Stone End House Farm

Main Lake

Just over an acre in size with two islands, Main Lake holds 20 pegs and is well stocked with common, mirror and ghost carp into double figures with the average size being between 4lbs and 8lbs.

Double figure fish taken almost daily

Double figure fish are taken almost daily whilst recently several fish between 13lbs and 15lbs have been taken. The biggest known fish to have been taken in the past couple of years have come in at 23lbs 10oz and 22lbs. In addition to its good head of carp, Main Lake is also stocked with bream to over 5lbs and roach to 2lbs which have showed particularly well in recent years.

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.

Peg 1 is a secluded peg

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 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 an 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 hotspot

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.

Fish the margins near the reeds

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.

The Pear Tree peg is popular

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 good sized bream.

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. Although the fish do not run to the same size as those in Main Lake, House Pond is a good water for less experienced anglers or those looking to keep busy during their session.

Hard fighting Germans!

The original stock fish are a hard fighting German strain of fast-growing common and mirror carp which now average 2lbs to 6lbs in weight. These fish are noted for the exceptional sport they give, taking off like torpedoes when hooked. As a result, anglers should not leave their rods unattended. Since stocked, they have spawned well and the resulting home-bred carp are extremely attractive fish which usually represent three quarters of a day’s catch. Fish stocks have recently been supplemented with the addition of a large number of decent sized roach.

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.

A shallow ledge runs around House Pond

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 regularly prove 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 well into double figures by the end this year. Pegs 1 to 8 have also recently been yielding good catches of roach.

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. When fishing Peg 8 it can pay to fish half way out into the deeper water to find the bigger fish.

Most popular baits

When it comes to baits, most popular tend to be pellet and paste, luncheon meat, sweetcorn, 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.