The Glebe Project is perhaps Roy Marlow's most ambitious project yet - to create a haven where angling goes hand-in-hand with wildlife conservation out of what used to be 34 acres of potato and corn fields in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside.
With help from the Lottery Sports Fund, the English Sports Council and sponsorship from local and national companies and organisations, Roy has developed something which has earned the site an Angling Trade Association 'Centre of Excellence' Award.
His plans also led the English Sports Council to say: "Of all the things you could do with a potato field, the 'ecosystem' designed by Mallory Park Fisheries must be one of the most imaginative."
Phase One of the project has been up and running for eight years and provides sport on three delightfully landscaped lakes. Phase Two, pictured under construction on the right, provides a further three lakes all designed with the angler in mind. The pools were landscaped and complemented by additional eco-ponds, similar to the one pictured right, which provide sanctuaries for the wildlife and purify the water which runs through the lakes.
The final Phase, Phase Three offered two further lakes, giving anglers a variety of choice of where to fish and what to fish for.
The Glebe is open to members throughout the Mallory Park Fisheries season, which runs from June 1 to March 31 whilst bookings are accepted for angling club matches for up to 30 pegs.
In addition, the site is proving popular with local schools as an ideal place to teach children of all ages about nature, wildlife conservation and angling.
Match Pool
This 30-peg boomerang-shaped lake is six feet deep throughout and, stocked with 50 per cent carp and 50 per cent silver fish is an ideal match and pleasure water for either waggler or pole anglers.
Planted with a mixture of indigenous and ornamental trees and shrubs, the Match Pool is home to Mirror, Common and Ghost Carp to 5lbs as well as Crucian Carp, barbel and bream to 3lbs, chub to 2lbs, and roach to 1lbs. As part of the lake's maintenance programme carp over 5lbs are removed and put into Uglies Pool so that matches are not won with one or two big fish and it is not unusual for anglers to have over 40lbs of barbel, chub or skimmers in their catches.
Because of the way the lake has been designed, the draw is not critical. Roy has concentrated on creating features on the bankside rather than in the water so all anglers stand an equal chance of catching big weights.
Roy Marlow recognises that not all members are match anglers and he tries to develop competitions throughout the year which will suit everyone. These range from informal 'Fur and Feather' type matches and members matches to bigger stake events for those who take their match angling seriously. In addition, the club organises occasional matches on other venues, including Packington Somers Fishery at Meriden between Birmingham and Coventry. This ensures there is usually something on at the fishery for match anglers each Sunday. In addition, the club also holds regular 'Float Only' matches every Wednesday evening.
Those who aren't interested in match angling shouln't think that competitions are what the club is all about - it isn't. Don't forget, this summer there will still be anbother 10 lakes to go at even when a match is being held!
Pretty Fish
Pretty Fish pool was given its name because, when it was first stocked, only the best and most perfectly formed fish were introduced. The result is that, whatever you catch, it will be a superb example of its species with perfect scales, fins and shape.
Holding more tench than any of the other Mallory Park Fisheries waters, Pretty Fish is also stocked with Ghost, Mirror, and Common Carp and some lovely crucians and brown goldfish. In addition there are a few rudd and the occasional barbel which has escaped from the Match Pool.
Again, Pretty Fish is about six feet deep throughout although shallower at the narrow end, making it an ideal water for either pole or waggler fishing. Also again there is nothing clever about fishing this pool - any bait, any technique, anywhere seems to be the secret!
Uglies
OK, so you've already guessed how Uglies earned its name!
When the members had sorted out all the fish which were going in Pretty Fish they put the remainder in Uglies, which is probably a bit unfair on those which didn't make it because there are some good quality skimmers, roach and perch in the pool - not to mention a good head of superb fighting carp which run to 18lbs. Some of these were bred at Ratcliffe on Soar power station and quickly earned themselves the equally unfair nickname of 'Martians'.
Because these lived in shade for much of their early lives they tend to have slightly larger heads and eyes than the traditional Mirror or Common Carp but provide excellent year-round sport because they feed until the water temperature drops to below four degrees which lends to good winter fishing in the pool.
Again, Uglies is about six feet deep throughout and as long as you can put a bait on the hook you usually tend to catch fish!
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