South Our guide to in-form fisheries

HARESCOMBE FISHERIES, HARESCOMBE, GLOS

LOCATED in Stroud, Gloucestershire, this four-lake day-ticket complex offers great fishing to pleasure and match anglers in peaceful surroundings – be sure to head down here as the weather warms!

Field Lake is the most popular water at the fishery, and is definitely the place to head to for some unbeatable silver fish action. England matchman Des Shipp has been visiting recently, managing 30lb-plus bags of roach and skimmers. These fell to a simple pole set-up, fishing maggot over loosefed caster. As the weather warms, the large head of carp to 20lb will begin to show, and as they do 100lb-plus weights won’t be uncommon.

For those that want to catch carp now, the 23-peg Meadow Lake is on hot form – fish between 3lb and 10lb have fallen to a maggot approach.

Try fishing on the deck to start off, but if it’s warm the carp can be found just off bottom or in midwater. As the temperature rises a pellet approach will come into its own.

Match enthusiasts should look out for the regular open matches held during the week. These normally take place on the Match Lake, which even in the cold has been producing 50lbplus bags of carp.

Tactics here are simple – 13m of pole will reach the central island from all pegs. Maggot and breadpunch are scoring now, with corn and pellet suspected winners throughout the spring.

People who are new to the

sport should try the intimate eight-peg Pastures Lake, which has a large head of silvers – coaching is available on all of the venues. Location: Harescombe Fisheries, Harescombe, Gloucester, GL4 0XD Contact: Andy Price, 07896 959071 or Chris Ratcliffe, 07831 127699 Facilities: Café, coaching lessons, small tackle shop Price: One rod £8, two rods £12 Rules: Barbless hooks, landing net essential, maximum two rods, boilies permitted on the hook only Website: www. harescombefisheries.co.uk