Ticket monies are collected on the bank and are for a maximum of two rods
Concessionary prices available for those staying on site
Children under 16 must be accompanied when fishing
Front Lake
Just over an acre in size with two islands, Front Lake holds 20 pegs and is well stocked with common, mirror and ghost carp into double figures with the average size being between 6lbs and 8lbs. Fish in the 10lbs to 13lbs range are taken daily whilst specimens to 16lbs are caught regularly.
The last 12 months has seen several 18lb to 20lb commons being caught with the biggest recent fish coming in at 23lbs 10oz and 22lbs 0oz. However, four regular anglers reported that they helped land and weigh a bigger fish of 27lb 8oz in September 2004. This common carp was taken by a lady 'dangling a maggot' whilst keeping her angler husband company on the bank side.
The lake is also stocked with tench to 5lbs, bream to 8lbs and roach up to 2lbs - so there is something for everyone.
As you approach the lake, the oldest part of the water is at the far end where Pegs 1, 2 and 3 give access to the original lake which offers well-established natural habitat with five feet in mid open water and two feet in the margins. Although the pegs are not actually numbered they go from Peg 1 anticlockwise to Peg 10 at the outflow and from there round to Peg 20 under the large oak tree.
Although some may find the willow and nearby bushes an issue on Peg 1, this is more than compensated for by the fish that can be caught on this secluded peg. Favoured areas are the entrance to the small cove on the left, which is only two feet deep but where plenty of fish hold up, and to the right under the willow. This can prove particularly productive but when landing fish make sure you stop them from swimming under the overhanging ivy.
Peg 2 gives access to the overhanging oak tree for the brave, but you will need to be accurate with your casting and clip off your line once you have found the correct distance. Perhaps easier is to fish the open water or close in to the side, especially on summer evenings.
Peg 3 (right) is one of the most popular and productive pegs on the lake due to a choice of features and swims. Directly in front and to the left depths are four to five feet in open water and about two feet in the margins. Anglers have a choice between casting between the islands or fishing the left hand margin where there is an overhanging willow. On the pole, a choice spot is the overhanging willow on the island directly in front. Immediately to the right of the peg there is a ledge which runs straight to the island where the bottom drops down to six feet.
Peg 4 can be found just before the long straight bank and is six feet deep in the open water rising to shallower water towards the island. The hot spot on this peg is in the near left hand margin under the small ash tree.
Peg 5, 6, 7 and 8 along the straight grassy bank by the track offers a nine feet wide two feet deep flat shelf which dives to six feet in the open water. However, if casting towards the island bear in mind that a shallow ledge protrudes out from the waterfall. These pegs are most productive either in the shallow margins around the bullrushes or where the shallow ledge drops away to about six feet of water.
Peg 9, after the boat jetty, is situated on a bend and has no marginal ledge with the depth dropping quickly into six feet in the open water. Further out in front of the waterfall the depth rises to three feet.
Pegs 10 and 11 are to be found either side of the overflow pipe and are two of the most popular and productive pegs with the regular anglers. It was on Peg 10 that the 147lbs was achieved in a three hour evening competition fishing the pole half way out. However, the majority choose to fish in the margins just out from the reeds.
From Pegs 10 to 16 ledgering out to the island is not recommended because wherever stone can be seen around the island there is a very shallow 10ft wide stone covered shelf and you will snag. However, smaller fish up to 7lbs like to cruise this shallow, warmer water which can often be seen swirling with fins. Some regular anglers fishing Pegs 10 and 11 have found it very productive to fish a very short hook length and smaller hook just off the island.
Pegs 12 to 16 have access to the deepest water in the lake, with nine feet being found out in mid water. Ledgering to the island from these pegs is not recommended whilst fishing the margins, particularly in the evening, often achieves cracking results.
Peg 17, known as the Pear Tree peg because it has a pear tree behind it on the bank, is a very popular peg. From here you can fish either the margins, six feet deep in the open water in front of you, or ledger out to the cove facing you at the island. If fishing close in, stick to just in front of the bullrushes to your right for the carp and bream as this is the spot where a 7lb 8oz bream was taken in Summer 2006.
Pegs 18 to 20 are the most sheltered pegs in windy conditions and are six feet deep in the open water rising to three feet around the island near peg 20. Large carp can often be found tight to the island - but watch out for the overhanging branches.
House Pond
About an acre in size with 12 pegs, House Pond is roughly circular in shape with an island in the centre. It is surrounded by well-maintained grass lawns, a beautiful weeping willow and ornamental trees and shrubs.
The original stock fish are a German strain of fast growing common and mirror carp which now range between 6lbs and 12lbs in weight. These fish are noted for the exceptional sport they give, taking off like torpedoes when hooked. Since stocked in March 2004, they have spawned well and the resulting home-bred carp which run to 5lb now represent three quarters of a days catch.
Unlike many fisheries which use floating aerators to maintain oxygen levels, House Pond has a stone pyramid through which there is a foamer jet fountain which provides excellent aeration when necessary.
As you approach the House Pond, Peg 1 is along the open grassy bank near the house, with peg numbers subsequently placed anticlockwise round to peg 12 near the small weeping willow. Anglers should note that the steep long bank adjacent to the house that borders the back garden is private and must not be walked or used for fishing.
All around House Pond is a five feet wide shallow ledge which gradually and evenly drops to give a wide six feet deep area of water around the island. The deepest area, at nine feet, can be found between the island and the house. This is essentially true for all the pegs apart from Pegs 10, 11 and 12 where, due to a large raised three feet deep circular pad on top of which sits the fountain, the depths can vary considerably. Between Pegs 9 and 10 there is a three feet deep, 10 feet wide causeway which runs to the island.
Pegs 1,2 and 3 have recently proved to be in top form and are where a lot of the larger fish can be found. A recent 12lb common was weighed from Peg 5 and it is expected that a lot of the original stock fish will move into double figures by the end of 2007.
Peg 8 seems to have the edge over its immediate neighbours due to fish swimming in the deeper six feet of water and then being held up by the sudden incline of the causeway at Peg 9.
A competition in 2006 had a dramatic change of fortune when the angler on Peg 8 started to fish half way out into this deeper water, finding the bigger fish and subsequently winning the competition.
When it comes to baits, most popular tend to be pellet and paste; luncheon meat - particularly Princes which can be bought at the local shop; sweetcorn; sinking bread and maggots, casters and chopped worm. although anglers should note that dog and cat food are not allowed because of the preservatives and fat content which is argued can affect the immune system of the fish.
Anglers are recommended to fish a Size 8, 10 or 12 hook depending on the size of the bait - although those going after the original stock fish should use larger baits to avoid the smaller carp and to scale up their tackle a little as these are really hard fighters which don't give up easily.
How to get there...
From the North: Leave the M5 motorway at Junction 8 and go onto the M50. At Junction 2 head south on the A417 for Gloucester. At the mini roundabout in Staunton turn right, staying on A417. After leaving the village travel a mile and a half and look for a modern telephone box on the right. Turn right immediately before the telephone box into Church Lane. Continue for half a mile and you will see the entrance to Stone End Farm on right.
From the South: From Gloucester take A417 north, signposted Ledbury. Continue for six miles and after passing village sign for Corse look out for BP petrol station on right. Three hundred yards past petrol station and immediately after modern telephone box turn left onto Church Lane. After half a mile you will see the entrance to Stone End Farm on the right.
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Stone End Farm Fishery
Situated six miles north of Gloucester on the A417 Gloucester to Ledbury road, just 10 minutes from Junction 2 of the M50 and 15 minutes from Junctions 9 through to 11 of the M5, Stone End is steeped in history.
The House Pond was originally thought to be a monastic type carp pond in which the fish were raised for food. It was probably created in association with the 14th Century house, which was built by the same craftsmen who built the nearby church.
The caravan site is open all year round and offers pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents. Electric hook-ups are available and there is a basic toilet and hand wash basin but no showers. Camping and caravanning stays should be booked in advance.
One of the nice things about Stone End Fishery is the quality of the fish, and as a result the venue requires anglers to use an unhooking mat. Keepnets are not allowed and landing nets must be dipped for a minimum of 10 minutes.