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And removed the scaffold poles from the water. It still wouldn't be the place for me. It's a "catch at all costs" mentality. Not for me, thanks. Ian

Mick, there is no need to apologise. My mention of fishing to the island, or not, referred to Barston, not Lavender Hall, as did my comment about the wind affecting catching. Try to keep up for heaven's sake! Bloody Brummies! Ian

You won't be the only one with a skinhead. It's almost compulsory on there! Crossbow a good idea, handgun, machette..... I've never had any poblems on there but I know one or two who have, my son included. Mind you, the geezer who started on him lived, just, to regret his actions. Poor thing almost drowned. In 18 inches of water......... Ian

Go to Seeswood Pool, on the outskirts of Nuneaton. This is one of their waters and the contact number is on a board beside the gate. Was last time I drove by, anyway! Ian PS Welcome to this forum.

Chemond, hi and welcome to the forum Earlswood is a good place for a starter as it's full of fish. I guess you'll fish Engine Pool which is the carp water. Pegs 5-25 are the most popular, by the new(ish) car park, but the place isn't peggy, you can catch from pretty well anywhere. Be aware that it can get busy at weekends, midweek you can often have the place to yourself. Following prolonged hot/dry spells the water level can drop noticeably as the reservoirs are for topping up the local canal systems. In this case ignore the conventional pegs and walk down the beach! Take a good selection of baits as what worked last month might not work this month. Worms are popular with the fish as are pellets, meat, boilies etc etc. The carp were spawning last weekend during the hot spell so should have got that out of the way by now. The fish aren't huge but are plentiful and give good account of themselves when hooked. Can't think of anything else offhand so hope this helps. Good luck. Ian

For a mad idea that's a good one. A lot of observation would be required but on any new water that's the norm. Good answer. Ian

It's a fishing factory. Cuttle Mill is the epitome of the word "Commercial". It's 5 miles from my front door and I won't fish there. You'd have to be desperate. No, no, no. Ian

Yes, Pine Pool at Kingsbury Water Park. Check out the current thread on this section. Ian

Steve, welcome to this forum. Stoogi's typing fingers obviously work faster than mine! I was about to suggest www.Fisheries.co.uk too! Great minds, and all that.. Or not. Ian

Matt, I've got to agree with you about the condition of the fish in Lavender Hall. Scale and fin perfect, all those I've had. Ian Not many then? Both of them, actually! Ian

As Joe (penker) said, it's a commercial fishery. I believe that the place started life as a gravel and sand extraction site. There are several pools and a stretch of the River Blythe which holds some decent trout, amongst other species. Although it's very local to me I don't bother as it's just not what I want in fishing. Been there, done that, not particularly impressed to be frank. It's designed for money extraction these days. Match R Us. There are far better places to fish. Ian

Matt, I've got to agree with you about the condition of the fish in Lavender Hall. Scale and fin perfect, all those I've had. Ian

Hi Dave, welcome to this forum. You state that you'd both be willing to travel and offer important other criteria. Two waters come to mind. Firstly Shatterford Lakes, near Kidderminster. Cats and carp, fairly generous pegs but not everyones cup of tea as it's on a mad sloping hillside. Despite that, I rather like the place. Check out the search facility for lots of comments. Secondly, have a look at Milton Pools, beside the M40 near Oxford. Good carp and cats in a lovely setting with a cracking cafe and secure parking, bait/tackle shop and very generous peg sizes. Look on www.Fisheries.co.uk for this. It's a very nice place to fish and the owner has no objection to anglers doubling up on the larger swims. It's been a while since I was last there but I'm determined to return ASAP. Ian

Rediculously easy as usual.. anything towards the island Whilst the island is the obvious feature, this water doesn't surrender to the obvious. I could quite simply tell all of you where to fish to. I won't. Work it out, guys, like I did. And Joe, it isn't ridiculously easy. You, like many, assume that the island is the place to be casting to. WRONG. It's all about wind direction. Now work it out. Ian

Best I've had was a scale perfect common at 22lbs. I can't comment on the stock levels or sizes as I simply don't know. I can say that I've never blanked on there. Surface fishing on a warm day can be very rewarding Ian

I was going to say that! Wont bother now Ian

Dwight, welcome to this forum, enjoy. You ask about waters in the West Midlands, ideally near to Telford. Merrington is only a short drive from Telford but is in Shropshire, I think. You'll easily find a recent thread about Merrington, on this section of the forum. Ian

Well said, especially that last line. Coops summary was much the same. "Do what you want and fish where you like". Ian

must admit lav hall does'nt appeal . went for a look round once. 18 people fishing 2 rods each in a pool just over an acre. saw a guy land a 24lber though, stood up for his piccy and dropped the fish Andy, if your visit there was more than 3 years ago lots of changes have been made by the new(ish) owner. Station pool has been enlarged and the spit and bridge to the island removed. Following this they netted all the pools and all specimen carp were put into Station Pool, the rest divided among the match/pleasure pools. I rather like the place although the recorded messages from the tannoy at the adjacent railway station can be erm...annoying. As for the guy who dropped the 24lb fish, he should have been returned to the water along with his catch! Ian

Nathan, Cuttle Mill is like a fishing factory. Use the search facility to find out more. I won't fish there, end of. No night fishing either. Have a look at Willesley Lake near Ashby de la Zouche. Very pretty, fairly peaceful midweek. A nice place to be, busy at weekends though. There's loads more on the link I offered. Keep trolling! Have a look at Lavender Hall Fishery, near Berkswell. Station pool. Nights, specimen carp, cafe and tackle/bait shop. 5 miles from home. Breakfast brought to your swim Ian

Hi Nathan, welcome to this forum. I note that your in Smiths Wood. My son lives there, in Severn Close off Tamar Drive. I'm in Water Orton so we are all neighbours. The NEC lake still remains a bit of an enigma in that I cannot find out who holds the fishing rights. I've just had dinner with my son and asked him. He believes that it's something to do with the Fire Brigade, which was my first thought, although he has no more details than I, unfortunately. You could give Pine Pool at Kingsbury Water Park a go or take a look on www.Fisheries.co.uk for an extensive list of local waters. Good luck. Ian

meekster, if you can, avoid weekends on there, as it gets quite busy. Midweek sessions tend to be more rewarding and, of course, more peaceful. As Mr Coggins says, if the weather is half decent, take a good look at the shallower water. As regards bait, most will do but you might want to have a look at Sonubaits Boosted Wraps, Pineapple 18mm. I'll say no more Ian PS Forgot to mention Pepperami, large lump on a longish hair. Ha!

Spawning maybe? Ian

Silverfox, welcome to the forum. I have no links with Merrington other than the fact that I like the place, as do you, it seems! Knowing it to be anything but a runs water helps to raise the bar for me. Did you see the resident Barn Owl? It shows no fear of the likes of us and frequently forages near to anglers. Ian

Willesley Lake, near Ashby de la Zouch? Ian