Nazeing meads lakes - page two

The main area of interest is a very small island which sits straight out and slightly left at about 30 yards. A cast of about 80 yards out past the island and a slow pull back feeling for features will reveal nothing for 20 - 30 yards and then it will feel like the lead is sliding over glass, this is my favorite area for it is nice clean clay. Once you pull past the clay you will then begin to feel gravel which is the remains of a small bar which runs off from the island. One more spot sits at about 70 yards out and at around 3 o'clock, a slow retrieve will reveal a small area of clay and gravel "the strawberry patch" a secret spot that not many know about (wink wink).

I have had most Carp from this swim during the winter months after introducing a couple of kilos twice during the week and fishing weekends. I believe that during the colder months (November to February) the Carp spend much of their time in the central area of the lake and a steady introduction of bait will encourage them into this area. Pre-baiting is the key during the colder months and the results will make the effort worth it. Most of the runs in the winter seem to occur during the hours of darkness, in fact bites can be so predictable that I would usually set my alarm for 1 am as a run would usually occur at between 1 to 3 am.

Moving along we pass another swim which doesn't have much to interest us as it is largely dominated by the island in front of the Stumps and fishing here means you run a great risk of a hooked Carp snagging around the island. Next is the Earwig (not sure if that's still its name now) a swim which sits next to the causeway under which the water flows from the Centre Lagoon to the South. From here a long cast slightly left can be made to reach the beginning of the main gravel bar which runs almost the whole length of the lake.

There is also a small gravel hump at about 10 yards and down to the right. As we pass over the footbridge we find the Burnt Out, again the name may have changed now. From here you can reach the start of the main bar and islands to the left. Fishing to the bar would depend on whether anyone is in the Earwig and vise versa! There are islands to the left and the Carp often patrol them but you need to get your bait as close as you can. Moving along we pass a couple more swims which are not particularly notable although always worth a look.

Next is the Pylon, a long cast from here straight out and between two distant islands will often bring a fish as they travel along the bar which joins them.. Further along and we come to the Gravelly. The main bar can be reached from this swim and I have seen some good catches made by heavily baiting the bar. Next we have a small swim which used to be known as the winch because it used to have an old iron winch in the edge. The winch can produce the odd Carp mainly through casting to a bar which is slightly right at approximately 60 yards. Moving further along and were almost at the end now, lies the Boom,

This is an interesting swim as it is position at the area where the water from the South Lagoon leaves the lake and flows into the Relief Channel which the flows through other lakes in the Lee Valley. a bait cast across to the overhanging branches opposite will often bring runs. As we walk a little further we enter the Bottom Bay, a reed lined area which is shallow in places.

This is where the Carp, Tench and Bream often come to spawn, and when not spawning they can often be found just sunning themselves on hot days if undisturbed. Stalking is my preferred tactic here, creeping through the reeds with my floater-rod and mixers.

There you have it a quick tour of the South Lagoon on Nazeing Meads, a more detailed version could fill a book. I hope you have as much fun on the South as I have had over the years.