The Roberts family would love to introduce you to ‘Ringstead Carp Fishery’, a peaceful place full of tranquility where you are surrounded by like minded people on a complex that has its very own spot in angling history, particularly when it was once known as Mid Northants Fishery back in the day having produced its very own British record. We take great pleasure and fulfil it with passion in operating a complex that all of our members can enjoy for what fishing should really be all about. Although we may be a little biased I think all of our members would agree with us in saying our fishery has way more to offer than just big fish! It’s a step back in time for the hobby we all love so greatly where angling etiquette is not a thing of the past. It’s nice to wonder what’s on the end when that buzzer goes where every fish doesn’t look the same. Here at Ringstead we believe in variety and that’s why amongst our originals we proudly offer many other different strains to fish for across our complex so every fish is unique in its own way. We pride ourselves on keeping a complex that is well kept and maintained but certainly not too manicured.
As you leave the road at Ringstead lock on the ‘River Nene’, the private track into ‘Ringstead Carp Fishery’ is interrupted by a locked gate – a necessity these days to ensure private, peaceful fishing where you don’t need to worry about an unlocked car, or your unattended gear whilst enjoying a cuppa with a fellow angler in the next swim.
‘Ringstead Carp Fishery’ consists of two syndicated lakes with the ‘River Nene’ running alongside the both of them. Back in the day this once used to be just the one bigger lake, up until 1991 when former owner ‘Duncan Kay’ decided to put a causeway across the lake and one became two. Both of our syndicated lakes boast just 25 members to each lake meaning like most they aren’t circuit waters. Not only that we take great pride in getting a good mix of anglers on each year that’ll predominately fish either midweek or weekends, meaning there is usually always plenty of room with plenty of opportunities presenting themselves. It’s all about getting the right balance and this is something we are very passionate about, we believe this is a very important part in today’s angling in particular, mainly because so many other venues are just so busy, that we believe it can start to take the enjoyment out of it.
On our fishery we insist on all new members to the complex fishing our smaller water first. This allows our members to prove themselves, and gives us an insight into their angling and skills set, along with their etiquette and respect towards others before an opportunity may eventually arise for them to fish our more exclusive main lake. This policy has been in place for some years now and works really well. Some I’m sure would say ‘Ringstead’ is a more challenging water, whereas others may well disagree. They can both be equally challenging at times that’s for sure, circumstances dependant of course!
Our smaller lake ‘Crackers Meadow’ is a lovely five-acre pit, which sits alongside the famous Ringstead main lake which is widely regarded as one of the most iconic carp waters in the country, and is steeped in history. ‘Crackers’ was once just known for being a feeder lake for both fish and members. However, as times gone on it has become more than that, it now offers a truly great stock of its own and with that has started its own reputation I suppose.
Both of our waters were excavated about 40 years ago for sand and gravel. They are both indeed well matured lakes now with treelined perimeters . Depths vary in each lake with ‘Crackers’ mostly consisting of 4-5 feet straight off the reed lines right upto about 16feet out in open water of the deeper end of the lake. After all these years the lakes consist of mainly a silt covered bottom with the odd cleared off clay / gravel / sand area. It is part of an ongoing program now for us that we do however siltex the lakes at the end of every winter which ultimately ensures a bright future for the fishery.
The stock for ‘Crackers’ consists of 80 of the finest carp you could imagine, many having been reared onsite in our own stock ponds. This lake alone has an ever growing list of over 20 30lb+ fish, with weights up-to 45lb+. You could say the future certainly is bright with lots of young fish coming through the ranks in both lakes, they compliment our old originals well.
Currently, the price to fish our ‘Crackers Meadow’ syndicate is £700 plus a £100 joining fee which is to be paid as a non refundable deposit when joining our waiting list. This is to show a level of commitment and to avoid time wasters. April the 1st is the start of the new season and this runs for 12months.
If you have filled out an application form- please note it may take a while before it goes anywhere, but what i will say is just be patient, some things are worth waiting for.
