I have always wanted to own and run a small stillwater fishery. I would want clean, gin clear lakes first and foremost, which i would stock with a variety of brown and rainbow trout of all sizes, from very small to very large. I have had half an eye out for an opportunity to arise, and i notice that Rockbourne is on the market. Now, this place seems ideal to me, and is even in the right part of the country. I don't have the means to buy it, but am not a million miles off given bank support etc. Basically, seeing it for sale has rekindled my dream to one day acquire such a place as it must be healthier for body and soul than sitting behind a computer. I am a fanatical fisherman, and think i;d add some real personality, enthusiasm and character to fishery ownership.


My question is, to those that have tried it or thought of it, is it as difficult/nightmare like as others have made out. People say they do it only for love and that the downsides are many. To me it seems idyllic.

What say you?

Hi Brownie Basher

I don't own a fishery but I have run a private fishing club for eight years. The fishery is a twenty acre reservoir at the foot of Pendle Hill, Lancashire.
I am also fanatical about fishing so running a club seemed perfect. I am fortunate that I have retired but for a number of years I worked as an estates manager and ran the club in my spare time.
The difference between my job and a public fishery is that I have to look after 44 members, recruit members, organize meetings, working parties, and events. Looking after the water is fairly straight forward although the club has to put up with constantly falling water levels as the reservoir is drinking water. I govern the stocking policy and have over the years fine tuned this. We have native brownies and rainbow stockies up to four pounds.
Poachers are a constant source of aggravation and the Club have two bailiffs and night time patrols.
I love my job as it involves all that is best about fishing. The members are my friends and as a club we get on well. I publish a monthly news sheet of four to six pages. To let my members know what is going on.
A treasurer and I handle finances and the Club pays its way and we have a reserve fund.
It could be a worry with a public fishery that it would pay its way and provide you with a suitable income.The job is a seven day a week one with long hours. It is also seasonal as not many anglers fish after November till March. On the face of it the job of running your own fishery sounds idilic. But whilst others are fishing you may have to work.

Best of luck with your dream.

BK

I've known a few people that have run such idealics.
Down side, can be very long days in height of summer, totally boring in mid winter. Depending on water, can be very hard work maintaining things.
Up side, very sociable job, nice surroundings, do what you enjoy best (as long as you don't get bored which some can do and switch off from fishing altogether, too much of a good thing).
Remember, you get good guys and then the bad guys.
Finance is a major issue. You need to meet overheads, insurance etc. Do you want a wage? Are you prepared to take a loss if running as a hobby?
Is there a good angling base locally? Plenty of fishermen wanting this type of fishing.
Are you going for day tickets, season tickets or mixture of both?

Best of luck with what you decide.

Browniebasher,

I've never fished the place but I'm sure Rockbourne has had a slating on these forums in the not too distant past - just run a search for Rockbourne threads.

I'd be inclined to ask why it is up for sale, and what the local anglers think of it. Is the bad press and associated lack of popularity the reason for sale?

Best of luck whatever you decide.
Brian

The more recent reports seemed to suggest an upturn - in fact I was thinking of visiting.

Brownie Basher, have you thought of trying to form a syndicate?

IMO fisheries go downhill when the sport is poor. People don't come back if they haven't had a good time.

BK

Thanks for everyone's comments. I have been discussing this with the wife for a while now, and she's all for it. (in theory at least)

I remember Rockbourne when it was Lapsley's fishery and it was clear and highly regarded. there's nothing to stop it returning to that glory given the right attitude and work.

I have thought about syndicating, or even looking for capital elsewhere but the idyll is to have a few lakes, and a couple of small cottages the wife can run for fishermen wanting a longer stay/b&B, much like Abigail does at Tavistock. it would need to at least wipe its face as it'd be a full time job and only source of income. (i wonder about supplying fish to other fisheries)

I always thought a brownies only stillwater like Bridge Farm in the 90s would be a good idea, but research has shown that people are not all as obsessed as i with our spotty friends and want to catch rainbows.

One day!

---------- Post added at 02:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:06 PM ----------

Look at Avington, had a shocking couple of seasons in 2008/9 and was left well alone. now totally unrecognisable after the 2010 season. people have short memories...

Its a huge undertaking running a fishery but i like the idea of having holiday cottages chalets as your main priority and hopefully the fishing side keeps its self going, i was talking to manager of Lochter fishery near Aberdeen and to me this place is heavenly ,mowed grass clear water,excellent fish a bar restaurant,and a host of other outdoor activitys from go karting to digger driving and all the corporate events however he told me the actuall fishery runs at a loss and its the other interests that keeps its running i was flabergasted as this place was named fishery of the year 2006 i beleive,and its no fun sitting midweek for 1 or maybe no anglers to turn up for long hours and you got a £10 c&r ticket for yer days takings,then also you gotta look into the maintenance of the place and whos gonna run it take tickets fix paths clear tons of weed in the high summer if you take ill god forbid or are unable to attend due to 1 reason or another,but i wish you all the best whatever you do and i hope i dont sound to pessimistic in dashing your dreams .atb Johnny!!

From what I've heard and read running a fishery won't get you rich. But if you have the means then go for it.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams ! Live the life you've imagined". Thoreau
Best of Luck

__________________
Eddie
"We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation."
Voltaire

Alex, If I was in your poistion I'd definitely seek out a partner to share the risk & responsibility.
If you decided to buy Rockbourne, you'd have to have a significant cooling-off period when all the prep work that needs to be done could happen.
Then you need to re-launch the fishery in the trade. Things like invites to TF & T&S journos & some decent advertising. A few big splashes in the monthlies could do wonders for business.
If you didn't make a large initial spend in these areas, I feel that you'd be doomed to failure, since the current owners have tried to turn the tide, but ultimately decided enough is enough.
Good luck, whatever you do. If you owned the place, I & a few others would certainly visit & try to remove some of your brownies!