TANFIELD LODGE LAKE
Set in a peaceful rural location beside the River Ure, this former gravel quarry is now an ideal fishing venue, with a reputation for good fish, clear water and beautiful surroundings.
The 11-acre lake, with depths to 20 feet, is spring-fed from the underlying limestone aquifer, thus ensuring excellent water quality and clarity and creating perfect conditions for the natural insect and fly life, which makes any form of imitative fishing worthwhile.
The lake is stocked principally with rainbow trout up to 3lb, with an annual stocking of fingerling brown trout (some of which have been taken as grow-on seven-pounders).
Since opening in the early 1980s, the fishery’s philosophy has been based on affordable sport angling, so it tends not to be stocked with large fish, but rather maintains a good head of fish in the 2-3lb range, which quickly acclimatise to the water and offer more natural sport.
The venue is not permanently manned, but customers can buy tickets from the fishing lodge, which has a gas stove and toilets and adjacent parking, with disabled parking alongside the water.
The site boasts a huge variety of wildlife, from signal crayfish in its depths to visiting ospreys on their migratory journeys. A profusion of wild flowers adorn the surrounding area, violets, cowslips and orchids amongst them, making this perfect for nature lovers.
ADDRESS: Tanfield Lodge Lake, Park Lane, West Tanfield, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 5LE
CONTACT: 01677 470385 WEB www.tanfieldlodgelake.com
EMAIL: cwbatanfieldlodge@btinternet.com
OPEN: Late March-early October, precise details of the opening and closing dates will be advertised on the website News page
PRICE RANGE: £10-£20 (C&R available)
THORNWOOD SPRINGS
Nestled in rolling countryside on the outskirts of Epping Forest, Thornwood Springs caters for beginners and experienced anglers alike, offering clear spring-fed water, amazing fly life and wildlife, and tasty fish.
Its three lakes are home to brown, rainbow, blue and tiger trout, stocked up to 18lb, with some growing on well in excess of 20lb. The lakes are also home to a large number of golden rudd, which exceed 4lb and are also fun on the fly in summer.
The fishery is blessed with abundant hatches of numerous insects, even mayfly, as the surrounding land has been pesticide-free for many decades. The venue is a fantastic buzzer water and matching dry fly hatches can be challenging, as the fish here are such natural feeders. Thornwood caters for all methods of fly-fishing, tenkara included.
There’s a resident instructor, a comfortable lodge with log burner, free tea/coffee, and cold drinks, and snacks, toilets and a shop with flies and tackle. There are fish cleaning areas, a wigwam and picnic area, and a barbecue and fire pit. Instructors and management are on hand to assist anglers.
Private events are catered for and catering arranged with a neighbouring restaurant. A fishery membership scheme (£80 pa) includes benefits such as extended hours, occasional free tickets and discount in the shop.
ADDRESS: Thornwood Springs, Carpenters Arms Lane, Thornwood, Epping, Essex CM16 6LR
CONTACT: 07588 669255
WEB: www.thornwoodsprings.com
OPEN: All year, 8am to earlier of dusk or 8pm
PRICE RANGE: £20-£55 (C&R option available)
CHALK SPRINGS TROUT FISHERY
Situated in an attractive woodland valley on the Duke of Norfolk’s Estate at Arundel, Chalk Springs was created in 1984 on the site of old watercress beds and doubled its original two lakes to four in 1986.
The fishery has about five acres of water in total and is fed by natural springs, which help keep the lakes cool and clear throughout the year. That clarity allows fishermen to stalk high quality brown and rainbow trout that are stocked daily, having been reared on the venue’s own fish farm. The average stock size ranges from 2lb to 5lb with a generous number of fish into double figures. The stocking rates aim to give everybody an excellent, yet challenging, day’s fishing, with the average weekly catch rate usually in or around 80 per cent.
Pre-booking is always advisable, as spaces are limited. Tuition can also be pre-booked.
Tea and coffee facilities are available in the lakeside lodge, while the fishery shop sells hot and cold drinks and snacks, as well as offering a small range of tackle and equipment for the stillwater angler, and a wide variety of popular flies from Fulling Mill.
Corporate/club days and other group bookings are a speciality at Chalk Springs, which can offer a complete package tailor-made to suit individual requirements.
ADDRESS: Park Bottom, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 0AA
CONTACT: 01903 883742 WEB www.chalksprings.com
EMAIL: enquiries@chalksprings.com
OPEN: 8.30am-dusk all year, except Christmas Day and New Year`s Day or for group bookings
PRICE RANGE: £27-£47 (no C&R)
BURNHOUSE LOCHAN
A charming small Scottish water, serviced by a purpose-built Arctic cabin. The three-acre lochan is spring-fed and can cater for 25 rods at a time. It is flanked by eight jetties, all with nonslip walkways. A boat is available on request, but bank fishing is more suitable.
The lochan contains rainbow, blue, brown and tiger trout. A professional holding tank ensures correct stocking practices are adhered to, as well as the proper acclimatisation of stocked fish prior to release.
The Arctic BBQ Cabin was imported from Finland, complete with caribou skins and central charcoal stove. This area comfortably seats 25 and the building has a toilet, hot running water and a fully equipped kitchen. Light refreshments are for sale, with tea and coffee available free of charge. A good selection of locally tied flies are for sale with other miscellaneous angling essentials. Rods can be hired and landing nets are available. The fishery also offers tuition.
The car park includes parking for the disabled and OAP’s immediately in front of the main jetty, allowing safe access.
Burnhouse makes an ideal venue for clubs and groups from 15 – 25 rods. Corporate days can also be arranged to suit a client’s requirements, regarding catering, stocking or extended opening hours. Full use of the bothy and barbeque is inclusive.
ADDRESS: Burnhouse Lochan Fishery Ltd, Burnhouse Farm, Bonnybridge FK4 2HH
CONTACT: 07889 603160 or 07742 755737 WEB www.burnhouse-fishery.co.uk
EMAIL: info@burnhouse-fishery.co.uk
OPEN: All year, dawn to dusk
PRICE RANGE: £10-£24 (C&R option available)
