Anybody been this week, Went last week on the sunday and caught 31 mostly to black fritz lures, Just wondered if people are still catching plenty.
My boat partner had a couple of 8-10lbers along with other blues and rainbows but the weather was bad just hope its better this weekend, cheers ck.

Would be interested to know if there have been many people there. After he cranked up his prices, a lot of folk were saying they weren't going there.

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

The Arnfield website suggests good numbers are still coming out. It is a pricey place, but the butties and coffee are very good!

First ever visit to Arnfield today. Went with a mate who's fished it before and told me tales of some scary sized fish.
Arrived in foul conditions at 0730hrs, very cold, heavy rain, hail then snow - take your pick!
Wanted to take a boat out but conditions were very rough where we fancied fishing (drifting onto the dam wall). Ended up on the bank bang opposite the lodge and we had a steady day.
Fished intermediates / sinkers initially thinking (wrongly) that the fish would be deep. Had some success on black / green lures - then it happened! Managed to land a brownie at 8lb 4oz - appreciate by Arnfield stds that's not big, but after 20yrs at Ladybower - believe me it is - for me!
My mate followed up with a rainbow of 7lb 6oz, all fish lovely conditioned and returned. We finshed taking fish on floaters on montana's and black buzzer!
We ended up with 16 fish and very pleased with that - the conditions were awful.
Appreciate people have mentioned it's a pricey place at £29, however when you consider Bower is £20 it's a bargain. The big difference being you know there's fish in the area - at the moment at Ladybower that's not the case. Top marks to Arnfield, off to Carsington next then back to Arnfield on a boat. A boat angler (braver than us today) had a 13lb rainbow, one at 9lb and 6lb respectively!

I'd sooner dangle a line in a muddy stock pond than fish Arnfield, mind you that's what I'd be doing if I did. I like the thrill that I've worked for the fish I catch.
Mind you each to their own and we all approach our fishing in different ways...
An old boy (in his 80's) who visited today spoke of dead and damaged fish and fish being caught with flies stuck in their mouths and trailing tippets and leaders...

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I'm in 2 minds about this. I have fished arnfield twice, last year in September when I fished it I hated the place - dead fish in the margins, dying fish on the surface, the fish I caught were covered in fungus. However I fished it again last week and had 10 or so fish all of which were in excellent condition (one was 6 or 7 lb and was definitely overwintered) the fishing is pretty easy but then again early season on some big reservoirs it is just as easy (I have had a limit at chew in about 30 mins in previous years.

I am a salmon and seatrout man so I rarely do any rainbow fishing as I prefer wild fish but once or twice a year I will go stockie bashing just to bend the rod if nothing else. Personally I wouldn't go to arnfield in the summer/autumn again but early in the season the fish seem in good condition and it is ideal for beginners, although expensive.

Come on , really each to their own, Arnfield is clean and tidy, at £29.00 not the cheapest but still reasonable for a full days fishing, have fished it a few times with Scratch and Wesleybrown, and enjoyed it, some nice fish to be had. Not everyone will be suited , but thats life, standing in a 5ft wide stream doesn,t suit me either, but i dont critisise those that enjoy it.

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its not how you tie your flies , its how you tease your flies

We had a good day Mick, shame about the wrong line info.

The dummy in the bay had more than you

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Let's "Tackle Cancer" supporter.
World Record Holder for Navigating the length of Loch Ness.......on a Pedalo!!!

"I'd sooner dangle a line in a muddy stock pond than fish Arnfield, mind you that's what I'd be doing if I did. I like the thrill that I've worked for the fish I catch.
Mind you each to their own and we all approach our fishing in different ways...
An old boy (in his 80's) who visited today spoke of dead and damaged fish and fish being caught with flies stuck in their mouths and trailing tippets and leaders..."

A little on the unfair side this I think? To equate a 40 acre fishery to a 'stock pond' is a little optomistic? My mate, who fished with me, is a recent convert to the pleasures of fly fishing, having spent years carping. He was surprised at the above remarks and commented that it reminded him of the negativity / jealousy that surrounds carp angling nowadays.

Who cares where you fish, as long as you enjoy it! And as for 'Working for the fish' we certainly did that day. Plus, being a Ladybower regular for over 20yrs I now how to work for my fish

I note that the poster of the above remark is a regular at Walkerwood , a very nice fishery, but one I have myself fished and found quite easy in the past - but i'd never criticise either the fishery or those that choose to fish there.

Simple choice, if you don't like a fishery - don't go, but don't try to belittle others for their choices.

Hi Robster
Im very sorry if I have offended you with my personal view of Arnfield fella. As you do I also have the same right to express my personal view and that is what it is... I've fished Arnfield as many times as other venues over the years. That was until I was fishing there one day and the owner Stephen Cuthbert took a boat out and proceeded to scatter scoops and scoops of pellets within a few feet of my cast. I've been on a number of occasions when the water is like green pea soup which clings to your lines and flies and takes some removing afterwards and have seen and caught a number of damaged or diseased fish.
As for being 40acres I'd like to ask how you acquired that information as Walkerwood is of a similar size but as depths of 70 feet much much deeper than Arnfield and is 27 Acres and that is in the lease agreement direct from United Utilities. As I have said and usually when I deem one of my posts or threads is likely to be controversial or has the possibility to offend then I quite often add this is 'my own personal view'. Yes I am a regular at Walkerwood and the fishery Bailiff. But I am also a regular at many other fisheries and rivers. My post is not born out of jealousy as you remark albeit your nameless friends comments but you wrote the post and replied. Maybe my post is negative to Arnfield fly fishery but it is my own personal view. I have not belittled or critised anybody for choosing to fish Arnfield again that is your choice and everybody else's to make for themselves. Again my comments reflect my own personal viewpoint although I did mention an elderly gentlmans comments made to myself earlier that day of my post... There are a number of posts within this thread in favour of Arnfield and a number stating otherwise for various reasons again I hope posted as the posters own personal opinions, views and experience.
As for fishing Walkerwood and finding it easy I suspect you fished on a day it was stocked or shortly thereafter and I'm very sure any forum members who have fished Walkerwood in the last 25 years will tell you it isn't easy and certainly not trout pellet as entered that water unless by breaking fishery rules. Trout stocked in Walkerwood learn to feed naturally or die simple as...
Where I do agree with you is if you don't like a fishery, don't go...
But stocking with 6 tons of fish so I believe doesn't tell me I'd have to work to hard to catch my bag limit. I know I can count on one hand that any angler at Walkerwood has caught more than 40/50 fish in a session even after a recent stocking...
If you would like to fish Walkerwood and prove me wrong and show me how easy it is and where I'm going wrong I would gladly pay for your ticket...

Again nothing personal just my honest no-nonsense point of view...

Regards

Woz

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