From the humble beginnings of a field where cattle, would be bogged in daily. Tractors and other farming equipment, would require extraction because they'd be up to the axles in mud. Who would have thought that this, is where the idea for a West Midlands jewel was formed?
That first field was Meadow Lake, here at Ellerdine Lakes in Shropshire. Owner Ed Upton made the decision, on 30th September 2000, to dig that first field out and discovered the spring that feeds three lakes within the fishery.
Now transformed into four lakes, including Marsh which initially was a Coarse Lake in 2003. This was netted and re-stocked with Trout, in 2005 and re-dug in 2013 to add depth to the Lake. Also having Lakemoor and Crannymoor Lakes makes for interesting fly fishing.
These four lakes spread over 20 acres, provide the visiting angler with a plethora of choice fishing, with each lake having their own charms, characteristics and individualism.
From these beginnings, where Ed had one big fish lake, on Lakemoor. He saw the spark in having big fish as an attractor to anglers. Land locked Salmon provided that spark and saw rumours spread, where fisherfolk were being smashed by truly awesome fish. A 20lb Salmon will give you a good run for your money. If you can get it, into the net?
Having planted the seed of large fish, capturing the imagination of most anglers, Ed then chose to stock all the lakes with big fish to over 20lb. A gamble, but what a great decision in changing Ellerdine Lakes fortunes, for the better.
Ed was stocking the lakes, with lots of large double figure Rainbows. Having had the foresight of building a first class fishery, he then had to find some other treats? Enter the world of variety stocking. Ellerdine Lakes now has Rainbows, Blues, Brown's, Tigers and a strain of Rainbows we call Purple Ronnies, from their colouration. All these trout breeds in four lakes and giving every visitor the chance to catch, "The Fish of a Lifetime".
Remarkable and something you can fall in love with. Sporting a new lodge for 2013 with enough space to cater for corporate fishing groups and have the catering facilities to match, makes for an impressive set up. The sausage sarnies are a real treat.
Having an on site tackle shop with tackle names like Airflo, Wychwood, Snowbee, Flybox, Flash Attack and many others, shows you can get what you want all from one spot.
Stepping out of the car, you can feel the wind whipping up and see the ruffled surface, on Meadow Lake. This heart shaped lake, with the lodge at the bottom of it, has a lot of character and turns out some cracking fish. With some nice Trout rising, taking something small just sub surface, I'm keen to get rigged up.
Malcolm Harrison is on duty as the Fishery Manager today. Dad of Mark Harrison, England International and a regular at Ellerdine Lakes. A very friendly chap, who has bags of experience with the regulars at the fishery. A welcoming hand shake then it's a chat and a brew then pay my £15 Sporting Ticket.
That's a great value ticket, considering what you could come into contact with? Believe me, there are some very large lumps in here. I should know, I've had more than just a few.
Starting on the edge of Tiger Bay (No, not the Cardiff one), I've set up two rods. On one an Airflo Super Dri Lake Pro, with just 10ft of Ultra Strong Copol and one dropper. In windy conditions, it pays to reduce the chance of tangles, by limiting the amount of droppers to one. Flies are a jet black buzzer on point and a skinny buzzer set at a foot from a black bung. You can see this colour, against the silvery surface of the water a lot easier, than any other coloured bung.
The other rod has an Airflo Sixth Sense DI3 and 14ft of G3 Flouro with just one dropper. On point is a Peachy/Yellow blob and on the dropper an Orange tailed Black low flash blob. Having two rods, means I have a good balance with my fishing tackle to cover most situations. All my fly lines are Airflo, as most know. They offer the angler value for money, on World Class products.
After some tentative tugs and pulls on the Lake Pro, I've change to the DI3 set up. Having had no other interest and if I'm honest, can see no buzzers on the surface? I've edged my way along the reeded bank flanking Marsh, about half way up. This area always has fish moving though it. The Trout lay off on a drop off, about 15 - 20ft out, so concentrating on this area can pay dividends. I get a wrenching pull on the blobs, with a very slow roly poly retrieve and stay connected!
A nice fish around 2.5lb on the black blob. The roly poly retrieve works because you can keep pulling line in, until everything locks up, then switch to the conventional grip.
Moving to the top left bay of this heart shaped lake. This bay is around 11ft deep here. Watching the long rear taper hang marker zip through the rings, I know I have more than 30ft of line on the water. A quick pull to straighten it all up, then slow long draws on the line and stop. The long rear taper marker is just inside the tip ring.
Pulling two more draws in, then I feel the some resistance, weed?? NO! With a really hard hit and the rod tip going down quickly, I apply pressure and the water boils. I can't see the fish yet, but I know this is strong and fishing 6lb G3, this fish is staying on!
After a spirited fight and several rattling flashes of speed, I now know this is a good fish. As it slides over the rim of my Carp net, I am elated. What a corker Rainbow and between 4 & 5lb this is worth waiting for. A quick pic for this blog then back it goes, to give someone else the rush, that I've just experienced. Superb!
I'm now situated on Spring Bay, which is the right bay and where cooler water enters, via the spring. Notorious for holding some right clonkers, I'm watching the line for any movement or hesitation. Another thing to look for, is a dead calm spot on an otherwise rippled surface. A sure sign of sub surface activity, particularly if it's near your flies and line!
A shout from Malcolm says my sandwich is ready. So, back to the lodge for a welcome break. Plus the chance of a chat with Ed! See who won the "Catch a Monkey" heat yesterday?
After a brief respite, a new fishing friend approaches, in the shape of Paul Jones from Newcastle Under Lyme. I'm now fishing near the pump just off Tiger Bay and flick the two blobs out and see the 20ft marker, just outside the tip ring. A quick pull to straighten up, then watch the line. I retrieve in slow draws, about 10-12 inches at a time and stop at the 10ft marker. Then start the retrieve again, when the line stops dead? There's no slack, then there's a thud and a big pull! What is this??
I then see a silver flash and the slack on the deck is moving fast. I reel in like a mad man! Having stood on fly line is past and watch it ping the fly out of a good fishes mouth. I do not want to lose this one? Holding the rod tip up, I get my first glimpse of the Trout. It doesn't look massive from here. Then it dives for the reed stems. A sure sign it's felt a hook before? Heading for snags. I apply light pressure and it moves out toward the pump and the stanchions that support it.
As I watch, the leader sizzles by again as the fish lifts toward the surface and I now see why this Trout is playing hard ball! It's an easy double figure fish with a nice tail. I ask Paul to grab my net, while I make sure I'm in a better position to net it.
Paul hands me the net. After a few hard pulls and several attempts at taking line, I manage to get the head up on the surface. As I keep up the pressure, this fish just glides toward me and over the rim of the net. What a rush! Elation, joy and just relieved it didn't come off? You feel those emotions all in the blink of an eye.
The black blob is in the bottom of the net and the fish can now recover. Mal comes out, to see the result of the commotion. Paul takes some pics, then I let this beast go back to the depths, for someone else. Well chuffed!
I'm now on the move again, following the track up the right side of Meadow Lake, heading toward Spring Bay again. As I approach the three angler stools, I let out a long line to the right and about 10ft from the bank.
A quick straighten up pull, then slow draws again. This time there's instant resistance and the thud, thud on the line. Whatever you think on Sixth Sense lines, they offer superb transmission down the line!
Some hard pulls and gaining line this fish comes straight at me! I gather all the slack and quickly subdue this very silver trout with the peachy/blob in it's mouth. Fantastic turns of speed make winter trouting just excellent sport. The cooler water sees to that.
As I move between the Reed cuts I get to within one cut of the corner on Spring Bay. I love this area and it's home to some great Tigers too! Because the Hawthorn Hedge behind is fairly low, a high back cast can get some good distance on forward cast. Forget the hedge and you'll be casting just your fly line. The leader and your offerings will be lost to the "Hedge Gods".
A high over powered back cast allows me to just flick the rod tip and watch my 20ft marker drop on the surface, just near the reeds to my left. Fish hog the reeds as a natural area of sanctuary and food, so they'll be watching. As I slowly draw the blobs up, I feel some resistance, keeping up the retrieve I see the silver trout flash away as it nears the surface.
I re-cast to the same area but nothing! Casting to the right with the same line length and tactics, as my 10ft marker nears the reeds, I lock up! Great stuff! Another nice fish hits the peachy yellow blob. After a frenetic quick scrap, this fish drops the blob in the net bottom and is back to join his friends.
Paul approaches and ask how the fishing is going? I pass him a Black Blob then after a brief chat bid him farewell and the best of luck. A nice chap.
What a day! I was only after a Trout pic for this blog, then what should have been a pleasant easy day, turned into one the best photo opportunities I'll ever have in Winter trouting, at Ellerdine Lakes.
Winner of the Total Flyfisher Favourite Small Stillwater - UK award 2013. It's easy to see from an anglers point of view, why the fishery is the jewel of Midlands.
Have a look through Flyforums on the Stillwater Updates. Browsing the forum, can give more ideas on what's happening at the moment and keep you current, regarding flies and techniques. Click the Ellerdine Lakes link at the beginning of the Blog, for website info, contact numbers, catch albums and future events.
Ed & Jayne Upton, with the Fishery Support Staff, work really hard to build and maintain a superb fishery for you and me. Why not pay them a visit? I'll guarantee one thing. Once you've made the initial visit, you'll be back!
"Come to Ellerdine Lakes and Catch the "Fish of a Lifetime".
Thanks for taking the time to read this
Best regards
Stuart
