About three quarters of the way across the lake from the Fishing Lodge, a stretch which runs roughly between the two islands, is a gravel bar where the water shallows to as little as three feet.

Fisherwick Trout Lake holds Blue, Brown and Rainbow Trout which run from about 1lb 12oz at the smallest to well into double figures. The biggest Brown Trout, caught in 1997, was 14lb 2oz - a fish which was returned unharmed to the water - and the biggest Rainbow to come out so far weighed 16lbs 2oz.

The average size of the fish is within the 1lb 12oz to 2lb range and the water is regularly stocked with larger fish in addition to the 'put and take' stock which are introduced on a monthly basis except in hot weather when this would reduce the fish's chances of survival. A nice example of one of the good fish to be taken from Fisherwick Lake was this 12lb rainbow taken in 2001 (left).

Currently, stocking levels average about 100 fish per acre, although this may be slightly reduced during hot summer weather to prevent overcrowding and oxygen starvation.

All 3lb-plus Rainbows and all Blue and Brown Trout are to be returned, giving everyone a chance to catch these larger fish.

Most popular techniques are floating or intermediate lines fished with Damsel nymphs, all colours of buzzers, Hare's Ear nymphs, Gold Heads, Stick Flies, Pheasant Tail nymphs and most Dry Sedges. Popular winter flies include Viva, Montana, Cat's Whisker, Whisky flies and Lead Heads.

During winter the fishing tends to be best when the fly is allowed to sink and then drawn through the water. In summer, dead drift the fly and use flies which imitate those which are coming off the water.

A general mixed coarse fishery, it holds Mirror, Common and Ghost Carp to 12lbs with the average size being about 5lbs; tench to 7lbs; bream to 5lbs with the average being between 1lb 8oz and 2lbs; perch to 3lbs; roach, rudd and chub to 2lbs; and skimmer bream and Crucian Carp to 1lb. In addition there are small Golden Orfe.

One of those waters where you never know what you are going to catch, the Match Pool regularly yields 100lb-plus bags for pleasure anglers and although match weights tend to come in lower these are continuing to improve with the match record currently standing at 86lbs. This was taken in 2005 and consisted of bream and carp caught on pole-fished pellet up in the water.

The three most popular pegs tend to be Peg 27, Peg 30 and, particularly during contests, Peg 11. Another popular spot tends to be near the spinney, although anglers can also rarely go wrong if they fish into the wind.

Although The Match Pool is about 12 feet deep in the centre, average depths tend to be around eight feet although there is a deep hole about two rod lengths out from Pegs 18 and 19 where the bottom again goes to 12 feet. The water is also a similar depth off the point (bottom picture).

Those who have not fished the lake before should try an eight-metre pole fished over depth at between eight and nine feet using red maggot or sweetcorn over a bed of small trout pellets. Other good baits worth a try are trout pellet paste, luncheon meat and, especially for the roach and rudd higher in the water, casters.

Also worth a try is fishing corn or meat in the margins as anglers often pick up patrolling carp close in by the side.

For the most part a main line strength of 3lb minimum to 1lb 8oz to 2lb bottom should be used to make allowance for the bigger fish whilst those going for the carp should use nothing less than a 6lb line straight through to size 12 hook.

Also, if you are catching a lot of small fish and the bites suddenly stop, the chances are that bigger fish have moved into the swim.

Until 2001 the Streams were two separate waters - The Short Stream and the Long Stream which were both a similar shape to a doughnut. However, these have now been joined into one continous water with the stretch next to the Fishing Lodge being easier for disabled anglers because cars can be parked behind the pegs.

Although only two rod lengths wide for the most part, the Streams is a 800 yard long continuous loop with an average depth of about six feet and plenty of reeds, lilies and trees.

The deepest part tends to be by the car park where it reaches eight feet and the shallowest parts are at the end nearest Pump Pool where it is about five feet.

With Mirror, Common and Ghost Carp to 15lbs; tench to 6lbs; Perch to 3lbs 8oz; Chub and the occasional barbel to 5lbs and more plus a lot of Crucian Carp to 1lb and roach and rudd to 1lb, there are plenty of fish to provide a varied and interesting day's fishing. Also, the Stream is an ideal pool for children because there are a lot of small perch and tench which are easily caught.

The best fish tend to be caught near the reeds during the summer and all baits are equally effective - although floating crust and dog biscuits are excellent for the carp.

Fish pole or rod but be careful - once a decent fish is hooked it usually makes straight for the nearest patch of weed, reed or bankside vegetation.

Hotspots are Pegs 1, 9, 12 and 15 which should be fished right in against cover with sweetcorn, meat or maggot. Near the reeds, Pegs 24 and 25 are good for the carp and tench but strong tackle should be used because there are also overhanging willows. Floating baits can work well for the carp, particularly in the evenings.

Other favoured pegs are 4, 5,41, 45 and 48 for carp, tench, crucians, roach and rudd.

Fishing is good all round The Stream and there are plenty of features such as reeds, weedbeds and overhanging trees to make use of. Again, pole or waggler can be used, although anglers using the pole have to be careful because there are 15-feet high trees along the bank and the bankside trees, shrubs and bushes are growing well!

When using the waggler, fish either close in or towards the far bank using 3lb bottom to 2lb 8oz hook length. Hook sizes can be anything from 10 to 18 depending on the species you are going after.

Both are ideal for those who love to fish smaller, more 'natural' waters which look and feel more like good old fashioned farmers' pools. Despite their size, however, Pump and Triangle offer good quality fish and both respond well to pole or waggler whilst floating baits also work well for the carp.

Both pools average about six feet in depth shallowing to three to four feet round the margins and tend to be either 'on' or 'off'. Anglers who fish the pools regularly say you can go there one day and not have a bite - give them a go the following day and you can be hauling out 12lb carp like the one below.

Pump Pool has overhanging alder trees on the bank next to the trout lake and these make a popular haunt for the carp - as do the overhanging willows. There is also a lily bed in the middle which is usually the first place the fish head for when they are hooked.

Popular pegs on Triangle Pool are again along the Trout Lake bank where a reed bed forms a popular 'hot spot' and near the overhanging trees which makes an obvious haunt for the carp.

However, as one would expect with small pools, you should be able to attract the fish to your swim wherever you fish and fishing pellets, luncheon meat, sweetcorn, maggots or caster over a nice compact bed of feeder pellets should usually bring the fish around.

In 2005, Angler's Mail correspondent Tony Keeling fished Triangle Pool for a feature and had a bite a cast for four hours - finishing with 40lbs of roach to 1lb and tench to 4lbs. Tony's method was to fish pellets and sweetcorn in the margin with a three-metre pole... simple fishing but a great result!

From the bank next to the trout lake there are various gravel bars and shallow areas about 40 yards out which go into a trough about 12 feet deep before coming back up onto a four foot deep plateau which is where the fish tend to congregate in the warmer weather.

Out from the peninsular off the trout bank side is a sunken tree which has a marker on it.

The tree-lined bay to the side of this peninsular is a popular place for fishing floating baits in the evenings when the fish move into the margins.

The majority of the lake is about eight feet deep although anglers are warned to stay out of the sump except during particularly cold weather. Because of the gravel bars it is also recommended to plumb the depth before fishing.

In addition to the carp there are some nice tench to 7lbs.

Anglers fishing Specimen Lake must use a minimum line strength of 8lbs and have an unhooking mat and appropriate sized landing net. Only barbless hooks should be used.

In summer the best baits tend to be fishmeal-based pastes or Strawberry, Monster Crab, squid, garlic and cheese flavoured boilies fished in a pva bag with a mix of hemp, trout pellets and particle baits. The advantage of the pva bag is that it keeps the offering neatly together wherever the bait lands. Suggested winter baits include Tutti Fruitti and other fruit-flavoured boilies, particularly those made up with birdseed mix. In winter, dipping the bait into a bait dip attracter also often helps.

For the bigger fish use 18mm boilies on a size 4 or 6 hook whilst mini-boilies on a size 8 hook can be used to offer variety. Boilies are best presented on hair-rigs with pop-ups , D-rings, braid hook lengths and these can be fished on semi-fixed lead rigs. Please note: fixed lead rigs are not allowed .

A popular method for presenting floating bait is to use the beachcaster rig which allows the float and hook link to slide down to the lead once a fish is hooked. Best baits include dog biscuit, Chum mixers which can be flavoured, crusts and floating boilies.

For the more traditional angler who enjoys float fishing, sweetcorn, luncheon meat and bread in the margins can prove effective and, as with all other carp waters with decent reed growth, stalking often pays good dividends.