With the lake stocked Gary Inwards decided to try to boost ticket sales by getting some publicity. He was amazed when FlyFishing & FlyTying magazine responded to his e-mail. He was also amazed that their reaction was so fast. He contacted them after re-stocking in August. By mid-September 2007 their contributor, Peter Lapsley, was on the bank, apparently keen to get photographs of the fishery before the bleakness of Autumn and Winter set in. Gary takes up the story:

“September can be a tricky month and I was slightly apprehensive about the magazine’s visit so early in the East Warwick season. Sure enough, the Warwick was fishing rock-hard. Peter Lapsley and I sat on a bench by the stock pond feeding the carp while I answered questions. I did explain to him that the lake was fishing hard and that we should be realistic about our expectations that day. We then went on a tour of the fishery and Peter took some photographs. We surveyed the East Warwick. It looked good and the water was extremely clear. However, not a fish rose. I was more pessimistic than ever standing there in the bright sunshine. Several times we thought we saw a fish move only for a coot to surface.

Luckily Roy Fox had done his homework and had worked out where the fish were and how to catch them. Roy managed to catch about a dozen that day. Peter Lapsley had a fish on his first cast (and then was taking photos) and Andrew Green had six, including three browns, while I had four (and a perch). We had a decent turn-out from other members that day and Frank Daley, Alistair Brownhill and Harry Fox all caught plenty of fish. It was enough to give the journalist an upbeat view of the fishery. At the end of the day we were all very relieved.”

Peter into one first cast

Harry Fox in action

Alistair nets a good fish

Gary’s perch

Frank puts one back

You will find the full article ‘Capital Fishing’ in FlyFishing & FlyTying March 2008 pages 34-38, along with pics & full tying instructions on useful Walthamstow patterns

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