Afternoon all - anyone fished Blackwool?

I have not been there before but was thinking about giving it a try on Saturday - limited info on the net but indications are that it is a good well kept fishery with some mid to large fish.

Any views???

Not fished Blackwool Lakes but here is a report from another member which could be helpful.

I went there today & fished the lower lake.

A couple of things I didn't like were the rather un-aesthetic cctv cameras on display.
I even noticed a personal infra-red detector on one of the trees at the bottom of the lake.
Being a big fish lake, maybe some c & r naughtiness is going on, or maybe just blatant stealing?
Perhaps there's gold at the bottom of the lake? Not the most welcoming site at a trout fishery set in otherwise beautiful countryside...
Also, the rather large shiny green aerator in the centre of the lake is less than quaint.

Those perhaps minor gripes aside, here's how I found the place.

On arrival I was met by a large group of ducks, geese, moorhens & pheasants on the road leading up to the farm. Very nice.
The entrance is by electronic gate & there are notices saying that the gate will lock automatically 20 minutes after the fishing time ends.
The parking & the lodge are fine. Plenty of room to relax, with tea & coffee-making facilities.
I spoke to the bailif and he said that the lake had recently been re-stocked with 2 16lb fish in addition to some big 'uns that were already in there.
Throughout my visit I was the only angler at the lake.

I set-up then trundled down the bark-chip path towards the big fish lake.
On my way down I could see a few signs of some very big fish moving. The kind of large, deep swirls that 2lb'ers simply can't make.
A few fish actually jumped & I could clearly see they were 6-8lb.

When I actually got to the lake side I could see a few fish in the margins. These were smaller - perhaps 3 to 4lb. Water clarity is rather poor & I could see some patches of weed/bottom around 20 feet away from the bank in the shallower areas.
I could also make out rather large shadows slowly moving just below the surface.

After a few casts getting snagged on pond weed, I decided that the best option was to use a floater with a heavily leaded nymph but with a rather shorter than usual leade, to avoid the weed problem.

The lake isn't particularly deep & within a few minutes I had my first fish, from the far (dam) end. This was a 5lb 8oz fish, taken on a GRHE, using a figure-of-eight retrieve.
I took the next fish, near the infra-red detector(!) also on a GRHE - a 4lb'er which absolutely smashed into the fly.
As it was only about 10:00, I decided to look for any fish I could see in the few areas with good visibility.
I spotted a group of fish, with 1 blatant giant, just to the side of the aerator.
By now I'd changed to a leaded seal's fur damsel nymph. 2nd cast & wallop! Another 4lb'er.
After having a rather leisurely lunch I trotted back down to the same place & I could still see the large fish basking in a similar position to before.
2nd or 3rd cast & bang! My 4th fish & another 4lb'er.
It was only 13:00 & I'd had my limit. Didn't manage to hook a monster, but I did have a good time all the same.

BK

Ive fished it a few times, not a massive fan as each time i've been there the water's been like coffee and impossible to stalk. fish can be caught all the lake round but i've had the best success off the RH bank as you stand on dam, particularly among the trees and the dam end.

Been a few times, find it better in the colder weather to be honest, but is hardly a heatwave so you may be OK, Thought it was a bit pricey to be honest, but then I am a tight fisted old hit.

Let us know how you get on, always of interest.

Cheers

OTT

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thanks all for the info - didn't make it in the end but aiming to get over there this weekend so will upate the forum on what its like

Any info mate? Thinking of going tomorrow, the lady on the phone was honest and said it's not fishing great at the mo which is what i thought.

Finally managed to get down to blackwool farm on Saturday. I probably won't be going back anytime soon. There were 6 anglers in total all fishing the 'big fish' lake 4 of us caught and as far as I'm aware 2 blanked. I went to the dam straight away and was fishing for about 10 minutes when someone came and was about to fish 10 yards away from me and I explained our lines would be crossing if he started to fish there and he miserably but kindly offered to swap places. I must have nicked a regulars spot *tut tut*. After about 2-3 hours of no joy from for angler on the lake I decided I'd have a cup of tea. Went to the shed/clubhouse and the young boy that took my money for the ticket (£50 bloody quid!) told me I'd have to ask the other guys what has been working fly wise, ok I thought. The other guys never turned up. After my break and a couple more hours I manage to get my first take and land an 8ib'er at the opposite end to the dam! Equalled my record! So I was happy with that but not the fishes condition! Horrible tail and blood spots just in front of the tail?!? Got another 30 mins later of about 3ib's and at about 2pm I called it a day! Not sure at all about blackwool I think it's overpriced and the young lad that worked there certainly didn't seem too helpful and there was no one else in sight & the water looked cloudy like a carp lake so not a chance of stalking. Just my opinions mind.