I saw an old "hooked on fishing" the other day that went to a man made fishery near Southport " xxxxx Mere" i think it was called?

I recall a trout mag giving a right slating a few years back, is it still going? has it got better?

It's actually called "Merebeck" just found a website so it looks like it is still going and good value?

Haven't been for about 6 months as I live down south, but whenever I go up to visit my mother in Southport I try and squeeze in a day a Mere Beck.

They have changed it to introduce tickets that allow you to take rainbows, it used to be all C&R which I personally preferred, but it hasn't spoiled it.

You wouldn't know it's man made as the appearance is totally natural and the fly life is very abundant and diverse.

I tend to have most success with small buzzers or at this time of year with dries and emergers, such as Greenwells glory, F-fly and CDC Shuttlecock buzzers.

There are some really good sized fish in there, but most of those have been in a long while and are pretty wary, but it is also stocked quite regularly and there seems to be a good variety of fish between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs.

I always take a little 3 wt with me which I have had some great fun on with small dries on a couple of the smaller lakes and connecting streams, but I also take a 5 or 6 wt for the bigger lakes.

I find it a really nice place and the guys who run it couldn't be more friendly.

Hope you have as much fun there as I have.
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Bill.

Hi Ian,

It's a long way from Lincolnshire to Mere Beck!

I'd agree with Bill, Mere Beck is a lovely fishery and as the number of anglers is limited, it never gets to busy, and is one of my favourite fisheries.

http://www.merebeck.co.uk/ Which reminds me ..... I haven't been for a few weeks!

With regards a magazine giving it a bad review a few years ago, it may have been when it was first opened and a day ticket was £100 per day (they were trying to keep the number of anglers down) but the prices for the last 2 or 3 years have been reasonable.

If you're in the area, then Mere Beck it is well worth a visit - but phone and let them know you are coming. With regards fishing, the methods mentioned by Bill will definately catch you fish, but be prepared to ring the changes depending on the weather, on bright days the fish go deep.

You won't need to bring a flask, as there are free tea / coffee making facitilites in 2 of the small lodges around the lakes!

Thanks for the update it is a long way from Lincs that's why I was asking if it was worth it. My boat partner and I tend to travel all over the country Avington to Jubilee Stonebridge to Pennine, not really been that far west so it may mean we have to take our wives to the lakes as well (more reason to go really!)

thanks again

its not that far from me, and ive fished it a few times, imo forget the salmon, but it is a great little water to fish, each little water a tad diffrrent and overall its a peacefull place to fish, its my favorite dry fly fishery.

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Ian, if you are coming all this way to fish Mere Beck, then stay over at a B&B and spend the following day in a boat on Stocks as it's only about 1 hr away - but make sure your visit doesn't clash with competition dates or very windy conditions! http://www.stocksreservoir.com/stocks-reservoir.htm

If you are bringing you're wives, then they will be pleased to hear that both fisheires have ladies toilets.