Walnut Farm Fisheries Recce

Knowing I would have 30-40 mins free while my daughter was throwing herself around a gymnastics hall, I took the opportunity for a reconnaissance of Walnut Farm Fisheries in Besthorpe near Wymondham.

Walnut Farm Fisheries is made up of two lakes, and just to confuse everyone, one is called the Canal, assumably as it is quite quite narrow and shaped in a horse shoe (though I think I would have called it ‘Horse Shoe’!). I did not find out the name of the other, but as it was at the back of the venue I will call it ‘Back Lake.It was already hot despite being early, and the first glimpses of the water revealed Carp cruising the surface. On closer inspection and wondering what all the noise was, they were also clearly spawning. It seemed quite an amorous affair based on all the splashing and flapping going on!

There was no one fishing on the Canal, but Back Lake had half a dozen anglers on. One had even brought along, who I could only assume was his girlfriend, who was merrily munching her way though the bread intended for the fish!

The few sweltering fisherman I chatted to were a friendly bunch and more than keen to share their views and tactics for the venue. These included details of the ‘steam train’ antics of the resident Carp who would apparently break you of as quick as look at you. As time was pressing I didn’t chat for long and took a wander up to the end of the lake where no one was fishing, which I thought was puzzling.

More puzzling when I discovered the Carp, they were everywhere! In the margins, in the middle, in the lillies. I was keen to see what they would make of my bread, so I tossed some into the margins and waited, low and quiet. Sure enough they came. Shapes started to appear in the yellowy brown coloured water and slowly and delicately large Carp lips soon rose and broke the surface. They were very wary, I guessed they had all been caught many times, but eventually they started to suck, slurp and swallow the bread.

What I would have given for my fishing gear and a couple of hours! My Dad used to say, ‘If you can see them you can’t catch them’ However I am convinced that with patience I could have enticed them to take. (Well in my dreams anyway!)

However, this visit was just a recce, so I will never know. However, I am now more than excited to return to the banks, and this venue will certainly be the first place I try! But probably the Canal where I can be left to my own devices as I find my fishing feet again.

Now I just need to collect my tackle!