Dream Waters – Stillwater ShadowsI think it is fair to say that all anglers are dreamers at heart. Our fishy dreams link the passing years. They keep us going through the lashing rain and the chill of countless frosts (both actual and personal), and sustain us through those repetitive and mind-drubbing blanks (see last brackets). As we pack up our gear at the end of a session, it is our dreams that carry us effortlessly towards our next, inevitable and glorious cast. My dreams have always been haunted by secret, secluded stillwaters and uncaught fish, and judging by some of the letters and posts you read in the angling media, many of you share my obsession. Most of us seem to accept unquestioningly that such lakes are just the stuff of fantasy, and to further discourage us there are a few members of the ‘senior’ angling fraternity who, rather cruelly, would have us believe that secret places used to exist but are now long gone (presumably buried beneath a mound of F2’s and cormorants).
And so, here we are…..either labouring under the misapprehension that our stillwater fishing paradise is locked in an idealised split-cane past, or (worse) convinced that our dreaming pools are merely frustratingly elusive ghosts from our shared fishing folklore. Well, in this article I hope to convince you that dreams can come true. Paradise pools do still exist and are within the reach of any dogged and explorative angler. Let’s get to the heart of the dream. Advanced Hypnosis: Look into the Eyes, the Eyes… Imagine your perfect stillwater. Relax; deep breath, eyes closed (admittedly difficult whilst reading, but bear with me)… Perhaps… You arrive at ‘Insert Your Name’ pool as the warming rays of an early summer’s dawn gently tease wisps of mist from the still surface of your lake (make no mistake, this is your lake). You ease your rig into position in your favourite swim. Your rod is perfectly silhouetted against the brightening sky, poised like a carbon-fibre heron on watchful fish patrol. Slowly the line tightens, and sudden boils of persistent resistance signal ‘mission accomplished’ on the stillwater of your dreams… You are fishing your favourite style for your favourite species. You may be in splendid isolation or enjoying the company of a select crowd of fishing buddies. Regardless of minor details, this is your secret dream water and you have a huge grin and a wet net. Despite our different preferences (styles/species) as anglers, our stillwater fantasies follow four important rules.
Rule 1. Our lake must contain our favourite type or types of fish to (whatever we consider) a sporting/challenging size. So how do we make our dreams become reality? What’s Your Pleasure? The degree of difficulty involved in finding your lake is really down to the nature of your dream. Whatever your pleasure, whether you are an all-rounder or specialist, there are ‘undiscovered’ lakes out there for most of us. Personally, I enjoy fishing seasonal styles for anything that swims so when I find new, obscure and unkempt water, I love the thrill of trying to work out who is at home. Provided that rule 2 is assured and rule 3 appears possible, I am content to immerse myself in the peace and quiet, until rule 1 is eventually proved or disproved. If it is record fish you dream of, then you may be disappointed. I am prepared to believe that monstrous roach, rudd, crucians, perch, etc, may somewhere lurk undiscovered, but surely not a new ‘Two-Tone’. There are certainly neglected waters with giant, uncaught carp, but not, in my opinion, an unknown record. I got a lead a couple of months ago on an expansive virgin venue with creatures in the 30-40lb bracket (allegedly), and that should be enough to satisfy even the most cynical big fish specialist. For an average and occasional carper like me, it’s all I need to start planning another protracted series of blanks! At the moment, I am lucky enough to have two secret pools in my dream portfolio. The first is a deserted, windswept pit with sizeable pike, tench, bream and roach, and the second is a small pool hidden in woodland that has commons to 20lb plus, and some beautiful perch. So currently (late Spring) it’s out with the surface lures, floats and feeders on my pit, and I’m eagerly anticipating June 16th on my secret carp lake. I particularly love the fact that this intimate, overgrown pool has a close season. That first magical cast is made all the more intense by the fact that, to my knowledge, I’m the only person who fishes there. I was fortunate enough to discover this little slice of heaven by accident one perfect autumnal Sunday, whilst walking off an overdose of Yorkshire pudding with my girlfriend. Within an hours drive of our house we came across a small nature reserve with a deep and ancient pool hidden at its heart. The curious landscape, thorn scrub and luxuriant moss betrayed the lakes heritage as a former quarry and interestingly there were decrepit and abandoned fishing platforms…
We fought our way along barely discernable tracks, and slowly the lake began to surrender its secrets. From the main trail, over half of its five acres were completely obscured, and closer inspection of a hidden bay revealed a ramshackle jetty, painstakingly constructed from irregular chunks of limestone. Looking out across the water it became very evident why someone had gone to so much trouble. They were everywhere. At least twenty lazy lumps wallowed at the surface, soaking up the late autumn sun. I had found my carp Shangri-La. Anyway I digress, most secret lakes are not discovered by chance, so let’s get to the practicalities of dream chasing… Chasing Your Dream (or No Sh*t Sherlock…’) Most fishing forums and magazines include regular punts for information on the whereabouts of angling’s hidden utopias and understandably such lazy and ill-conceived questions are either left unanswered, or get the contempt they deserve. Who would after all reveal the location (see rule 2) of their personal angling paradise to a stranger? I don’t know if Norman Tebbit ever fished but his acidic advice holds true…get on your bike, you lazy ar*e! Locating your secret dream lake will require determination and perseverance, but don’t be discouraged; it really is not rocket science. Let’s start with the ‘old-fashioned’ methods of searching or the ‘bleedin obvious,’ as I like to call it. There is a lot you can achieve without leaving the house. Your first port of call should always be your local Ordnance Survey map. Don’t bother with road atlases or Little Chef location charts; OS maps will reveal in minute detail every dimple and trough in our landscape that is blessed with an accumulation of water, and you will be surprised what you have missed within a gnat’s flight of your own home.
There are also fantastic internet resources to plunder. OS do a free online service called GetAMap and Google clearly had the secret lake enthusiast in mind when they brought out Google Earth and Google Local. Both can provide detailed satellite imagery, which if you are lucky enough to live in the right (presumably strategic) area reveals isolated swims in minute detail. I would have included some images from Google Earth but they would sue me stupid, so please check the link below. Getting out and about and exploring is, of course, a key strategy. Wherever practical avoid driving yourself. You will be able to observe and learn so much more about your local landscape from the passenger seat. Try to get lost in the countryside as often possible. Obviously this is not advisable if you drive for a living, but if you are off for a Sunday cruise it is a top tactic. Convince yourself that every small, leafy lane is a shortcut (the smaller and leafier the better), as you never know what you might find at the end of the road. At all times stay focussed for any signs of water. Ask yourself what kind of landscape is likely to hold water. Look out for willows in any number, wooded valleys that may hide pools, oxbows on isolated stretches of rivers, etc. Ask yourself questions. What sort of lake is likely to discourage the crowds? A long walk is always a good bet! Farm and garden pools, sand, clay and gravel pits, village ponds, nature reserves and private lakes may all have the potential to fulfil your fishing dreams (given the appropriate permission). Once you have located a forgotten water it’s research mode again. Subtly quiz the locals. Who owns it? Has it ever been fished? Are there any records of what’s in it? Go back to the internet. If your pool has seen an angler in the past there may be whispers on the web, so use different search engines with a variety of differently worded searches. Try the place name plus any different species names, with combinations of keywords such as fish, fishing, angling, nature, etc. It is always a good idea to include other nature-orientated pursuits in your search; you will be surprised what you can learn from reports by ornithologists, butterfly enthusiasts and dragonfly study groups.
(Concerned readers please note: despite their reddish appearance, the wounds on her flanks were quite old and well healed. They were possibly caused by another pike, or during a previous spawning. I gave her a coat of Klinik all the same.) Finally, with all the groundwork done and that crucial permission to fish, you can really begin to live the dream. Some of your discoveries may take time to reveal their true potential, so don’t be in a hurry. On your first few trips try not to go armed to the teeth for all out assault. Take a little bit of bait to trickle into likely looking spots, or a marker or spinning rod. Be patient, persistent, and methodical, and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Be very furtive though because someone else will always be looking for what you have found. I hope that has inspired you. Happy Hunting! References |
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