Early reports from the new Coates Castle stretch of the Rother are very encouraging. Membership Secretary Mick Harmsworth and Stemps Wood Pond Warden Nelson Keet have had a couple of sessions on there recently.

The latest resulted in the 7lb 8oz Common Carp pictured below caught by Mick who also had two bream to 4lb. This time Nelson failed to connect with any of his bites but on the previous visit he had four bream to 5lb 8oz plus two chub to nearly 4lb. Nelsons son David also had a Carp of a similar weight in an evening session, his was a Mirror.

Les Heath had two Chub to 3lb 10oz and lost what he describes as a lump which was either a barbel or possibly another carp. There are rumours that two barbel have also been caught from this stretch but these have yet to be confirmed. If it was you or you know who the captors of these fish are then please inform a committee member, it is important that we learn the true potential of this stretch so please report any catches at all not just the exceptional ones.

Has anyone else noticed the sole cygnet with it’s parents on the new stretch at Coates Castle? unusually this cygnet rather than being a dull grey colour like most cygnets, hence their nickname of the ugly duckling, is as white as it’s parents and is far from ugly.