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It's the start of the 2007/2008 season and the Radipole inhabitants have been on the feed big time. The biggest so far this season goes to Ashley Warr with a 30lb2oz Common from the walk on platform on the open water. This was followed up with a 28lb Mirror and several double figure carp. All in a 12hour session, RLAS chairman, Chris Heelis banked a Linear Mirror at 21lb4oz, a hard fighting Common of 19lb8oz, and a dink of 6lb, while Graham Howard caught 'No Anal' one of the oldest known Carp in the lake at 24lb 4oz respectively. Terry Gladwish and his mate Chris did a long stint in section E, the car park swims and banked between them over 75 Carp from big teens to low 20's. 14 year old Lewis Monks had an amazing session with over 20 Carp up to a magnificent 29lb12oz Common and a beautifully coloured 28lb4oz Mirror, as well as other 20's and plenty upper teens. Other notable fish showing were the Rudd and Roach, which have been showing at an average of 1lb to 2lb each. The Sea trout have been making themselves known, jumping all over the place when the winds pick up, many over 10" in length. The eels, the thieves of all fishmeal based baits, have been reported up to 5lb. Only recently a Mullet was hungry enough to take two hair rigged Tiger nuts! and these fish don`t normally give themselves up too easily. By far and away the most encouraging fish that have shown on the lake, are the small Common Carp that have been seen and caught in this early part of the season, these are the big fish of the future and are just as important as the big boys. So the new season is off and running and it's great to be back around this unique and challenging water. Graham Howard RLAS bailiff By Harry Hogger, Dorset Echo A NEW platform has been built at Radipole Lake to give disabled people the chance to try their hand at angling this Summer. The platform marks the completion of a long-term project by the Radipole Lake Angling Society for radical improvements at the Weymouth fishing spot. Chairman Chris Heelis said: "We now have eight solidly built platforms and a disabled platform which caters for two wheelchair anglers. We've been working for quite a few years to try and get disabled people into angling on our lake. "A lot of people are interested, including my brother-in-law who has cerebral palsy. It would be a break for his mum and give him the opportunity to try fishing." The platform cost £1,400 to build and was funded by the Environment Agency which had also paid for seven other platforms (the eighth being paid for by the society through ticket sales) which were completed December 2006. Mr Heelis said: "They've been helping us quite a lot because they appreciate we are a small club and this has taken time and a lot of money." "We've got to work with the RSPB, who have a big say on the lake, and English Nature as it's a Site of Special Scientific Interest." The Environment Agency also gave advice on the location of the disabled platform, suggesting the site close to the Swannery car park for easy access. RLAS would like to thank the BDAA for helping us acquire the planning permission and location for the disabled platform. The new facilities in place at Radipole Lake have already been reflected by a significant rise in membership on last year.  PLATFORM FOR THE FUTURE: Daniel Barnes, who has cerebral palsy, and Chris Heelis, chairman of the RLAS, try out the new platform for disabled anglers at Radipole Lake |