As we move deeper into December, the shorter days and sharp overnight frosts are certainly making their presence felt on the bank. Catch reports remain understandably limited at this time of year, but there’s still been enough activity to keep the weekly round‑up ticking along. A big thank‑you to everyone who continues to send in updates — every report helps keep the club connected through the winter months. Here’s what’s been happening across our waters this week.
Beckerings Reservoir
As part of the club’s ongoing stocking programme, 200 eight‑inch ide were released into Beckerings Reservoir on the 11th December, the fish were supplied by one of our usual and trusted suppliers, Epperstone Fisheries. This continues our commitment to maintaining healthy, well‑balanced fisheries across our waters.
As part of the club’s ongoing stocking programme, 200 eight‑inch ide were released into Beckerings Reservoir on the 11th December, the fish were supplied by one of our usual and trusted suppliers, Epperstone Fisheries. This continues our commitment to maintaining healthy, well‑balanced fisheries across our waters.
A big thank‑you to everyone who came along to help with the stocking — your support makes these improvements possible.
Water levels are also now back up at the platforms as the reservoir has been topped up.
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| Ide Stocking at Beckerings |
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| Ide Stocking at Beckerings |
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| Platform Repair at Beckerings |
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| Platform Repair at Beckerings |
Fishing into the wind, the fish was caught off Peg 13 at approx. 20 metres on a Ledgered Deadbait.
Match Report for Wednesday 10th December 2025
Following the retreat of Storm Bram earlier in the week 16 brave souls set out to the Greensands Fishery near Sandy. It is a commercial venue consisting of 2 lakes with a reputation for producing high match weights, mainly made up of Carp and F1 Hybrids. It was a first visit for many of us, and we approached it in expectation of a fruitful day, though the optimism was slightly diminished by the high winds expected on the day. However, the weather was temperate for the time of year with some sunshine and only one short lived (but biblical) shower. The expected wind did arrive which in turn hindered bait presentation and bite detection for some of the pegs.
We must mention again that Malcolm Ogden was not well enough to join us. Also, our rock, in the form of Dennis Hunt was again not able to be with us. Our best wishes and hopes go to them both for better health and we look forward to seeing them both on the bank very soon.
In The absence of Dennis, Tony Hickmott stood up to the plate with reconnaissance of the venue and Colin Cooper gave us the benefit of his advice and experience, having fished the venue previously. As usual, our second rock in the form of Ray Burton undertook the administration tasks, the finance gathering, organising the draw at the start of the match and recording the weights at the end of the match. It cannot be overstated how grateful we all are to them for their willingness to put themselves to inconvenience for the general benefit and welfare of the members. Thank you, Gentlemen.
The owner of the fishery advised us to split our party between the two lakes with some anglers fishing the top lake and the remainder fishing the bottom lake. He recommended this to give anglers more space between pegs. We took him at his word but in practice it transpired not to be a good decision as the fishing on the top lake proved to be very difficult.
The lakes appeared to be in good condition with a little colour although still somewhat below normal level. The winner on the day without any of Shakespeares’s “Hubble Bubble, Toil or Trouble was Colin Macbeth with a weight of 17lbs 6oz from peg 27 on the bottom lake. Colin started at 11m, feeding maggot from a pole pot and maggot on the hook. He had some small roach to begin with then after about an hour had a small carp and 2 F1’s. Despite trying micro and expander pellets bites were very slow so moved to a margin line and caught a few small roach. Still searching, he moved back to 11m line but without success. Undaunted he started a new line at 5m directly in front of him and found 3 more carp and some silvers in the last hour, losing a fourth carp with 5 minutes to go.
In second place was our Fire Brigade lady, Sam Rose with 14lbs 1oz from peg 35, also on the bottom lake. Having the sun in her eyes for the first hour made it difficult to see a float even with sunglasses, so she reverted to a method feeder with a mix of F1Sweet Dark and Match Original groundbait laced with dead maggots and micro pellets, with 2 maggots on the hook. This produced immediate indications, but actual bites took time to develop. All but 2 of her fish were captured on the feeder close to the island. She changed to pole tactics,(top kit plus 2) and caught an F1 and a carp off the bottom before things went quiet again, so she reverted to the feeder tactics, having a brief try in the margins and in front of her nets, losing a late large perch at the landing net near the end of the match.
Andy Frankum took third place with 11lbs 5oz from peg 3, also on the bottom lake. As Mr Frankum has not advised the tactics he used, we guess that it was a secret which he did not want to share. Either that, or due to his lack of direction, he is still trying to find his way home at the time of writing so hasn’t yet got round to filling us in!
In fourth place with was Mr Consistency, Dave Ridley on peg 37 of the bottom lake where he produced 10lb 10oz. Starting at 5m with double pinkie on a waggler over groundbait, Dave caught small roach & skimmers for the first hour. Noticing carp being caught on adjacent pegs, he changed to a method feeder with micro pellets, fishing about 1m off the island for the rest of the match. This change proved very successful producing four carp.
The weigh in (together with net collection ( very much appreciated) was conducted by the Fishery Proprietor with the indefatigable Ray Burton and the indispensable Tracey recording the weights. We are truly blessed with so many good people who so willingly pitch in to help with all matters relating to the day.
A deep felt Thank You to all those mentioned.
The overall result of the Match was as follows: -
1st Colin Macbeth 17lbs 6 oz
2nd Sam Rose 14lbs 1oz
3rd Andy Frankum 11lbs 5oz
4th Dave Ridley 10lbs 10oz
5th Tony Hickmott 8lbs 12oz
6th Mark Sessions 7lbs 2oz
7th Simon Foulkes 5lbs 13oz
8th Bart Bonito 5lbs 10oz
9th Graham Stringer 4lbs 13oz
10th Pete Smith aka “The Bedford Bandit “ 4lbs 3oz
Joint 11th Colin Cooper & Sean Leatherland 4lbs exactly
12th Terry Vickers 3lbs 10oz
13th Ray Burton 2lbs 14oz
14th Richard Darbon 2lbs 9oz
15th Les Burton 5oz
Our next and final match for 2025 is our Christmas Match, which is on the Grand Union Canal on the Globe stretch near Leighton Buzzard. It will be held on Wednesday 17th December 2025. Draw at the venue at 8.30am, £5.00 optional pools plus £2.00 Pegging Fee. Fish 10.00am – 2 pm followed by a visit to the pub to celebrate/ commiserate over a fine repast with liquid libations as usual. Christmas hats and Jumpers are optional. Also, there will be gifts supplied by every participant to a value in excess of £10.00 which will be redistributed to enhance the general goodwill and festivity.
For anyone thinking of joining us for the first time please message Dennis Hunt or Ray Burton so we know you are coming before turning up. This will help us to manage the booking and pegging of the venue. Please bring your club membership book (and a gift) with you as you will be asked to produce it for your first appearance.
Finally, very best wishes to all members of Luton Angling Club for a very happy Christmas together with a prosperous and successful 2026.
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| Greensands Fishery |
Finally this week, keen wildlife photographer Howard Birley has been out visiting several of our venues recently, capturing some wonderful images of the wildlife that calls our waters home. He has kindly shared a selection with us.
For those who enjoy wildlife photography, Howard’s Flickr page is well worth a look — it features many more of his photos and videos:
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| Kingfisher |
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| Goldfinch |
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| Blue Tit |
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| Blue Tit |
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| Wren |
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| Little Grebe |
That’s all for this week. Thanks to everyone who contributed — whether through match results, catch reports, or behind-the-scenes help, enjoy your fishing, and we’ll see you on the bank next week.
Tight Lines
Dave M
Luton AC
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