It was 2015 when I last wrote regularly about the angling at Whins Pond, near Penrith.

Predation by cormorants and goosanders caused such devastation that it was pointless holding any more matches.

Since then, caretaker Gary Edwards, supported by two bailiffs Paul Simpson and Sean Wood, have worked tirelessly to create habitat for breeding and prevent the cormorants especially from landing on the lake.

Nature abhors a vacuum and the remaining fish have bred extremely successfully, supplemented by over 100 large bream to 11.5 pounds and hundreds of small fish all caught from the syndicate side of the lake and moved to the day ticket water.

There have been three other stockings in the last four years of carp and tench.

And on Saturday, 1,000 more carp were stocked, many approaching two pounds in weight.

These will grow on swiftly in the rich waters and provide excellent sport for anglers this season.

Due to the improvements at the venue, I will be hosting an open match on Saturday, April 20.

The draw will be at 9.00am with fishing 10.00am till 4.00pm.

Please contact myself or Gary, or you can message me through Facebook to register your interest.

Pegs will be limited to 16, all along the field side.