NEW MILLS TROUT FISHING PARK
Situated in a remote but scenic area of Cumbria, New Mills offers not only angling but also fascinating local history and plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family. Easily accessible from the M6, the Park’s 1.5-acre fly-fishing lake is a Troutmasters’ stream-fed water, housing rainbow, golden, tiger, blue and brown trout up 25lb.
Dawn and twilight fishing is available year-round and disabled anglers are also welcome, with the needs of all anglers served by the on-site Bite Café and well-stocked tackle shop on-site. Tuition is also available. A smaller Fun Fishing pond and a playground, meanwhile, are ideal for children and just two of the facilities that make New Mills a perfect base for a holiday or weekend break.
Six ‘Running Water Deluxe’ four-berth wigwams have been recently added, providing luxury camping or ‘glamping’. All are heated and contain en suite shower and toilet facilities and a mini kitchen as well as an outside fire pit.
Along with the Park’s scenic setting, the wigwams enjoy views across the fishing lake and should you or your family fancy a change from fishing, there is plenty to see and do locally: Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage site is only a couple of miles away; the market town of Brampton offers a range of shops, cafes and restaurants, and there are numerous rural walks to discover. The city of Carlisle is just 15-20 minutes’ drive away.
ADDRESS: Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 2QS
CONTACT: 01697 741115 / 07779 754697
WEB: www.newmillstroutfishingpark.co.uk
EMAIL: enquiries@newmillstrout.co.uk
PRICE RANGE: £10-32 (rod hire £5) C&R option available
OPEN: Dawn to dusk all year, except Mondays and two weeks over Christmas and New Year.
ARTLOCH FISHERY
The first rainbow trout water in Aberdeenshire when it opened in 1976, Artloch re-opened 16 years ago and has become popular with local anglers because of its picturesque setting and hard-fighting trout. The pool of almost five acres is set against a backdrop of mature conifers and deciduous trees, and offers bank fishing for rainbow and brown trout, the former stocked from 2lb into double figures, while the head of resident browns go to 5lb.
Two silt ponds ensure that water is clear, albeit slightly peaty in colour. Anglers must fish with no more than three flies at a time and are asked not to use double or treble hooks, propeller flies, flickers or Boobies.
A car park is adjacent to the loch and its heated fishing hut, which has an indoor toilet, microwave, seating and tables, with free tea and coffee provided. Barbecue facilities are available and as the fishery is also home to Sharpe’s of Aberdeen, their full range of fly-fishing equipment is on sale here, except on Sundays.
Rods may be hired at £5 per rod and all amenities and facilities are geared towards use by less able-bodied anglers. Tuition may be booked in advance.
ADDRESS: Longhill, Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 4XA
CONTACT: 01466 794415 / 07870 651368
WEB: artlochfishery.co.uk
EMAIL: artlochfishery@googlemail.com
OPEN: Mon-Fri, 8.45am to earlier of dusk or 10pm (to 5pm weekends). Closed Christmas and New Year’s Days.
PRICE RANGE: £11-£22 (C&R option available)
HOLBURY LAKES
Covering 40 acres of Test Valley countryside, Holbury boasts four lakes totalling 3.25 acres, each with its own character, well-tended and set amid mature trees. It also has fishing on a short stretch of the River Dun, a tributary of the Test. The average lake depth is around nine feet and they are stocked with rainbow and blue trout.
The River Dun beat has a good head of wild browns. The lakes cater for all abilities, from the Pond – ideal for beginners – to Willow Lake, whose foliage calls for an adaptable casting technique. Tackle hire is available. Fishing is single hook only, (max. size 8). Dry fly and nymph only on the river. Wet, dry fly and nymph on the lakes.
Just a five-minute walk from the fishery car park, a lodge offers free coffee and tea and toilet and washing facilities, while visitors can make use of a microwave and picnic area at the nearby fishery office. A charcoal barbecue is available on request. Fly-fishing tuition is available by arrangement for fly fishers of all abilities and exclusive corporate bookings of the river and lakes, tailored to clients’ needs, can also be arranged.
The fishery has its own function room, situated above the lodge with splendid views across the lake. It is capable of providing dining facilities for over two dozen people. Disabled access, and the use of a golf buggy, can be arranged permitting disabled anglers to fish the lakes but please note that disabled facilities are not available.
ADDRESS: Holbury Lakes Trout Fishery, Holbury Lane, Lockerley, Hampshire SO51 0JR
CONTACT: 01794 341619
EMAIL: info@holburylakes.co.uk
WEB: www.holburylakes.co.uk
OPEN: All year, from 8.30am
PRICE RANGE: £33-£75. C&R only on river.
TEMPLE TROUT FISHERY
Two lakes nestled in an old china clay pit on Bodmin Moor, just five minutes from Bodmin itself.
Mallard Lake is fly-fishing only and covers 2.4 acres. Anglers fish for rainbow and brown trout, which have been stocked at weights between 1.5lb and double figures. In most bags, the average fish weighs in at over 2lb.
Teal Lake, whose 450 metre perimeter houses 3.2 acres, allows fishing by any legal method and is home to rainbow trout and wild browns. The stocking range here is between 1lb and 4lb. A sporting ticket can be bought on Teal Lake, which is also ideal for newcomers to fishing or children.
A well-stocked fishing hut provides toilets, a cooker, tea, coffee and fresh milk. The proprietors sell a selection of flies and a small range of tackle. Rod and net hire is offered and disabled access can be arranged by prior request. Tuition can be arranged by prior appointment.
Season tickets are available on both lakes and there is an on-site car park. Past visitors speak of the fishery’s family atmosphere and how there is always somewhere you can fish out of the wind.
ADDRESS: Temple, Bodmin, Cornwall PL30 4HW
CONTACT: 01208 821730/ 07787 704966
WEB: www.templefishery.co.uk
EMAIL: julian@templefishery.co.uk
OPEN: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from November-March inclusive. Every day otherwise. 8am–dusk.
PRICE RANGE: £10.50-£30 (C&R available)
