Massive stocking of lake again

Last year, the Lakeside at Balderton — still known by those of us of a certain vintage as the Grove ponds (there used to be two of them) — received a massive stocking of skimmer bream to compliment the existing stocks of bream, roach, perch, tench, some large carp, terrapins and, if rumours are true, catfish.

On February 11, at around 10.30am, the lake is to get another huge stocking of 1,000lbs of small carp. Anyone who wants to see the spectacle of them in are welcome to attend.

Although the lake is owned by Balderton Parish Council, the fishing is controlled by the Grove Angling Club and over the past 18 months all 60 fishing platforms around the picturesque lake have been replaced and enlarged.

Fishing is by membership, priced at £30 a year for adults and £10 for juniors under 14.

The club holds Sunday and Wednesday evening matches during the summer and is hoping to run junior competitions if there is enough demand.

It also hopeful of having a 60-peg charity open match at some point.

For membership contact Steve Crane on 07917 392814.

Due to the cold temperatures, the winter league at Girton Mill Dam was cancelled so the only match this week was at Collingham, who continued the Joe Cox Winter League at Millennium Fishery.

The plunging temperatures put a few off and 17 diehards attended with returned weights on the low side, which was to be expected.

The winner was Keith Hage, fishing a feeder on Centenary 14 with a couple of small mirror carp and F1s for 19-13-0.

Runner-up was Robin Hood on Centenary peg six, again fishing a feeder. His 18-8-0 included a 6lb mirror carp.

In third was Nigel Lale on Willow peg 15, fishing pole and maggot for 14-7-0, and Steve Baker, on Willow peg eight, was fourth, fishing a feeder for 13-1-0.

Fifth was Paul Holland with his 11-2-0 mostly being one large carp on Willow peg 14 and Lenny Beaumont was sixth with 9-4-0.

All 17 anglers weighed in.