One of the tougher lakes on the Walthamstow complex the Lower holds some beautiful looking creatures to well in excess of 40lbs. Numerous 20s and 30s are always caught during the BCAC rounds at this venue and whilst it can’t be classed as a runs water, the prizes are second to none in credibility. Three fish often wins so it’s one for the hardened carp angler.
Thames Waters Lower Maynard reservoir on the Walthamstow Complex in East Lodon is a hard core carp water with some stunning history fish swimming round in it. Usually crystal clear and often weedy it is a tricky venue but the rewards really are worth it as more than one 30lb plus fish usually gets caught here in the BCAC and the Lower holds them to over 40lbs. Spod, singles and even floaters / zigs have been successful over the years so the guys will have to be on the ball if they want to make the most of the chance to fish the Lower for a 48hr session. It’s one of the most even and least peggy venues in the tour and a weight of around 70lbs (2- 3 fish) is usually enough to secure a place.
Unfortunately Thames Water do not have a carp section on their web site but the complex is operated on a day only basis with tickets available at the gatehouse in Ferry Lane, Tottenham.
Match Report
The big fish venue at Walthamstows Lower Maynard reservoir is a day only day ticket water so the lads and lasses of the BCAC welcome the fact that you can fish on there at night as the sport can be pretty good during the hours of darkness as previous BCAC’s held there have shown.
By evening on day 1 only two fish had been banked, which is not unusual for this venue right at the start of a high pressure comp like the BCAC. Stephen Hayward and Carl Bryan landed one of the venues many 30s at 31.02 to take an early lead then, unusually for the Lower, a single was caught by Lee Allwright / Stuart Strutton. At 8.13 it is one of the smallest residents in The Stow but enough to get the lads on the leader board.
Rather surprisingly night 1 only produced a further 4 fish. A 16.12 for the early leaders saw them increase their tally at the top and northerners Alan Guite / Adam Whelen shot into second with a cracking 27.10 and then Allwright / Strutton added another little ‘un to their score to put them on 17.13. One other team was on the board and that was Josepth Gratton / Andy Woolet with another little ‘un of 12.00, showing an unusually large number of small fish for the lake which is known for it’s 30s..
Saturday saw rain, and despite what looked to be great fishing conditions the sport was very slow with just 1 fish getting banked. It was a valuable one though, and at 28.02 shot the likeable Phil da Silva and partner Lyndon Hodgson into second spot.
The last night would as ever be the crucial one and a three fish charge from Danny Fairbrass and Damian Clarke fishing for Korda B put them right at the top of the pile on 81.07 at the 8 am score check. Early leaders Hayward / Bryan slipped to second with their early match success of 47.14 and nipping into third overnight with a cracking 31.02 were Nicola Waldock and Paul Bettles. With 4 hours left of the match there was still time for anyone to sneak onto the podium and upset the applecart but the carp gods decided the fish would once again not play ball in he hours of daylight and the results stood the same at the 12 mid day final hooter.
Thames Waters Lower Maynard reservoir on the Walthamstow Complex in East Lodon is a hard core carp water with some stunning history fish swimming round in it. Usually crystal clear and often weedy it is a tricky venue but the rewards really are worth it as more than one 30lb plus fish usually gets caught here in the BCAC and the Lower holds them to over 40lbs. Spod, singles and even floaters / zigs have been successful over the years so the guys will have to be on the ball if they want to make the most of the chance to fish the Lower for a 48hr session. It’s one of the most even and least peggy venues in the tour and a weight of around 70lbs (2- 3 fish) is usually enough to secure a place.