Wepre Park
Country-park pool turns the corner
LOTS of elements combine to transform a water into an anglers’ paradise, not least top-class fishery management.
The work put into the development of tackle shops, a café and good access is easy to see, but the efforts made to ensure that a venue and its stocks remain in tip-top condition often go unnoticed.
Bosses at The Rosie Pool in Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, have worked tirelessly in recent years to overhaul the complex, and they are now reaping the rewards.
The fishery used to be hit by regular fish kills due to overstocking and debatable management techniques, but the new committee of the controlling angling club have sought expert advice and worked wonders.
Visitors are now greeted by the perfect scenario – stunning scenery, comfortable surroundings and incredible fishing. The club has struck the perfect balance between a commercial and a natural pool, working hard to maintain the site while stocking a variety of species including fully scaled mirrors to double figures, ide to over 3lb, stacks of roach over the 1lb mark, quality bream and true crucians over 3lb.
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Plenty of bites are assured, but this isn’t the sort of place to head to for a 100lb haul – half that is a much more realistic target.
Fishing In The North West website blogger James Davies has played a big part in the renovation.
“The fishery had been dogged by so many problems over the years, but by putting into place a management plan created by fishery expert Andrew Ellis we have turned The Rosie Pool into something very special,” he said.
“We’ve removed thousands of tiny fish that were using up valuable oxygen, worked on the surrounding trees so that more light and wind can get on to the venue, and ripped out a huge lilly bed to improve water circulation.
“Add to that a sensible new stocking policy and you soon realise that a lot of work has gone into creating the fishery you see today.”
BITES GALORE
With 30 pegs to attack you really are spoilt for choice. Each swim offers something a little different. Pegs at either end have large clumps of lilies to put a bait next to, an island in the middle is the ideal target for chucking a waggler, and the open water offers somewhere for the fish to patrol when water temperature starts to fall.
“Every peg has genuine potential and you are pretty
much guaranteed bites from anywhere if you do it half right. With such a variety of species, it’s difficult to guess what you’ll land next,” added James.
And so it proved, as James worked his way to a 40lb mixed net of carp, roach, skimmers and crucians for our cameras.
“It’s amazing just how good this fishery is when you compare it to the state it was in only a couple of years ago. All the hard work is paying off and has helped provide one of the region’s best up-and-coming waters,” concluded James.