MILLHALL RESERVOIR
An eight-acre, fly-only reservoir, surrounded by natural woodland, Millhall Reservoir offers fishing from bank or boat.
The water is stocked primarily with rainbow trout, with some blue trout and a sprinkling of stocked and also resident brown trout, some of the latter now reaching double figures.
There are well-maintained casting platforms all the way round this tidy fishery, which is situated close to the village of Polmont. There is ample parking space for all anglers, with disabled parking spaces close to the jetty (the fishery’s boats include a Wheelyboat).
Tea and coffee and snacks are available in the lodge and a small selection of light tackle items are available for purchase.
If travelling from the east, exit M9 at J4 and take A803 towards Polmont. Turn right at Kirk Entry (top of the hill past the car wash) head down the hill onto Bo’ness Road. The lane to the fishery is on the right, immediately after the motorway flyover.
Approaching from the west, exit M9 at J5 and turn right on to the A905. At roundabout, take first left (A905) and at second roundabout turn right (A905 towards Inchyra Grange Hotel). After 150 metres, turn right (Grange Road). At the top of the hill take the right fork towards Polmont. Immediately before the motorway flyover, turn left down lane.
ADDRESS: Old Polmont, Falkirk, FK2 0YA
CONTACT: 01324 714190
EMAIL: buzzerbill@virginmedia.com
WEB: millhall-reservoir.co.uk
OPEN: To November 3.
PRICE RANGE: £15-23 (C&R option available). Boats £6.
SIMPSON VALLEY COURSE & TROUT FISHERY
Two trout lakes make up part of this mixed fishery, registered for Troutmasters, which is set amid Devon farmland.
Jenny Wren Lake (1.25 acres) is regularly stocked with rainbow, brown, blue and tiger trout, all thriving on the rich fly life. Rainbow trout are stocked between two and 15lb, while other species go in at between 1.5 and 10lb. There is no catch-and-release on this lake, except for tiger trout or any browns over 5lb, which must go back. Prior booking required.
One-acre Skylark lake caters for fly, lure or LRF (light rock fishing) trout fishing. Anglers pursue rainbows, blues and browns stocked from a pound to over 6lb, all of which must be retained, although catch and release on a four-hour ticket is permitted between October 1 and March 31 inclusive.
No treble hooks are used on the trout lakes and trout flies can be purchased at the fishery and separate coarse fishing is also available. Non-fishing partners can enjoy secluded spots for a picnic, birdwatching or a walk or cycle through the Ruby cycle way, part of Devon’s largest public cycle path.
For a longer stay, accommodation is available at the nearby Ruby Country Lodge Park, whose luxury lodges – complete with private outdoor hot tub – offer the perfect base for fishing holidays in Devon.
ADDRESS: Simpson Valley Coarse & Trout Fishery, Simpson Barton, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6JW
CONTACT: 07881 764655/ 07855 413672
EMAIL: moores198330@yahoo.co.uk
WEB: www.simpsonvalleyfishery.co.uk
OPEN: All year: phone for precise times
PRICE RANGE: (trout fishing) £10-£28 (C&R option available)
TAN-Y-MYNYDD TROUT FISHERY
A TROUT fishing haven in beautiful Welsh countryside, Tan-y-Mynydd’s pools are stocked with rainbow, brown, blue and tiger trout.
The fishery’s record rainbow weighed in at 21lb and its biggest brown at just over 10lb. Anglers fish from seated pegs and in addition to the fly lakes, the family pools, where fishing with bait or fly is allowed, are very popular and provide good sport for all ages.
Tan-y-Mynydd stipulates barbless hooks and has its own range of barbless Skinny Buzzers on sale in a tackle shop that also offers leader and other tackle essentials, as well as tackle hire.
This Troutmasters water has disabled toilet facilities and provides disabled access as well as offering complimentary teas and coffees, while cold drinks and other refreshments can be purchased.
Professional tuition is also available and can be arranged by contacting the fishery, which also welcomes corporate and other group bookings/competitions; being able to offer exclusive use of the fishery, marquees, catering at the water’s edge, tuition, all tackle and prize-giving.
Regular visitors can purchase bulk fishing packages, and gift vouchers are also available. Bulk Fishing Hours allow you to purchase fishing time in advance and then ‘Top Up’ whenever you need to, allowing anglers to pay when it’s most convenient for them, for example, on payday.
ADDRESS: Tan-y-Mynydd, Moelfre, Abergele, Conwy LL22 9RF
CONTACT: 01745 826722
EMAIL: fishinglodge@tan-y-mynydd.co.uk
WEB: www.tan-y-mynydd.co.uk
OPEN: Dawn to dusk all year except Christmas Day
PRICE RANGE: (fly-fishing) £10-£30 (C&R available)
ROCKBOURNE TROUT FISHERY
Six secluded lakes, charmingly tucked away in 55 acres of Hampshire woodland and pasture. The springs that feed them ensure both clear water and good sport all year-round.
Each lake has its own character and variations in depth, ranging from three to five metres. The lakes are stocked with excellent quality rainbow, brown, blue, lilac and sandy trout, in addition to Arctic char in winter. Stocking weights range between 2lb 8oz and 10lb, while some fish approaching the 20lb mark are also added. The fishery record stands at 19lb.
Extensive insect life can require a variety of approaches, so come prepared with patterns relating to buzzers, nymphs, damsels, dragonfly, sedge, pond olives, alderfly, mayfly and shrimp, as well as a selection of stalking bugs, including Alley Cats. At appropriate times of year, lures like Cat’s Whiskers, Appetisers and Montanas work well.
The lodge is situated by the lakes and offers a breakfast menu, light lunch and drinks from the bar as well as hot and cold drinks. Anglers can sit in the snug by the wood-burning stove, in the restaurant or outside on the decking or grassed area. Instruction can be pre-booked, and hot and cold smoked trout are available to purchase. Private and bespoke corporate events are catered for (duck shooting also available).
Rockbourne also now boasts a one-mile stretch of chalkstream fishing (pre-booked and upstream dry fly only) for both wild and stocked brownies, available until October 15.
ADDRESS: Rockbourne Road, Sandleheath, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1QG
CONTACT: 01725 518603
EMAIL: info@rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk
WEB: www.rockbournetroutfishery.co.uk
OPEN: All year except Christmas Day
PRICE RANGE: £40-£74 (No C&R)
