Went to Dever yesterday as a treat for Dad's birthday as haven't been there for a few years now, prefering Avington of late. Willow lake (larger) had a disappoint algal bloom so visibility was down to about 3-4 feet an it didn't look too tempting but the 5 or 6 other people there all stuck to this lake, including Dad initially so I had the whole of Spring lake to myself, which was crystal clea if a little bothered by floating weed.

It was well stocked, didn't see any small fish at all, apart from a surprisingly large shoal of largish roach! Spotted a couple of doubles inthe first hour or so and landed a fish of 7lb or so within the first half hour. Then spent an hour or so trying to tempt a monster from under the floating weed by the inlet, under the willow. Long story short managed to get it to take a GRHE and gave a fantastic but scary fight through and under the weeds, fortunately Dad was on hand to net it and about another stone of weed; weighed 16lb 12oz and in fantastic condition.

Rest of the morning was spent trying to tempt another biggie bit in the end nabbed another of about 7, Dad managed three between 7 and 8lb, all great fights and perfect condition.

All in all, great average stock size, plenty of doubles but disappointed by the algae in Willow (not that the fishery counsel anything about it) as it pretty much rule out stalking on this lake but people were still catching, facilities are lovely, £55 for three fish is probably the going rate here-one thing to note is the lack of knife in the gutting room as apparently ty keep getting nicked, fortunately had my leatherman but would remember to take won if heading down. Will post some pics over the next few days

Mowgli

Nice one Mowgli. Not fished Dever this year. each time i've been down to look it's had nothing of note in it.! perhaps i should pop down there soon..!

Cheers BB,

I would recommend it as long as you don't mind being only able to stalk one lake until Willow clears. Always surprised to walk around a clear, small lake and be fairly sure you have seen most of the fish in there only for a big double to materialise from no where! General stock size is good, plenty of biggies and all in fantastic condition. Will put some pics up when back home on Sunday.

Mowgli

Well done Mowgli sounds better than when i visited last, so that's good. The stock size was just 5lb then and never saw a fish above 7lb all day.

Here are some pics from my trip earlier this week:


16lb 12oz rainbow on a GRHE


The surface weed in Spring lake, the biggie was taken from right in tight to the Willow on the left of the photo, where an inflow comes in


Dad doing some 'low profile' stalking!


Somehow managing to hook up despite his presence on the sky line


The resultant 7lb 8oz rainbow after another great fight

Im planning to go to dever on Sunday- im just wondering hows it fishing and what flies is best as this will be my first time fishing this fishery.

any advice will be helpful