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Whilst the debate rages regarding HS2 and all that goes with it, this sad news just brings home the stark reality of what is effectively just one of a number of issues that are currently apparent and have the potential to affect this sport we love so much. Cuttle Mill was responsible for my entry into carp fishing, some 34 years ago and whilst I have not been back for a good few years now, I have very fond memories of the place. I can still recall seeing people around me catching carp on the Long Pool and thinking, I can do that; the pain when I lost my first my first 'proper' carp hooked on two grains of corn , cast out with an old leger rod to the lilies that used to run down the centre of the lake. The fish managed to get round my pole tackle - I didn't think about removing it when the reel handle started spinning, didn't have time!! I learned so much and had many fantastic times down there - it would be untrue to say that I could write a book about the place, but I could do justice to a very entertaining chapter. I know it wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but it was a fishery that saw people travelling from all parts of the country to fish it and perhaps it was ahead of it's time. I can remember spending hours talking to Albert Brewer, who had the most incredible knowledge, particularly about fisheries. I think that the stock levels gave rise to the assertion by some that it was an 'easy' water; I can recall an article written by Tim Paisley under his pseudonym 'Matt Black', about his mate ('Deeppocket') catching a 25 from there and insisting that the photographer ensured that the background features didn't give the fact away that it was a Mill fish, on the basis that it wouldn't have counted. Sorry for the long rambling nature of this post - given the speculation regarding the council tenure, it may not be completely lost, but what has happened is incredibly sad.

If £3000 is the going rate, that's an exorbitant sum of money, even when compared with some of the prices currently being charged at some fisheries. (I'm assuming that this is Bishop's Lake on the LEMINGTON lakes complex?) I'll stress that whilst I have never fished the lake in question, I have fished a number of other lakes on the complex (mainly Westminster). The fishery is set in magnificent countryside and has some great facilities, including showers, a cafe and a shop. Undoubtedly the owners have gone to great lengths to create the complex, they care very deeply about their fish stocks and also the general state of the fishery. My brother and I call it the Stepford fishery, such is the uniformity that exists and I know that a number of magazines have published very positive reviews relating to the venue. Without wishing to write what might appear to be an imbalanced condemnation of the venue, I have endured a number of interactions with one half of the couple that own the fishery and at times found them to be somewhat overbearing; I appreciate that it is their prerogative to manage the complex and deal with visiting anglers as they see fit, but the basic premise of this individual appears to be to deeply mistrust the vast majority of visiting anglers and almost treat them with contempt. I have also spoken to other anglers who tell me that they have experienced similar events. As an example, one early Saturday evening I was approached by one of the owners whilst sitting in front of my shelter having a cup of tea. I was doing the night and had reeled both rods in to rest the swim - both rigs were in the butt rings, with the rods on the rests. After engaging me in conversation, the owner noticed my kettle which was on the grass next to my chair and then asked "Did you put that kettle on the grass while it was hot?" I replied that I hadn't and enquired why the question had been asked. I was advised that there were marks on the grass close to the kettle, that had obviously been scorched by something hot. The marks were not recent and had, I think, been caused by a previous occupant of the swim who had probably poured hot fat or the like on the grass. After explaining this, the person moved to my rods and ran her thumbs over both of my hooks, presumably to check that they were barbless. No explanation was offered and like I say it is their prerogative, but I would have welcomed the question "Can I check your rigs?". After satisfying themselves that I wasn't flouting any rules, without a bye or leave you, they then proceeded to the next swim. I guess I've gone round the houses a little bit here (well a lot really)! Significant investment has obviously taken place by the owners and whilst this is pure speculation, I might deduce that charging £3000 to hire a comparatively small pool for a week is, in some way, an attempt to recoup some of that investment.

If this is the fishery in Herefordshire, I spent a couple of days there in the Autumn of 2008 - I was originally booked on a stretch of the Wye for the weekend but the bookings coincided with a period of flooding which made the river unfishable - Tillington provided somewhere to go and at least wet a line. Had booked into a local B&B in advance and had originally planned to try somewhere else on the Sunday, but enjoyed the Saturday so much, I went back on the Sunday. There are two pools - one is relatively close to the farm buildings and the other a bit further away; I think the latter contains the bigger fish. Very picturesque and pleasant to fish. I am afraid I can offer you no definitive info as to what size the carp go to, however I did have plenty of sport, fishing down the edge with the trotting gear that I'd taken for the river (Avon rod and centrepin/6lb line). I had a lot of fish below doubles, all on small pieces of meat, fished over pellets and hemp. Also had a number of fish on floaters, in fact the biggest fish I caught, which was probably just into doubles, was off the surface. There was a guy there using more 'traditional' methods (boilies, alarms etc) who'd done the night, said he was a regular and talked about fish over twenty being present, but as I say I can't confirm that from personal experience.

Nick, sincere thanks for your help. A very informative and entertaining write up!

I have searched through forum entries to see if there is any info regarding this fishery and have found a few bits from approx 2 years ago. Can anyone out there please offer any up to date information regarding the venue? Have a week's holiday in October and intend to spend some of it in Devon. Ideally my brother and I are looking at doing the Thursday through Friday at Town Parks, on the 'Specimen' lake and would really appreciate any info.

Grahams81 - thanks very much for the information - very helpful indeed. The trip will be more of a 'social' in truth, as the guy I'm fishing with lives in Belgium and I only get to see him every few years; that said it's always nice to catch! Once again, thanks for your help.

Thank you for your quick response! Just noticed my school boy error in that the postng might have been more appropriate in the 'Where to fish' forum!!

Firstly, I am a new member so it's only appropriate that I say 'hello' initially. I've had the chance to do a bit of browsing and found some really interesting stuff already! Anyway, a very old friend of mine has been 'given' a cottage in North Yorkshire by his in-laws (lucky man!) and is trying to arrange a get together later in the year. It is located near to Stonebridge Fishing Lakes and as he knows I'm a dead keen angler and he's dabbled a bit in the past, he's suggested that we spend some of the time fishing at Stonebridge. I would be grateful to hear from anybody who has fished the place - I've looked at their website and it looks OK, however )and without trying to be controversial), previous experience has taught me that websites don't always provide an accurate reflection.......