Where quality(🤔) not quantity counts!

The DDAS Carp Competitions for 2026 was held over the weekend 17-19 Jul at Orchard Lakes New Milton. With temperatures remaining high, these unfavourable conditions did not seem to put the fish off as all anglers caught from the first to the last minute. With a format of your three heaviest fish to count, it was not a case of catching but trying to entice the lakes bigger residents. The Saturday morning break allowed competitors an onsite café visit and replenished with a hearty breakfast, all resumed trying to upgrade their three fish total. Come the final whistle 1600 Sunday, it was new to the DDAS Carp scene Damien Thomas that recorded the heaviest weight and was crowned the 2026 Carp Champion. Congratulations to Damien and what was his winning tactics? He would say resting his swim, but we would say maximising the onsite café/shower facilities.

1st Damien Thomas 65.05 lb 

2nd Tim Broughton 59.02 lb

3rd Chris Brown 57.01 lb

Biggest fish Tim Broughton 26.02 lb Mirror

                         Lloyd Richards 24.10 lb Common

With eight 20 lb plus fish caught and many to high teens, the venue proved a great success, and all now look forward to next year’s event.

A big thank you must go to the competitors, Paul Haigh as 2 I/C, Shane the fishery manager and all the café staff.

Our river bailiffs have been out doing a great job on our beats of the Stour close to Shillingstone & Hanford. At the same time, they have banked some lovely Chevins (Chub) between them. Best recorded so far is 5lb 4oz (see image). It looks likely that will be broken soon... a pleasant little friendly battle they are having 👍.

If you need any tips, they will be more than happy to point you in the right direction (but it might cost you a pint or 2 😉).

Go light, with a long landing net handle, a flask of tea & a smile... there are some beautiful spots to sit and fish.  Enjoy!

Radipole Update:  
Yesterday, we received a draft 'Licence to Fish' from Dorset Council (DC), it had to be returned with details that were incorrect. We almost immediately received a revised version (I nearly fell off my seatbox!) that should permit us to open on Tuesday 16th June as planned (day 1 of river season). Our first draft submitted to DC was sent on 2nd April.

Anyway, in anticipation of Tuesday, we will be carrying out a DDAS members Litter Pick on Monday 15th. You ALL are welcome to come along and lend a hand if you like?  We will meet at 9am-9.15am in the cafe car park (free) along Radipole Park Drive (not the tennis courts or public one by the RSPB hut). We ‘may’ be able to remove some of the floating Algae at the same time (prior to the repaired Weed Removal Boat rescheduled for next week). No need to confirm thanks, we'll just see you there.

Winning weight in the club match at Silverlake:  71 lb… ALL Bream 👏🏼

Not many carp showed up, maybe they had other things on their minds.

Well done Dale Johnson.. on um!! 👏🏼🎣