Hi All

Since the first of March I've been a member of the Warwickshire Fly Fishers. I started fly fishing after a very serious bout of acute clinical depression in 2009 but didn't really get going until 2010. Because of the nature of my job (I'm a Vicar) I can often grab a couple of free hours two or three times a week but find it hard to get a whole day off. With that in mind I decided to stop paying day ticket prices for what often turned out to be a lot less than a full day's fishing. Also, by having a club membership I don't feel I have to get my money's worth on any given outing: if it's cold or if the fish are all asleep or my wife phones with an emergency I can just pack up and go home without feeling I've lost anything. It’s nice to fish without any sense of obligation.

WFF have four lakes - two at one spot and two more at another, both locations being only a couple of miles apart. They also stock and manage a stretch of river. These waters are all in the Hinckley / Nuneaton area so although just inside Warwickshire they are also very close to the counties of Leicestershire, the eastern part of Staffordshire and the southern side of Derbyshire. The cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Leicester are all nearby.

So why am I writing this? Basically, to recommend the club. In the three weeks since I’ve been a full member I’ve never had such good fishing. Each of the four lakes has a different feel (bank, depth, weed, wind etc.) and there’s a pleasantly “wild” feel to it (watch your backcast – I’ve lost flies to the bushes and trees!) I’ve also had a new personal best (8lb rainbow) and met some really nice people (the bailiffs are very helpful and know the waters like the backs of their hands: if they recommend a lie or a fly then listen to them!) I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that in three weeks I’ve been a member I’ve been nine times (well, it *is* a new relationship – the romance is still fresh and we’re in our honeymoon period. That’s my justification anyway.) Full membership also entitles you to two fish a week, should you so wish.

I would be happy to show any prospective members around. A guest day ticket is £16 – refunded off the cost of your membership should you decide to join. Full annual membership is £290 (at one visit per week that’s £5.60 a time – bloody amazing value). I should add that if someone joins through another member (in this case, me) then that member gets a reduction in their renewal subs for the following year. That would come in handy (every little helps etc.) but that is not my main motive for writing. More members means a bigger, better club.

It’s probably fair to say that that average age of the current membership is middle aged so some new blood might not go amiss! (For retrieving all those flies from the trees for the gentlemen of a certain age.) That said, there are younger members too. Membership is not massive (certainly considering that there’s five waters, including the river) – many times I’ve had the place to myself and not seen a soul.

Anyway, more info available from me and/or their website Home - Warwickshire FlyFishers Club

Thanks

Oliver

Thanks for the replies to this - if anyone else is interested let me know.

Now that Easter is over (a busy time for me) I can take guests on day tickets.