Find your perfect peg in our bumper Where to Fish section this week.
Shearsby Valley’s new owners have got it right
WHEN new owners buy your favourite fishery, two things can happen. Either nothing changes, apart from the man who takes your day ticket fee, or exciting new plans are revealed.
Shearsby Valley Lakes in Leicestershire has changed hands recently, and it is already clear that the new owners pln major changes.
All three lakes have already been given a makeover and the fishery is now enjoying a sponsorship from by Dynamite Baits. For example, Mallard has been drained with plans to turn it into a ‘traditional’ lake.
The management are also considering stocking hundreds of pristine small tench and crucians as well, to create a lake that will truly cater for a wide range of anglers.
All the existing fish from Mallard have been split between the other two waters on site, so there is still plenty of elastic-stretching sport to be experienced right now.
TAKE YOUR PICK
Alder Lake has 51 pegs and is a pole angler’s paradise. Whether you enjoy fishing tight to islands, into open water or squaring up to lumps down the margins, this is the place to be.
The fish average around 5lb but there are plenty of bigger ones to keep you on your toes.
All the Mallard silver fish have been transferred into Willow, where fishing casters up in the water will take big bags of quality ide, roach and skimmers, with F1s and carp for good measure.
Dynamite Baits-backed angler Rob Wootton has fished some of the nation’s finest commercials but admits he has a real soft spot for his local complex. “I only live a few miles away from Shearsby Valley and I am so lucky to have such a fantastic fishery on my doorstep,” he explained.
“I’ve had a good chat with the new owners and I am really excited by what they have proposed. If it’s this good now, I can only imagine how good it’s going to be in the future.”
MODERN FACILITIES
The on-site café is a fantastic place to meet up before fishing, with everything from beans on toast to a full fry-up on offer.
A well-stocked tackle shop has now opened up, selling kit from a range of top manufacturers, and the car park is centrally located. A barrow is advisable if you intend to fish at the far end of each lake, but you are within proximity of dozens of swims just metres away from your car.
INSTANT ACTION
When Angling Times met up with Rob for a few hours’ action on Alder Lake it was instantly
apparent how teeming with fish the water was. Whenever the sun broke through the thick cloud, fish could be seen darting around all over the surface, with numerous stunningly coloured ghosties gliding temptingly through the swim.
Over the next three hours Rob put together over 70lb of quality carp. The fishery seems to have struck a brilliant balance – more than enough fish to keep the float going under regularly, but not overstocked to the point where any challenge is removed.
It’s exciting times at Shearsby Valley and you’ll struggle to find fault with this impressive venue.
PRICES: £7 adults, £5 concessions. CONTACT: Call 07540 897992 or visit www.shearsbyvalleylakes.co.uk LOCATION: Dynamite Baits Shearsby Valley Lakes, Mallard House, Saddington Road, Shearsby, Lutterworth, LE17 6PX.