Can all members Please ensure that they take clear photographs (Not on the Mat) of  both sides of any thirty pound plus fish and also any linears or scaly fish.

Paul would like copies of these pic’s for his records, and also to enable him to keep track of weights gained and condition of fish.

Hopefully all members have adequate camera’s to enable them to take pictures of the fish they catch. Self takes are never easy to perform with a large fish, but with the right equiptment and a little planning it is fairly straightforward to obtain a decent photo.

Obviously If ever Paul or I are about please ask and we will come as soon as we can to help.

Otherwise is there possibly ask a fellow angler that may be close at hand.

For any fish caught over forty please contact either Paul or Wally to verify on Lake Scales.

11 days only left to place take part in this years Sweepstake.

Get them guesses in as soon as possible fella’s

After the success of last years Sweepstake it has been decided that we will be doing the same again this year for all those members wishing to participate. Last Years event was a very close run thing with I believe 32 anglers competing to guess the amount of thirties and forties caught during the season.

The winner was Phil Calloway who was very pleased to win an envelope with over £300 at the end of the season.

For the record there were 206 thirties, and four forties, caught last year and I believe that Phil guessed at 209, so very close indeed.

This years competition will follow exactly the same format.

Members that wish to participate must write their guesses for the amount of both thirties and forties caught during the Grenville season on a piece of paper, place this with a ten pound note into an envelope seal it and write your full name on the front.

Hand these to Wally before the cut off date which will be the 15th August 2010.

Then at the end of the season, the person that’s guess is closest wins the lot…….. Simples!!!!

Obviously the more that take part, the more there is to win, so come on chaps get your guesses in as soon as possible

As always the Opening weekend of the season was an eagerly awaited event in the Grenville Calender. Paul was at the lake bright and early, and with Ron arriving a short while later the car park was quickly transformed into a social area for the evening ahead. Numbered Counters were prepared for the 12 oclock draw. Gazebos were erected and straw bales positioned into seating area’s. At approx 10am the main gate was opened and one of the first in was Max Cottis who brought the meat this year for the evening meal. Two of the Barbeques were fired up and three boned and rolled Pork legs were put on to spit roast nice and slowly.

There was a steady trickle of members arriving and wandering round the lake in search of fish, hoping to get a little information as to their whereabouts prior to the draw. At 12 noon the draw took place with suprisingly only 11 members present. As always some were pleased with their luck in the draw, especially Ron who was drawn out first this year to the usual shouts of fix, cheat, etc, and in his own inimitable style chose a swim which eventually proved to be on the opposite side of the lake to everyone else and of course the fish …….

The anglers withdrew to their swims and began to set up. Marking swims and baiting up was allowed at this stage, and there were soon spods, and marker floats flying across the lake from all directions.

The barbeque was arranged for 7pm, and as pork was starting to look and taste spot on the sausages, burgers and chicken was started off on the remaining barbeques. Those attending the evening event only, started to arrive as the excited anglers made their way around to the car park. There was a good crowd, of members both old and new, and friends of Paul and the lake. It was lovely as always to see Grenville and most of the members of his family.

A great night was had by all there, depite the best attempts of the wonderful British Summer weather. At around 9.30pm the Firework was set off announcing the start to the New Season.

Gary wandered around and took lots of lovely candid snaps, so you can be sure there are plenty of photo’s to follow

After the success of last years Sweepstake it has been decided that we will be doing the same again this year for all those members wishing to participate. Last Years event was a very close run thing with I believe 32 anglers competing to guess the amount of thirties and forties caught during the season.

The winner was Phil Calloway who was very pleased to win an envelope with over £300 at the end of the season.

For the record there were 206 thirties, and four forties, caught last year and I believe that Phil guessed at 209, so very close indeed.

This years competition will follow exactly the same format.

Members that wish to participate must write their guesses for the amount of both thirties and forties caught during the Grenville season on a piece of paper, place this with a ten pound note into an envelope seal it and write your full name on the front.

Hand these to Wally before the cut off date which will be the 15th August 2010.

Then at the end of the season, the person that’s guess is closest wins the lot…….. Simples!!!!

Obviously the more that take part, the more there is to win, so come on chaps get your guesses in as soon as possible

Grenville lake now has it’s very own Facebook page. This is for members of the lake as well as non members to see what they are missing out on

Grenville on Facebook

Click on the link and add yourself as a friend, Please feel free to post your Grenville pics and of course your tales of adventure at the lake

Max Cottis has hired the entire lake this week as part of the new Grenville Corporate package venture. He arrived late on Friday and his wife and special guests followed on the Saturday morning. He has invited his Companies European consultants and field testers as a thankyou to them for all the hard work they have done as well as a few of his close friends and aquintances. Saturday night he laid on with the help of Cheryl a stunning barbeque over at the cabin. A wonderful time was had by all including the two gatecrashers that I am sure you will recognise as lake regulars

Full catch report to follow, but I can say that there have been one or two UK pb’s broken already by some of the guys who seem to be really enjoying their time on the lake.

Stuart the cook and a couple of interlopers

Alain, Maurice, Dennis, and Lee

Lee, Dave and the lovely Cheryl

Max and Stuart busy cooking

Paul

Patiently awaiting the food being served

Cheryl, Stephane, and Lillian

Phil Fry, Ron, and Viney

Carpy Chat

Maurice and Dennis

Paul, Max and the European anglers

Alex, Cameron and Stuart

Ron, Viney and Lee

Dennis, Alain, and Max

Jamie

Lee Bowyer

Paul

Lillian Joly

Phil Fry

Maurice Willms

Ash Girdler and a couple of the young lads from AGA have now planted up around the perimeter of the freshly completed stockpond. The next and final stage is to surround it with an electric fence prior to the arrival of the new stockies which have been ordered for delivery later this year.

He is obviously looking for a rough idea on numbers hoping to attend so that he can arrange to have enough food for the night.

Many Thanks

Max Cottis and Lee Collins have been down at the lake for the last few days filming a dvd for ACE. All seems to have gone well, with some very nice fish caught for the cameras. Unfortunately I didnt get too many pics as I was very keen not to disturb the filming, whilst in progress. Hopefully we will have some of the finished dvd, which included a little underwater photography,  to post onto the website once the editing and production work is completed.

Cameraman and Narrator hard at it

Lee preparing the next rig to be used

Oh I was so tempted, but I wont...... So this is Max preparing homemade hot hemp

Lights, Camera, Action. Put that tea down Lee

The platform being constructed by Paul over the last couple of weeks, has finally been completed. All the building materials etc have been removed and the tidying up has been completed. Paul has purchased a set of Table and chairs which have finished it off an absolute treat. Yet another good job very well done Paul, and another asset to the lake.

Today the stockpond has finally had the water pumped into it. With the liner installed over the last couple of days and everyone happy with everything. The moment finally arrived when the hose was laid out and the pump turned on.

All that is required now is some planting of reeds etc around the edge, followed by a fence and netting, to keep otters, birds, bigdog, viney and any other predatory creatures out.

Once again the guys from AGA have been incredibly busy over the last day or two completing the work invoolved in preparing the stockpond and readying it for the introduction of the liner. This has been fitted and a thin layer of topsoil and sand introduced over the top of it. Once this work is complete and the surround tidied up we will be looking to fill it from the lake.

Koi Care Ulcer Swab and Wound Seal

Can All current and of course those new members joining in August please ensure that they have both Koi care Ulcer swab and Wound seal.

Available at ….

http://www.aceofkoi.co.uk/

No Angler will be allowed to fish without this product, and all wounds, Hookholds, lifted scales etc must be treated as necessary, failure to comply will lead to you being asked to leave the lake.

Firstly Welcome to the Syndicate……

All new members are reminded that prior to being allowed to commence fishing they must bring with them on their first trip to the lake a brand new substantial Unhooking mat, adequate weigh sling, and landing net.

THESE MUST BE NEW preferably c/w tags etc.

Paul has a number of the following  unhooking mats and slings available for sale at very good prices. Please ring him for availability and to order yours prior to arrival.

Venture XL Recovery Weigh Sling

The Recovery Sling is a weigh sling with a difference. Besides being a weigh sling that will take the largest of carp, it incorporates four buoyancy aids that allow a fish to be rested in the margins while you organise yourself for the pictures etc.

RRP – £36.99

Members Price – £30*

Chub Snooper Extra Protection mat

This is a superb mat for even the largest of fish. It has a super soft foam base with high sides to keep your catch safe. There is also included a fish securing/calming/protection sheet secured by a simple Velcro type fastening.

RRP – £49.99

Members Price – £40*

* Prices may be subject to change depending on Manufacturers price increase

The forthcoming season will begin on Friday 30th July this year. Members are asked to note that the gates will be opened at 10am. This is to enable anglers to walk the lake in readiness for the draw which will commence at 12 Noon. Once the draw has been completed members may set up in their chosen swim and mark and prebait if they wish.

The Hog roast and Barbeque will begin at approx 7pm. This will be held as always in the main car park area. This is open to all members whether fishing the weekend or not. Wives, partners and children are more than welcome. This is a great social event at the lake, and a great way for any new members to make the aqauintance of the existing members.

At approx 9pm following the Traditional Firework anglers can cast out and begin fishing.

The final stages of the construction of the platform adjacent to the Log Cabin are almost complete. Paul has been extremely busy over the last couple of days planting and putting the finishing touches to the platform. Dennis has popped in today and has spent the morning wiring up some gorgeous coach lanterns in each corner of the frame.

The time and effort Paul has spent on this project in the last few days is incredible, as with everything he has done around the lake. He is certainly not a man to do anything by half.

I am afraid I have some very bad news to report. One of our longest serving Grenville members Andy Moriatey, aka Bigdog has lost  his old Rottweiller Zuess overnight. He found that he had passed away from natural causes upon returning from work in the morning. In the early years of the syndicate Zuess and Andy were both very reguular visitors to the lake, and despite his stature and size we all  found him to be one of the softest and loveliest of dogs, he became a friend to us all

Zuess was actually the reason that Andy got the moniker of Bigdog. Unfortunately his advanced years and lack of mobility meant that Andy couldnt bring him at all for the last couple of years.

Zuess

Our thoughts go out to Andy, I know only too well how much he thought of the old fella, and how much it must have distressed him to find him. He will be fondly remembered up here mate by all those that knew him.

Our very best wishes go out to you and all the family.

Paul has not let this last few days of extremely warm weather slow him down, and the work on the platform has progressed unabated. This last day or two has seen the roof go on, and Paul is now tidying up, and finishing off the job.

Work has continued through the week and into the weekend. The stockpond is taking shape nicely, with a depth of approx 5ft attained. Work is now commencing on using the spoil to bank up and build up the surround to the pond. Once levelled out the liner will be fitted, and the fence erected around the perimeter.

The work to build up the defences of the island has continued at a pace this week. With most of the digging and planting complete on the island, the heavy machinery was removed on a large raft. There remains some finishing off to be completed and a little tidying up after that.

Paul, with a little help from Ron and Viney has been constructing a platform similar to those in each swim next to the cabin. It will evenually have a roof and table and chairs on, with bbq area alongside for those staying in the cabin. The rear of the platform has a bed of rasperries, and gooseberries. Mmmm Pie anybody

Phew, it has been a warm week at the lake, with temps upto 28-29 c. It has also been an incredibly busy week at the lake. There has been a team of contractors working on the island to shore up the defences last done by the EA. As we all know the weather and winds especially up here soon made short work of the last feeble attempt. I am sure by the efforts the current team have been putting in this attempt will both improve the look of the island but more importantly ensure that no more erosion occurs.

The work has involved building a stout lattice fence around the island itself to help break impact of waves, digging out a trench around the inside of the fence and plant metal cages weighted down with stones, and filled with new plants, reeds etc. This will help knit the earth together as the roots grow further down.

Whilst his colleagues have been extremely busy on and around the island, on of the guys has been getting on with the new stock pond. This is situated on the land behind the cabin and swim 33.

Paul  has decided to open the lake between the 4th June and 20th June so that any members continuing  their membership next year can fish one 48hr session between those dates.

All sessions must be prebooked with Paul, so please call him and arrange your session.

Today is the first day of this two week period, if you wish to take advantage and fish the lake during this time ….. Please Call Paul and arrange your session as soon as possible.

Once again the year on Grenville has come and gone so quickly. It seems only a short while ago that the fireworks were blasting into the air to herald the start of another Grenville Season. I can only hope that everyone’s hopes and dreams (angling related of course) have been realised, and if not, then dont worry we will be starting all over again in a few weeks time.

Our thanks as always must go out to Paul, who has been incredibly busy once again this year. During the winter months trees and bushes were chopped and cleared from around the lake. He has also continued the planting regime with many small shrubs  being added to the lakeside. New platforms have been built for each and every swim to help with casting and to give everyone just that little more room. These are in the process of being painted green to help them blend in.  The road has also been virtually re-laid, especially around pegs 38 to 33 where it takes quite a bit of stick. The fence has also been repaired in this area, but thats another story

Fishwise……We have had yet another record year at Grenville with the fish continuing to pack on the pounds.

This year we had a total of  four forties caught during the season, 3 of which are new forties. We also had a grand total of 206 thirties caught.  Ironically the 37lb fish caught on the final night of the season was the  37th capture of a fish over 35lbs.

The fully scaled fish are coming on a treat too with twenty pound plus fish a almost commonplace now. The largest caught to date being a 27′4 oz’s  fish landed by Thomo during May. Some of these beauties really are gorgeous looking fish, and the way they are growing it wont be much longer before the thirty pound barrier is broken.

We have also had 3 commons of over twenty pounds from the lake this year. These will no doubt be from the original stocking of seven commons made by Paul when he first took the lake over.

With plans for a stock pond to be dug in the next few weeks the growth and development work is sure to continue around the lake, maintaining Grenville as one of the top Carp Fisheries in the country.

It therefore only remains for me to wish all those that are leaving Goodbye and Good luck, it is always sad to see good friends leave, and I wish you all well wherever you dangle a line. I am sure that Angling being the small world that it is our paths will cross again one day.

To those anglers that will be back in August, enjoy your summer, and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Paul  has decided to open the lake between the 4th June and 20th June so that any members continuing  their membership next year can fish one 48hr session between those dates.

All sessions must be prebooked with Paul, so please call him and arrange your session.

It would appear that the fish have finally finished their spawning. The constant activity evident the past three days ceased during the evening last night. The fish seem to be mooching around fairly happy with themselves.

Paul has therefore decided to re-open the lake as off 6pm this evening.

See you all soon

Well the fish have been spawning almost non stop now since Saturday night/Sunday morning. They have worked their way from swim 38 down to 10 and back again  yesterday with the changing wind. They have spent today between 2 and 5 predominately. For those priviledged enough to have seen them, it has been an awesome sight to behold, and when you see the number and stamp of the fish in the lake it is a real eye opener. I have opened a new album in the gallery with some pics in.

Paul is hopeful of having the lake re-opened by the weekend, but is totally dependant on the fish. Once they decided to stop spawning the plan is to give them a full day before allowing angling.

All members are advised to ring Paul prior to leaving for lake for the current update

It has become apparent today that the fish are spawning. As a result Paul has decided to close the Lake to all Anglers. Obviously it is difficult to say how long for, but with the cooler weather on it’s way he hopes to have the lake open again within a few days in time for the weekend.

All Anglers would be advised to call Paul before driving to lake to check the current situation.

Thankyou.

Can all members leaving Grenville at the end of the season, please ensure that they collect all their nets, mats etc before the 31st of May, unless by prior arrangement with Paul, as after this time all locks on gate and containers will be changed, and equiptment will then only be available by appointment.

If when collecting gear, could anglers Please  let either Paul or Wally know that they are doing so.

This  would be extremely helpful, so that we know exactly what has been taken and what still has to be collected.

Many Thanks

Koi Care Ulcer Swab and Wound Seal

Can All current and of course those new members joining in August please ensure that they have both Koi care Ulcer swab and Wound seal.

Available at ….

http://www.aceofkoi.co.uk/

No Angler will be allowed to fish without this product, and all fish must be treated as necessary,  failure to comply will lead to you being asked to leave the lake.