August 2025

Willington Lake has continued to produce carp, bream and tench through August for those that can locate the shoals of feeding fish in relatively weed free areas of the lake. The most avid feeders are often the numerous small carp that entered the lake during the floods of last autumn and winter. Some of these small carp are in excellent condition such as 8lb and 12lb mirrors recently caught by Steve Burbidge, whereas others have damaged mouths and split fins that suggest they originated from a commercial fishery that was swamped by the floods. Graham Potter recently landed a 25lb mirror carp and his most recent overnight session produced 8 carp (5 mirrors and 3 commons) between 8lb and 17lb. Andy Ayres took a beautiful common from off the surface, although not weighed it was around the 10lb mark.

Broom Lake has been relatively quiet in recent weeks with the best carp reported to a bailiff a common of 20lb 4oz. Mick Baldwin had two day sessions last week landing 10 bream for 47lb 6oz followed by 11 bream for 45lb. Mick’s biggest bream was 6lb 8oz with several smaller bream in the 1-3lb bracket also taking a liking to his baits.

The Airman has been the club’s busiest water over August with most anglers targeting the catfish and/or carp. Plenty of catfish to over 60lb have been reported to bailiffs but no photos of the bigger catfish have been submitted. Members targeting the carp have also struggled to avoid the attention of the catfish, which have been happy to feed on boilies in recent weeks. Daniel Ryan has fished five 24h sessions in recent weeks targeting the carp, with his baits also attracting catfish, bream and tench. Daniel has also taken advantage of the free associate junior membership to introduce his young son Finley to angling, including staying overnight during the last session. Daniel’s last five sessions have produced the following catches: #1 15lb 2oz mirror, 41lb 5oz catfish and 3 bream to 10lb; #2 24lb 1oz and 13lb 4oz mirrors; #3 20lb mirror, 6lb 4oz tench; #4 16lb and 19lb mirrors, 38lb catfish; #5 21lb mirror, 19lb common, 29lb catfish, 2 bream and multiple roach.