THE LION'S DEN
12th April 2021
Scott Lloyd makes a perfect return to Stoneacres with the capture of the much sought-after Millwall Fish!
Stoneacres is widely regarded as one of the best carp fisheries in the country and is certainly the jewel in the crown of the Linch Hill complex. Like many fisheries up and down the country, the lake’s largest residents make the headlines and are on every angler’s hitlists. The fish lower down the size brackets often get overlooked, but there’s plenty of fish around the country that make up for their lack of massive size, with seriously impressive looks. Stoneacres is no exception and venue regular, Scott Lloyd, was lucky enough to latch into one of the real gems during his first session back after lockdown, one that scarcely sees the bank!
The Bait Spray range has been designed as an alternative attractor to supplement the liquids already in each range.
Scott relayed the story:
“Over the last 12 months or so, I have probably done the least amount of angling ever in my whole lifetime! All the restrictions and, get that little violin out boys and girls, my bad back, have put paid to a lot of plans I had throughout 2020 and the start of 2021. Even so, like everyone who is afflicted with the angling bug, I still wanted to go and so when the opportunity arose to get on Linch Hill’s Stoneacres for the opening session, I jumped in the van and headed down there.
“I had a wonder around, a little slower and less elevated than usual as I was still struggling with my back from time to time and didn’t want to make it worse. Eventually I found a few signs of fish, which was plenty to go on and following the draw, I dropped into my choice of swim.
“With plenty of sunshine due but inconsistent temperatures as well, I knew Zigs would be the only way to go. I didn’t even bring a boat with me as past experience taught me that fishing on the bottom was pretty much off the table. It was a simple case of casting the rods out to likely looking zones and hoping for the best. Of course, I was using a few test bits from Thinking Anglers, but kept my favourite foam soak of them all, Signature Squid. There’s something about the spray when using on Zigs, I think it doesn’t feel quite as alien as fruity smells and it just gives me bags of confidence.
“Unfortunately, I woke the next day to motionless rods, but I had heard of a fish coming out further up the lake, and so I made a move to be closer to the fish. As it happened the carp were sat at super long range and I had to put a fair bit of effort in to reach the area they were clearly enjoying. Eventually, I managed to get my rods out all at 150 yards, which is a fair amount of work in a crosswind!
“That day and night passed by, but with the wind getting so strong, I knew I had to settle on some depths soon or I wouldn’t be able to get the rods back out. I made one final depth change and sat back on my hands. Sure enough, not long before I had to pack away, I received a classic drop back bite.
“I picked up the rod and the braid whistled in the wind as I connected with a solid weight. I drew it back a good few yards, as is typical with fishing at long range, before it made its presence known. I am pretty sure the carp was playing me rather than the other way around! It fought so hard, I was sure I was going to lose it, but thankfully everything held firm and I slipped the net under a ridiculously dark mirror.
“Straight away, I lifted the mesh and stared down at the fish, it was one I had wanted to catch for many years known as the Millwall Fish! The fight it gave me all soon made sense as that’s where the fish gets its name from, it beats you up. Having seen my brother land the fish, I was properly over the moon to hold it for myself and it was well up in weight too at 39lb 12oz which made it all the sweeter! Get in!”
