NEWS 1 June 2020 to 30 June 2020

2020 Bookings

Important changes for Fishing Bookings

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

Due to COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, bookings for accommodation can now be accepted from the 4th July.

 Also please note that new accommodation bookings for the three night weekend option (arriving Friday and leaving Monday) have been withdrawn. There will now be available more weekend fishing options for 2020 Members.

Fishing Report – 1st June 2020 to 30th June 2020

Summary

It was good to again welcome our regulars (and new) visitors with many new PB’s being achieved.

Based on catches recorded by anglers in the Cabin Log Book, this month has broken our all-time records; both in numbers and weights:

• Carp – 9 over 20lbs

• Catfish – 10 over 40lbs and 88+ over 30lbs

Lake 1 (Carp)

• When returning on the 1st June, regular Reg Miller landed 12 x Carp including 8 x Commons weighing 18lbs 14ozs, 16lbs, 13lbs 8ozs, 12lbs and 11lbs plus 4 x Mirrors including 20lbs 3ozs and 13lbs 8ozs while colleague Gary Atkins had 4 x mid double Carp to 18lbs 4ozs and Wayne Johnson landed 5 x mid double Carp.

• When returning on the 2nd June Paul Jenkins caught a 11lbs Common while father Mick had a 14lbs Common where Cell boilie was the successful bait.  

• Adam Fairclough visited on the 3rd June and landed a 10lbs 8ozs Common using CC Moore Live boilies while colleague Adam Feacey had an 11lbs Mirror on a OPG boilie.

• Returning on the 4th June, regular Roger Austen landed a 13lbs Common with a pineapple & coconut boilie bait plus a 11lbs 8ozs Mirror using a krill pop-up.

• Regular Adrian Burton visited on the 5th June and landed 2 x 11lbs Mirrors and a 16lbs 4ozs Common.

• Paul Kitt and Bob Irvine arrived on the 5th June for 48 hours during overcast conditions. Using 10 mm tutti frutti boilies their catch weights included:

  • Paul – Commons of 14lbs 8ozs, 13lbs 4ozs, 3 x 11lbs and 9lbs

  • Bob – Commons of 15lbs 12ozs and 10lbs plus Mirrors of 17lbs, 15lbs 5ozs and 10lbs

• Visiting on the 8th June', Steve Collins landed a 19lbs Mirror while son Shaun  caught a 17lbs Common using strawberry boilie baits.

• On the 8th June Fred Little returned and using chocolate dumbbell bait caught Carp weighing 12lbs, 11lbs 13ozs and 11lbs 1oz.

• Bryan Butler returned on the 10th June and using luncheon meat bait caught a 16lbs Common.

• The 16th June was a great session for Pat O’Sullivan who used a boilie/PVA bait combination to catch Mirrors weighing 21lbs, 2 x 20lbs, 18lbs and 16lbs.

• Fishing on the 16th June saw Paul and Mick Jenkins catch a 16lbs 1oz Carp.

• Adrian Burton visited on the 17th June and landed 3 x Commons weighing 13lbs, 12lbs 8ozs and 11lbs plus a 13lbs 8ozs Mirror.

• During a 48 hour session beginning the 17th June david Kendrick added a 21lbs Common to his catch.

• Visiting on the 19th June, Robert Hanson landed a 21lbs Mirror.

• It was a “lucky 13”for Aaron Harbird who arrived on the 19th June for a 36 hour session with a catch of 13 x Carp weighing 2 x 17lbs 8ozs, 17lbs, 16lbs 8ozs, 16lbs, 2 x 14lbs 8ozs, 14lbs, 12lbs 5ozs, 2 x 12lbs, 10lbs and 8lbs.

• Ryan Hills used Cell plus PVA bag baits on the 21st June and was successful in catching a 20lbs Common and 3 x mid doubles.

• Visiting on the 23rd June Terence Hare landed a 16lbs 12ozs Common and a 11lbs 4ozs Mirror using Pacific Tuna boilies.

• Paul Teakle visited on the 23rd June and caught Commons weighing 18lbs 2ozs PB and 14lbs 8ozs plus a 11lbs 2ozs Mirror.

• Peter Parsons was rewarded with a 13lbs Mirror when he visited on the 23rd June.

• Using luncheon meat over sweetcorn bait on the 24th June, Bryan Butler landed Mirrors weighing 20lbs and 13lbs.

• During his 36 hour session beginning the 25th June Phillip Aldridge landed 5 x Commons weighing 17lbs, 14lbs and 3 x 12lbs plus a 14lbs 8ozs Mirror using boilies and luncheon meat baits.

• Connor Cambridge began a 24 hour session on the 27th June and finished with 3 x Commons weighing 14lbs 10ozs, 11lbs and 10lbs 8ozs plus a 10lbs 4ozs Mirror.

• Using tuna boilies on the 28th June resulted in a 14lbs 8ozs Mirror for Tony Cook.

• Visiting on the 29th June Graham Price landed Mirrors weighing 19lbs and 12lbs 8ozs plus a 21lbs Common.

Lake 2 (Carp/Catfish)

• Arriving on the 1st June for 24 hours was a memorable session for Dan Brown and finding the Cats feeding jointly topped the Cat Leader Board with a catch including:

  • 43lbs (Manor Fisheries PB) and 40lbs

  • 9 x 30lbs+

  • 9 x 20lbs+

  while colleague Matt Griffiths had a Cat weighing 31lbs.

• Regular Nick Burden arrived on the 31st May for a 48 hours session and using halibut pellet bait  had an excellent catch landing 8 x Cats including weights of 44lbs 1oz caught on the 2nd June to top the Cat Leader Board, plus 40lbs 15ozs, 37lbs 1oz, 33lbs 10ozs, 32lbs 2ozs, 30lbs 12ozs, 29lbs 1oz and 20lbs 2ozs.

• Using luncheon meat bait Terry Hare landed 6 x Cats on the 2nd June weighing 38lbs, 33lbs, 29lbs, 28lbs, 27lbs and 23lbs.

• Brian Bailey plus colleagues arrived on the 2nd June for their 48 hour session and all landed Cats (for some; their first Cats) where the baits included fishy boilies, luncheon meat and halibut pellet as follows:

  • Brian – 36lbs, 28lbs, 24lbs and a kitten

  • Tristan – 28lbs, 25lbs, 21lbs and a kitten

  • Ian – 34lbs and 17lbs

  • Simon – 20lbs and 17lbs

• Sean and Maria Fletcher returned on the 5th June for 24 hours and landed a Cat weighing 32lbs.

• Roy Binks arrived on the 5th June for 24 hours and using a halibut pellet and worm combo bait caught Cats weighing 35lbs 8ozs and 26lbs.

• A Cat weighing 37lbs rewarded the visit by Terence Hare on the 9th June.

• Arriving on the 8th June for a 4-day visit David Platt’s group including Colin Platt, Robert Bates and John Bridgeman targeted both the Carp and Catfish:

  • Lake 1 (Carp) – 16lbs, 15lbs 8ozs, 14lbs and 12lbs

  • Lake 2 (Carp/Catfish) – 37lbs, 2 x 35lbs, 32lbs, 28lbs, 25lbs, 22lbs, 20lbs and 17lbs

  • Lake 3 (Mixed) – Carp to 6lbs, Tench to 3lbs and Bream to 4lbs

• Arriving on the 12th June for a 3-day visit Reg Miller’s group including Melvin Johnson and Gary Atkins targeted the Cats:

  • Gary – 35lbs 7ozs, 31lbs 15ozs, 22lbs 8ozs and a kitten

  • Melvin – 33lbs 8ozs, 31lbs 8ozs and 2 x kittens

  • Reg – 30lbs, 29lbs and 20lbs 8ozs

• Regular Terence Hare used luncheon meat bait on the 15th June and raised his Cat PB to 41lbs 4ozs plus weights of 33lbs8ozs, 33lbs, 32lbs and 28 lbs while son James landed Cats weighing 31lbs, 26lbs and 15lbs.

• Arriving for a 24 hour session on the 15th June saw regular Jason Tuckey catching 7 x Cats weighing 36lbs 30zs, 33lbs 8ozs, 31lbs 10ozs, 30lbs 6ozs, 28lbs 4ozs, 16lbs and 14lbs.

• Regular Paul Coombes returned on the 15th June and although it was tough going Paul caught a Cat weighing 38lbs using luncheon meat bait.

• Fishing first time for Cats, Matt Card and Sid Bailey visited on the 16th June with great results:

• Matt – 35lbs PB, 27lbs, 26lbs, 25lbs and 11lbs 6ozs

• Sid – 35lbs PB and 29lbs

Matt with his 35lbs PB

Sid with his 35lbs PB

• Using lobworm bait on the 17th June produced Cats weighing 34lbs 4ozs and 33lbs 4ozs for Fred Little.

• Brothers Bernie and Gary Day visited on the 17th June when Bernie was successful in landing two Cats that required some “retrieval” wading following concurrent runs and together they caught 15 x Cats including 8 x 30’s:

  • Bernie – 37lbs 5ozs, 37lbs 4ozs, 36lbs 4ozs, 30lbs 8ozs, 28lbs 8ozs, 21lbs 8ozs and 10lbs.

  • Gary – 38lbs 8ozs, 38lbs 4ozs, 34lbs, 30lbs 8ozs, 26lbs 8ozs, 20lbs and 14lbs.

• Brad Burton returned on the 17th June  for a 24hour session and following heavy rain and landing two small Carp; added Cats weighing 30lbs 8ozs and 31lbs 8ozs to his catch.

• Both Gary Vaughan and Gary Constable had a great 2½ day session and arriving on the 17th June finished with 31 x Cats weighing:

  • Gary Vaughan – 8 x 30’s to 36lbs, 13 x 20’s to 26lbs 10ozs and 2 x teens to 17lbs

  • Gary Constable – 1 x 40lbs, 2 x 30’s to 34lbs 2ozs, 2 x 20’s to 28lbs 5ozs and 3 x teens to 18lbs 14ozs

• Using halibut pellet bait and arriving on the 19th June for 24 hours, regular Tony Payne landed 9 x Cats weighing 43lbs 6ozs, 36lbs 12ozs, 34lbs 4ozs, 34lbs, 29lbs, 28lbs 4ozs, 26lbs, 12lbs, and 10lbs.

• Paul Griffiths together with sons Will and Matt, arrived on the 21st June to target the Cats over a 7-day session of variable weather using halibut pellet and krill boilie baits.  Their 54 x Cat catch included weights of:

  • 41lbs 8ozs – Will

  • 40lbs – Matt

  • 15 x 30lbs+

  • 31 x 20lbs+

• Visiting on the 28th June, Adam Fairclough caught Cats weighing 29lbs 8ozs and 21lbs plus a kitten all on halibut pellet bait while colleague Adam Feacey caught 4x 30’s weighing 35lbs, 32lbs, 31lbs and 30lbs using squid bait.

• Using halibut pellet bait on the 29th June produced a Cat weighing 43lbs 2ozs for Mick Jenkins while Ian Brown caught 4 x Cats weighing 39lbs 8ozs, 38lbs, 34lbs and 29lbs.

• Returning on the 30th June Terry Hare used luncheon meat bait and caught 6 x Carp in the range 6lbs to 8lbs and Cats weighing 30lbs 12ozs, 24lbs 8ozs and a 6lbs kitten.

• On the last day of the month, 30th June, Eric Scott has a good 5 x Cats catch with weights of 38lbs, 37lbs, 35lbs, 33lbs and 23lbs.

Lake 3 (Mixed)

• Regular Fred Rosier visited on the 2nd June and landed 5 x Bream weighing 5lbs 7ozs, 5lbs 2ozs, 3lbs 14ozs, 3lbs 13ozs and 3lbs 11ozs, a 4lbs 7ozs Common plus 2 x Tench weighing 3lbs 6ozs and 2lbs 8ozs.

• Graham Payne visited again on the 7th June and using sweetcorn bait landed Tench weighing 3lbs and 1lb 8ozs, a small 1lb 8ozs Common and Bream weighing 4lbs and 2lbs.

• When returning on the 16th June Fred Rosier landed a 6lbs 6ozs Mirror and a 2lbs 13ozs Tench while colleague Graham Robertson landed a Bream weighing 3lbs 11ozs.

• Terry and James Crank used feeder rods and pellet bait during their first visit and finished with 9 x Carp to 8lbs and 4 x Bream to 5lbs 8ozs.

• During his visit on the 17th June Mike Dougherty caught Commons weighing 11lbs and 8lbs plus a Tench.

• Regular Bernie Day’s mixed bag caught on the 17th June included Commons weighing 8lbs 12ozs and 4lbs 9ozs, a 6lbs 8ozs Mirror, a 4lbs 8ozs Bream and a 2lbs 3ozs Tench.

• Regular Graham Payne returned on the 20th June and using pellet bait landed Commons weighing 7lbs, 2 x 5lbs and 4lbs, Mirrors weighing 2 x 5lbs and 4lbs 8ozs plus a 3lbs Bream.

• When method feeder fishing on the 22nd June with sweetcorn, Colin Rowe landed a 8lbs Common while daughter Tina landed Commons weighing 12lbs and 10lbs.

• Visiting on the 24th June, Darren Lord caught a 4lbs 8ozs Bream and several Roach and Rudd.

• Neil Cordier visited on the 25th June and his mixed bag included a 6lbs Common, a 5lbs Mirror, 2 x Tench each 2lbs and a dozen plus Rudd where luncheon meat and sweetcorn were the successful baits.

• Returning on the 26th June and using prawn over sweetcorn bait, Gary Rust landed Commons weighing 6lbs 12ozs, 4lbs 8ozs and 2lbs 10ozs plus numerous Perch while Shaun Willis landed 3 x Tench weighing 3lbs 3ozs, 2lbs 10ozs and 2lbs 5ozs. 

• James Constantine visited on the 28th June and using boilies and pellet bait landed 8 x Carp weighing from 3lbs to 10lbs plus a 3lbs Tench.

• Visiting on the 30th June Peter Foster caught 9 x Carp ranging from 4lbs to 9lbs a 3lbs 8ozs Mirror and 3 x Tench.

• James and Terry Crank used sweetcorn bait when returning on the 30th June and their catch included 20 x Carp to 9lbs 4ozs, 3 x Tench to 3lbs 8ozs and a Bream weighing 5lbs 12ozs.  

NEWS 1 May 2020 to 31 May 2020

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.

NEWS 1 April 2020 to 30 April 2020

We sincerely hope this News Letter finds you, your family and friends in good health. This is to let you know what we’re doing at Manor Fisheries to keep those in accommodation safe, anglers deposits secure for use later this year or next year (subject to HMG giving the all clear and fishing/accommodation availability) and maintaining the Fishery in top class condition.

Easter would normally have been one of the busiest holiday periods and a time when we look forward to again meeting visitors with their friends and family. We miss you all and sadly, owing to the devastating impact of COVID-19, too many families have lost loved ones and this horrible virus continues to have a profound impact on our way of life. Last month, we made the difficult decision to close the Fishery until further notice.

Meanwhile keep safe and if you have any queries however small please do not hesitate to contact Rhonda or myself.

COVID-19 RESPONSE

Booked Visit

Following instructions provided by HMG to consider carefully “unnecessary travel and social interaction” Manor Fisheries is CLOSED until further notice.

We will provide you a Credit Note to the amount of booking monies provided (and unused Membership). This Credit Note will be valid for 2020 or 2021.

Maintaining Day/Night Fishing Bookings

We have decided to minimise contact. Therefore, all lake bookings must be paid at least 24 hours in advance in advance via Bank Transfer.

• Any visitor who has not paid in advance will be banned.

• The Manor Fisheries Bank Details are as follows:

  • Bank: The Co-operative Bank

  • Account Name: Manor Fisheries

  • Account Number: 69620269

  • Sort Code:          08-92-99

• Anglers must inform Manor Fisheries (email) that payment has been made.

If an angler indicates they are unable to make the necessary Bank Transfer, the booking will be cancelled.

Apartment Bookings

We need to ensure there is no virus in an Apartment. Therefore, 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 you informed well in advance if this situation arises.

We will update our website as soon as HMG gives the all clear and indicate that the Fishery can again open to the Public.

LOST PROPERTY

Whilst maintaining the grounds the “Glasses” shown below were discovered. If you recognise they are yours get in touch so we can organise their return.

FISHERY MAINTENANCE

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 spawning has started. The number of young Rabbits, Moorhens, Mallards, Coots and Geese (Canadian and Greylag) are increasing daily plus the site of an occasional Kite. A couple of Swans also stayed for a short while to compete with the geese for space before flying off.

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 we needed to close until further notice. Meanwhile there are on-going activities to keep the Fishery in top class condition, including:

• A further daily fish feeding programme using an additional 800 Kg of high quality feed

• Continued grounds and islands maintenance

• Apartments, cabin, administration and security maintenance

We will plan to keep you informed with News over the coming weeks and we also welcome receiving your comments and/or ideas.

CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP AND BOOKINGS

1. Manor fisheries is moving to a 100% Member only Fishery and details will be published online at https://www.manor-fisheries.co.uk/night-fishing/

2. To eliminate the handling of cash, all lake bookings will need to be paid in full at least 24 hours in advance via Bank Transfer.

Meanwhile keep safe and if you have any queries however small please do not hesitate to contact Rhonda or myself.

NEWS Covid-19 Response

Covid-19 response (Subject to update))

Booked Visit

Following instructions provided by the Prime Minister to consider carefully “unnecessary travel and social interaction” Manor Fisheries is CLOSED until further notice.

We will provide you a Credit Note to the amount of booking monies provided (and unused Membership). This Credit Note will be valid for 2020 or 2021.

Maintaining Day/Night Fishing Bookings

We have decided to minimise contact. Therefore, all lake bookings must be paid at least 24 hours in advance in advance via Bank Transfer.

• Any visitor who has not paid in advance will be banned.

• The Manor Fisheries Bank Details are as follows:

  • Bank: The Co-operative Bank

  • Account Name: Manor Fisheries

  • Account Number: 69620269

  • Sort Code:          08-92-99

• Anglers must inform Manor Fisheries (email) that payment has been made.

If an angler indicates they are unable to make the necessary Bank Transfer, the booking will be cancelled.

Apartment Bookings

We need to ensure there is no virus in an Apartment. Therefore, 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 you informed well in advance if this situation arises.

Meanwhile if you have any queries however small please do not hesitate to contact Rhonda or myself.

NEWS 1 February 2020 to 29 February 2020

2020 Bookings

Bookings for Fishing – Opening Sat 21st March

How time flies - it is now only 3-weeks until we reopen on Sat 21st March and the limited spaces for 2020 Membership are filling fast. Now is the time to apply for 2020 Membership for anglers wishing to fish specimen Lake 1 (Carp) or specimen Lake 2 (Carp/Catfish) or night fishing on all lakes. Members can now book fishing from 21st March through to 30th June (end of month 4 ahead). The 2020 Membership Application is available online at: https://www.manor-fisheries.co.uk/availability/.

All visitor may book Lake 3 (Mixed) day fishing up to 4 months ahead.

Bookings for Accommodation plus Fishing – Opening sat 21st March

You can now book your favourite week up to the 5th October 2020 to include Apartment plus Fishing for 3, 4 or 7-nights or longer.

Holiday Arrival and Departure Dates

• 7 nights is arriving Saturday and leaving Saturday by 10.00 am

• 4 nights is arriving Monday and leaving Friday by 10.00 am

• 3 nights is arriving Friday and leaving Monday by 10.00 am

Headcorn 2020 Air Shows

While relaxing and fishing you can see many older military aircraft flying overhead on the dates below:

Battle of Britain Air Show on the 27th & 28th June 2020

Enjoy the Battle of Britain display featuring representative aircraft from the Battle of Britain era between 11.00 am and 3:30 pm when Spitfires, Hurricanes and other aircraft of the period such as the Tiger Moth and Harvard T6 will also take part.

Combined Ops Military & Aircraft Show on the 8th & 9th August 2020

Kent's Military Vehicle and Vintage Aircraft show.

Fishery Activity Plan – the next 3-weeks

Manor Fisheries is closed for the winter and before we open on Saturday 21st March there are on-going activities including:

• The daily winter fish feeding programme using 1,200Kg of high quality feed

• Management of the lakes through further netting and electro stunning.

• General grounds and islands maintenance

  • Branches cleared (and burnt) around Lakes 1 and 2

• Apartments, cabin, administration and security maintenance

  • After overcoming one or two minor issues, this month we upgraded our Broadband, IT hardware and software to include the latest Microsoft Windows 10. Also please note my new email address is: mike@mikemmorrison.com 

We plan to keep you informed with News over the coming weeks and we also welcome receiving your comments and/or ideas.

Cabin Logbook

Please record 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 Carp, Catfish and Tench specimens recorded in the Cabin Logbook by or on Sunday 11th October 2020.