Managed to get a two fish evening ticket in this evening. went on the way home from a business trip to Wiltshire.

I have to say I am pleased I didn't drive 180 miles to check it out! When I got there the staff were positively unfriendly, when I asked what was catching they said "look in the book"!! Nice

not a good start, however when I got there only one chap was left fishing. I mentioned it was quiet he said its always like this.. The punters dont like the owners.

I spotted some cruising Rainbows and the chap caught his last fish of the day. I cast at a topping Rainbow and connected with a Damsel for a poor quality 4.5Lb 'bow It's nose was badly damged. I wandered round the second lake and saw no movement and round the first but the ripple prevented me seeing any more fish elsewhere. So I cast at the calmer corner full of Damsels. I connected with another straight away but it managed to unhook itself . So I experimented with a few more flies eventually I caught another poor rainbow (same problem) @ 2.5lbs with a buzzer.

Overall disappointed with the staff and quality of fish in such a beautiful location. won't be rushing back

That's interesting...they are offering a days fishing on ebay at the moment.

Twice, I've enquired if it's a specific day or if it's for any day of your choice. Twice I've received no reply...that's downright discourteous.

I have a day with a pal on the Kennet in August and I was planning to go on and fish the river at Avon Springs the following day...don't think I'll bother.

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Roy

The guys down there have always been shy/reticent about coming forward. It is just their way. They produce some really fine "pellet pigs" and when I went last - just over a week ago nothing had changed from my trip last year except the beauty of the place always seems to be better. I don't honestly believe that owners/helpers are fisherman. I reckon they are fish famers with a couple of lakes they let to anglers and a good reputation overall.
Sorry you were disapointed but when I visited last I had 4 fish all over 5lb and the best at 7.5lb and all fin perfect with good snouts. Mind you I could have had seven!

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[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]

Must admit that as a quite regular Avon Springs fisherman I have always found the same as Loopy. In particular, you just have to take Barry as you find him, and his brusque manner does soften when you get to know the guy. I think it is a mixture of by his nature not suffering fools gladly and his having encountered some of the worst sort of angler at his fishery over the years .

Also running the place lean and mean in terms of infrastructure does keep the prices very reasonable by premium Wessex small fishery standards. Compare and contrast Avington with its 4 full time staff, pub, bungalow for the staff and enough physical plant to run a family farm.

All of which is of course no excuse for giving a poor reception to a stranger who for all the staff know has impeccable fishing ethics and might have become a regular if he'd been treated more politely....

All I can say is stay with it Ian, it's well worth another trip and maybe next time fish the morning to early afternoon session ?

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

I haven't been this year but I know what you mean about Barry, first impressions can be a little misleading. he's a good bloke who I have found very helpful (not necessarily with fishing hints as I don't believe he's a keen angler himself). I've always found the fish stock quality excellent along with the average size.

Roll up in a series Land Rover and he's fine, trouble is you don't get any fishing done as you are in the hut drinking tea and talking landies.
First time I was there he had a nice Series 1 and a Lightweight he was doing up, also a 300tdi engine in the fishing hut.

Well, I still haven't had the courtesy of a reply and there's only sixteen hours left on the auction.

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Roy