Apr 2018

Water Levels Dropping Significantly, 25th Apr

Photos taken on the 22nd April. This week's anglers say that it is dropping 6 inches a day. This could change slightly as there are a good few showers forcast for the next couple of days, however the weather looks good again after that. 

Apr 2018

An Update On The Water Levels, 13th Apr

The water level has dropped slightly since February, however as you can see anglers are still bivvying up much higher on the bank than normal and the spit is still very much under water. The water level should continue to drop as we approach the warmer months and we will keep you updated. 

Feb 2018

Beaurepaire Water Levels, 19th Feb

In the winter 2016/17 some work was done on the lake to augment a second 'spit' to join up the small island to the far bank. Thought a good idea to enhance the fishing experience for anglers it fell on its own sword when the winter and spring brought very little rain, meaning the water levels experienced by anglers in the 2017 season were very low (being a gravel pit with no 'sluice' there is nothing to be done but accept changes in water levels which sometimes vary quickly, dropping or rising several feet overnight as it sits right alongside a main river).

 
With the changes to the second spit combined with low water levels the body/area of water where the spits almost converge became very small and our feedback seemed to show that carp were not moving so freely around all the swims but were often staying in one half of the lake.  Upon feeding this back to the owners Bernard and Sophie they arranged for work to be carried out to widen the gap between the two spits for 2017 so no further issues would be experienced. Whilst they began the work earlier this winter, it became impossible to finish due to a new issue with high water levels. Well they say 'it never rains, then it pours', don’t they?

Current water levels are up with the highest in our memory as the lake and surrounding area are awash. The lake and the river now almost meet. There are no worries regarding the fish stock, which is entirely safe due to the large meshed perimeter fence. However we need to inform you that the work cannot now be completed to widen the gap between the two spits any further until the water level is much lower and the ground drier. Bernard sends their apologies but they have no control over the enormous flooding in the area.

What does this mean?

Well the upside is that clearly with water levels so much higher than last year the area/volume of water that the carp pass through is clearly now much larger, so there should be no issues with free movement of the carp around the lake, particularly if anglers continue to use common sense and keep the noise levels down when around the passage. Sophie informs me that she doubts very much the levels will be anywhere as low as last year even in the summer.
 

It does mean that the larger spit, so often bivvy’d upon by anglers may well remain underwater for a long time yet, so you will be bivvy'ing up higher along the banks. Don’t forget the spit is often really good spot to fish to when it is underwater, as the carp feed well there.
 

Sophie and Bernard do aim to continue with the work when possible, just in case 2019 should replicate the 2017 drought conditions. We will continue to monitor levels and keep you all informed. But if anyone booked has any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We have personally contacted everyone booked on up to mid-April and will continue to keep you updated.