Hi - Can anyone recommend a good commercial lake or mixed setup for three blokes trying fly fishing for the first time? M4/M25 intersection ideal, but down into Hampshire would be OK too. We could do with somewhere that's friendly to beginners and ideally does tackle hire - but that's small and enjoyable to be around, and that treats its fish well.

Anyone got any ideas?

Try here:

http://www.hallifordmere.co.uk/default.asp

That looks great, Carlos - thanks! Anyone else got any ideas?

Halliford Mere can be very tough going. It's a lovely setting with an excellent manager (and a fine bar) but predominantly C&R and I suspect the fish wise up fast. I have caught more pike there than trout!

Barn Elms is a nice fishery not too far away along the M4 but the fish can be very eager, almost suicidal on occasions, and there is no C&R.

A little nearer is Haywards Farm which has a put and take lake and also a smaller C&R lake, so you have some reasonable ticket options.

There's also Sheephouse Trout Fishery close to Maidenhead but I've never been there so can't comment. Some of the members on here go to Felix Farm near Bracknell, but again that's not one I've been to.

I'm afraid I don't think any of the above locations do tackle hire though.

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Tha mo bhàta-foluaimein loma-làn easgannan.

This is a long way from where you are asking. But only 10-15 min's off the M25. It's a small pretty place with really good facilities including a bar, restaurant and tackle shop. They will lend you equipment in the price of a day ticket and give you some basic instruction, although you can book more formal lessons:

http://www.coltsfordmill-fishery.co.uk/

Failing that why not go to Sportfish in Reading you can do a course and start spending your fortune on kit:

http://www.sportfish.co.uk/content/tuition_courses.html

If you fancy a trip down the A3 Meon Springs is good for beginners.

http://www.meonsprings.com/fly_fishery/index.html

It's also in a lovely location.

Thanks, everyone: there's a good pub near Meon Springs for after - I think that swings it