Well last week I joined a small syndicate down here in North Devon after being introduced by the proprietor of my local tackle shop. Two lovely lakes out in the Devon countryside, well away from the hustle and bustle and stocked with rainbows at about 1 3/4 lbs from March to October.

The photos below show the top lake and my first overwintered fish at just under 3 1/2 lbs. Lovely tail and fought like a demon. On spooning it, it was full of Corixa and was taken on a small black nymph. At times, life can feel very good.

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Duirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite

Nature is by and large to be found out-of-doors, a location where, it cannot be argued, there are never enough comfortable chairs. Franz Lebowitz

Looks fantastic mike, a real hideaway. Nice fish too.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

Cheers MrTrout, yes it's a beautiful spot and with only just under 40 members, a nice size. I've met just a few members and they seem a really nice bunch, so I consider myself lucky to have joined.

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Duirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite

Nature is by and large to be found out-of-doors, a location where, it cannot be argued, there are never enough comfortable chairs. Franz Lebowitz

I joined a small syndicate up here several years ago, only about ten members.
It was a lovely spot as well, but the fish never overwintered well and it was always under attack from Gooseanders etc.
Main problem I think was the lack of depth, only about 6ft at the best.
Summer lack of oxygen and winter frozen over, so we packed it in, as it was loosing us a lot of money.
It's a coarse fishery now and doing well I think.
Your water looks like you might be able to do a bit of stalking there, with a watchful eye out for the back cast into the gorse bushes.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

We've got about 14-15 ft at the deepest parts of the lakes and the fish obviously do very well, today I was fishing with another guy who caught a fish of about 4lb which was absolutely full to bursting with eggs, lovely condition too.

They have had a problem with the odd cormorant and apparently one member came face to face with an otter tucking into a trout on one visit. So it looks like being an interesting spot to watch wildlife, let alone fish.

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Duirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite

Nature is by and large to be found out-of-doors, a location where, it cannot be argued, there are never enough comfortable chairs. Franz Lebowitz

I'm also [more than] a bit envious, that is a cracking fish in superb condition and would form the basis for a nice banquet - never managed to find a good stillwater syndicate in Derbyshire - but the club I belong to do have a few small lakes tucked away - no fish like that though, as the rainbows tend to disappear v.quickly...some nice wily brownies though so not too bad.

The setting of the water looks great - our lakes are all surrounded by overhanging trees - but then it's no fun if it's too easy.

but if there is anyone out there needing a new member on a nice syndicate water in Derbyshire, then I'm available, please PM me....[what a fishing tart I am].

Anyway, please do keep posting pics like these...

Well done, seems a absolute gem. Enjoy your new role and fishing opportunities