Because of the alterations, it now falls basically into two distinct areas with deeper water to the right hand side of the island as you look at it from the entrance and shallower water to the left.

At present there are 16 purpose-made pegs, some of them doubles capable of holding two anglers and a bivvie, whilst fishing is also permitted from areas of the bank where there are no constructed pegs.

Around much of the lake the banks drop straight down to about three feet with a ledge running out from the bank for about three feet before the sides quickly slope down to between five and six feet and then taper to the maximum depth of about eight feet between the lily pads and the right hand bank where Pegs 5 and 6 can be found.

To the left of the entrance the water is shallower with maximum depths of between four and five feet being found, although there are about four deep holes, two of them close in to the sides off the corner Peg 11 where nine to 12 feet can be found and the other two off Peg 4 and Peg 6 where eight feet can be found.

By contrast there are two shallow gravel bars, one between the island and Peg 6 which is planted with lily pads and the other between Peg 10 and the island. Both gravel bars are about three to four feet under the surface and make great holding spots for the fish during summer.

Until its recent change of ownership, Dingle has been an established carp fishery. However, Matt and Eddie plan to broaden its appeal and have introduced about 5,000 of roach and 3,000 bream between six and 10oz. In addition, they have stocked with a further 500 common and mirror carp up to 2lbs 8oz.

These fish are in addition to the existing head of fish - which are fairly impressive. Electro-netting in the winter of 2005 showed there are at least 35 carp between 10lbs and 30lbs whilst the exercise also turned up plenty of bream to 11lbs and tench to double figures. There was also a good head of crucian carp to 3lbs.

Although Dingle Fishery has been regarded predominantly as a carp water, most anglers have tended to stick to fishing the lake with the waggler, feeding the swim with a mix of pellet sizes and fishing over the top with chopped worm, maggots, casters or double hair-rigged sweetcorn. Because of the size of some of the fish, few anglers fish the pole.

However, as the venue becomes more popular with carp anglers, the ubiquitous hair-rigged boilies are becoming another favourite, although so far spicy flavours have proved more successful then high-protein fishmeal baits and in summer fruit flavours are expected to produce good results. Those going after the carp should fish a minimum line strength of 8lbs and go equipped with an unhooking mat.

Most popular with carp anglers tend to the four large corner pegs. However, because every peg has a feature to fish to pleasure anglers should catch anywhere around the lake.

Whether out for a day's pleasure angling or digging in for a serious session after the carp, results so far tend to indicate that fishing the margins up to two rod lengths out is as productive as anywhere whilst many of the bigger bream have come whilst fishing close to the island where between three and five feet of water can be found.

Whilst carp anglers are already regularly taking fish well into double figures, pleasure catches of between 60lbs and 70lbs were being taken even whilst snow was falling on the water!

Visit Dingle Fishery's own site Latest information on Dingle Fishery, including catch reports, news and photos, can be found on their own website... just click on their web logo (right) or follow this link to www.dinglefishery.co.uk.

How to get there...

Dingle Fishery is at Nether Whitacre just north west of Coleshill. From Junction 4 of the M6 motorway take the A446 north towards Coleshill signed for Lichfield. At the first Coleshill sign turn right across the dual carriageway and continue along Coleshill High Street until you start to come down the hill and see the Green Man pub on the left.

Turn right here into Blythe Road (B4114), signed for Shustoke, and continue along here for about three miles until you come to Blythe Farm Supplies on the left. Immediately after this take the fork to the left signed for Nether Whitacre. Continue through Over Whitacre along Station Road, past the ornate Victorian pumping station on your left and over the railway bridge.

Immediately after the Swan Inn car park take the right turn into Middle Lane and after about 300 metres turn right again into Bakehouse Lane. After a further 500 metres you will see a large half-timbered farmhouse on your left and the entrance to the fishery is just before this down the signed track to your right.

Click on the map to the left for more detail.

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