Fosse Way Fishery

Lake One

Commons, mirrors and hard fighting grass carp

Lake One is a two-acre specimen lake holding common and mirror carp to 25 lbs as well as a decent number of hard fighting grass carp around the 12lb mark which take off like crazy once hooked. There are few fish in the lake below 10lbs.

With a small island in the centre, Lake One normally accommodates fishing from three of the four banks, the fourth being a public right of way which at times can make it unsuitable for anglers who don’t like being disturbed by passing walkers.

Depths vary from four to nine feet deep

The banks slope at 45 degrees down to a fairly flat and even bottom between eight and 10 feet out with depths varying from about four-and-a-half feet to just over nine feet deep at the dam end. Whilst anglers can fish from wherever they please, it is proposed to install between eight and 10 woodchip pegs during 2023.

Suitable for fishing both modern and traditional carping techniques, many anglers also opt to fish on the float both at a distance and close in to the sides.

Popular baits

Although Fosse Way is a relatively new venue, baits which have proved popular so far include a mix of flavoured boilies, sweetcorn and pellets with many anglers fishing a feeder packed with groundbait, feeder pellets and samples of hook bait.

Because of the size of the fish, anglers targeting the larger carp are recommended to use bigger hookbaits to deter the smaller fish and should go equipped with 42-inch landing nets and suitable sized unhooking mats. It is also recommended that they use a minimum 10lb line and Size 8 barbless hooks and take Klin-ik or similar carp care kit for the treatment of hook or other marks.

Lake Two

Lake Two has carp between 1lb and 3lbs together with bream which run to  8lbs, grass carp to 3 lbs and a good number of tench to about 1lb which are growing on quickly.

Easy to fish

Again about two acres in size with no fixed pegs and able to accommodate about a dozen anglers with ease, Lake Two is an out-and-out pleasure water which is proving popular because it is easy to fish – something which is illustrated by the fact that anglers can expect to catch about 40lbs of fish in just a two hour session. Indeed one angler makes a point of not stopping fishing until he has caught 100 fish!

Although depths are similar to Lake One ranging from about four-and-a-half feet down to nine feet at the end nearest to Lake One, it is different in that it has several three to four feet deep holes on an otherwise flat and even bottom. This makes plumbing the depths relevant when you start fishing.

A popular waggler water

Most anglers fishing Lake Two prefer to fish the waggler or feeder using fairly light tackle and smaller baits including sweetcorn, maggots and hooker pellets fished over a bed of feeder pellets and hook samples.

Lake Three

An ideal pole water

Able to accommodate up to 20 anglers and ideal for fishing the pole, Lake Three is Fosse Way Fishery’s match lake and is stocked with carp to 3lbs, roach between eight and 12ozs and a smaller number of tench and rudd. It can be fished by pleasure anglers when not being used for matches.

One of the main features of Lake Three is the small island which can be reached on the pole from parts of the banks, a technique which can prove particularly effective.

Available for club matches

Available for club matches, the biggest reported catch on Lake Three was from a pleasure angler who took 122lbs of fish at one sitting whilst weights of around 80lbs are usually needed to be in the frame for anglers fishing a four hour match.

Most popular baits tend to be soft hooker pellets, small pieces of luncheon meat, maggots, casters and sweetcorn.

The Farmhouse accommodation

Church Hill Farm offers both Bed and Breakfast and self-catering accommodation. In the main farmhouse there are three spacious rooms – two doubles and one twin –  whilst next door are its cosy Courtyard Suites, the Hurlingham and Kitzbuhel which can be occupied separately or joined together to make one large unit. Both have ground floor access.

The historic Cruck farmhouse is Grade II listed and dates back to the 15th century. It has been a family home for hundreds of years and contains fine antique furniture. All Farmhouse rooms offer an ensuite bathroom, TV and hospitality tray, beamed ceilings, antique furniture, free onsite parking, and free and fast WiFi. A full or Continental breakfast is included.

The Courtyard Suites

Two recent additions to the accommodation at Church Hill Farm are the Hurlingham and Kitzbuhel suites which can be rented  either as luxury bed and breakfast rooms or as self contained, self catering units. They can be occupied separately or joined together to make one large unit. Both have ground floor access.

Guests can go into the farmhouse for full breakfast or, if preferred, Continental breakfasts can be put in the fridge to be eaten in the suite. (At certain times only a continental breakfast will be available – please check when booking.)

The ​Hurlingham Suite is a stylish and modern self contained suite with mini kitchen and wet room. It has oak floors, underfloor heating and a Superking bed with deep pocket sprung mattress which can be separated into two single beds. The LCD flat screen digital TV has Freeview.

The Kitzbuhel Suite is another spacious luxury cottage suite with separate sitting area, Superking bed with deep pocket sprung mattress, fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, and large walk-in shower. Furnished to a high standard, the Kitzbuhel has oak floors, under floor heating, flat screen digital TV with Freeview and a large comfortable leather sofa which pulls out to a double bed.

Guests staying in the Courtyard Suites can take full breakfasts in the farmhouse or, if preferred, Continental breakfast can be put in the fridge to be eaten in the suite. (At certain times only a continental breakfast will be available – please check when booking.)