Saturday 06/06/2026 - Tuesday 09/06/2026 - Viaduct Fishery Holiday - Campbell Lake

Saturday 06/06/2026: Viaduct Open

There are usually 12 of us that stay at Viaduct for this week in the Lodges. However, a decision was made to try Hillview this year. Geoff and me decided to return to Viaduct. Geoff tried to book Viaduct but we couldn't get a Lodge as all booked up, so we stayed in a in a Town house in Somerton (pictured). There was some pro's - only 3 minutes flat walk to the pubs and restaurants. It served it's purpose very well.

I've not been to viaduct for a year and it looked exactly the same - very well kept, nice to meet with Matt Long and some of the regulars. Some of them fish Campbell Lake 3 to 4 days a week, so up against it.

Into the same draw coffee can and peg 118 for me and would you believe it 119 for Geoff. Although I would prefer to fish for Silvers I like to keep my options open until the finish. So decided bait wise Live Red Maggots (LR's), GB, Paste and micro. Simple Like me.

Got to my peg to find Matt (pictured) Checking the oxygen levels which was 55%. Glad he was taking anal temperatures with that probe.

The wind was blowing hard into peg 123 but was effecting our side to some extent. Plan was to start short at top set plus one barrel and add two more barrels if the wind dropped. Set up a short Ronnie rig for maggot and GB down the left into the bay which meant fishing uncomfortably behind yourself, which from last years results expected to catch Skimmers rather than Ronnie's.  A 0.4 gram PC paste float to be used on the one barrel line which plumbed to have a hard bottom which was a good sign, plumbing up at three barrels found it 4 inches shallower - Umm.

Fed the one barrel line with some micro and the Ronnie rig with GB laced with plenty of LR's which is where I started with double LR on the hook and was amazed to find it solid with small Ronnie's. Well after a pound abandoned it as you won't win anything on Ronnie's - YET as I reckoned you need at least 55 lb to frame in the silvers pool, so went out on the one barrel line with small piece of paste and had a little run of Skimmers which on the river would weigh 3 to 4 lb, for net limit purposes count them here as 2 lb and you will be definitely under the 50 lb limit. Had an angry Carp, after which refed with micro and had a few more Skimmers followed by another Carp and that's how a pattern formed. Just as I was thinking of opening the three barrel line the wind picked up finding it difficult enough presenting at one barrel so stayed on the one line all match.

My five Carp weighed 25 lb 8 oz and my 27 Skimmers 45 lb 14 oz. for a total of 71 lb 6 oz for nowhere overall and 4th in the Silvers. Very enjoyable day except for the bloody cold wind needed another layer.

Geoff amazed me today. He fished a straight Drake waggler shallow at 30 metres in a very very strong wind to weigh 90 lb with Carp to high double figures on banded pellet. I except that the Drake would be more stable than the short pellet waggler, nonetheless remarkable. I knew he lost a few as could hear him cursing. Amazing.

Now here's a thing. Since Viaduct opened as a match venue I have fished 220 matches and with it being only an hour from home via a steady drive left me wondering why I stopped fishing here as it's much better than most venues I'm fishing at the moment. Geoff felt the same and we promised to start coming more regularly - if we can get booked in that is. A great day's fishing whatever and very competitive.

The match was won by Mark Wynne (pictured) with 168 lb 11 oz from peg 114. Not sure how he caught, guessing the feeder in some form. 

The Silvers was taken by Any Akehurst (pictured) with 79 lb 3 oz from peg 123. I could hear a worm chopping machine working hard, so guessing he fished worm over worm short. Well done to both and the other framers.

Booked the Globe for dinner, firstly had a couple of pints of Rascal in the White Heart, we both went for the steak pie with too many chips - luckily Geoff was available to prevent wastage. It was acceptable, pie certainly looked home made. 

Result:

Overall:

1. Mark Wynne - 168lb 11oz - peg 114

2. Phil Hardwick - 131lb 8oz - peg 130

3. Paul Bell - 124lb 6oz - peg 128

Silvers

1. Andy Akehurst - 79lb 3oz - peg 123

2. Nigel Hargreaves - 70lb 3oz - peg 127

3. Ant King - 50lb 7oz - peg 124vce of paste

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 07/06/2026: Viaduct Open

With an extra layer on into the draw tin and peg 116 for me another good peg. Use to be good for Silvers. Nice to meet up with Tea Bagger Adrian Jeffery again (pictured), who said it was a good Carp peg down the edges, but difficult to get them out to the right along the brambles. I had been thinking keeping options open was leaving me short in both silvers and overall. But decided to keep to the same approach. 

Set up two paste rigs - 0.4 gram for three barrels and 0.3 gram for top set in the risky Bramble margin to the right - could lead to be a bit of fun. Very deep margin which I do like.

With the wind off my back beginning to regret the extra layer feeling hot 

Fed the the two paste lines with micro. Started on long line and had a few silvers but was slower than yesterday with more Carp about. Now still early in the match is where I should have upped the feed and larger pieces of paste and concentrated on the Carp. I didn't because it looked like it was fishing harder for the Silvers. My paste rigs were 0.16 straight through which was totally under gunned for the size of the Carp I was hooking especially the foulers!!! Spent some time changing broken rigs. Last hour went down the edge and for 45 minutes I was catching Carp very quickly losing a few due to rushing them and either breaking or hook pulling - Note to Adrian, I never lost a fish in the brambles. It was manic couldn't put in quick enough with Carp taking the paste on the drop. Didn't want the match to end.

Silvers weighed 27 lb 1 oz for 4th silvers and Carp weighing in at 63 lb 14 oz for 90 lb 15 oz for 7th and one out of the section. So again the keeping options game isn't getting me there. But a very enjoyable day, except when an angler's umbrella fishing on Carey took off in the wind landing on me. "We" were lucky I had moved my pole as by then I was just on the top set.

Geoff had a tough day on spit peg 128. I didn't fancy it.

The match was won by Jason King (pictured) with 186 lb 7 oz from peg 119. When I walked up to the end bank for a pee he was playing a fish on the pole so guessing he caught most of his Carp on it.

Silver's was won by matey Nigel Bartlett (pictured) with 50 lb  5 oz from peg 123. Nigel fished worm short and down his left hand edge. Well done to both and framers.

We had booked a table in the White Hart for a Sunday three meat roast, very nice. Geoff had my Yorkshire pudding, cripes this boy can eat for England.

Result:

Overall

1. Jason King - 186lb 7oz - peg 119

2. Adrian Jeffery - 156lb 15oz - peg 113

3. Dick Bull - 120lb 7oz - peg 126

Silvers

1. Nigel Bartlett - 50lb 5oz - peg 123

2. Rich Butler - 37lb - peg 130

3. Mark Vigar - 28lb 11oz - peg 115

Weigh Sheet:

Monday 8/06/2026: Pleasure day

Firstly back to M&M cafe to find Mandy still there. Very nice small breakfast for me Fat Bastard one for Geoff.

Geoff was keen to get fishing. I have a problem pleasure fishing as I get bored within the hour of starting. Needed to re-tie my paste rigs on 0.22 GLine which was probably and over kill from the 0.18.

Finished the rigs by lunch so wet down the fishery to watch Geoff but first a cup of tea and a Mars Bar which now are half the size of the original sat on the bench on Lodge Lake. A beautiful day.

Found Geoff fishing peg 66 on Lodge needing another Carp for 100 lb. - pictured.

There were for Belgium anglers staying in a Lodge also fishing Lodge Lake. So had a walk around to have a look at their tackle. Certainly geared up for the Carp. Found out they were regular's to Viaduct. They also fished the matches.

Geoff's favourite meal tonight - back to the Space gallery for an Indian. I had a pint of larger in the Unicorn Hotel which I couldn't fully drink and upset my stomach for a short while so couldn't do the meal justice. Geoff was fine should have had the same cider as him. I did notice another pint of the same larger had been left un drunk. Geoff pictured with two different bottles of ciders.

Tuesday 09/06/2026 - Viaduct Open

Weather was to be warm with occasional light showers. So a question of coat on coat off - Factor 50 sun cream on.

Had a chat with Nigel Easton, who mainly fishes for Silvers but is not adverse to catching Carp. I chuckled at his dry humour. He said " Everyone is fishing for Silvers these day's, I wish it would go back to only me"

Into the Tin and yet another good draw for me with peg 124. Notice Incognito had drawn peg 123. Arrived at the peg and found 124 had sunk at the back making a big step down. I proof tested it before putting my box on it. So plenty of hip and knee physio today so won't have to bother tonight. The wind had changed sides now blowing hard into peg 119. So this week has been a question of the draw tin keeping me out of the wind even though I have been chasing it.

Geoff was on 115 looking cold.

Went and had a chat with 124 who was chuffed to show me his new purchase, a sea boat rod to help fling his Winky-Wanky bags helicoptering out to the middle of the lake. Incognito pictured sat under his parasol. Very good company and could have been a a sit down comedian but probably wouldn't pay as much as he wins with the Winky-Wanky.

As this was my last match decided to stay with the same approach of beefed up 0.4 gram PC paste rig to fish top set plus two barrels, similarly a beefed up 0.3 gram for both margins.

Fed micro on all lines starting on the long line and had a good start on the Silvers before the same cycle of Skimmers and Carp form. Had a few lumps in the margins and the decision to up to 0.22 wasn't far away as I had some right lumps with one just boring me to unintentionally pull the hook. The margin didn't quit come to life as it did on peg 116. Thinking I fed too often not giving the Carp time to settle - shying away from feeding.

My silvers weighed 43 lb 7 oz for 5th Silvers. The Carp weighed 61 lb 3 oz for a total of 104 lb 10 oz for 5th overall and just out of a pick up. The fish certainly didn't seem to mind the heavy line. Very enjoyable day especially being with Incognito who doesn't fish in the winter, spending his time in Hawaii collecting second hand shirts.

Geoff weighed 94 lb 2 oz. So not far behind.

No guesses who won today - peg 123 (pictured) with 158 lb 15 oz. He caught on the Tea bag with worm or maggot hook bait. Interesting he didn't have one Skimmer on it. The method involves shutting your eyes and casting out followed up with loose feeding a mix of 4's and 6's to the centre of the ripple which last quit a while. The loose feed is best kept in a large Aldi shopping bag which holds just enough for an entire match. Well done matey thanks for the entertainment.

The Silvers was won by Ant King (pictured) with 83 lb 10 oz from peg 119. Not sure how he caught except it was pole short or in both margins - worms or maggots? Well done a great weight on the day.

We booked the Unicorn Hotel for dinner and found Geoff had a table named after him (pictured). We started in the White Hart for a few Rascal's first. We were apprehensive about the food, but were pleasantly impressed, really enjoyed my pub made Lasagne. The Aspall cider was good too.

Result:

Overall

1. Howard Webb - 158lb 15oz - peg 123 

2. Tom Thick - 139lb 01oz - peg 131 

3. Lee Kerry - 125lb 04oz - peg 110

4. Kevin Collins - 120lb 13oz - peg 118 

5. Mike Nicholls - 104lb 10oz - peg 124

Silvers

1. Ant King - 83lb 10oz - peg 119 

2. Nigel Easton - 55lb 08oz - peg 112

3. Darren Duffield - 51lb 12oz - 129

4. Mat Rowe - 51lb 11oz - peg 128

5. Mike Nicholls - 43lb 07oz - peg 124

Weigh Sheet: Yes Thomas was here today on the weigh sheet, apparently he just passed his fundamental GCSE Maths. Most impressive.

Summary of my time at Viaduct:

• Get to know the pegs better 
• Decide on either Silvers on Carp and fish light with maggots or worm (at the mo) over small amounts of feed. Paste good for Carp with more feed (but not as much as Incognito).
• Great place to spend time - a need to replace some of the tired platforms.
• Great company
• Book early for a Lodge become very popular. They are building two new one's for next year.
• Book early for matches
• Definitely not going to leave visits on a yearly basis have really missed the venue. Be back soon.
• Thanks to the Matt, Steve and Helen for their service.
• Thanks to Geoff Francis for organising everything and cooking a couple of great breakfasts and being great company.
• After the last match my arms were aching due to lifting the munters over the keep nets, have to get on the Dumbbells.
• Pub food was acceptable, but difficult to get exceptional food these days.