Thinking stillwater (but open to day ticket river / grayling ideas) highly likely to have a day or an evening (or two) Thur / Fri this week near to Carsington Water - looking for bank fishing (which unfortunately rules out the obvious Carsington itself) and so nearby roughly in order of distance looks to be:

Alton Manor Farm
Yeavesley Estate
Press Manor (been there before)
Foremark
Blithfield

Anyone fished them recently - thinking bank fishing not boat - Alton would be most convenient, Yeavesley sounds interesting, Foremark seems to be saying it's still not bad from the bank at the moment ??

I could just pick randomly from hat but any up to date info appreciated - too many choices for the time available !!!

cheers - Paul B

Hi Paul
I fished Foremark saturday afternoon (hot 26+) from the bank.
From the sailing club all the way round to hut point there were fish in close.
I managed 4 on a single dawl bach casting to fish I could see feeding close in. (some only 10ft from the bank). The fish were in about 2 ft of water and when I spooned one it was full of tiny snails.
The fish went well in the shallow water.
Wellies or waders required as it was a bit muddy at the waters edge.
Unfortunately whenever I got a fish-on a boat appeared in front of me and the fish moved on.
Good luck.

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ADE - Not fishing often enough

Thanks for that info - much appreciated !

Sorry to hear about the boat invasion though - were you ever tempted to hook some lively weed in an otherwise dead area to distract the armada in the wrong direction ......

Thanks for the pointers - will see what the end of the week brings !!

Cheers Paul.

So if it's going to be windy at end of week - guess Foremark may be tricky from the bank so Yeaveley & Alton Manor Farm probably more sheltered - anyone been to any of them last few weeks ??

Cheers Paul.

I did a stint at Yeaveley last week and even I managed to catch. Its such a small lake however that I think it was a fish suicide rather than anything to do with angling technique or fly selection. As you point out nice and sheltered.

Its blowing 30 mph here tonight in Derbyshire so I can't see any of the bigger waters being much fun!

I fished the manifold on Monday and that seemed really sheltered from the westerlies.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

I've not heard any good reports on Alton Manor for many a year. Last time I fished it was a good five years ago. The water was the colour of drinking chocolate and not much coming out. Unless there has been a dramatic turn round word is they have let it go. Shame really as it used to be nice fishery.
Regards,
Dave.

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http://derbyangler.blogspot.com/

Thanks folks - I'll see how the trip goes and if the wind keeps up might go kite flying instead !

Flies by kite .... there there's a new technique .....

cheers Paul B

My understanding is that the owner has been ill and the Manor has now changed hands. Or at least was up for sale. I've not heard any further news over the last 6 months.

Thanks for the pointers - Carsington was well choppy in the wind on Friday so really didn't fancy anywhere too big and open, had popped by Alton Manor Thur evening, spotted a very weeded muddy pond and decided not to bother then realised later on google maps it was not that actual pond that is the fishing one but hey ho - so had day at Yeaveley and had a good day getting away from it all, landed one, lost a couple, missed several (possibly some just 'playing' with the fly) and really enjoyed being able to watch the fish and their different reactions to different flies etc in the clear water and learn't quite a lot through the day, had pond to myself so was able to try some 'comparisons' of certain things without disturbing anyone else. Enjoyed it there - nice little venue - looking forward to another trip to the area when I can and look at some of the other waters, perhaps Foremark.

Cheers for the help, it was appreciated - Paul B.