April/May update from Caroline - Thanks, C!

Writing this report each moth presents me with an excellent and tempting opportunity to air many bees in my rather large bonnet! I apologise. I promise I will keep it to the bare minimum this month and keep it fishy. I will not be performing doughnuts in front of the “hallowed” Well Lake, enforcing our borders with the farm next door or holding a referendum on whether we should regain our right to grow crooked cucumbers, (a skill which has taken me years to master). NO! I will not go down that road! I will write about the issues that are most dear to us as a Country, (of anglers), most important to our future, (fishing trips) and vital to us all as we stand shoulder to shoulder, man and boy, or girl, on this sceptered (Lake bank).

Awful April was a month of wind and rain most days I’m sorry to say but through it all we have kept surprisingly busy and have regularly stocked all three lakes. Now May is here we can look forward to some warm sunshine and longer daylight hours.

Perhaps this month, when we start to come out from our winter hibernation, we could begin to think about introducing a friend or partner to this wonderful, absorbing, sociable and uplifting sport. Setting a new angler on the right path, perhaps with a lesson or two and a simple beginner’s kit could not be simpler. We can provide both tackle hire and coaching sessions here at Brick Farm Lakes, just call or email us at the Lodge for details. Let us remember, we anglers are privileged to have unique access to some of the most beautiful parts of our countryside with spectacular views and scenery.  Hidden parts and corners of this World that other “ordinary” folk never get the chance to see. Our particular view of this “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” around Brick Farm Lakes is not visible from the road. Non anglers are not only denied this, but also the benefits from a relaxing, exciting and fun hobby and past time. Not many sports can provide equal measures of solitude and company, exercise and rest. It is a sport of both skill and luck and delivers moments of frantic fun and quiet times for thoughtful contemplation. It is a sport for young and old, men or women. It brings out all our hunting and gathering instincts and calls upon our concentration and cunning and rewards us with a meal for the table. You do not need to be superbly fit or particularly agile. It can create a bond with our children and can provide respite from a stressful working week or company in a peaceful retirement. It is a hobby that can be anything and everything to all!

It is quite difficult each month to look ahead, in advance, to the conditions and flies that will be relevant in the next four weeks. In May we know the weather will be warming up and with it the water temperatures. We know that buzzers and other insects will start to emerge from the Lakes beds, indeed there have been small Gnats flying around recently in fact. We know that we will begin to see the frogspawn in the margins and damsels nymphs beginning to move through the water so the fish may start to change their diet to a more natural food, moving away from the lures of the winter. We know that the cold winds will disappear and the warm breezes will take their place. The hours of daylight will increase and that means more fishing time! The less hardy angler will be dusting off his/her tackle and preparing their kit ready for another season of… who knows what! Maybe one of our big Brownies! The ground will dry out around the banks and the blossom will appear on the cherry trees. The grass will need cutting and the outside areas tidying up ready for all our wonderful anglers to return for a new season. The months pass quickly. Let us all enjoy the early summer in all its glory. Come fishing, we will be ready for you all here at Brick Farm Lakes.

If you will allow… a gentle reminder to you all that we are a “catch and kill” water. We have no catch and release here. The returns book is to be completed in the shed at the end of every visit, this is vital for us to keep the three lakes stocked at the right level.  When you catch your bag you must stop fishing. You are of course welcome to purchase another ticket in the Lodge. Juniors fishing with an adult are welcome but no other children, or dogs are allowed around the lakes. We have excellent facilities for friends and families at the Lodge. We have no fly restrictions here. All three Lakes are stocked regularly and equally with Rainbow, Brown and Blue trout and the stocking dates are displayed on the Webb site and/or Facebook page. Sorry, no more bees in bonnets!

Tight lines for a successful May

February/into March update from Caroline

At last we can see a light at the end of a very long, wet and windy winter tunnel. Spring is well and truly in the air, the days are beginning to draw out beautifully and I no longer need the torch to unlock the gate in the morning! Our opening/closing times will be altering with the changing season so do keep an eye on our website which will give up to date details.  Around the lakes the birds are twittering everywhere and the ducks and moorhens have started to pair up and build their nests. Over the last four weeks we have continued to clear the brambles and scrub behind the lodge and along the banks of the small stream that feeds Brick Lake so we will all have a clear, uninterrupted view of the stunning Bluebells about to appear in the wood.

Fishing through February has been very acceptable in view of the sometimes evil conditions!  The hardy anglers among you have kept us company, amused, inspired and, it has to be said, AWAKE through this horrible month, so a huge well done and thank you for your dogged determination and stamina to pursue the tricky fishing this month. We have in fact seen some wonderful fish landed this month! Some large Brownies and Rainbows have been fooled, two of the “speciality” £100 fish have been caught and we have even had a few first-time fly fishing newbies for coaching sessions. Don’t forget we can organise everything for you or a friend to start their fly fishing adventure here at Brick Farm Lakes.  Just call us at the Lodge for all the details.

Our Easter Competition is set for SUNDAY 27th MARCH 2016.  Entry is open to all ages and abilities and is £40. The competition comprises a four-fish ticket, tea and coffee and an Easter egg to each competitor! It also includes a generous “Help Yourself” Ploughman’s Lunch.  This is, first and foremost, a fun event to start a new year of many angling get-togethers.  If you would like to reserve a space please call us at the Brick Farm Lakes Fishing Lodge on 01323 832615.

Flies that have produced the fish recently have been all the usual suspects such as Buzzers, Montanas, Damsels and, in particular, Cats Whiskers.   All three lakes have been kept well stocked nearly every week throughout the winter and all are fishing equally well.

Tight lines and warm feet everyone .......................! 

Oh, and please see the new section under Gallery which will show as many of your catches as possible !!

EASTER COMPETITION ANNOUNCED !!!!

Here is Caroline's piece for the February for the Freshwater Informer - I know you like these .....

In the following report there will NOT be any flashing images but you may find a trace of NUTS:

February is notoriously a tricky month to get through every year. Despite the psychological up side of it being a short month, being well past the shortest day in the astrological calendar and having Valentine’s Day to look forward to, (ha! Ha! We live in hope), it is still a drab, dull, dreary, dismal, damp, disappointing, dark… shall I stop there? No… wet, windy, wild, ok, you get the picture, month.  I HATE February!

It seems to be a month full of not-getting-things-done. For instance, having a bonfire, (too wet) washing the car, (no point!) gardening, (out of the question), cleaning the windows, (waste of time) and so on and so on…  Germs! That’s another thing. Why do we suffer so many colds, flus, coughs and upsets in February? We are all sensible enough to stay in and keep warm, get a bit of fresh air when we can, so, why all the illness?

I can truly see why folk of a certain age and sensible mind go far away, for sometimes the whole of this horrible month and return home in the spring. Believe me as soon as I reach my dotage I will be first in the queue at the border (wherever that is now) and scuttle off to sunnier climes with the rest of the like-minded seasonal migrants. I just wish it would even snow for a week or two. That would give us a break from this pissistant rain! (No, I haven’t made a spelling mistake and have, in fact, added my new word to the computer dictionary as I feel I may need to use it again very soon!)

I feel myself becoming grumpier by the day and down in the dumps. More and more lethargic and un-motivated to complete the most normal and simplest of daily tasks, like walk the dog or take out the rubbish. I look in the mirror and think O.M.G! And swear a late New Year resolution to improve things on a grand scale, reverse time and throw out the stale mince pies! Give the last of the Christmas chocolate to the needy and Google “Exercise bikes”. That still doesn’t help, hopelessly unrealistic!

If only there was something we could do to help alleviate this woeful state of mind and pitiful lack of enthusiasm for this time of year. If only there was an activity we could engage in that would quickly dispel all those negative vibes, reactivate our mental wellness and physical condition. A past-time maybe, to help get our Mo-jo’s back in line and stop us heading straight to Gatwick.  Perhaps something outdoors, sociable, fun, uplifting. I suspect you will all see by now just where this is heading… that’s right SKIING! But no! That is dangerous, difficult, cold, hard work, and in my case, painful! I think I have it!!! FISHING!!!!! There, got there in the end.

Brick Farm Lakes…  Fly fishing… remember?

In the last month we have regularly stocked more wonderful, tip-top quality trout. They are hitting the flies hard and fighting acrobatically. Even the larger 4lb plus rainbows are clearing the water and making fast and furious runs up and down the lake prior to settling down deep to allow an exciting, arm aching prolonged play. This is the part that can be tricky and require huge control and patience in equal measures. It is all too easy to become excited and anxious while playing a fish. It should be savoured like a good wine, (or any wine come to that).  Many fish are lost to over enthusiastic, rushed angling. Do not hang on tight and try to bully the fish to the bank. Remember to enjoy this part, make it last and you will land your fish safely.

Our winter maintenance program is still on-going with more clearing of the banks of the small stream feeding Brick Lake. It has opened up the view from the Lodge beautifully and makes the fishery lovely and tidy! We have filled in some of the holes that have appeared in the top of the drive and also carried on with the task of mulching new pathways around Well and Brick Lakes.  The recent heavy rainfall has filled the lakes to capacity and we are constantly checking the overflows so that any flooding is quickly able to flow away down the valley and out into the larger stream beyond.  Although the lakes have become a little coloured the fishing remains reasonably consistent. The windy weather played havoc for a few days but we still had a hardy bunch of regulars bravely soldiering on, so well done to them all! We have also seen many juniors over the holidays with their relatives, all keen to fish with their new Christmas rods and tackle. Lovely!!! Don’t forget, if you have a junior, under sixteen, we sell a “Guardian” ticket of four fish for £30 for you and your protégé to fish side by side and share the catch.

We were just the wrong side of the copy deadline last month to tell you the results of our fun Christmas competition. The weather was reasonably kind apart from a stiff Westerly!  To minimise the time spent fishing into the teeth of the gale, particularly on Stag Lake, we moved three spaces every forty five mins and this made things fair for all. The day went ahead in a true festive spirit and at the end 38 fish had been landed, a goodly haul in view of the tricky conditions. The winner on the day was Nick Saunders who not only won the main heaviest bag Trophy but also the Heaviest Fish Cup donated by Douglas Holford – thank you again for this beautiful cup, Doug!!  This heaviest fish was a large Brownie of7.95lbs.  He also almost won the Lightest Fish Cup but was pipped at the post by 0.01 of an ounce!!! This much coveted trophy went to Calvin (Slim) Wallace.  We had a delicious lunch of soup and bread and cheese and held a generous raffle to raise £130 for our local angling charity the Mastersport and Play Community Interest Company. Based in Bexhill-on -Sea, they provide opportunities for special groups of children and adults to take part in angling and other physical activities in rural areas.

Flies at the moment are again a bit of a mixed bag so to speak. Fry patterns have proved effective on Brick Lake either fast across the top or twitching down deep. Blobs and Boobies in various colours off the bottom, dry flies, would you believe, or damsels on Well Lake, black Gold Heads or white Fritz anywhere. It really is a too-large-a-fly-box lover’s paradise right now! Black is still a favourite colour generally.

It’s time to tell you now about our next friendly competition. This is to be held on Easter Bank Holiday Monday, the 28th March. A contest very much aimed at ALL abilities, juniors and adults alike. The normal rules of drawing peg numbers over a coffee, moving round on the bell and trophy for the Heaviest Bag. It will be a four fish ticket and cheddar ploughman lunch for the cost of £35. We will hold and Easter Egg Raffle to make a little money for our local charity (as mentioned above) and hopefully Spring will be in the air and we will enjoy some excellent fishing. Just call the Lodge to reserve a space on 01323 832615 or drop us an email to annie@brickfarmlakes.co.uk.

Tight lines for a… *@!?# February

FIRST TAGGED FISH CAUGHT - £100 TO RICHARD!!!

More news soon everyone, but in the meantime our FIRST TAGGED FISH HAS BEEN CAUGHT TODAY!!!!! £100 TO RICHARD FITTALL who caught the tagged Rainbow out of Stag Lake this afternoon.... Don't forget there is another £100 tagged, or golden or mottled blue still out there to catch and the third pot is now up to nearly £60 and growing - not quite the Lottery but better odds!!! Congratulations Richard!!!

Christmas Competition announced for Sunday 27 December 2015!!!

Everyone welcome - seniors and juniors.... Come and enjoy some post-Christmas fun .....

25 October 2015 - Winter League match - Brick Farm Lakes vs Coltsford Mill

We had a really great day for the competition, with perfect weather.  I'm going to say this very humbly....  Brick Farm Lakes came out the winners!! Coltsford Mill were beaten for the first time in the Winter League, which has been run for the past several years, and they were extremely gracious in defeat.  So let's see what the result is in the return match in February??  Counting and chickens comes to mind!!!  However, well done the Brick Farm Lakes team - proud of you! :  John Carden, Caroline Cutmore, Carl Foreman, Les Glazzard (who had the biggest fish - a Brown at 5lbs 8oz), Doug Holford, Mike Richardson, Len Taylor and Calvin Wallace.  Congratulations!!

Lots of things to catch up on !!

We are very proud of the Trout Fisherman's piece on us in this October's 'Where to Fish' section. They wrote this about us, which is even better!!  If you have a copy please do have a look and if you don't have a copy there is one in The Lodge.

The Winter League is under way with wins by both Coltsford Mill and Brick Farm Lakes already on the scoreboard.  The next Brick Farm Lakes match is on Sunday 25 October here at home vs Coltsford Mill - good luck to all involved and here's hoping for a great day!!

We have a Fly Tying Demo and Practice afternoon coming up on Saturday 7th November starting at 1pm and Mike Richardson will also be available hosting a Rod Clinic if any of you would like him to see to check if any repairs might be on the cards.  The Fly Tying is free to all although donations to the Sussex Fly Dressers would be more than welcome - we just need you to register (01323 832 615) so we know what numbers to expect.  It is likely to last a couple of hours or so.

Also, if you have any spare flys, unused or just plain surplus to requirements, please do consider donating them to Brick Farm Lakes to enable us to sell them at 50p each in aid of the Mastersport and Play Charity based in Bexhill which provide opportunities for young people (disabled or disadvantaged) to take part in angling.

SPECIALITY FISH COMPETITION:  By popular demand, as they say, we have started a Speciality Fish Competition which is just £1 to enter when you fish.  It is just like a tagged fish competition which some of you may be familiar with..... When you come to fish just add £1 to your fish ticket payment that day.  Each £1 is collected and held until the speciality fish is caught (up to a maximum of £100).  If you catch this fish you win whatever is in the pot on the day of the catch.  If the speciality fish remains uncaught when a total of £100 is reached a second speciality fish will be stocked and another £100 raised, then a third fish and so on each time the £100 total is reached.  So the longer the competition runs, the more speciality fish are in the Lakes and the greater the chance you have of winning £100!!  The pot currently stands at just under £50 so come and give it a try.  Oh and by the way the current speciality fish is an extremely unusual Blue which is completely mottled in appearance - It's out there in one of the Lakes.  Annie cannot say which Lake it is in and she cannot be bribed!!  Probably!!

Caroline's monthly report will be available soon in the November issue of the Freshwater Informer.  But this month's is well worth a read!

And last but not least .............  CHRISTMAS IS APPROACHING FAST!!

Here is the Christmas Menu and we are open to take Group Bookings if you would like to come along to share the festive spirit with us:

That's all for now I think!!!  Hope to see you all again soon - the log fire is burning !!!!!    Annie xxx

Autumn mist and Brownies!!!

Hi everyone.................  What a great start to the Autumn season we are having here at Brick Farm Lakes.  With slightly lower temperatures in all the Lakes fishing has been really excellent with some lovely large Browns being added each week.  Some have already been caught, much to the delight of their catchers, and Blues are also in abundance.  There have been some very happy faces............!!

Finally, all my own work!!!

I really did catch this 2lb 9oz beauty myself!  Thanks to everyone who has helped me on my road to fly fishing pleasure: Mary Carden, Caroline Cutmore, Lee Hart, Mike Richardson to name those who have given their time, expertise and encouragement so generously.  I'm on my way, folks.......!!!