Hello all and thanks for reading my post.

Just returned to the sport after a 20 year lay off.

Would any of the members in the UK please advise of any good waters in say an hours ride from Liverpool? I ride a motorcycle, so light travelling is essential, I use a 7 piece 7/8 rod and line, small net and rucksack for carrying tackle.

Looking for somewhere that is easy to fish, and not too challenging as I get going again. I have fished (last night) Meadow Fisheries at Chester, and caught, on the very last cast of the session (honest! 20:40 Hrs!!) a 2 1/2 Rainbow on a dry olive CDC, Meadow Fishery is superb, but I would like to experience other waters, nothing too large and daunting please.

Thanks once again for looking, any advice given is most greatfully received.

Kev

You are within easy striking distance of a few - Curley's at Horwich, Pendle View and Mere Beck (nr Southport) spring to mind. All have web sites and I'd say Pendle View from reputation is the easiest of the three. I haven't fished it but Sharkey amongst others on the forum is a regular and seems to have them leaping up the bank to surrender most visits.
GD

__________________
We come from dust; we return to dust. I'm going to fish

Hi Kev, you could also try Barnsfold Water just outside preston and of course there is stocks, I tend to fish Mere Beck quite a bit www.merebeck.co.uk, I only live up the road from you in Crosby. another place worth a mention is westlow Mere at Congleton.

Steve.

Cheers Steve!

I used to live near Barnsfold ( Frank Casson ran it then) and caught my first ever Trout there, 4lb 4oz. I've just spoken to Gordon at Merebeck, and am hopefully going to pootle down there next Tuesday, unless it's blowing a hoolie!

I was hoping that there would be a local Trout Fishery in the Lydiate/Altcar/Haskayne area, as I beat round there during the shooting season, are there any good waters Rainford way on?

Thanks in advance.

Kev

I do not know of any. The only one that I know of is Twin Lakes at Crosten I used to like it there but one lake is any method now so I do not bother going.

Steve.

I can vouch that Pendle View is fishing it's socks off at the moment. I take my lad there when I can, and last weekend managed to fish on after he'd gone to a birthday party. He had three and I caught 15, the biggest around 6lb, several over 3lb. If I have a day free I like to go somewhere more challenging, but for a quick session it's ideal. Quite small but fed by two clear streams, it's bursting with life, aquatic and terrestrial. The 6lb'er nearly got into the reeds when I was netting it, and my net dredged up a huge freshwater mussel, bigger than an oyster! Alder flies have been coming off in droves and the midge hatches are spectacular. Non-biting ones so far.

They also have what they term a "Specimen Canal" which is several stock ponds knocked through. As unlovely a ditch as ever held Trout. Strictly C&R and all fish over 3lb. You pay extra for that but it doesn't interest me.

It's a mixed fishery with a big Carp/coarse lake so facilities include a café, clean toilets, shop. It's run by a Liverpool family so you should feel right at home, la.

Blobs, fritz lures, Cats, tadpoles, bloodworm, buzzers, Corixa, eggs, Daddies, etc. most methods work at the right time. Double figure rod averages are not uncommon.

Other fisheries I've visited worth the petrol are Stocks, Raygill, Helwith Bridge, Roughlee, Bank House, but they are all beyond your 60 minute rule and Stocks was definitely large and daunting on Bank Holiday Monday, in a gale!

Has anyone mentioned Pennine near Rochdale? I haven't fished it but it has a reputation for huge fish and not too difficult with it.

There are some more pictures of Pendle View in the thread First ever Trout

SharkeyP

__________________
Often thinks not travel widens,
Stay at home the Trout obliges.

Hiya Sharkey!

I have more of a Lancastrian twang, hailing from Knott End! I moved to Liverpool to be with the missus.

I know where Pendle view is ( I think!) isn't that the place right opposite the McDonalds on the A 59? If so, I wouldn't go primarily due to its location, even though it fishes its socks off!

Some great waters you mention up in my old neck of the woods, I wouldn't rule out 2-3 hours on the bike, but it would have to be a camping session after, at the side of a good pub that would cook the Trout for me and Boyd! Trouble is not many pubs like hairy a**ed bikers pitching their tents!

Please, keep the suggestions coming, really enjoying this invaluable input.
Kev

---------- Post added at 03:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 PM ----------

I would totally agree with you Steve, thanks for the great info.
Kev

---------- Post added at 03:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:35 PM ----------

GD..

Looked at Curleys, that's the one right under Winter Hill isn't it? I think thats about as big as I want to go, passed that loads of times on my way up to a quarry behind it, and thought it was a coarse only water.

Kev

__________________
I am, Sir, a brother of the angle.
- The Compleat Angler (pt. I, ch. I) Izaak Walton

Well you can hear the A59 but not see it, and you can't see, or even smell, the McDonalds.

The place is quite pretty once you get through the gates. The A59 has seen the premature end of many a biker (and motorist). I have a Fireman friend who avoids it whenever possible on account of the carnage he's witnessed.

The pub right next to Roughlee has changed hands and is no good anymore for food (it may have changed/improved again) but I'm sure you could find somewhere to pitch a tent nearby if you ask a local. It's very pretty around there. Pendle Witch country and all that. There's another fishery about a mile away called Mire Water, in Barley, but I've never fished it. It could be a hidden gem. I ought to try it one day. Also in Barley is Lower Ogden reservoir, a Firefly club water with day tickets available from the log cabin café in the main village car park, usual £15 per day, two fish deal, last time I checked.

SharkeyP

__________________
Often thinks not travel widens,
Stay at home the Trout obliges.

hi pinkfoot roddlesworth is worth a go £11 you have to kill your 1st 2fish then catch and release you get your tickets from the black dog @ belmont which is a couple of miles down the road were the res is it is well stocked cheers hope this helps fritzcat