WHATS NEW AT REVELS!!

A page of latest news from Revels fishery as well as a diary of everyday happenings and thoughts. An internet blog of day to day runnings of a busy developing fishery.

Im hoping to keep updates regular again now and any one wanting to read the old news pages these are now in this link:- OLD NEWS

UP AND COMMING OPEN MATCHES

SATURDAY 11th FEB, TUESDAY 14th FEB, SUNDAY 26th FEB, TUESDAY 28th FEB, TUESDAY 13th MARCH, TUESDAY 27th MARCH. Tuesday Cost Cutter Matches £11 + £2 optional Silver Fish Pool, Weekend Matches £15 + £3 optional Silver Fish Pool. VENUE WATER DEPENDANT ON CONDITIONS.

20/01/12 Tuesdays open was held on Main Lake due to ice on other waters. Hardest frost of the winter the night before and expectations were low as well as the fact the digger was hard at work the far end of the Main Lake it was only pegged in one area. Despite this small carp showed but nets were domintated by small Roach and Bream. It was again a very close affair with 1st Dean Penkham 34lb 14oz 2nd Nigel Bartlett 32lb 8oz 3rd Steve Crowford 31lb 12oz. At time of writing we are in the last 2 days of our major works and for once the weather has been kind. As always plans change and alter while we are busy and to date we have finished Main Lake and im very pleased with the increase in size and character. Dead Tree lake we have made a small alteration where we finished off a couple of years ago but has added 3 new swims onto this water and in a last minute change of plans we have not touched the back of Dead Tree and instead gone for a major piece of work on Trendles creating a new island and increaseing the width between bank and island at the top end. When we finish early next week i should be able to also report an increase of at least 3-4 swims on Trendles as well.

18/01/12 We have been hard at it with changes here the last 10 days and the difference is really showing. So far all positive feedback from visitors. We have been very lucky with the weather as well as a very good digger driver and mess has been kept to a minimum. At the time of writing we have again enlarged our car parking area further and now finished Main Lake extensions which have included a revamped top end where the water comes in. A deepening and total bank revamp along the the full south side of the lake and a good size extension in the far south west corner. This has created a new substantial island and a new bay. Giving about a 10m width of lake from swim to island right round the island giving about 3-4ft for the first 5m and 6-7ft of depth the other 5m to the island. The far southwest original bay where the Carp would often hold up in the 2ft or so of water there is gone and this original bay is all dredged out. In all giving main lake a substantial increase in size and swims but still staying with our reputation of character and loads of new features and choices of swim. Then this bottom end has been relandscaped to finish. At time of writing we are busy finishing a small area on Dead tree lake that we failed to finish a couple of years ago which will also add a couple of extra swims and today we are hoping to increase the depth behind the far back island on Dead Tree. Then finally time we have budgeted left will be spent in enlarging Trendles which is popular for matches and holiday anglers.

Pics showing various stages of alterations. One taking with member of staff stood in before water let in and another taken at the same point with water to give some idea of depth. Lots of little jobs now to finish up. I.E. Last shot is on Dead tree lake after quick hour long job showing difference with another metre of water between bank and island and easier angler access.

Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting

07/01/12 First week of our anniversary year is already gone and we are hard at work here on a multitude of jobs laying new paths, fencing, painting, tree clearence and much more. A couple of days time we are starting some major works and im looking forward to the improvments. Fishery has been quite busy of late which is different for this time of year and with the lack of icy cold blasts on the waters fishing has been good. A local angler Ashley Warr and his mate have made 2 visits Pike fishing last week and both times had a very good haul. First visit saw 5 fish between 6 and 15lb and second visit saw a 6 fish haul of 9lb to 16lb. Ive put some pics which im grateful of being sent below. As stated in an older post we have lots of new things in the line this year and followed his by annoucing 2 new brands for the shop ABU RODS AND REELS and BERKLEY LINES. If you saw the Christmas week edition of the Angling Times you would have seen a double page feature on the new range of Berkley Nanofil Lines. We can announce we have the full range of these in stock now and they do have to be seen to be believed. They claim to be the biggest new thing in fishing for the last 10 years and are amazing. They are not a line and also not a braid. Its a monofiliment and the 15lb breaking strain line incredible as it may appear only has the thickness of normal 4lb line. The diametres are stunning. They range from just 5lb to 50lb. If you are in the shop here ask to see them.

Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting

28/12/11 Match Results. Hope everyone had a good xmas. Match on the 27th had a cracking turnout of 35 anglers. Conditions were perfect all round. Colour was back in waters. A crazy double figure degree December night. Overcast and no bright sunlight and a gentle breeze over the waters. Could not ask for anymore and expectations were high. Due to numbers fishing extra pegs were put in that were not to everyones fancy going by the last months fishing. I.e Canal stretch and back of Main Lake but fears were unfounded as the small fish were feeding rampently everywhere. I think this would go down to one of the closest fought matches ever here and all anglers weighed. At the end of the day results were as follows. Overall 1st Ian Pauley 49lb 9oz Dead Tree Lake, 2nd Ian Brouncey 46lb 6oz Dead Tree Lake, 3rd Den Corey 44lb 12oz Trendles, 4th Nick White 39lb 12oz Trendles. Seperate section wins were Trendles Colin Parmen 27lb 9oz, Dead Tree Lake Mick Donohoe 26lb, Middle/Canal Lake was a dead heat split with 28lb exactly each for Kev Bennet and Terry Lenny, Main Lake section A Neil Saxby 29lb 12oz, Main Lake section B Dave Burford 29lb 13oz. A seperate silver fish pool was run although silvers a little dissapointed due to the amount of small Carp on the feed and this was won with Neil Simms with an all Silver fish catch in the match for 13lb 4oz Main Lake, 2nd Silver fish pool Scott Cousins 9lb 2oz Middle Lake and 3rd Darren Kempson 8lb 10oz Middle Lake. In all a very very close match with over half the anglers weighing in at least a mid twenty something pound catch. Thanks for all thoose that turned out to blow out the Christmas blues and a reminder next open match is Saturday Jan 7th. In the mean time any one want to arrange a group to do their own match we can always reserve a water at this time of year.

24/12/11 XMAS MESSAGE I thought it should not be just the queen who get to make her Christmas message so ill post one myself.

Chrsitmas eve is here again and next week we start what will be a very very big year for us here as we reach our 25th Anniversary as a Commercial fishery. We still stick to our claim we were one of the first in the country of what is now termed as 'Commercial' Fisheries and have seen much change in that time. We may not be the biggest but i quote from a feature in the Angling times early November. "Revels has to be the best laid out set of waters in the west country. A reel Mr Crabtree type fishery". Yes there were Dayticket lakes before us but while finishing school i had a dream of creating a one stop facility for the angler. Assorted lakes, shop, accomodation, refreshments and toilets all easily located on one site. So was born the fishery. On the exterior, that is what the angler sees while on site has been a cracking year in 2011 despite the ill winds that blow in from Europe effecting everyone. We strive to give value for money. We sell off early season breaks in our static vans starting from just £150 all inclusive upto 4 persons. A group of 4 anglers are just paying a mad £37.50 each for accomodation, with all electric and gas included and just about access all areas for the fishing which is walking distance from the vans. No loading you car up or trodging down rough country tracks, its all on one site and nothing else to pay at all. We give our residents free fishing on the whole complex excpet Trout waters and Catfish lake and this bullet proof recession busting price has kept it affordable for even the most hard up angler. Then while on site we have our large extensively stocked shop where we always have mad offers in excess of 70% off RRP. Just because we have you here we dont then do you with inflated shop prices. We are in full swing taking bookings for 2012 and can still take a booking upto end of Januaury with nothing to pay until Febuaury and then we just ask for a £65 deposit and remainder to pay on arrival. I would be a liar if i told you we have not felt the increase in Gas, Water, Electric and insurance prices but any booking made before 3rd Januaury we will still hold 2011 prices and even after there it is only about £15 per van increase. Fishing was fantastic in 2011 and i was very pleased with it. It appeared to stay consistant from Febuary right upto the beginning of December when we have had a couple of quiet weeks but im gathering this is everywhere. Still our recent run of matches have been well attended and catches reasonable and placings very close. We had one match of 14 persons and 1st was 40lb and last was over 20lb and many places there was only onces in it. Our Christmas match which is always well supported went well again although as said condtions were well off form. First place went to local angler Alex Murray with 44lb and Second went to local club match Secretary with 43lb 8oz a very close affair and a good bag of fish. The money prizes paid out and then last the customary draw where even if you did not win you can get you entry money back in draw prizes for everyone and this year we had enough to go round every one 3 times. One chap remarking he paid £20 did not win anything but still walked away with £40 of draw prizes. Pics below. Behind the scences here 2011 has been a tough year though with a lot of things to sort out. All this is now done and its full steam ahead and we are ready to make our 25th Year a year of annoucements.

I can start our year of news off on several fronts and tell you that we have just secured a new holiday van for this year one ive wanted to replace for a couple of years now but just a case of finding the right one. This will be installed shortly. We have also just in time for christmas stocked our largest ever single introduction of new fish and this has seen the arrival of nearly half a tonne of mixed Carp. In the tackle shop im proud to annouce a introduction of a new brand and thats ABU equipment and Berkley lines and braids and i have several more new ones in the pipe line. These will come in over a slow introduction. Also we shortly have some major works on the waters beginning. Fishing will be open as normal through this time but please be sensible in areas where it is obvious where work is taking place.

LAST OF ALL I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A CRACKING CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR. ALL THE BEST

JASON, DEAN & ED

Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting
Picoodle Image Hosting

KEY TO PICS Alex Murray Xmas match winning bag, Jeff Sibley 2nd Place bag, The xmas draw table, A sample of the huge new introuduction going in.

28/11/11 Quick update and last minute reminder our Annual Christmas Match open to all abilities is this Saturday 3rd December please book by Friday evening. Again we have a huge prize table of goodies and will keep drawing after the match until its all gone and dont forget the complimentary prematch breakfast all included in the entry fee. Thats this Saturday and then we will be busy next 2 Sundays while out local affliated clubs hold thier annual chirstmas shin digs as well here. There will still be waters open for day anglers though. Our Tueday friendlies are getting very good support as well ring the fishery if interested in any of these. Fishing has had a quiet week with fish having to be worked hard on but yesterday appears to be comming good again with some cracking Roach showing along with bags of Carp and small Bream. Mild weather is continuing and looking good for a run of good fishing. Dont forget Catfish/Specimen lake is available on the normal night ticket upto end of January. Paid off couple of days ago to a Wemouth angler who i forgot to take the name. Him and a mate did a 24hour session for 14 Carp most to low doubles and even a 16lb Catfish. So still time to take a Cat or two before winter comes in to hard. Pike anglers are picking up a few jacks from all the Pike waters and again remember you can fish Catlake for Pike on a dayticket provided not booked out to a Carp angler until end of Jan as well.

Ive just put our holiday opening hours on the front page and basically we are open from at least 7am throughout except Christmas day. Some day we have a floating closing time and we will judge it by how busy we are in the mornings and the weather so do check about closing times. I have again been asked by an angler or two if they can fish on Christmas day. Yes you read right!!! Actually in most of our 25 years here we have had a few on Christmas day. Basically can be done but i need to know in advance and log you in like a night angler. Also usually if im about and i see a customer ill serve one regardless opening hours but on Christmas day you better get your bait the day before as i aint comming out!!!!!!!.

We are busy taking provisional holiday bookings for next year. Remember you can book your week and nothing at all to pay untill end of Feb and only then a deposit. Any booking made before New Years day we will even hold this years prices.

01/11/11 November is here and the weather has stayed so mild compared to last year. The Carp are feeding well and our cracking silver fish fishing has not quite got going yet until we have some frosts. Local angler Alex Murray fished Saturday afternoon targeting the Silvers from Middle Lake. In the first cast he had a nice Roach, Second cast a resonable Skimmer Bream and in the next couple of hours almost a Carp a chuck putting together well over 70lb of fishin no time before calling it a day. Some very small Chub have been showing from Main Lake which is nice to see and bolds well for a year or twos time as well as the Barbel which are obliging well upto 1lb 8oz. Worm has been very much the bait all round the last week or so and it has been remarked the fish are feeding up in the water a bit but at this time of year even by the time i publish this write up on line all can change. We have now booked the machinary to make some exciting new changed to some waters for early January. Watch this space for further details. Dont forget 2012 is out 25th Birthday as a commercial fishery and we dont intend to let it pass without making our mark.

Holiday anglers please note we are now in full swing taking bookings for 2012. You can now reserve you date without a penny to pay until Febuary. Ring now make your reservation. We will then hold it until we speak to you in January and deposits need to be paid by end of Febuaury. Remember all our holiday prices are fully inclusive the whole van and all your fishing we do not charge extra's (exception Cat Lake) Its all included upto 4 persons and represents fantastic value in the uncertain climate.

Anyway we have had a lot of people asking for some competitions as well as others asking when certain ponds are closed to bookings so ive thrown the following diary together. Remember on match days other water are still open for normal dayticket angling and we also sometimes open up extra waters as a one off that the day ticket angler does not normally get a chance to fish as an extra special treat. At the time of writing we have a team in who are clearing the Catfish/Specimen lake yet again of weed so by tonight will be clear for the winter. We are running an offer until the end of January where the water can be fished on a standard 24 hour ticket charge without having to book whole water. And Pike anglers can fish it on a normal dayticket. Terms of this are the fishing has to be booked in adavance. All persons must park by tackle shop and club concessions do not apply. If you have ever fancied ago but could not put a group together to make it worth booking whole lake then this is your chance.

DAIRY WINTER 2011

TUESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 'COST LOW' OPEN MATCH £10 ALL INCLUSIVE

SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER 'XMAS OPEN' OUR POPULAR XMAS MATCH PRIZES FOR EVERYONE AND FREE REFRESHMENTS £20 ALL IN AND WE DO NOT TAKE A PEGGING FEE 100% PAYOUT

TUESDAY 13TH DECEMBER 'COST LOW' OPEN MATCH £10 ALL IN

TUESDAY 27TH DECEMBER 'XMAS WEEK HOLIDAY MATCH' Get out of the house and work off the christmas excesses on this bankholiday day. £15 all in

SATURDAY 7TH JANUAURY 'NEW YEAR SPECIAL' LAST MATCH BEFORE OUR ALTERATIONS START. £20 ALL IN

Our own matches if you wish to wish please book in before match day on 01300 345301

PRIVATE BOOKINGS

6 NOVEMBER STURMINSTER AND HINTON AC MAIN LAKE & DEAD TREE LAKE

20 NOVEMBER BOVINGTON LAKES CLUB MAIN LAKE

11 DECEMBER STURMINSTER AND HINTON AC XMAS MATCH MAIN LAKE + DEPENDING ON NUMBERS

18 DECEMBER DORCHESTER AND DISTRICT AC XMAS MATCH MAIN LAKE + DEPENDING ON NUMBERS

20 MARCH DORCHESTER AND DISTRICT AC WINTER LEAGUE MAIN LAKE

REMEMBER We are still open for Dayticket anglers on match days. Including alternative waters including Catfish Lake, Trendles pool and the Old Stock Pond all of which are not usually open to dayticket anglers.

7/10/11 Someone tell me where the summer has gone!!!!!. I had a phone call yesterday moaning i had not updated the website and i thought "you are right its been a month or so". When i came to do it i can not believe it was July i last wrote!!!. Anyway behind the scenes activities here that many customers are aware of are progressing well and once we are on top of things shortly we hope to announce some new water plans for the fishery!!! Oh yes we are off again. A lot of thought has gone into these expansions. Next year is the fisheries 25th BIRTHDAY. I originally did not have too much planned to mark this as ive had so much else to contend with as of late, i have been pushed however by others here to do something and hopefully if you follow progress the next few months there will be a lot of exciting developments and plans comming out. As said we hope to increase waters here and we have a reservation on a lovely introduction of fish for later this year. We also hope to get out refreshment facilities back on line here with something much bigger and more permanent and a little special. Should be popular with the holiday anglers as well as match anglers on a cold winters morning. The shop is suffering as we really cant fit a lot more in and we have expansion plans here as well. Talking of which We have just completed a large stock clearence of tackle through a supplier and sat on a lot of gear we cant fully display at the moment so the last 3 weeks i have knocked together several pages of colour catalogue listing some very very substantial deals in many cases well below trade price. I.e Maver meat cutters £14, Branded expander pellets buy one bag get one free some items discounted by upto 70% off RRP i.e. Cool Pike 350 rod RRP £45 Revels Price £13.50 yes thats right you read correct a Pike rod for just £13.50 and its stuffed with offers Coarse, Sea and Game although must admit more Coarse gear then then others but it is all there. Mail order available on all items and to get a copy check out the TACKLE SHOP section on the front home page. Catalogues also available in shop on request, but dont hang around, some of these offers that have come from this clearence are limited in numbers. Its first come first served and when they are gone they are fone. There is Trollies, Bait boats, ground bait, rods, reels its all there. Anyway back to 2012 plans. We may be doing something very special here and a possible well known face in the fishing world may be fronting it ,but its all early days yet watch this Space!!!!.

HOLIDAY AVAILABILITY We are now close to the end of our year. We have been pretty much solid booked since March. One of the vans is showing the wear as there has been a group in it every week since Feb and at the time of writing i am actively looking for a replacement and continue our policy when replacing these days acquiring a better spec of accomodation then we have before and im watching a couple of very very nice vans to replace this one. More news soon. Anyway we will keep our 3 bigger warmer better vans going as long as weather permits and are now offering any week break upto begining of December for a flat £145 all inclusive upto 4 persons. Thats per van inclusive, not a per person price.BARGAIN!! Its the same price regardless if its one or four of you. Remember we DONT charge you any extra for fishing while staying with us and its just about ACCESS ALL AREAS with the exception of the Cat lake. We will run this offer to arrive any day you want for a week not set Saturday to Saturday like our in season bookings and we can do shorter breaks if required. All subject to availabitily. Usual terms apply this time of year i.e. If before you arrive the water or lakes freeze up and are deemed unfishable then we will cancel break and fully refund any monies paid. If this happens while you are with us then we will refund pro-rata the remaining days. Lets hope for a milder winter then last year!!!!!! If interested in a late break give us a ring.

WE ARE NOW TAKING 2012 BOOKINGS SO IF YOU MISSED OUT THIS YEAR GET YOUR BOOKING IN EARLY FOR NEXT YEAR. ALL BOOKINGS TAKEN PROVISIONALLY NOW WITH NOT A THING TO PAY TO 2012. WE RING AND ASK FOR DEPOSITS EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR AND THEN WE ASK FOR A £60 PER VAN PER WEEK DEPOSIT BEFORE THE 1ST MARCH. THIS IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN THE EVENT OF A CANCELLATION. REMAINDER PAYABLE ON ARRIVAL.

All the waters have fished well recentaly and we had Bovington Lakes Club do an away match here last Sunday all anglers having a very pleasing days sport and good bags of fish and the 14 anglers found it a very tight event. DDAS Juniors had a fish in the day before and all caught well again. Barbel showing well at the moment as well as the odd small Chub which is nice to see. I have been asked and asked to do so open matches again and i must admit time has been a big issue again with everything else going on but as said above just finsihing a few issues behind the scenes and its full steam ahead for the next 25 years!!.

23/7/11Fishing has been mixed as of late like the weather. Small Bream have been showing thickly from most waters. There has been a notable surge of small green Tench from the Dead Tree lake which has been nice to see and bolds really well for some cracking Tench sport over the next couple of years from this water. Angler just last night fished on the outlet pipe on Middle lake for what he described as his best ever night session here banking a large amount of Carp from just a few pound to well into double figures and must admit ive never seen this water so coloured. Another angler has been targeting the Pike lake for our legendary fishery fish and has encountered a couple of cracking Crucian crosses pics below. The larger fish if not a cross would have been only a few onces short of the british record. We know there is some very very big true Crucians in here as well.

HOLIDAY AVAILABILTY AS OF 19/6/11. We have 5 units of accomodation taking upto to 4 persons and 2 which can take upto 6 persons so 7 units in all. Dont take this list as gospel and always still check with us to confirm, as after posting this we can still have some late cancellations or changes but to give some idea vans still available are as follows, dates from Saturday:- 2/7 1 VAN, 9/7 FULL, 16/7 2 VANS, 23/7 FULL, 30/7 FULL, 6/8 1 VAN, 13/8 FULL, 20/8 FULL, 27/8 2 VANS, 3/9 3 VANS, 10/9 1 VAN, 17/9 3 VANS, 24/9 6 VANS, 1/10 7 VANS, 8/10 7 VANS 15/10 7 VANS. We are prepared to do bookings for long weekends or less then a week from 17/9

19/06/11 Where is the year going. Since my last ramblings the fishery as a commercial fishery has turned 24 years old and we look forward to the quarter century next year. At last the run of dry weather has broken. Im not one to celebrate this as a rule but it was needed so badly. Ive never know so a run without rain.. On the whole our springs have held well and although a couple of waters are down a bit the best part have been good but i was getting concerned just before the rains did came in the end and what a terrible day last Sunday was. Fishing has been going from strength to strength and on the whole really pleased. Ive seen some cracking Catfish, Carp, Bream and Roach as of late. Just today there was a small private comp on Main lake and i watched the weigh in and saw one of our Barbel for the first time in a long time. They have been showing well but ive just not seen one personally for a while and just had to hear about them and 'wow' really impressed how they have put the weight on. We have seen a lot of very small Tench lately which is quite a pleasing site as well for the future as well as some bigger specimens as well. Another thing that has been very exciting is a catch of a Crucian Carp of over 4lb very close to the british record. Followed by a second of just under 4lb. Now i know i have stated before we have 'Potential BR Crucians' and this usually stirs up a hornets nest of emails arguing the toss about a true Crucian but i have seen this and there is a cracking photo to follow soon and i must say this really does look to tick the correct boxes. I also spoke to the son of the man who originally stocked this water as he is still a well known angler in the area and he confirmed they were bought as a true crucian some 22 years ago. So again i carefully use the wording we have a water with a 'potential' British record fish. All waters are looking good and our work is cut out keeping on top of the grass cutting. Shop is bursting at the seams and we are still offering some cracking deals and still have many half price items and a few as much as 70% off.

There has been some developments behind the scenes here and watch this space for some very exciting major things happening at the fishery soon!!!!!

14/04/11 How lucky have we been with the weather the last few weeks and what a run of good fishing we have had since mid Feburary. We have had the Catfish Lake cleared of weed and right from the day we re-opened on 1st March it has been wall to wall Cats and upto the time of writing every party booked on the lake with the exception of one has not failed to catch a Catfish of at least 18lb and the best run was in 20 hours fishing a pair of anglers from Weymouth banking 8 Cats including one 30lb fish and three 20lb+ fish 21lb, 25lb, 28lb, 31lb. They are really on form at the moment. The rest of the fishery has been equally good and mixed bags from the main lake have been cracking with some really nice Roach. Thoose that fancy the walk right over to the far waters are finding some huge Bream from the top one with one catch of 8 Bream the smallest being 5lb and a couple like dustbin lids. In all a really pleasing start of the year. Holiday bookings are busy and even with the extra room this year we are filling fast so dont delay in getting in touch. The newest van at the very top is also going down well with visitors. We have for some reason a wierd very quiet Easter and royal wedding bank holiday so if you fancy a very cheap last minute deal give us a ring.

I have had several people ask about any open matches at the fishery and ive been so busy myself ive not had time to arrange anything but i have given into demand and pencilled a small low entry cost open in for a mid week Wednesday 27th April that falls between Easter Monday and the royal wedding bank holiday Friday and i know a lot of people are off and looking for something to do. Ring the fishery for further details.

06/02/11 I cant believe a month of the new year has gone already. I must admit we got held up with a lot of our normal winter work with the poor Decemeber weather. As always our waters remained fishable when many others had frozen solid but we even sucummed to the frosts eventually. Although only for a short period and when we did defrost we had many anglers comming in for a good week after stating that where they would have fished was still frozen. Weather is very up and down at the moment along with the available fishing sport. Days when you would not expect it to fish it fishes its head off then good mild overcast coloured days when you expect to bag up you find yourself having to work for fish. Other days when you expect the silvers to be the name of the game the Carp switch on. That was the case with one of our regulars Terry Niblet of Weymouth who last week came in for what he expected to be a good day on the silvers after having a cracking bag of Roach to well over a pound from the same swim the week before only to find first put in connecting with a Carp and in the following 4 hours putting together a haul of well over 100lb of all Carp. There is no predicting it at the moment. We could just do with getting into a steady weather pattern regardless if its cold or wet or warm just something uniform. Since Christmas our huge Perch have been making an appearence with Alex Murray of Yeovil taking one of just about 3lb in a very very respectful haul of Silver fish to around the 50lb Mark and several others being reported well well over a pound. Strange how these big ones appear now and then dissapear for 10 months of the year. Few Pike have been showing to thoose targeting them with Smelt being favourite. We are still catching up with island and swim clearence ready for the spring but are getting their slowly.

Our holiday season kicks off this week with first visitors and all our accomodation getting a good face lift at the moment with another better van being added. If you are considering a booking this summer get it in sooner rather then later as we have never been so busy and already some weeks this summer are fully booked. I will do an availabilty update in a later update but dont delay. Dont forget its a late Easter this year and with the royal wedding being given as a bank holiday as well we have 4 bankholidays in just 10 days and we do still have availabilty around this time. All bookings are taken with a £60 deposit and balance payable on arrival. Depsite increasing costs of EVERYTHING we have more or less manged to keep prices the same with summer vans starting at under £200. Basing this on 4 people sharing thats just £50 each and unlike some angling holidays we do not charge extra for fishing. Within this £50 a person its just about access all areas as much as you want to fish except Catfish and Trout pools. As one of our feedbacks i found posted in a forum site stated for last year. 'I could not believe the price could be right i was sure there must be a catch until i went on the break. The only catch in the end was bags of fishing. Incredible value for money for a lovely break and a very friendly fishery'

Times are hard for many and ive had a big run of quality second hand stuff comming in since Christmas and sat on some cracking bargains at the moment. First come first served including FOX 175 STAX BOX £125, MIDDY 3G WHIP £75, MIDDY 3G FEEDER ROD £50, MIDDY 3G PELLET ROD £50, 2 DAIWA WHISKER REELS £35 EACH, SHIMANO MATCH REEL £35, MIDDY ROCK HARD 14M POLE PACKAGE AND EXTRA TOP KITS £125, DAIWA BEACH ROD £30 AND MUCH MUCH MORE CALL IN FOR A LOOK.

27/11/10 Appologies about lack of updates for some while. Just after my last update my mother here at the fishery past away and my work load doubled overnight in what was one of out busiest years ever here. For the first time ever our holiday vans for the main summer season 1st May to 1st October became a completely fully booked season with no vacancies and i appologise to many of our past customers who rang for last minute summer vacancies and we were unable to accomodate. Book early!!. We are working on extra capacity for next summer as i write but be aware we already have a third of our vacancies already provisionaly booked for next summer so if you are thinking of taking a break with us do not delay and get your provisional booking in soon. We take a booking provsionally now and confirm it early in the New Year. As stated without mother who was active here at the fishery my work load has been heavy but it is business as usual and we continue with many plans and ideas for the future. To put right any remours it is 100% business as normal for 2011 on the fishery. You have read it here!!!. Anyway winter has come in very quick and front page snowy pictures just taken this morning of writing this. At time of writing we are hardly effected by ice and remember due to our springs and unusal way are fishery is designed we are the very last still water in the area to suffer from freezing over and we also have a couple of tricks up our sleeve to help this as well and at the time of writing Main lake is 100% ice free.

Behind the scences we have been very busy and we have had the best summer fishing ever here and a few anglers i quote 'Best commercial mixed fishing in the area' One of our visitors a few weeks ago stating 'ive fished for 35 years and while here this week it is the first time ive sat in one swim with one bait and in one session ive landed in excess of 10 different species including 4 new personnal bests' We are not just about big carp but we have has several twenty pound plus fish show this year and after a lack of these in 2009 this has been very pleasing. Another visitor who would be one of our longest holiday customers stating 'In twenty years of holidaying here ive had good visits and ive had visits which have been challenging but this years break the best ever!!'

We have in the last 4 weeks completed 3 stock clearences from other outlets either closing or clearing excess stock and we are currentaly doing are craziest offers ever in the shop at the moment. Forget 25%, 33% off or even half price we have several lines of brand new items a mad mad 70% off retail price untill the new year only!! Give us a visit. We are open 7 days. During the week if shop door is locked we are only just about here somewhere and will appear.

15/05/10 First bank holiday of May went well. We were not packed but enough to keep me happy and this also helps the angler and the fishing in all problem free and really nice all round weather, people and fishing. First 2 days went really really well. We had several people fishing the whole weekend on the bankside and a couple even remarked they had to reel in Saturday night just to get some kip. Into Sunday night we had a bitter north east wind kick in and during the bankholiday Monday it got colder and colder and by Tuesday i found stood in the shop was like November again as it howled in the door everytime it was opened. This did substanially slow things up. There was still fish to be caught and good bags of silvers comming out as well as the first multiple catches of Barbel of the year but nothing like the form and sport we have had since easter. The north east breeze and progressively colder nights continued for 10 days. Last Wednesday night was a hard frost and our local tv even reported the coldest May night for 15 years+. I always say when conditions get harder quanity turns to quality this led to one of our permanent onsite holiday anglers 'Simon' taking his best carp in 3 years here at the fishery of 21lb 8oz part of a bag of 10 carp in just an evening all well over 10lb. He remarked the extra time the bait was out enabled him to get away from the pastie sized fish. During this period one group has had the specimen lake for the whole time. They finished up a couple of days ago and remarked a hell of a lot of Carp from 8lb to 18lb 6oz but they have had a Catless week and the only action on the cat baits was a few eager Pike. Such a shame as the Cats since easter have been so keen. (see my last update) and the frosts and cold wind has slowed them up. From the shop i can see a chimney and the smoke for 10 days has been the same way until yesterday it was all change and we appear to have dropped the NE back to a SW and what a difference in 24hours this has made to the water colour and fish action. The anglers of yesterday are back to reporting some cracking fishing. Next group of anglers on the specimen lake start this morning for a week and they are a group that know the water well so i await to see what happens there. Old Top Match lake has been producing some real bin lid size Bream throughout the colder weather if you can face the walk. Trout lakes have fished really well this week. I reckon some Trout have overwintered and grown on well as we a have just had a new lake record of 6lb 3oz caught in a 7 fish catch which included another of 5lb and all put back as it was a catch and release day. Angler catching this reckons lost another very big one as well. First 3 hours were fishless and all the sport in the last 2 hours and after switching to a buzzer.

31/04/10 Bankholiday is on us again and ive got a mad day ahead of me here at the fishery getting everything sorted. I know ive said it before in older posts but still cant get over how good the fishery is looking and for once in a long history really feel on top of jobs although still lots i would like to do. This has been especially pleasing in how well its all fished lately. Ive seen good bags from all waters. A few of our small head of Barbel have appeared again which was good and anglers remarks have included some cracking Roach to corn as well as some cracking bags of Bream. What appears to have become a very popualar spot on Dead tree lake has being throwing up some cracking mixed bags of Bream, Carp and Roach all to bagable sizes. Tench are sturing and have seen Golden and Greens apearing from Main and Trendles Lake. The old stock pond has been throwing up some huge Carp and i said last year they were heading to twenty status and this has been acheived with holiday residents here taking fish of 21lb and 23lb. Cats still showing very strong and some 24 hour sessions to 3 anglers producing over 10 Cats to well over 20lb.

21/04/10 Sorry for the lack of updates but i can only just say we are now caught up where we want to be about now and must say im really chuffed how tidy its all come together and smart the ponds look at the moment. Since Christmas and the snow and ice we have felt all our work we have to do each year at the fishery had mounted up along with a tidy up from our major works and we were running a good month behind. There is no doubt it was one of the hardest, coldest and wet winters ive had here in my 23 odd years at the fishery. We went into April wetter then we had ever been, but in the space of a few days everything has gone from winter to summer and it's all suddenly come together and looking really good. Im really pleased how its all come together and since Easter we have been rewarded with some cracking fishing. Specimen lake has awoken. I was getting concerned about the Catfish due to the cold winter and slow start to show, then the first fish of the year came out at 23lb 8oz and then its been non stop since. Ive manged since easter to promise everyperson who fishes it will have a Cat and so far ive managed it. At the time of writing the party on the water have had 12 Cats out in 48 hours from 4lb- 20lb+. Carp have been showing well as well and best fish so far this year was caught by a young lady from Bournemouth at 21lb 8oz from this water and Best from the Main lake was one of our regular anglers taking a fish of 24lb 8oz. The main fishery has been producing some cracking Bream and Roach bags even though the small carp are now feeding hard its still possible to target the Carp. The old Top match lake which is the deepest water on site, the Carp are a bit slower to start feeding but this has really give the chance for the Bream to show the best ive ever seen. One angler from Sturminster Newton recentaly putting a bag together with not a Bream UNDER 2lb!! and many 4lb+ specimens and a couple of the Monster Crucians that this water is capable of and i still stand by the potential for a record breaking fish one day. I know how rare it is to get a true true Crucian and i had a couple of people chanllenge this claim but i have just this week spoke to the son of the father who stocked these fish 20+ years ago and he said these were pure Crucian so only time will tell.. Lots of small tench and a few Barbel have also been seen along with anglers remarking on the ability to catch over 10 species of fish from one swim in one day and there are very few fisheries that can boast that.

Jeff Smalley with a better Feburary caught carp.

01/02/10 Cant believe first month of the year gone already. Fishing has been fairly busy as we have managed to stay fairly ice free while others have frozen up but water still very cold and fish have to be worked for although some good catches have been returned. Sturminster Club moved a river match to here and nearly all competitiors caught well and weights were very close. Conditions for the Pike have been perfect though and have shown this weekend the best so far this winter. Especially Specimen lake has fished well with plenty of double digure Pike falling to lures. Now we are fairly well recovered from the works im hoping to do some more matches this spring. Any persons intersted feel free to let us know and ill try and work dates that keep everyone happy. If you would like to run one yourselves then feel free to ask us and we will help you out.

28/01/10 WOW!! Have we been busy on the lakes. Really been getting on top of jobs, some ive been meaning to do for years. New holiday vans are delivered and being installed and basically a new year tidy up. Must admit shop has really suffered since xmas as just had no time to spend in there but will be sorting out the mass of unpacked boxes and new stock shortly. This week has seen 2 new stockings of fish from 2 different sources representing over 1/4 tonne of new fish. First was another large batch of small 12oz-2lb sporting Carp into Main Lake then we have had a stocking of 30 larger fish averaging 10lb. Also into the fishery we have had a handful of "Super fast growing strain!!" Mirror carp. These are offspring of a very well known strain of fish which ill refrain from naming :-). I have never stocked this super fast growing fish before . These fish at just 2- 3 years old are well over 6lb+. Personnally i dont like the shape of them and hence always stayed clear, but have given into pressure to try them out so will be watching closely what happens over the next couple of years. 20lb+ is supposed to be possible after just 5 years.

First pic 2 typical fish of the larger batch of fish at 12lb and 13lb. Second pic Dean holding a "Super fast growing strain" Carp and another 10lb fish in the foreground.

10/01/10 HAPPY NEW YEAR We have got so much done in the autumn right upto christmas week and more on top of things then we had ever been and ive been really please with progress on all fronts but at the time of writing the weather has thrown a spanner in the works. I was hoping to report another large introduction of fish comming this weekend but this has been postponed. Lakes are looking really good and we are getting on with jobs that has been on our to do lists for a couple of years and more but just not getting time to do but we have recentaly started to really get out teeth into these but just now waiting for the weather to come right to get on with these. Overall waters really do look good. Normally when the weather is bad as in wet we get on with shop work but during the freeze up and staff unable to get in not much progress to report here either execept to say we have taken delivery of out Middy order for 2010 and now nearly stock the entire catalogue of Middy equipment. We have also made a substantial order with Maver and especially there full range of seat boxes which i really think are market leading item in the fishing world which ever budget you are on from £69-£500. Just got to work out how we are going to display them. Hoping to do some more open matches soon and welcome anyone who wants a go at arranging one which we will give our full support and backing to otherwise i will arrange dates as soon as i get a chance.

19/12/09 NEWSFLASH Many of our regular holiday visitors know i have talked about upgrading one or two of our static caravans this winter well i have just put the phone down from tying the deal up on a pair of vans. So i can now officaly announce we are changing a two of them. One we have spent a lot of money on and is a bit special!!. Pics already on our accomodation page. Anyone who has asked for a brochure in the last month, im sorry for delay but have been unable to finish the 2010 one until we had decided what we are doing but these will now be posted out over Christmas.

17/12/09 Christmas is nearly here and we have been so so busy here the last few weeks doing all the work ready for a stunning 2010. At the time of writing the rain appears to have given way to some high pressure. Cold nights now may been ice will start to form on the lakes but it worth the scrafice just for some dry weather. The diggers and plant machinary finish on Monday for what has been a good session of work although difficult with the weather and as always we have run out of time so some projects will go on hold round to next year now. Of the biggest changes here is Dead tree lake which has been really transformed and increased in size by about a third. The new bays and island really adds some character to what was already a interesting water. This is all 95% finished but at the request of the digger driver some point in the spring there is half a days work just to finish this as it just got so wet to put the finishing touches in.. Some pics below of work done and if you follow the link on the front page and join a Yahoo group there are loads and loads of photos on there. We have also reduced the size of the point on the Catfish lake which greatly opens this water up and the Old Stock Pond which is used by our holiday residents has been again increased by about 30% and open this up into a much better sized water and then finally a new water has been finished just above this only very small but will be stocked with some interesting fish!! Now just need everthing to dry up and grass up ready for the spring. On the stocking front we have 3 new stockings arriving shortly the first of which will be first week in January which is a further 250lb of small carp and after this we have some larger specimens planned as well as some more Tench and some very large Roach if all goes to plan. Watch this space. Note although the area where we have done work is all a bit in the air at the moment that does not effect the rest fo the fishery or the fishing.

key to photos:- First 3 photos are of one angle of the Dead Tree lake extension being made. The first being after the water is let back in from the main part of Dead tree lake. Last photo is just as the last of the part of the point is being removed from the Catfish lake. Also showing 2 of our 6 hoilday vans we let. These 2 over look this water

Christmas match went well and we had a good turnout of 26 anglers. As a couple of areas were out of bounds due to current fishery extensions which are being made and also flooding a couple of the usual match waters and areas were not used and out of bounds so the anglers were spread around several other waters here. Fishing was an hour shorter then the normal matches here due to the lack of daylight, forcast weather and the amount of anglers to get round on the weigh in and we did not want to loose the daylight. Silver fish were the name of the game and it was silvers which made up 90% of bags and kept everything a very very close thing with less then 1lb seperating 7 anglers for 3rd place overall. Results were as follows. 1st on the day overall was Ian Brouncey 30lb 2oz 2nd Steve Tucker 28lb 12oz 3rd Nigel Bartlett 23lb 12oz 4th Matt Parsons 23lb 10oz 5th Jumbo Harris 23lb 5oz 6th Alex Murray 23lb 3oz 7th Kev Newman 22lb 15oz you can see how tight the placings were all made up of good sized bags of Roach, Bream, Gudgeon and Rudd although must be noted Matt Parsons had a cracking Golden Rudd of over a 1lb was was a shock for us and a shock for the angler as many were fishing pole with light elastic is Kev newman latching into a very unexpected, due to the target species being silvers and also the water being fished, a single Mirror Carp of 18lb 15oz was took a considerable time to bank on light elastic. Our recent stock of Barbel which have done so well this summer were disapointingly noted in their absence and could only be put down to the extreme amount of colour in the water from the flooding. Overall the day ended in the customary complementary Mince pies and Coffee with draw prizes awarded to every angler and then continuing to all had gone. A quick note and thanks to Sensas angling for donating some cracking prizes for the draw

23/11/09 I cant believe so long has past since my last update. We have had a very pleasing summer here at the fishery free from problems and grief which makes life easier i must say. The autumn went on well into October and the fishing stayed good. When it did all break it did so quick and the heavens opened. However we did make good use of the last of the dry weather and continued laying hardcore paths and upgrading swims round the lakes.

The 2 biggest most exciting happenings. Mainly as we have waited so very long for both of these improvements and that is our parking facilities have now been doubled in size. I appreciate there has been some frustration this summer as many times we have run out of parking room on the main complex but this has been well and truely put right. This is all open now but we are at the time of writing waiting for some heavy plant to turn up to put in the finishing touches. Also and still cant believe this as i have waited so very long and that is the power cable at the top end of the fishery which more our holiday anglers are familiar with have gone!!!! This has left the door wide open now for us to extend substanitially the Old Stock Pond and Specimen lake.

As said above we are awaiting plant and depending as always how things weather wise and money wise go this winter we plan a large extension to Dead Tree Lake. As well as Finish the car park and at the same time tweek a minor alteration to Main Lake and middle and then up the top with the time left on Specimen lake and Old stock pond. I know i talked about hitting Trendles hard this winter but this has been left on hold to 2011 now as we had not banked on the power cables going as we have waited over 6 years for this. Anyway updates when i have them.

We have had the first stocking of the winter go in about a month ago and this was a stocking of 250lb of 1lb Carp and we have furhter introductions planned as time progresses.

Due to demand we are doing some open matches here this winter and pretty much being organised round what the majority want. The first was a couple of saturdays ago in the most terrible conditions you can imagine and i nearly canceled half way through on grounds of safty as things were flying round like missiles and trees dropping as people fished. Anyway the few hard core anglers who held out it fished ok all things considering and first place was taken with 60lb exactly and second 53lb 10oz mainly small carp. While the weather is still seasonably warm the Carp are still feeding and while they are feeding we are not seeing the stunning bags of Roach and Bream of last winter yet but as soon as some cold weather sorts this out the situation will change dramatically. Contact the fishery for dates as i have them on 01300 345301.

Sample of new stock arriving. Click on image for full size pic.

Winning match bag in the worst condition possible and well earnt win

14/07/09 Quick update so very brief. All waters still fishing very very well. As covered on the front home page 'Back of the Landing Net' Lads have just filmed a short 10 min program here as part of the You Tube series they produce and despite terrible conditons has come out very well. Check it out on the link on our home page. In all although summer has suddenly disapeared fish are still feeding despite change. It has also taken the pressure away from us about worrying about lake levels. Although we were not in serious trouble i was starting to worry what another month of dry weather was going to do but anyway all in the past now as everything is full and fresh. Weather has ment the tackle shop has had a long overdue couple of days sort out as we have been stuck indoors and we have so many special offers here at the moment which have come from either wholesale stock clearences or where we have cleared out another shop i am looking at re-doing our tackle shop page on the website shortly but many items do go faster than i can list them on so do not delay in paying us a visit.

NOTE:- TESCOS HAVE PRODUCED A WHERE TO FISH GUIDE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ANGLERS MAIL THIS SUMMER WHICH IS AVAILABLE IN THE NEWSPAPER SECTION OF THE TESCO STORES. The first four pages of which are a guide to "visiting a commercial fishery" and they wanted to base it on a long established commercial fishery and with our 23+ years behind us we are amoungst the longest established "Commercial" setups in the country we were asked if the could use us. The feature has come out really well and if you are after more details and an independant feature about us you will not find better.

On the fishing front we are really on a high at the moment and even had a customer remark on having his best day in 5 years fishing here during the week and caught in excess of 10 species of fish in one session incuding a couple of nice specimens. The best bigger Carp fishing appears this week to involve a trudge upto the Old Top Match Lake. An angler staying with us from Poole had one very good session which included 20 double figure Carp over a couple of day fishing sessions best specimen 23lb 3oz. Smaller Carp are also willing when you get the bait right and local angling star Brian Preston chose our venue to trial a new paste bait and in just 4 hours took 53 Carp from Trendles Pool for a whooping 150lb of fish. However Carp are not the real stars of the show here at the moment this has got to be the Roach which are in a huge frenzy at the moment and im not talking small fish. I watched an angler yesterday evening on Dead Tree Lake which has never really been regarded as a main Silver fish water here taking a Roach a chuck using just the top 3 sections of his pole on Sweetcorn last night and i did not see a Roach under 12oz being hooked. Bites were pretty much instant every put in with the occasionaly Bream to over 3lb also making an appearence. With the fish feeding like this a lot of anglers are remarking you have got to keep the loose feed going in as as soon as you slack the bites stop dead. May the current level of sport continue.

16/06/09 THE RIVER SEASON OPENS Been awhile since my last update so thought i would just follow up on recent happings. As we are now getting very booked up this summer I have also put together a list which is accurate as of this morning for availabilty on both our static mobile home holidays and specimen lake to give a rough idea whats left as im turning a lot of people away at the moment because of lack of availabilty as this year so far has been an exceptionally busy one this is just a rough guide to dates as this does change nearly daily. We have 6 units of 4 berth static mobile home availabilty and dates left are as follows for a week starting:-

From October we will consider long weekend bookings again and we are now taking 2010 bookings.

All bookings made require a minimum £10 a day non refundable deposit at time of booking.

Overall its been a pleasant spring on all fronts the weather has been good although a fresh input of rain would not go a miss. The lakes are looking good and we have been busy and but not packed with the exception of the bankholidays. So no water has been over thrashed and thats kept the fishing at a good level. We ar enearly out of what i term the danger time each year of April to July where as the fish are at their lowest ebb of the year due to the stress of breeding, fishing and climate condtions if there is any likelyhood of problems it occurs then its the time of year mother nature sort the weak from the strong and generally natural selction takes place and this year has been so far perfect and all is looking good so fingers crossed just to get through the next couple of weeks. The fish have spawned well but not perfect as the Carp were disturbed by a bad Wednesday we had here a couple of weeks ago right at a crucial spawning moment so i dont think they are fully finished yet. Carp have been a little on and off this Spring and its all or nothing but the Roach Bream and Tench have more then made up for that espeically the Tench which have shown better this spring then i can remember for many many years and would nearly say you would have to go back to the early nineties to remember tench sport like it has been. Each year we get a suprise out of the blue last year was an Eel not everyones cup of tea but we dont get them here at all and in 23 years only seen 3 get caught and this year has been no different and thats been from the Pike Lake an angler catching a Golden Tench of all things just over 7lb in weight which has been a big shock this lake has also been producing other Tench as well as some really good Bream sport with the fish all 2-6lb in weight. Specimen Lake has been throwing up plenty of small cats of 3-10lb with then a gap to 22lb-30lb with plenty again caught around this weight. Best of the year so far 35lb 10oz and as usual lots of stories of the one getting away and 20lb braid being snaped like cotton!!!. Lakes looking good and grass cutting as always been a full time afair but should now start to slow down. A couple of swims i see do need attention as they have been well used this year so far and today im ordering some materials to put this right and as soon as we have time will be addressing this. Im already busy ordering and arranging some exciting new things for the 2010 season. More to be anounced in due course. Shop is full and busy and we have taken on a new range of baits "Demon Baits" this year which have been very popular and we are bursting at the seams with rod and reel deals as so many firms with the panic of the recession have been reducing their stock and we have been picking up lots of crazy priced items and passed these prices straight on to the customer.

11/03/09 Quick update to say weather is on the up and fishery has fished well this week although Carp still holiding in tight area. This showed Yesterday as local angler Brian Preston manged a 100lb+ bag of Carp from the Old Top Match lake and member of staff Dean hodder fishing the next swim struggled for well under half this fishing the same tactics. Im surprised over the years how well these slow but steady growing carp have done on the water and fighting value is second to none. Anyway we have finished doing any major works on site now to next year. Some jobs have gone well, others not so. But we continue our slow and steady pace of progress and gone so far the last 5 years.

If you have been thinking of booking a break with us or booking the specimen lake do contact us as soon as you are ready, as expected we have suddenly got really busy with bookings now with our credit crunch beating prices.

06/03/09

I awoke Thursday morning to the shock of a good 10 inches of lying snow which was a horrible setback as everything round the fishery was looking tidy and dry and i thought spring was comming.

This was wet heavy snow and the road past the fishery was closed for a few hours due to fallen trees and after i did manage to get in i was faced with a good couple of days clear up work due to the amount of trees that had come down onsite with the weight of the snow.

Anyway at the time of writing all is cleared its mild and just looking to dry up again now.

This has been a pain as we have so much to do for the summer and time is flying on. Anyway dispite this setback our latest stocking of fish still arrived as planned.

Friday saw a fantastic stocking of over 25 new double figure fish into the fishery topped by a specimen Common held here at 26lb 12oz. Even the smaller fish pictured scatered scale mirror at 11lb 2oz were some fantastic looking fish. This is a huge boost to the sport expected on site this summer.

Ive visted some fish dealers as of late already looking at placing orders for 2010 and must admit ive viewed fish of 15lb that were only 4 summers old!!! and expected to reach well over 20lb by next winter. These were being grown in purpose built barns with tropical year round tempertures and continous feed. As the dealers said the fish were guranteed disease free as never exposed to anything but personally i think they turn a horrible shape and i would hate to think what the internal organs are like being grown on like this. I know much is written about the merits of these different strains of fish and selective breeding and artificailly growing on. You only have to google search about this to read the pros and cons. Its been an interesting few weeks travelling round and at the moment my verdict is still out. In the mean time this new stock which has just been stocked above is all natually pond grown on fish and never been fished for. They are healthy hard fighting, good looking fish and will make someones day this year.

17/02/09 Just a few days since my last update and loads more going on here. Yesterday i returned from a long round trip with our latest new addition to the fishery.

Barbel which have been stocked into the main lake.

Lots more new exciting stockings to come in the comming months watch this space.

At long last we have had a rest bite in the weather and how quickly everything has dryed out. We have spent several weeks clearing out years of weed growth from the back of dead tree lake in the hope of being able to enlarge the lake and at long last after being parked up here since just after the new year the digger has today started on this project.

We hope to be able to add about an acre to this water and a whole new demension by carrying on our unique and unusal shapes which makes every swim unique.

We have a short window of just a few days for this work so ill update on progress in my next write up. This is all happening well out of the way of the other water so not effecting the onsite fishing as shown today by:-

Local angler Brian preston spent a few hours at the fishery today practicing for the next open match this Saturday and put together a very respectful bag of fish.

Just part of a 70lb+ bag caught mid Feb from Main Lake in just a few hours. Couple of good sized double figure carp and some others having been already returned before the picture taken.

09/2/09 WHAT A WEEK! I only live a couple a miles from the fishery and due to our winter weather only manged to get in a couple of times in the last week. The road past the fishery was actually closed over the weekend as just 2 miles up the road the snow drifted upto 4 foot blocking nearly the whole width. This led to Saturdays open match being postphoned. Next match will be as scheduled in 2 weeks and the cancelled match will be re-fished 28th March.

Dorchester and District Angling Club had one of their winter league matches at the fishery last Sunday just before the Snows arrived and expectations were low.

However depite the conditons the winning weight was a very very respectful 97lb of Carp from the Main Lake and a swim that did not produce in the open the week before. Thats winter fishing for you!!

Due to the weather we have got very behind with some jobs here and our new stockings and lake enlargements have been delayed so keep watching this space.

30/01/09 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERY ONE. Its gone from very cold to very wet here but nothing stops changing.

As mostly holiday anglers know we have one water "The Old Stock Pond" which is the only water on site to have a set of over head electric cables over and we have been waiting some 5 years or so now to have these removed. Out of the blue on New Years Eve we were informed that the electric board were arriving in 7 days to do the first stage of works and it was a mad rush to bring in a machine to dig the trenches which was our side of the deal. The new cables at the time of writing are now all buried although the work was wet and messy and we are now just awaiting the connections and removable of the overheads.

Once this is completed we can get on with plans to substantially increase the old stock pond further. This may be later this year after the summer.

While this was happening i could not resist while the machine was onsite to very slightly enlarge the Specimen lake in a way ive wanted too for a long time. This has worked well i think and although small difference it is really for the better.

There is also a chance in the next couple of weeks we may go for the plans we had for the far side of Dead Tree lake. We had not planned to do this for a couple more years yet but as things have panned out we have grabbed the moment to hopefully get on with this which will considerablly enlarge this water but ill tell you more in my next writings if this goes ahead.

We have a couple of new batches of fish on order and awaiting news of the consents and ill give more details soon. Some biggies!!!!.

We have been very busy on the other waters renewing swims. Pallets we are still slowly being replaced where needed with more substantial angling platforms. On the whole all lakes have had a lot of hard work put in and things are really looking good for the spring.

Fishing has been fair lately considering the wild swings in the weather. At the time of writing the DDAS match secretary has had 2 sessions on Middle lake this week both times taking 13-15 Carp in just an afternoon between 3lb-8lb on bomb fished Maggot. Our first open match was last saturday and was won by Alex Murray of Yeovil with 45Lb+ Condtions were not brilliant but some good bags of Silvers showed for the back up weights. One all Roach bag topped well over 20lb.

20 anglers fished and still open to anyone the would like to fish. Dates on home page. Weights on Dead Tree section were a close thing with only onces in it.

Sturminster moved their open match from the river to the Main Lake last week and it fished reasonable. Anglers had to choose between fishing for the silvers or Carp. One angler ended up battling a Carp of over 13lb on light line and the pole.

WINTER AT REVELS. ROLL ON THE SPRING

Picture 1 Looking down on Specimen/Catfish Lake just after recent small enlargement. Picture 2 Trendles Lake looking down and towards Caravan parking area. A few brave soles staying on site braving the winter weather for some winter sport. Picture 3 Looking down on one section of Dead Tree Lake on the left of the lake the rough ground being cleared for the possibilty of next weeks works.

click on images for larger pictures

15/12/08 Stop press at time of publishing this update we are awaiting news of a brand new exciting species of fish to be introduced to the fishery early 2009 providing consent is granted. watch this space!!!!!

14/12/08 XMAS MATCH RESULTS Today we had our annual club Chrismas match and considering the recent challenging conditons and the way it was fishing just 2 days ago and considering the very hard overnight frost im very pleased with the results. Many anglers came with low expections due to the poor results the week before when ice breaking was the tactic of the day. Fished over Dead Tree, Middle and Main lake there was a varied assortment of catches. All anglers returned plenty of fish from all lakes. Main lake produced the winning catch. From all Carp bags to some very respectful catches of small Bream and other silver fish. I witnessed several types of Carp, Rudd, Roach, Bream, Hybreds, Gudgeon and perch. 24 Anglers fished and results were as follows:-

Terry Dell. Pegged on the back arm on main lake. El Tel fished wagg and magg to catch 12 carp for a level 58lb. Many anglers were fishing light due to expectations of hard going and 3 of the larger double + fish Terry lost would have put this well on the way for a 100lb+ bag. Next to him was Jumbo Harris who fished a feeder to the rushes to catch 14 carp for 35lb 1oz. Ian Browncey bucked the trend and used his knowledge of the water to extract 31lb 4oz from peg 9 opposite the island consisting of around 20lb of skimmers with the balance smallish carp on polefished maggot.
Top weight on Middle lake was Ian Harringtons 12lb 14oz (one carp, silvers, waggler)and Nick White was top scorer on Dead Tree Lake with 22lb 14oz (carp, bomb and pole).

Lunchtime. 10 min recess for hot mince pies and mulled wine. Not the norm for an angling match but this is a Xmas match and not an everyday affair!!. An angler finds a welcome bigger Carp during the match. Problem being most anglers were expecting hard conditons and this angler had just a 2lb hook length on and this 6lb specimen took a good 15mins to bank. Jumbo Harris local angler was one to find a good hold up of Carp for 2nd place.

(click on pics for larger images)

Overall Main lake produced the winning bag but it was noted Middle lake and Deadtree lake all the weights could hardly be separated by an once or two.

10/12/08 NEW UPDATE AT LONG LAST This is a double update as i wrote the October one and had some technical issues and never had the means to publish it. Anyway all good now and we have had a cracking autumn here at the fishery. All the heavy plant has now gone and we have done some interesting new alterations which are settling in nicely. Out of the three new alteration one im over the moon with another which is ok and one im not sure about yet but overall nothing massive this year until we see how the pennies go with the loaming recession.

We are flat out now when its not to wet with 2 days a week working on the lakes. Mainly Main lake replacing worn out swims and adding some new ones.

We are continuing our policy of removing pallets as they get dangerous and replacing either with a hardcore bank swim or where this is not possible then we are putting in more long term swims made from treated 4x2. Much more labour intensive and expensive option but it does look really good. We reckon Main lake now holds around 28 permant pegs when we finish shortly and looks good. The silver fish fishing has been good recentaly and we have had a couple of really good club matches relocated to us and a good write up in the Angler Mail.

On the match front we are please to announce our forthcommng set of 5 matches (dates on the home page) And really pleased to annouce that Middy Tackle have put up an £1000 item of tackle for the angler with the best 4 results from the 5 matches. We are charging a lower entry fee then last year per match to help credit crunched anglers. As the series prize is sponsered each match can be treated as an individual open. Remember other lakes open as normal on match days.

10/10/08 NEW UPDATE AT LONG LAST I know its been a long long time comming but at long last ive time to write. So much has changed since my last ramblings and we have been so so busy. Last time i wrote big changes were afoot and most went very well and transformed the main lake but overall were cut short due to a drastic weather change and were making to much mess was so it was abandoned. Things quickly settled in and the new areas created in main lake were soon fishable and i was still very happy with what was acheived and got some very postives comments. Bascially on the fishery front and holiday vans we have been running at full capacity the entire spring and summer and i know there have been many disapointed potential customers as we have simply been so popular this year we have had no availabilty at all as its been a full book upto this month. Bad weather has very much dominated the year. Despite the rain and more rain the lakes have fished well. Odd patern has been the worse the weather the better the fishing. Bream fishing has been beyond all expectations and i cant understand why they have done so well and we have seen some really good bags of Bream from 12oz to 3lb+. Tench have shown better this year then for a long time with some nice fish to 7lb+ and one extra special pair being caught in quick succession in August. The 2 fish for over 12lb. Plenty of Carp to mid twenties showing. Smaller fish have been very prolific and at times these have been difficult to get through these but as the harder colder days come on quantity should change to quality. Last few weeks some huge Crucians have come out of the old top match lakes. Shop is bursting at the seams as ever. We had a problem this summer with the quality of our sea anglers live Ragworm and had several batches of some very poor quality worm which i appologise for but after a few phone calls this has now been rectified and its back to our usual high standard. Ive been off for a week and just before i went there was disturbing news of a confirmed outbreak of KHV at a local fishery and has lead to us implementing so new rules for a while. Basically anglers must have our personnal permission to use keepnets which have to be personnaly inspected first and all landing nets and mats and slings must be dipped in dip next to shop before use. A sad development which is a pain to anglers and us but im afraid a must. Also just before i went i had a surprise when asked if i was ready for any new developments by our local contractors who had an available slot and of course i jumped at the chance to get what was not finished last year and more all done this early in the year as it will be all settled before the winter comes in. As always, which is a running joke here now as the excavator was unloaded the havens opened on Sunday and again today but along with another item of very special heavy plant we have not used before here on site we have made some stunning progress today revamping and enlarging our very popular Trendles lake and at the time of writing im stunned we have achieved nearly a weeks progress in just one day. We also plan a few other small jobs this week and another adjustment on main lake and Dead Tree lake and also at long last and i know to the relieve of this summers anglers we are enlarging the main fishery car park as there were many times people could not get in it this summer. Lots more fish have also been recentally stocked with a nice introduction of 250lb of Carp into Main Lake and the 3rd introcuction since last wrote so the lakes are brimming with fish. I would also like to thank our anglers this year for our most rubbish free year ever round the lakes and it really does help us spend time on other projects like swim improvement when not on litter patrol. Anyway not long to our accomodation is drained down for the winter so just time if you fancy a last minute break and there are slots so give us a ring. As for the lakes we have put down lots of hard paths now and whatever the weather this winter fishing there are plenty of swims accessible with just a pair of trainers on. Although i know work is badly needed on the far 2 lakes (Pike lake and Old top Match Lake) and it is on the agenda. We did have to increase dayticket prices this year a little but still well below some other local fisheries and remember one price gives you access to most pools on the main fishery we do not charge for individual waters. Pike season is round the corner and we have lots of quality fish to be caught as well. For the first time since Easter we do have a few vacancies soon on the Catfish lake as well so in all no excuse to escape the worries of the Credit Crunch and pay us a visit. ;-)

10/10/08 NEWEST POOL ON SITE "TRENDLES" DURING RECENT ENLARGMENTS NOW TAKING FAR BANK TO NEARLY WITHIN CASTING DISTANCE OF TOURING VAN AREA (YOU CAN SEE IN PICTURE WE STILL HAVE A FEW DEDICATED PERSONS STAYING WITH US MAKING THE MOST OF THE AUTUMN FISHING SPORT!!). ALSO ADDING DISTARNCE BETWEEN MAIN SWIMS AND THE LONG ISLAND.

16/09/08 SAMPLE OF RECENT 250LB+ BATCH OFNEW FISH ADDED TO "MAINLAKE"

15/01/08 Christmas is out of the way and the new year is upon us and its all happening here. We are currentaly making the biggest lake changes since the fishery was built and all is going well. The Main lake has been increased in size with the addition of a new island. We have expanded this lake in 2 ways and now looks greatly enlarged following on from the little bit we did some 18 months ago. Im very happy the way this has gone although things are a bit muddy and churned up in the areas the work have been done in which is to be expected the way the weather is at the moment but the only time of year we can do work like this. One move that might not be at first popular with all but once viewed can be appreciated why we did it and thats the point has been removed. This has created much greater water area and a brand new island feature. The main reason behind this has often groups of night anglers have come in on a friday night for a weekends fishing and a group of 3 with 3 rods each have taken over the lake. This is no longer possible. There is still a good sized point to set up on but with the new features to fish from other anglers can set up on the other side and not be effected. Also once stretch of water behind the main island has been to narrow and grown over to fish. This has now been greatly widened and created several new swims. In all 30+ pegs are now possible very comfortably on the main lake which is greatly more then the 22 before. This would also now make for one of the most feature packed commercial lakes anywhere in the area. We have also removed a lot of our trees from the fishery and opened up the lakes greatly. The newest small Trendles pond very popular especially amoungst the holiday and match anglers has been slightly increased in size and a further new island feature added. The extension is only about a third of what was orginally planned for due partly to soil and weather restrctions but really adds a new character to this lake and also adds to our match cabability but again will take time to settle down and regrass over the area of extension. Despite the terrible weather this has all gone well and at the time of writing we start enlarging the specimen lake tomorrow. In all these 3 lake extension greatly increase our angler capacity. We are currentaly actively sourcing new fish which we hope to be stocking before the start of March. The Open matchs have been going well and well supported and some comments made on further improvements have been taken on board. We have postphoned this weekends match to the following week due to the very wet condtitions. Pike have been showing well and im pleased with the progress here. Last weekends match was fished on the main lake just before our works started and the bags of Roach caught were very impressive. Trout lakes have also fished well with one group of anglers returning 22 fish in thier days sport.

27/11/07 Autumn/winter weather is here and the fishery has very suddenaly gone much quieter although still a few dedicated anglers braving either very cold frosty weather or wet and wild. Behind the scenes things dont stop and we have just finished replacing our oldest on site holiday van with a much newer more modern van. We were very lucky and stumbled upon this van by accident but its huge the biggest we have ever had a whopping 40ft by 12ft and inside you would never believe you were in a van. This 6 berth van has replaced the old single bedroom van behind the bungalow. An old favourite i know to many of our visitors that knew it well but each year it was getting harder to prepare it for the summer season. Also this van being more modern its enabling us to stay open all year now with our accomodation. The last van to be replaced now in out ongoing improvements is the big double one at the top by the specimen lake and this is planned for later in 2008. Fishing has been up and down. Early November fished well and one pair of visitors had a stunning session on the specimen lake with over 20 double figure Carp to 21lb 6oz and a dozen Cats 4 of which were between 20lb and 37lb. As the frosts came in things have slowed right up but we are hoping this weeks warmer winds will liven things up again. The Pike have sprung into gear and there has been some good sport in multiple catches but you have to work for them. Silver fish feeding well and just waiting for our monster Perch winter sport we get here. Open coarse match planned for this Saturday and Open Pike match for this Sunday although forcast not to good. At long last and nearly 2 months late we have been promised the heavy plant machinary for next week to start on out lake enlargements and a few alterations although scaled down now from my original plans of a few months ago its still enough for some big changes. Full details and pics in next update.