hesitate to contact Rhonda or myself.