I know it’s too late now Si, but Ian did a Q&A on Talk Angling last night. You could have asked him yourself. DOH!

Fished the spring festival last year, and going back this year

Carp pond – usual carp type lake, big fish in the margins (corn) last 2 hours, method to island if you have a chuck, pole to island on a few pegs. Also 6m line. Corn and pellet mainly to be fair.

Some pegs have obvious features. The fish do go big, 12-13 fish for 100lb isnt un common.

100lb weight target

Tench Pond

A pond where everyone can reach a central lilly bed with between 10m and 16m. Very funny pond, if its clear it can be a nightmare, if its coloured it can be awesome. Mainly fishing for crucians and a few tench. You need to fish light (0.09-0.10mm, 18-20 hooks) mainly chop worm and caster or maggot. Trouble is there are quite a few carp 2-3lb and to get these out you need proper tackle, of which a crucian wont come anywhere near you so its up to you…

30lb will be a good weight

Match lake

Central island generally 20M away, method feeder and waggler most consistant. banded pellet or 2-3 maggots

Again though it can be clear, and if it is it can be hard.

Margin for big fish, shallow caster for roach, crucians, and allsorts

target weight can be 30lb or 130lb it is that unpredictable

The complex is stuffed with fish its just the weather is proper up and down in that area and hence so is the fishing

Hope that helps, oh and if Heapsy gets the whisky out in the caravan then either do a runner or get ur drinking boots on!!

Simon

Ian is a top guy, my advice to you is to give him a ring a week before you go

he lives in the valleys so mobile reception can be crap but id give him a bell he’ll tell you everything you need to know

07796517586

he might be ‘old school’ but trust me hes got a hell of an angling brain

Good info there TP!
Simon – my advice would be to fish to your strengths and enjoy the festival!

One word of caution though – there’s plenty of big fish!

There’s plenty of good anglers down there and most will be happy to share info.

Ian is top guy (and still a pretty good angler!) and will put you right.

See you both on the Spring Festival.
Tim

Simon-P

The last hour at Holgan really is critical, especially as there are some proper lumps, 14-20lb type fish.

saw someone go from 13th to 2nd on the lake last year in the last 15 minutes.

I know its an old cliche but never give up at that place, it can seem like there isnt a fish in the lake and then last hour everyones getting dragged in.

Its a good festival, as for the comment of the local experts wil help you out, hmmm am not too sure about that one IMHO