5 more top silver rivers

1 River Medway, East Peckham, Kent

Fish hemp and caster for 15lb nets. Tel: Medway Tackle on 01732 360690

BLOSSOMING beds of lilies, spacious swims and a true rural feel are often features associated with a stunning estate lake. Such fisheries provide the perfect setting to forget about the daily stresses of life while waiting for your float to go under or tip to pull round with any one of a number of different species respsonsible.

It’s often said that commercials are unable to match those levels of wholesome tranquillity. While true in some cases, there are a growing number of complexes that make a mockery of such suggestions.

Pay a visit to Shropshire’s Weston Pools and you’ll soon realise it is a venue that prides itself on the remarkable beauty of the entire site.

All six lakes ( one of which is off the main site) are easy on the eye. Reeds, wildflowers and trees are allowed to flourish, while at the same time, sympathetic management ensures that paths and pegs are easily accessible thanks to a ceaseless maintenance programme. There is no let- up in the high standards when it comes to the fishing, with mixed bags at the heart of the stocking policy. Carp and F1s are present in big numbers but there are stacks of quality ide, barbel, tench and skimmers to keep things interesting. Up and coming starlet Kristian Jones has pretty much made the venue his second home in recent years and reckons it scores top marks in every department.

“It looks the part, the fishing is exceptional and it has all the facilities you would expect from a top- class venue,” said the Blakes Baits and Tri- Cast backed angler.

“I’ve spoken to plenty of anglers who were unsure whether they would enjoy commercials but, after visiting Weston, they can’t get enough of it!”