Ashmead: Carp Fishing on the Somerset Levels

Garrett Fallon tackles Ashmead fishery on the Somerset Levels in the South of England in search of its illusive wetland carp. Shirking normal carp fishing methods, and with the help of fishery owner Mark 'Skeff' Walsingham, he learns that a light and mobile approach, with some unconventional tweaks, is advised in order to trick wily fish that have an abundance of natural food to keep them busy. But will his efforts meet with success?

[@domgarnettfishing]

Beautifully captured. Another lovely Fallon's Angler film.

[@davidgray3321]

This is lovely, except for a passing experience with course fishing as a young boy I am a fly fisher, 3rd generation, and for the last 15 years dry fly wild stream trout only, and I thought this was wonderful, it really captures what is so wonderful about our sport. Thank you for posting. From the other branch of the tribe, long may yer lum reek.

[@theworkshed1253]

Wonderful place fished there and met Mark W what a great guy

[@shippo1159]

What's a stunning place I could have watched 20 minutes of just drone work let alone the fishing. Just beautiful and filmed excellently.

[@russelwellard2217]

What a lovely film, stalking is one of best ways to fish for any species, a great way to see nature also, what more can you ask for, i really enjoyed watching it thank you. Russell

[@martinpiggins5772]

Fabulous looking water and time spent well melding in amongst the differing spots and places on offer, how I look forward to the return of green vegetation and the life that accompanies it.

[@Otterysteve]

Utterly beautiful! Thank you. :-)

[@stevewilliams5428]

The 700 year history of the levels and how they came about is fascinating all on its own.

[@tomcraven6103]

Wow; essence of our pastime.

[@stevejeffrey7948]

Thanks for the memories.

[@davechandler702]

is this the same Ashmead that the carp society have just taken over

[@FallonsAngler]

Hi Dave, yes it is.

[@KANGLEICHANGAPHASE]

Amazing capture i really admire your work and i am your follower and i also create a channel but i can't take that angle what is in your videos

[@KANGLEICHANGAPHASE]

Please give some special tips

[@davidgray3321]

Sorry coarse fishing, I apologise, I cannot spell even at 62, never could.

[@portcullis5622]

This looks like it will be the only way to enjoy traditional carp (and tench) angling in the future. Pay a premium price to fish beautiful waters with natural, untrammeled vegetation, without finding a bivvy behind every willow. Blending in with the vegetation and float fishing and stalking fish in the margins. This just isn't possible now on most club and day ticket waters, as there are too many anglers on the move all the time, with bait boats, spods and 3 ounce leads flying across the lake. Surface fishing is banned in many waters due to irresponsible anglers being careless. The other problem is that on most club and day ticket waters, the fish are heavily pressured with the latest rigs and baits, so the discerning angler has to compete with modern, 'catch at all costs' methods.

[@FrigginMossies]

This place looks the impossible to me. I would never pay 400 quid to fish here and blank for a week. For purists then go ahead and dosh out. Waste of money

[@stevewilliams5428]

In my experience it has all come down to money. The modern carp angler has too much to say and pay...so clubs relent and allow natural waters to become a venue for the carp 'angler', destroying weed, bankside vegetation, putting in blue dye and tossing in literal tons of carp. It's a shame.

[@stevewilliams5428]

@@FrigginMossies Each to their own.

[@cameroncameron2826]

​@@FrigginMossies This place seemed to become the next gentrified vanity venue for those who need to be where the 'right' photoshoot is. That seem to matter just as much ( or more so ) than catching a fish. The classic /vintage/traditional anglers with all that talk of being the last word in conservation thrashed redmire into the ground after greedy owners let them due to the price. I Redmire ended up like a biohazard the water quality was so putrid from the uneaten bait that was rotting all the time.

[@cameroncameron2826]

Really - i thought its just the way another 'lord' of a manor exploited the cult of carp fishing. Perhaps which cannot happen without extremists who've a reified ideology thats verging on a mr crabtree mental algorithm. Further maybe -a hatred of the madness of the crowd so big they'll pay anything to go fishing. And there might even be a mentality thats not far off eugenics - not i'd stress just because avoiding the mad crowd is undesirable ( because it is ) - more the need to be with other e xtremists. This didn't exist before people said to themselves they had to pay these numbers to get the action on there vlog @ carp Mecca hole in the ground places. Really someone sold something at a really HIGH rate because a carp religion wanted that to happen & because its the next photo studio.. Its just a flood plane this time instead of a hole dug to drain a potato field - but its where the ritual takes place now.

[@cameroncameron2826]

This place seemed to become the next gentrified vanity venue for those who need to be where the 'right' photoshoot is. That seem to matter just as much ( or more so ) than catching a fish. The classic /vintage/traditional anglers with all that talk of being the last word in conservation thrashed redmire into the ground after greedy owners let them due to the price. I Redmire ended up like a biohazard the water quality was so putrid from the uneaten bait that was rotting all the time. Stunning venue but will it only attract the same ill fated sense of elitism from marxist style posers in vintage garb as redmire did ? - only time will tell.