Idyllic-looking waters amidst lush surrounds are often typical of the private lakes scene in the UK.
In my travels around the UK, I've developed this habit of Googling ‘flyfishing lakes near me’, on the off chance I can sneak off for a few hours from whatever I'm supposed to be doing. This has proven to be an almost foolproof tactic. It has allowed me to meet some nice folk; not just the other fishers but also the proprietors. At one particular location near Monmouth, I was made a passable cup of instant coffee and had some exceptional bacon fried up for a sandwich. All while I was getting my gear ready and eyeing off the on-site tied flies. These private lakes always seem to be in verdant valleys, with huge trees for shade, and with plenty of opportunities presented to cast a fly to big cruising fish.
My most recent indulgence was a visit to Tree Meadow Trout Fishery, which I found ten minutes from where my wife Cath was doing some horse work. I'd offered to sniff out a trove of pasties for lunch later that morning, but started Googling instead. (We consequently ended up going hungry!)
Part of Tree Meadow's larger lake.
Before I talk about Tree Meadow, I should mention the Troutmasters Competition. Started in 1979 by Trout Fisherman magazine, it is the biggest competition in Europe. There are categories for young anglers, seniors, and the still-working. If you fish on a Troutmaster water, you can have your catch verified to qualify for the national finals. Check out the official YouTube and Facebook pages for more information.
Tree Meadow is a Troutmaster water and has two lakes. The smaller of the lakes is catch-and-kill; the larger has a bag limit and allows release. I fished the larger lake. The fishery is beautiful by any measure. Mown grass to the water's edge, a lot of overhanging trees, plenty of dense weed, and obviously fertile lakes. John, the proprietor, briefed me on the rules and warned me that the fish were a bit sulky because of the warm summer temperatures. John was friendly and gave me the history of the fishery, which he'd built in 1989. It appeared I had the whole place to myself that morning, other than the friendly Labrador who managed to find a dead fish, which it promptly devoured.
The inflow - within a hundred metres or so of its vicinity proved a hotspot.
Out of curiosity rather than any other reason, I tied on an Elk Hair Caddis and caught a fish within a few casts. Success so soon, as any flyfisher knows, is often the kiss of death. As the hour hand spun, the sun reached its zenith, and after several fly changes, I almost pulled the pin. But I figured I had nothing better to do, so I spent a quiet hour doing a full lap of the lake, without fishing, just watching from under the shade of the many large trees. I saw a lot of trout, but it was the inlet of diverted river water which seemed to be the best prospect. Fish regularly swam in and out of that zone, presumably liking the cooler water. It wasn't the deepest part of the lake by any means, but I fished that 100 metres of bank for another two hours and caught several good fish, including a trifecta of rainbow, blue, and brook trout. I was also taken way down into the backing by a monster I didn't even see, and that knew exactly where the thickest weed-bed was. At least I got my killer fly back: a bead-head green and tinsel damsel.
Typical rainbow.
I left after a quick report back and chat with John, feeling relaxed and as if I had gotten good value for my $50 – which is about what you pay here for a day ticket on pretty much any public or private lake fishery. The itch was scratched, and I at least think I was a better person as a result; until I need my next fix!
https://troutandsalmon.com/where-to-fish/21-great-british-and-irish-trout-fisheries-to-try/
