East Delph Edges by Brian Skoyles

A complex of three, stunning, well stocked lakes, that it is always a pleasure to fish, but like any water it has it’s tricky days, so I hope the following is a little bit of help if it is your first visit.

1. Often on a busy day ticket water you might not have your first choice swim, so you have to make the most of the water in front of you and change your expectations accordingly. East Delph is very well stocked, but like any water, conditions can combine to make fish gravitate to different parts of the lake. If you’re not on the bulk of the fish you still have options, just fish for a bite not to bag up. A small parcel of bait, cast to a showing fish has worked well for me.

2. I’m more interested in what is on the bottom than how deep it is. You don’t have problems with weed at East Delph, but like any tree lined lake the bottom can be a bit “choddy” so make sure your presentation copes with this. I like to use a small pva bag of crumb to keep my cast tangle free and help it settle cleanly.

3. Watch the water. East Delph carp are not shy and often give their presence away by topping or bubbling. Great clues as to where to set your traps.

4. Don’t be in a rush to bait up and cast out. You have twenty four hours, so I often leave a bit of time between putting a bit of bait out and then casting out. No harm in giving the fish a bit of time to find your free offerings.

5. Bait choice. From talking to other anglers most baits seem to work, but I’ve always done well by “Matching the Hatch”. I have used Nutrabaits Trigga Ice freezer baits both as free bait and hookbait and the fish seem to like it.

6. Baiting up and Bite times. I’ve had East Delph Carp at various times, but early morning is my favourite. It’s also decision time as to leave the traps alone or freshen up with a recast and a bait top up. Where possible I leave well alone if nothing has happened overnight.