The Lake Bed
East Delph Lakes is a mature complex of lakes surrounded by trees, this means the lake bed has natural debris and is silty in places. Spending time 'leading about' to find the harder, cleaner spots will often put extra fish on the bank.
The depth of the silt is variable, on the Front and Back lakes no specialist silt rigs are needed as most of the lakebed is relatively firm.
On the Long Lake the silt is very deep and soft in the central channels and specialist silt rigs are needed if your bait is to remain visible, but the margins are firm enough all round for standard rigs.
In Autumn large amounts of 'leaf litter' will effect bait presentation and rig choice.
The margins are in many places a vertical drop, or at the very least a steep slope. Undercut banks are common and the carp like to sit in the undercuts.
The depth in the middle is a relatively consistent.
There is no weed. There is no gravel, although the reeds root systems might feel like it in some places when you run a lead over them.
Some very hard clay spots can be found that the carp love to rub against, they can often be observed covered in this clay.
You can find areas that are a few inches deeper (and harder), these are craters created by feeding carp. The black and white image is taken using the latest in echo sounding technology, look carefully and you'll spot a few carp. Notice the lake bed is covered with craters, these 'craters' are where the fish have been feeding.
