Venue Focus: Heartsmere, Waveney Valley Lakes

Waveney Valley Lakes hasn’t been on our radar for some time now. What’s been happening there since you took over the running of the complex?
“Lots! My father bought the lakes in 1998. Shortly after, I attended the excellent Sparsholt College in Hampshire, where I studied fishery management and arboriculture. I then lived in Winchester for a number of years and set up my own company. I also spent time teaching, back at the college. A spinal injury later saw me to sell my business.

“I took over from Dave Potter three years ago. When Dave retired, he’d worked for my father for 38 years. He was known mainly for running of our fishing tackle shop in Rayleigh, Essex, when we had it. His successful management of the fishery has seen me take over a fantastic complex with a great team.

“Holiday homes are now a big part of the business at Waveney Valley. Whilst we didn’t plan it that way initially, it pays the mortgage and wages, and it funds the general running of the site. We are 60 acres in size, with 11 lakes, but I say that we’re a fishery with caravans, rather than a caravan park with lakes.

“Since I returned a few years ago, I’ve made several basic improvements to the fishery, and already, we’re seeing results. I take that side of things very seriously. It’s not only a general interest of mine, I also feel a responsibility to the previous owners to continue their hard work. The main tasks now and for the next few years are to improve the water quality, and manage the bankside vegetation and the biomass of the lakes. These are basic fundamentals when it comes to running a fishery properly, and if you understand what you have, you make adjustments as required.

“The future here will be interesting, and I am excited to see what it brings. I am not interested in growing massive fish, although it could be done. I will let others do that, and as long as the environment they’re swimming in is the best it can be, and they are pretty fish, then I will be happy. If things are done right, they’ll grow naturally. Watch this space!”

Which lakes are still available on a day ticket, then?
“There’s Marsh Lake. It has two single swims and a double, so it caters for a maximum of four anglers on day tickets. There are also three private lodges, with fishing for their owners. It holds carp to mid-thirties and cats to mid-sixties. Plus, we have Heartsmere.”

We’d like to focus on Heartsmere for the time being, so could you give readers a high-level overview of the lake: its size, stock, degree of difficulty, etc?
“It’s around 1.5 acres in size and holds 80 carp to 36lb. These average between 18 and 22lb. I’d say it’s an intermediate lake in terms of how difficult it might be to fish. It’s a little like an old estate lake, with lilies and overhanging trees. It’s home to some cracking carp. A number are over 40 years old, and some of these originated from Redmire. To back up those, we have younger fish coming through. These came from VS Fisheries and Priory Fishery, and run to upper-twenties.

Marsh Lake is certainly not a runs water, and one or two fish in a session is a huge result. That said, it has been known to switch on, with six to eight fish being caught in the space of twenty-four hours, but that’s rare. They may not be the biggest fish by today’s standards, but they are pretty and have a huge amount of history behind them.

“For years, the biggest was 32lb, but given the work carried out last winter on Heartsmere, weights are already up. The biggest common has been banked at over 38lb. When we took over in ’98, the banks were bare, with sand. It’s now matured beautifully, and oak, birch and willow trees surround an intimate lake.”

How many anglers can fish the lake at once, and is it available for lake-exclusive bookings?
“It’s a maximum of five anglers. You pay for four and the fifth is free, so yes, you can book it exclusively. We also have toilets and showers on site.”

What’s the pricing?
“November 1 to March 31: £20 for 24 hours, midday to midday. April 1 to October 31: £30 for 24 hours. Day sessions are available, but these can only be booked the day before (£15, 8 a.m. to 8 a.m.). For more information, head to waveneyvalleylakes.co.uk or call 01986 788676.”

Finally, what methods have worked particularly well in the past?
“Simple, effective rigs. This lake is not somewhere to try something new. Stick with what you have confidence in. If you’re doing a short session, keep quiet and avoid banging a marker rod around, as that can be the kiss of death. Single hookbaits cast to showing fish produce well. They are wise to anglers being there, so try and present hookbaits a little differently. Small and washed-out baits work, and I’d also suggest using hemp and corn. No one bait will always work, but I would recommend using the freshest, highest-quality bait you can afford. Although three rods can be used, if there are four or five on, less is more. We’d advise two each, but that’s up to you. Nuts are not allowed.”