1


I’ve been able to park up next to the Lodge, put my rod pod on the platform out front and get out of the wind and rain into what can only be classed as serious accommodation. A fresh, mild wind is pushing down in front of me and I can hear


odd carp crashing. With the low cloud it’s seriously dark though and I can only get a general fix on them. Three rods go out as best I can in the blackness. A quick coffee in the kitchen, time to sit out and watch the water from my veranda and then I get keen and tie up PVA bags and fresh rigs on the coffee table before heating up a curry on the cooker. Eating from a china plate in front of the TV when fishing – revolutionary!


2


My alarm’s set for an hour before dawn, and after a night in a double bed I feel fresh as a daisy, albeit disappointed not to have caught. Lights on, kettle on for a coffee and time to sit out and watch the lake come to life as the day begins.


Wildmoor is four acres with 400 carp, and from this lodge there’s access to a huge amount of water. Booking a lodge allows you to use four rods which gives plenty of scope for two people to fish. The venue has matured tremendously, and there’s been a lot of thought gone into its development, even as far as the variety of trees planted to provide colour and habitat for birdlife.


3


Time to get busy with the rods. None of this waddling around in mud, I can wear my crocs and fish from my wooden home from home. Brilliant! I’ve got a major island opposite and a no fishing margin to my right. Fish have shown in both


areas and rods have been clipped and sent on their way, one on maggots, one on a snowman and one on a bag. There’s plenty of room to cast and even a table and chairs outside so I can rebait and re-rig in comfort. Being elevated above the water makes it much easier to see signs of carp too.


4


I’m here to fish and catch so I feel in turmoil with myself whenever I step inside, but having a kettle, microwave, cooker, fridge to keep my maggots in, a shower, toilet and 100 freeview channels to watch sat on a sofa by the door I can see how


you could get used to it! The lodge is beautifully appointed, even down to pots, pans, tea, coffee, cutlery and more. I can see exactly why these lodges have proven such a hit with visitors to the venue. Despite the comfort I’m just giving the kettle some regular stick and spending my time sat out by the rods. If I was here longer I’d have some serious man on sofa time I can tell you…


5


I’ve fished hard today, probably to stop me falling into the trap of the comfortable lodge. It’s a funny day, carp are showing but I’ve struggled to get a bite. I’ve noticed a couple of the fish that have shown themselves leave very


fine plumes of bubbles as they have turned over – showing they are adjusting the buoyancy of the swimbladder in response to changing conditions. Finally, I register a take on a snowman rig with a Richworth pineapple Hawaiian and slip the net under a nice mirror. I guess it at 18-19 lb but possibly should have weighed it – sorry Andy! It’s been a day when I’ve really needed to scratch a fish out, but I can see you could get some regular multiple catches here with the stock levels.


VENUE INFORMATION. Details of day tickets or the luxury lodges at Wildmoor are available at www.wildmoorwaters.co.uk or 07711 826459.


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6


Andy pops in with his beautiful labradors to see how we’re faring, please note though, that no pets are allowed on-site. He’s found the lodges popular amongst couples where husband can fish without wife being subjected to a bivvy, making


a fishing holiday practical not a bone of contention. There’s also been custom from disabled or elderly visitors as well as families who can have fishing on tap as well as the comforts of home and plenty of local attractions. Most holiday fishery complexes cost more per week than one of these luxury lodges and I can’t think of many, if any, where you can fish from your front door. With such a good head of fish, unrivalled comfort and a proven track record for winter sport I reckon I’ll be back for more carping in my crocs before next Spring… a change is as good as a rest, as they say.


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