Lower Aylescott Lake
Although only two years old, the lake at Lower Aylescott has matured nicely and although it doesn't hold any monsters provides a nice variety of fishing for carp to nearly double figures and silver fish to about 1lb in a beautiful location.
The lake was developed in the bottom of a valley where there were previously two small but boggy farm ponds after owner Paul Henstridge, who runs Lower Aylescott with his wife Elizabeth, disappeared up to his chest in silt. After discussions with the Environment Agency and a local groundworks company it was decided the best alternative was to build a fishing lake which would help to drain the ground and provide an amenity for anglers.
Although the lake is now able to accommodate more than a dozen anglers it is little fished other than by a small band of locals and visitors to the cottages who enjoy its seclusion.
Stocked with a mix of coarse fish including ghost carp to about 8lbs; hard fighting mirror, commons, leathers and grass carp to about 7lbs; crucians, golden orfe and golden tench to about half-a-pound; and roach, rudd and bream to 1lb, the fish have grown rapidly and the carp are expected to reach double figures in summer 2007.
The lake's depth range from 15 feet at the dam end up to only two or three feet at the narrow inlet end, a popular haunt for the carp in warm summer weather where the bankside vegetation provide plenty of cover for stalking the fish which can often be seen swimming just under the surface.
Indeed, one regular described summer fishing the narrow end of the lake as "three feet of water with four feet of fish in it".
For much of the rest of the year, however, most anglers use pole, waggler, sliding float or ledgering techniques although when fishing for the carp there is no particular need to fish modern techniques because the fish are easily managed on standard tackle.
Whichever technique you choose, it pays to spend a little time plumbing the depth of your chosen swim because Lower Aylescott has a fairly uneven bottom with several deeper trenches running through it.
Because Lower Aylescott won't be a 'big fish' water for another coule of years, most anglers tend to stick to fairly lightweight tackle using 4lb line to a Size 12, 14 or 16 hook with those fishing the pole using the equivalent elastic and line strength.
If specifically targeting the carp you may wish to go slightly heavier, say to 6lb line, but because there are no particular snags in the lake - the two stands of dead trees on the farm side will be removed during the 2006-2007 winter - you can allow the fish to run and play them in open water before bringing them to the net.
Maggots and sweetcorn - used either individually or as a cocktail - tend to be the most productive baits whilst pellets are becoming more widely accepted by the fish. Anglers who have used boilies and luncheon meat when going for the carp say they have failed to catch, but have taken fish from the same swim once they have baited with maggots and sweetcorn.
Although groundbait can be used, best results have been obtained by anglers fishing their hookbaits over a bed of trout or coarse fish pellets.
Anglers fishing the waggler tend to fish either in the margins, where between six and eight feet of water can be found, or towards the island. Because the banks drop away quite quickly you only need to fish about a rod length out to be in about eight feet of water.
Those fishing ledger tackle try to locate the deeper trenches, particularly in winter, because these act as holding areas for the fish.
How to get there...
Lower Aylescott is about a 45 minute drive north from Junction 27 of the M5.
After leaving the motorway, follow the A361 signs for Barnstaple and shortly after South Molton connect to the A399 signed Ilframcombe. Taking this road will help you to avoid Barnstable which can become a bit of a bottleneck, particularly during the summer.
A few miles after Blackmoor Gate you need to be looking for the A3123 where the A399 heads off north to Ilfracombe. Turn left onto the A3123, going through Berry Down Cross and on towards Mullacott Cross. A few miles after the A3123 crosses the B3230 look out for the left turn to West Down. On arriving in the village centre of West Down take the left hand road at the crossroads and drive past the church and down the hill to Aylescott, keeping straight on all the way until you come to a sharp right hand bend heading down to Lower Aylescott. The fishery entrance is clearly signed on the left hand side a couple of hundred yards past this tight bend.
Go to the Lower Aylescott accommodation page
Go back to Fisheries homepage
Lower Aylescott
Whether you are a local interested in day-ticket fishing or looking for an angling holiday or short break, Lower Aylescott between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast offers a blend of peace and tranquility with the convenience of all the trappings of modern day life in a beautiful and unspoilt wooded valley.
As you turn into the former farm and its converted barns which now offer modern self-catering accommodation you see the lake in the bottom of the valley.
For those looking to combine angling with a family holiday, there is an indoor heated swimming pool where the water is maintained at a comfortable 32 degrees and an all-weather tennis court where racquets and balls are supplied. For younger guests or more agile adults, Lower Aylescott also has a 15-foot trampoline on which the children can work off surplus energy. For more details and photographs of the accommodation at Lower Aylescott, 
Day-ticket angling on the three-quarter acre lake is available from dawn to dusk and the fishing is free for residents, who can also night fish the lake if they so wish.
