Buttonhole Lake 09-06-08

[Wandering_Angler]

OK, so after the fun of the ROW festival at the weekend it was time for a change of pace so today I decided to take my Granddad to a local commercial near Wisbech, Buttonhole Lake.

Living in Lithuania for the best part of 6 years, my exposure to the concept of commercial fisheries has been limited to a handful of sessions on waters with a good mixture of species. At the weekend, the fishing had been hard but this, I am certain, was an exception rather than the rule and while in England was keen to take the opportunity to try some more venues.



On arrival at the lake I was greeted by a friendly, cheerful gentleman who I soon discovered to be the owner. These days, at the age of 98, My Grandfather understandably isn’t so nimble on his feet so I was very grateful that I was able to negotiate the opening of the gate so that he could decamp from the car next to the swim.



It was a hot sunny day, fish played on the surface pretty much everywhere and the margins of the lake were filled with reeds so I wasn’t too particular with my swim selection. As we planned only to fish for 3 hours, I chose a spot quite near the entrance, just a few pegs down from a device putting air into the water.



My tactic was to present a single maggot up in the water, feeding regularly to keep the fish near the surface and in the swim. Within only seconds of the first cast it was clear this was not a bad choice with a nice Rudd coming to hand.



Fish came regularly throughout the session and by the end, having fished for a little less than 3 hours I had managed 96 Roach and Rudd to around 8oz. I enjoyed the session and My Granddad enjoyed watching so it was pretty much mission accomplished and can’t really ask for much more than that.

The owner of this fishery has made a lot of effort to offer well presented, flat swims. The grass around the lake was green and recently cut and the whole place had an air of being well looked after. On the downside, compared to a day in the country, with the exception of a squadron of fighter jets passing over head there is little outside of the sport to occupy the eye but this is not a criticism of the venue but perhaps more an observation of commercials a whole.

[BaggieRich]

What a fantastic report. Well done WA, looks and sounds like you and your granddad had a great day. I hope I've still got a rod in my hand if I ever reach the age of 98! Fair play to him.

Nice report mate.

[Wandering_Angler]

Thanks, I hope that he is still bank side after September 2009, then he will be 100! :)

[Norfolkboy]

Nice one mate

[Wandering_Angler]

Thanks :)

[the_ bandit]

did your grandad catch anything ??

[Wandering_Angler]

He had one ot two but it is hard for him to hold a rod in the wheel chair and the swim wasnt really safe enough for him to sit on a box :)