Angling Articles

Welcome back to Angling Articles. A bi-weekly newsletter exclusive to our SummitTackle Community, where we discuss everything fishing. In this week's edition we hear from one of the team, Geoff about his recent trip to the Manor Carp Fishery.

The Manor and the Angler's Anticipation

As August drew near, anticipation for our annual trip to Hampshire’s famed Manor Carp Fishery grew amongst my closest angling companions and me. This was no ordinary venue—it’s the home of the legendary “Lord of the Manor,” a place where dreams can be realised or hopes dashed, depending on a mix of luck and skill.
The memories of our visit the previous year dominated my thoughts in the weeks leading up to the trip. That first session in 2024 had been nothing short of extraordinary: between us, we landed 40 carp from 51 bites. On a personal note, I managed to catch three celebrated residents—the Black Common, tipping the scales just under 38lbs, the Lady of the Manor at 33lb 12oz, and the Beaulieu Lin at 27lb 12oz—alongside a host of other stunning fish.
With such memories setting the bar high, our sense of anticipation was matched only by our determination to prepare thoroughly for the adventure ahead.

Arrival and First Impressions

We were scheduled to arrive at the fishery by 11am—no earlier, as per one of owner Justin’s golden rules. My journey south was nearly 180 miles, so I set off early and, as expected, arrived ahead of time. There was no harm done; Rich and I found a café and settled in for a bacon roll and a couple of coffees, discussing tactics and our hopes for another memorable session. As the clock approached 11, we joined the rest of our group from the West Country.
Meeting Justin at the lake, we took a stroll around the five-acre, tree-lined venue. The lake was as picturesque as ever, filled with lush, weedy margins and lily pads. With air temperatures soaring to 30°C and water levels down by around five feet, carp cruised in and out of the weed beds—a sight that instantly brought back memories of our last visit.

Swim Draw and Preparation

Soon, it was time for the swim draw by the Carp Keepers Cabin. Justin conducted the draw, and each of us revealed our numbers. Rod drew first and chose “The Gate” swim; I went with the “Grassy Knoll,” known for the Lord of the Manor. Rich chose “Lifebouy,” and Russ picked “The Pipes.” With everyone spread out, we knew this would keep the carp on the move once fishing began.
Next came the search for suitable fishing spots amid the thick weed. We tried to be stealthy, but sometimes the only option was to don a lifejacket and head out in the boats with a prodding stick, weed rake, and rope. We worked methodically, identifying areas where the fish were likely to move and prepping spots for bait presentation.

Setting Up and Settling In

Under the scorching sun, we spent hours establishing our rigs. For me, two rods went out on Colosseum black sticks, equipped with strong mono and set up for different rig presentations—a fluro-d rig with a wafter and a stiff hinge rig over silkweed. Everyone else applied similar tactics across the lake.
Once camp was set and alarms switched on, there was a familiar pause—a moment to breathe, to pray to the carp gods, and to soak in the anticipation. Joined by Russ, who shared the bank with me, we reminisced about thirty years of angling adventures, enjoying a few cold drinks as the evening wore on.

First Catches and Night time Action

Suddenly, Russ’s alarm screamed—a fish was on. He launched into action, battling the carp through the weed beds and finally landing a 22lb original mirror. The celebration was short-lived; later that night, Rich landed a dark 24lb Manor mirror, and I helped document the catch before returning to my bivvy.

Day Two: Social and Stories

Morning came quickly, accompanied by a hot brew and the first rays of sunlight. As the day heated up to 33°C, the fishing slowed, prompting a social under the carp tarp in my swim. Justin joined us, sharing tales of his own angling exploits at Gigantica. We exchanged stories, tactics, and plenty of laughs.
That night, Rich caught a 27lb Manor common at 4am. I helped with photos, and soon we were all back at our bivvies preparing for another day.

Ongoing Pursuits and Reflections

By day three, Rod landed a stunning dark common, and I found myself wondering when my turn would come. After breakfast, I decided to simply refresh my rigs and add a third rod to a promising spot in the reeds—sticking to tactics I trusted.
Later, I explored new areas by boat, discovering a gravel patch at seventeen wraps out and prepping it for a rig. Confidence rebuilt, I resumed fishing, keeping rigs simple and relying on proven methods.

Challenges and Celebrations

As night fell, I managed to get some rest before another call from Rich at 3am—this time for a 33lb original common after an intense nighttime boat battle. The next morning, fish were clearly active around the lake, but I continued to wait for my chance.
Day four arrived, and after a brief trip to the shops for supplies and a mental reset, I learned that Rod had caught “C Scale,” a prized 33lb 10oz mirror. Back at the swim, Russ hooked and landed a 29lb 2oz Manor common after a dramatic fight in the weed beds. I was genuinely happy to help with photos and support.

Final Reflections

Despite blanking throughout the session, I realised that the experience was far from wasted. Time by the lake with great friends, surrounded by nature and camaraderie, proved invaluable. Carp angling offers not just the thrill of the catch but also moments to learn, to grow, and to appreciate the challenge.
As my time at the Manor Carp Fishery ended, I embraced the “Manor mindset”—determined to return and pursue the legendary Lord of the Manor once more. Blank sessions are part of the journey, and I reminded myself that it’s always better to be blanking on the bank than in the workplace.

Don't forget to follow @summittackle across social media platforms, as well as, Geoff @tidydangling to keep up with his chase for The Lord!