Just wondered if anybody has fished here lately?
I have never fished there and just wondered what it is like.
Any reports would be grateful as would any info such as depth, best methods, good areas etc.

Halliford Mere's my local stillwater and I fish it regularly, having said that I haven't been down there for a few weeks with the cold snap and all that.

There's four lakes in total, with one (lake 4, over the back) being a pike lake and not stocked with trout.

Out of the other three lakes, lake two (the smallest one) fishes best this time of year IMO - last time I was there had three decent rainbows on Black Montana nymph and gold-head Black Damsel nymph, about six foot down.

Lake three is the most interesting as it has lots of nooks and crannys and small bays to fish, but has been slow this winter.

Lake one (the main one by the entrance) can fish well, best spot this time of year in my opinion is the area closest to the entrance gate - it's probably about 20ft deep though, so you need to get down...

Best bet is to have a chat with the fishery manager, a very amiable Irish fellow called Brian, he'll gladly give you a few pointers. There's a bar and restaurant there as well if you need a break from the fishing...

I went for the first time ever on 1st Feb. for the afternoon in the biting easterly winds. I only managed to hook one on a gold head damsel (I'm a novice so I have my excuses) but the sneaky blighter swam straight toward me faster than i could retrieve line and run up the bank - shook himself off the barbless hook. One other chap had been there all day and had 7 in the morning apparently (I think from the point on lake 1) but said it dried up about 12:45 (when I arrived). He did land a cracking 6 lber on a cats whisker on just about his last cast from the point but that was his only showing for the afternoon.

I was amazed how deep lake 1 was having only ever fished Syon - it seemed to be bottomless with very steep sides. I'd like to go back again under more favourable conditions (positive windchill temps!) as the lakes have a really interesting landscape.

RogB

I fished there for the first time a couple of weeks ago. You do need to talk to Brian who will give the most accurate info on what and where is catching. A good thing that Brian does is that when you leave he asked what you caught on which includes lost fish and where you caught/lost them from. When I went it was tadpoles but by what other anglers told me, the week before it was red buzzer. It seems to change from week to week.
I didn't have any tadpoles but caught 2 on white cats whisker on floating line and letting the fly sink before retriving. They were average size but put up a good fight. It was a hard days fishing with not many fish rising but I would certainly go back.
FbS

Not been lately,was due to go but was frozen over.
Nice spot,usually fairly quite(hope to become a member this year if i can rustle up the dosh),certaily midweek.
Not sure about this time of year,but buzzers usually produce,damsels as well.Although not rated as a 'pulling' water,i have seen others catching on sinking lines and stripping back fast with cats
Lake 1 by the entrance,opposite club house and point can be productive as can be Church bay over on lake three or in the corner on three between three and one.Speak to Brian the manager he will put you right if he can.
Can be tough at times but fish are in good shape and scrap a bit

Not been lately,was due to go but was frozen over.
Nice spot,usually fairly quite(hope to become a member this year if i can rustle up the dosh),certaily midweek.
Not sure about this time of year,but buzzers usually produce,damsels as well.Although not rated as a 'pulling' water, i have seen others catching on sinking lines and really stripping back fast with cats.
Lake 1 by the entrance,opposite club house and point can be productive as can be Church bay over on lake three or in the corner on three between three and one.Speak to Brian the manager he will put you right if he can.
Can be tough at times but fish are in good shape and scrap a bit
Opps,done it twice


Personally as you are travelling a fair way,i would wait until better weather arrives- mid March onwards.The buzzer fishing can be really good.

Thanks guys for all the info. I am hoping to get down there tomorrow so will let you know how I get on.

Whatever you do,ring first,it could well be frozen

Had a great day yesterday even though it was a bit slow going due to the weather. I had one good fighting fish of about 2lb and my mate lost two all on a black and green gold head. Had plenty of little knocks but the fish just werent quite on the feed. Didnt help that we could only fish part of lake 1 and the rest of the lakes were frozen. Brian was a great guy who was very helpfull and full of tips and advice and we look forward to returning to fish the rest of the lakes soon.

Glad you had a resonable day , seeing as the weather isnt great at the moo i fish it whenever i can get down there and have championed it for a few years now, its a very underated water, but you do need to use abit of angling know how to get the best out of it, being a C/R water it can be very difficult at times, but if you keep at it you wil get results in the end.And its got a bar where you will find me after 12 oc perhaps see you down there sometime , just look for the smoke, big fella, 2 rods , large net and thats me

I will get a brown out this year

__________________
If in doubt, get the montys out

Intelligence is relative to your environment