So my younger, not as good-looking brother and his lady are coming to visit soon, and they're keen on hitting a big fish water on 13 Feb. I've not been to Avington before, but some of my mates went late last year and had a terrific day. I've been to Lechlade several times and have a pretty good idea what to expect there.

Judging from recent threads on here, Lechlade's been reasonably productive lately. As usual, seems like getting a boat is a big advantage.

Anyone been down to Avington recently and know how it's fishing and, just as importantly, what condition the fish are in? They haven't posted a monthly report for January on the website yet.

Help me decide!

There's always Dever Springs to consider if you're looking for big fish. Dunno about Avington, I haven't fished there for years . . . . .
Wherever you decide to fish I hope you all have a fantastic day

Kev

I went to Avington a few month's ago & the average 'stockie' was about 6lb, with perhaps a couple of doubles in each lake.
Can't imagine their stocking policy has radically changed since September.

Having fished them a few years ago when i lived in Hammersmith theres always syon park brentford way always found that to be a good productive water

I've been interested in trying some of those Albury fisheries down by Guildford. From the photos, Syon Park looks like a bit of a glorified casting pond to me. No offense, just not really my cup of cake.

Thanks for the input, all.

IF you after a true BIG fish water, Dever or Lechlade are probably your current best bet.

The reports that I have heard have said that Avington is stocking more biggies, but it is nowhere close to the average stock size of fisheries like Lechlade.

Lechlade seems to have a very big head of doubles and near doubles, particularly browns. I've not fished it recently but it seems a bit patchy in terms of fish location. If you get it right, you can really have a day to remember!

This is good up to date info:
Lechlade update

The quality of fish at Avington is superb with plenty of stockies between 5lb and 8lb and there are several big doubles in each lake. I'll be suprised if there have been less than 20 big doubles out in January, even taking into account the atroious weather early on. The big challenge is to locate those doubles in these low light winter conditions. The weed levels at Avington are at the lowest at this time of year so there's a lot more clear water to stalk. If you can get a bright fairly still winter day then stalking will be brilliant. If the weather is a bit tougher then fishing blind will get you your limit of superbly conditioned fish fairly easily (usual caveats apply!).

Lechlade every time at this time of year! Even on bright days the stalking at Avington/Dever will be very difficult. the light angles are wrong and it gets darker earlier. If you don't/can't stalk Avington, then you're casting blind, and you'll almost certainly catch a lot of stockies. Don't get me wrong, i love Avington, but at £70 i'd wait until the light improves (April)

Lechlade produces far more doubles a month than Avington in the winter. last month there were over 300 doubles caught, or fifteen times the best guestimate for Avington. It's not really stalkable at this time of year, but you don't really need to! There are some very big fish in there too.

Good luck.

Much obliged for the updates. Sounds like Avington may be worth putting on the back burner until spring, then.

Lechlade has the added advantage of familiarity for me, so I can help out my guests by pointing out spots where I've been successful before, etc.

It would have to be Letchlade any day of the week it really is unmached in price and fish size not saying that its going to be easy but you stand the best chance there than any where else ,hope you do well .