IN AN amazing turn of fortunes, Lydney's top fishing venue, the town's lake, has produced a summer of super catches – including a new record fish.
Lydney and District Angling Club members faced a crisis when large numbers of huge fish died two years ago.
Membership dropped off and at the time it was thought it would be many years before the fishery recovered.
But a restocking programme and the survival of many of the old stock has resulted in top quality fishing, especially for the carp enthusiasts.
And the determination of Gareth Tourle has certainly paid off. The dedicated carp fisherman has landed a string of top quality fish, including a new record for the fishery – a giant common carp weighing 24lbs 10oz.
Gareth has also added to his haul of lake giants by successfully landing a mirror carp weighing 17lbs 15oz.
"It's certainly proves a point. The Lake may not hold quite so many big fish as before but the evidence is there for all to see that the fishery is back in business. There is plenty of evidence that even bigger fish can now be caught," said club secretary Malcolm Skelton.
Mark Bristow, of Lydney, is another carp specialist who has hammered the Lake's big boys.
In a summer of outstanding success Mark has landed 23 carp for a total weight of almost 250lbs. His best common carp weighed in at 18lbs 8ozs while he also landed a giant mirror carp weighing 22lbs.
All the fish were safely returned giving the club renewed optimism that next year will bring even heavier catches – and perhaps extend the club record to the magical 30lbs mark.