Written By: Andy Nicholson
On Date: 6/3/2013
As I drove through the pouring rain, a regular occurrence for the supposed! Summer of 2012, from my home in Shropshire, en-route to Norfolk, for my next press trip to Duck Cottage in South Creake. I mussed of what could be ahead and what to expect.
After 30 years of embarking on such adventures, not only in the Uk, but also across the Globe. Bitter experience had taught me over the decades, not to have high expectations and to keep a totally open mind at all times, always expect the un-excepted and never take anything for granted.
Norfolk Hideaways had kindly invited me to review one of its many cottages and houses available to rent and explore the surrounding area, especially the angling opportunities, within this stunning location. My experience of Norfolk had been limited to a boating press trip on the Broads and a family holiday many moons ago, by the sea. So for me I was viewing this with a whole new perspective, wanting to immerse myself in the local surroundings, the rich culture and the warm welcome this area afforded the fortunate visitor.
Within a few miles of South Creake, the torrential rain abated, giving way to a rare sight of the sun, as I glided into the chocolate box village of South Creake and pulled to a halt at Duck Cottage. The mist surreally parted to reveal a blissful late summer day, and guess what? Immediately spotted a pub within walking distance, serving food! Happy days, things were looking up!!!!
The next pleasant surprise was entering the cottage, so incredibly well appointed. One of the best I had ever seen, the owners had thought of everything, two double bedrooms, one with a magnificent king size bed and the third room with two singles, upstairs loo, bathroom, and shower. Downstairs a large kitchen with Rayburn and dishwasher “How Nice” log burners in the spacious lounge and dinning room, even logs supplied!! Utility room with butler sink, media entertainment blue ray DVD and even free WIFI, all well suited for a family with young children. Along with a comprehensive information folder, of what to do and where to go in the surrounding area, in short everything you could desire for a comfortable, decadent holiday.
After a long days travelling it was wonderful to settle into the cottage, un-pack, relax and familiarise myself with the house, village, and the shop selling local veg and produce. And of course leisurely wander over to the pub, purely you will understand for research purposes!!, to chat to the locals with regard to the fishing potential and local availability. What ever pub you go into, in a country area, you are bound to find a chap, who fishes and knows something about the local angling, this establishment was no exception and “Oh” the bar snacks very tasty indeed.
After a well needed peaceful nights sleep, a hearty breakfast, possibly a slight hangover!!! A packed lunch and armed with local knowledge gleamed from the pub locals; I went in search of the fishing, which I was told was free!! And indeed it was!! Some six miles later, near to the town of Fakenham, above and below the mill on the pretty renowned river Wensum. I found my own piece of wild heaven. A gliding meandering river to explore and fish, at each twist and turn of this idyllic intimate river, a new pool or glide to linger and fish in. My first day was perfect, chub, roach, perch, dace and even the odd prehistoric pike came to my rod. As dusk gave way to night, I reluctantly left the river for the peace, quiet and comfort of Duck cottage. What more could you ask for? And expect from a first day, tranquil, serine and pretty came to mind as I drifted off into a deep sleep.
It would have been so easy to return the following day to the river Wensum, but I would not having been fulfilling my tasks. The remit, to explore as much as possible, the fishing potential, the attractions and amenities of the surrounding area. Along with having to consider the longsuffering “her ladyship” too many trips she has endured to god forsaken fishing only places. A balance I have always had difficulty in achieving, so time to try! A little way of possibly re-addressing the balance!!???
Fakenham had all the amenities required, supermarkets, curiosity shops, tourist info centre in the library, even a racecourse, many things to do and see. The picturesque town of Burnham-on-sea only 5 miles away, has a weekly farmers market, with home made bread to die for and the requisite fish and chip shop, it’s a sort of old fashioned quaint sea side town, definitely not your Blackpool. However if that’s the sort of entertainment your looking for, Great Yarmouth is not too far away, with all the fair ground rides, pier entertainment, cinemas, live shows and candyfloss!! that will keep the young-ones occupied for the day.
The Sandringham Estate is only 15 miles away, yet another interesting day out, also within range The Kinderton Chocolate Factory, well worth the visit. And of course Norwich city, none too far away, a great shopping day out for the ladies guaranteed. If its sleepy little fishing villages that light your fire, with quaint harbours, you are spoilt for choice. Even Seal watching expeditions, plus many adventurous, wild life walks in stunning countryside, along with Pensthorpe nature reserve (featured on Spring Watch), plus Houghton Hall a stately home experience and the visitor attraction at Langham Glass, basically something for everyone within striking distance of Duck cottage.
Did I do my bit to apiece her lady ship, do my duty and job?, well nearly, sort of got quite a few brownie points, then seriously blotted my copy book on the last day. The call of the river Wensum, by the old mill, too great to resist. Even though I had really enjoyed fishing some of the commercial fisheries and day ticket waters. This idyllic almost secret little river was where I really wanted to be and end my time in Norfolk.
If you are an angler, you will know exactly what is like, despite setting of before dawn it was, just one more cast! Just one more look around the next bend! I will just catch one more fish. The time somehow miraculously slipped away and whoops by the time I returned to Duck Cottage, her indoors had hands on hips “not quite the rolling pin job” but seriously berated for leaving her to do all the packing up!!!.
A Scrumptious lunch time treat on our journey home, in one of the many pretty country pubs, soon de-fused and de-frosted the situation and I suppose after all these years, she had become well accustomed to my late behaviour and fishing excuses. The conversation soon turned to the wonderful week spent in the heart of Norfolk and how much we adored Duck Cottage along with our resolve one day to return. I had arrived with an open mind a blank page and no expectations; I left with a heavy but happy heart, really impressed in what I had seen and experienced. For me it was blissful, exploring the waterways, cute rivers, the surrounding rural countryside, it is a haven for wild life, the wild coastline and pretty seaside towns, the folk were as friendly and welcoming as they come.
Duck Cottage just so comfortable and cosy and of course the fishing exceptional and diverse. For my lady she enjoyed, obviously the shops and the many tourist attractions, as I said something for everyone. However secretly I was already planning my return to the delightful river Wensum and the fishing by the ole mill. I had unfinished business there, it would be like renewing an old friendship. On the next occasion it will be a boys only venture, the fishing, the river Wensum and Duck Cottage beckons. You would be well advised to follow suit, even if you’re not an angler, I recommend this very highly.
Andy Nicholson
Fact File
Duck Cottage is a newly refurbished traditional Norfolk country cottage. Beautifully furnished with quality furniture and bedding. Both reception rooms have wood burners and there is the old original Rayburn in the kitchen so cosiness is assured! The gardens have been newly landscaped and are enclosed. South Creake is just a few minutes from Burnham Market and the North Norfolk Coast.
· Sleeps 6
· Weekly price range £415 to £750
· Short Breaks Available (Sept to June)
· Woodburner
· WiFi
Duck Cottage is available from Norfolk Hideaways - an exceptional holiday cottage/self-catering holiday company with over 200 fabulous coastal cottages to hire along the special North Norfolk coastline. For more information visit www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk or call 01485 211022.
Please see photo gallery for pictures of Duck Cottage
Some other fishing available:
Burnvalley fisheries. Co.uk
The Mill Fishery Fakenham day tickets
Bridge Inn Fishery.
Some of these fisheries have the normal carp and bream ect
Main Target indigenous Species;
Roach, Chub, Dace, Bream, Perch and Pike.
Tackle required:
12ft trotting rods, swim feeder rods and a pike rod, reels, centre pin reel and bait runners reels, 4lb to 12lb mono line, selection of stick and chubber floats, open ended swim feeders, the normal shot and hook selection dead bait pike rigs, end terminal tackle and a selection of spinners and plugs.
Bait:
Maggots, casters, red worm, corn, halibut pellets, frozen mackerel dead baits and a selection of loose feed like white bread crumb ground bait, wheat and hemp.
Fishing Note;
To get the best out of the fishing keep it simple, especially on the river Wensum, be prepared to travel light, fine and far off, exploring and wandering definitely the Go, simple trotting gear and swim feeder tactics and for the Pike keep on the move, either spinning or dropping a dead bait in the likely holes and by bank side obstructions.
For the commercial carp fisheries, standard carp tactics boiles, on hair rigs and feeder or pole tactics.
Ducking and Diving In Norfolk