BUCKS/BEDFORDSHIRE BORDER
1. POCHARD LAKE TROUT FISHERY
Pochard Lake Fishery is a beautiful, secluded spring-fed trout-fishing lake set centrally in its own 23-acre wooded valley, providing a peaceful and quiet location for fishing. It offers memberships, day tickets and tuition and has a well-equipped tackle-shop, stocking Orvis, Snowbee and Fulling Mill.
Address The Clubhouse, Pochard Lake, Heath Road, Stockgrove, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0FW Web pochardlakefishing.co.uk Tel 01525 234112 / 07809 432182 Email info@pochardlakefishing.co.uk
SOMERSET
2. CLATWORTHY RESERVOIR
Clatworthy Reservoir is a haven for those who love to fly fish. The trout in the reservoir can often be found cruising just beneath the surface – a well-presented dry-fly is often enough to produce a take.
One of the best ways to fish at Clatworthy is from a boat as it allows anglers to explore the reservoir’s many bays, coves and arms. With ten fishing boats, anyone can take to the water.
The dam is popular with boat anglers, especially during summer when lots of fish gather. The lake is surrounded by impressive hills affording wonderful views while fishing.
Address Clatworthy Reservoir, West Somerset Web wessexwater.co.uk Tel 01984 624658 Email fishing@wessexwater.co.uk Social facebook.com/wessexwaterfisheries
DURHAM
3. ALDIN GRANGE
Situated in 20 acres of picturesque and peaceful farmland, Aldin Grange boasts five well-stocked lakes brimming with fish — two trout (fly only), two coarse and one competition (match). The trout-fishing lakes are fly only (barbless). There are three types of trout: rainbow, brown and blue. Only the rainbow trout may be killed and taken. The trout vary in size from 2lb to 15lb.
Address Aldin Grange Farm, Bearpark, Durham, DH7 7AR Web aldingrangelakes.co.uk Tel 0191 3846090 / 07957 831711 Email clartyhole@btconnect.com
EAST SUSSEX
4. LAKEDOWN TROUT FISHERY
Lakedown Trout Fishery is situated in a secluded Wealden valley with scenic views and no visible signs of habitation. It was originally designed and created in 1981 by actor and rock legend Roger Daltrey. The four spring-fed lakes, which total approximately 20 acres, have an abundance of aquatic fly life.
Address Swife Lane, Burwash, East Sussex, TN21 8UX Web lakedowntroutfishery.com Tel 01435 883449 / 07502 257428 (or Ted on 07740 798341) Email lakedowntroutfishery@gmail.com
YORKSHIRE
5. MARSTON WYSE TROUT FARM
Maran Lakes, also known as Marston Wyse Trout Farm, is a great place to get away from it all. Serenity is guaranteed within this quiet corner of North Yorkshire's rolling countryside. There are five lakes to explore, each offering a different challenge for rainbow, blue and brown trout.
Address Maran Lakes, Wetherby Road, Long Marston, York, YO26 7NH Web maranlakes.co.uk Tel 01904 738383 Email maran.lakes@btconnect.com
MONMOUTHSHIRE
6. BIGWELL FLY FISHERY
Bigwell Fly Fishery is a small stillwater fishery set in an idyllic location in the small village of Redbrook in the picturesque Wye Valley on the border between England and Wales. It consists of two spring-fed lakes that are crystal clear and cold, with two more lakes fed from the overflow from the spring and a local stream, which bring in wild brown trout.
Address Bigwell Fly Fishery, Tinmans Green, Redbrook, NP25 4NB Web bigwellflyfishery.co.uk Tel 01600 772904 Email info@bigwellflyfishery.co.uk
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
7. GREAT BURROWS TROUT FISHERY
This attractive small stillwater, just ¾-acre, is situated on the edge of the Cotswold Hills and is stocked with rainbow and blue trout from Exmoor Fisheries, 2lb-5lb. It's open all year and is an ideal place for a novice fly-fisher to learn as well as being a fun day out for experienced anglers. Tuition is available. Food and accommodation are in the neighbouring village.
Address Nibley Green, North Nibley, Gloucestershire, GL11 6AZ Web greatburrowstroutfishery.co.uk Tel 01453 547299 / 07879 855172 Email gardensuppliesglos@gmail.com
GWYNEDD
8. CREGENNAN LAKES
There are many beautiful places to cast a fly in Britain but none more so than Cregennan Lakes in the Snowdonia National Park. Sitting in the shadow of Cadair Idris and not far from the lovely market town of Dolgellau, Cregennan Estate is National Trust owned and has extensive land with many defined walks.
Address Ffridd Boedel Farm, Arthog, Gwynedd, LL39 1LJ Web cregennan.co.uk Tel 01341 250426 / 07966 962104 / 07805 797010 Email ffriddboedal5@gmail.com
NORTHUMBERLAND
9. SWEETHORPE LOUGH
Sweethope Lough is the headwater of the Wansbeck river, which cuts its scenic way to the North Sea through some of Northumberland's prettiest scenery. Justifiably highly regarded for its stock of hard-fighting rainbow trout, this popular venue offers every angler, from novice to expert, a chance to hook the fish of a lifetime at every visit.
Address Estate Office, Lynnheads Barn, West Woodburn, Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 2TE Web sweethope.co.uk Tel 01434 270060 / 07766 590 319 Email c.slack@sweethope.co.uk
WILTSHIRE
10. AVON SPRINGS FISHING LAKES
Founded and built in 1988, Avon Springs is a family-run fishery located in rural Wiltshire — not far from Stonehenge. At Avon Springs there are two spring-fed lakes, Club and Willow, which enjoy superb fly hatches, as well as just under one mile of chalkstream fishing on the River Avon. You've fished the rest, now fish the best!
Address Recreation Rd, Durrington, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 8HH Web fishingfly.co.uk Tel 01980 653557 / 07774 801401 Email avonsprings@btconnect.com
SOMERSET
11. HAWKRIDGE FISHERY
If you favour smaller waters, Hawkridge Reservoir is the place for you. In 2018, Hawkridge was the first UK water to stock sparctic trout, a new species. They joined other trout already in the reservoir: a variety of rainbow, brown, tiger, golden and blue trout as well as some surprise double-figure specimens. You really don’t know what you will catch next.
Address Hawkridge Reservoir, Spaxton, Bridgewater, Somerset. Web wessexwater.co.uk Tel 01278 671840 Email fishing@wessexwater.co.uk Social facebook.com/wessexwaterfisheries
SOMERSET
12. SUTTON BINGHAM RESERVOIR
Sutton Bingham is an outstanding traditional fly-fishery that offers excellent trout fishing throughout the season. The reservoir is well stocked with rainbow and brown trout averaging 2lb with some surprise double-figure specimens, too.
Fishing facilities at Sutton Bingham include a spacious fishing lodge with a large veranda overlooking the water. Early season buzzer hatches are prolific and the fish can usually be found close to the margins.
Address Sutton Bingham Reservoir, Yeovil, Somerset. Web wessexwater.co.uk Tel 01935 872389 Email fishing@wessexwater.co.uk Social facebook.com/wessexwaterfisheries
DURHAM
13. SHARPLEY SPRINGS FLY FISHERY
Located in the beautiful Seaham countryside, Sharpley Springs Fly Fishery provides a scenic and tranquil location for anglers to enjoy fly-fishing on a variety of blue, brown and rainbow trout stocked lakes. Enjoy a full day out, taking time to relax at the fisherman’s lodge.
Address Sharpley Springs, Old Burdon Farm, Seaton, Seaham, County Durham Web sharpleysprings.com Tel 0191 5814821 or 07860 757527 Email sharpleysprings@outlook.com
HAMPSHIRE
14. AVINGTON TROUT FISHERY
Set in the heart of Hampshire, Avington Trout Fishery is one of the oldest and finest stillwater trout fisheries in the country, famous for its clear-water stalking and large fish. It was created in the late 1960s by the great Sam Holland, a pioneer in the world of stillwater trout fishing.
Its three crystal-clear lakes are stocked every day with high-quality triploid rainbows (minimum of 4lb), which are reared in the fishery’s own stock ponds. The water clarity all season is superb. In fact, clear-water stalking is possible even on heavily overcast days. For this reason, Avington is also an ideal venue for novice anglers as they can see the fish they are casting to, which makes it so much more enjoyable and is a great confidence-booster.
Address Avington Trout Fishery, Avington, Winchester, Hampshire Web avingtontrout.co.uk Tel 01962 779 312 Email info@avingtontroutfishery.co.uk
ROSS-SHIRE
15. TARVIE LOCHS
These three natural lochs are set amid the hills and beautiful scenery of the Highlands of Scotland midway between the villages of Contin and Garve.
Loch an Eich Bhain offers 25 acres of fly-fishing from the boat. It is stocked with rainbow, blue and brown trout. Roads are accessible and there is ample parking.
Loch Ruith à Phuill offers 12 acres of both fly- and bait-fishing from the bank. It is stocked with rainbow, blue and brown trout. There is a roadside car park and then it is a 200m flat walk to the lochside.
Address Tarvie Lochs, Inchdrean, Tarvie, Ross-shire Web tarvielochs.co.uk Tel 01997 421250 Email tarvielochs@hotmail.com
CHESHIRE
16. CLAY LANE FARM TROUT FISHERY
Stocked on a regular basis, Clay Lane Farm Trout Fishery is a two-acre private lake set in a quiet backwater yet conveniently situated for easy access between Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Knutsford and within 7.5 miles of J19 of the M6 and just four miles from J6 of the M56. The lake is ideal for beginners as well as more experienced fly-fishers.
Address Clay Lane Farm Trout Fishery, Mobberley, Cheshire Web claylanetroutfishery.co.uk Tel 01565 873337
GWYNEDD
17. EISTEDDFA FISHERY
Whether you’re a beginner, an expert or a family looking for a fun day out, Eisteddfa offers fantastic coarse and trout fishing in beautiful surroundings near the north-west coast of Wales.
With a choice of beautiful lakes to suit all preferences, and all the tackle, advice and refreshments you could need, you will leave Eisteddfa with a sense of calm, a spring in your step and maybe even something for the evening’s BBQ.
There is a range of accommodation, from a cosy two-person cottage with a hot tub to larger cottages for small groups and families, all the way up to the main house, which sleeps 18.
Address Eisteddfa Uchaf, Pentrefelin, Criccieth, Gwynedd Web eisteddfa-fisheries.com Tel 01766 522148 Email post@eisteddfa-fisheries.com
HAMPSHIRE
18. MEON SPRINGS
Fly-fishing for trout in a particularly beautiful Hampshire valley.
The fishery at Meon Springs, with its four spring-fed lakes, has been attracting anglers for 30 years. It extends a warm welcome to everyone, regardless of their age and experience.
There are various tuition options and the Meon team will support you every step of the way.
On site, you will find a small tackle-shop, which stocks everything you will need for your fly-fishing experience, including starter rod kits, flies, leaders, lines, priests and much more. You will also find a small cafe, where you can help yourself to tea and coffee.
Address Meon Springs, Whitewool Farm, East Meon, Petersfield, Hampshire Web meonsprings.com Tel 01730 823134 Email admin@meonsprings.com
NORTH YORKSHIRE
19. KILNSEY PARK
Kilnsey Park Fishing Lakes has been operating since 1978 and over that time many thousands have experienced the thrill of catching a fish in the spectacular surroundings of Upper Wharfedale and the picture-perfect backdrop of Kilnsey Crag and Great Whernside.
Kilnsey offers the complete fishing journey for first-timers and experienced anglers looking for a truly accessible fishery that pays attention to detail. There is a long history of fishing and fish-farming at Kilnsey. The River Wharfe has been a source of fish for locals for as long as the area has been settled. A pond at Kilnsey Park is thought to have been used by Cistercian monks to rear carp, which would have been fed to guests.
Address Kilnsey Park Estate, Kilnsey, Skipton, North Yorkshire Web kilnseypark.co.uk Tel 01756 752 150 Email info@kilnseypark.co.uk
NAIRN
20. GEDDES TROUT FISHERY
Nestling between the Highland estates of Geddes and Cawdor, Geddes Trout Fishery is located at the Old Geddes Dams. These were built in the 1860s as the main water supply for the town of Nairn. The fishery lies in quiet, secluded woodland and comprises two separate lochs, one for bait and one for fly-fishing. Insect life is abundant and creates a challenge for the 'match the hatch' type fly-fisher.
The fishery is stocked frequently to ensure a continuity of fish. You can catch blues, tigers, browns and hard-fighting rainbows. Casting is from the bank on the bait loch and from platforms on the fly.
There is a heated cabin with tea- and coffee-making facilities, plus a wide selection of flies to buy, as well as rod hire for fly- and bait-fishing.
Address Geddes Trout Lochs, Nairn Web geddes-trout-fishery.co.uk Tel 07849 089232 Email fishgeddes@hotmail.com
CO TYRONE
21. ANNAGINNY FISHERY AND PARK FARM
Annaginny has five different fishing lakes for fly- and bait-fishing. They are home to rainbow trout up to 20lb. There is also a fishing shop where licences and equipment are available.
You can camp - there is room for up to 25 tents - or bring a caravan. Facilities include a children's play park and clothes washing. Enjoy a woodland walk or visit the animals at Park Farm, where there are exotic and farm animals. Families, birthday parties, school and group trips are welcome.
Address 40 Annaginny Rd, Dungannon Social Facebook Tel 028 8774 7808 Email leonabraham551@gmail.com