FISHERY OF THE WEEK Buscot Park, Oxon
This estate lake is something very special
NOTHING is quite as magical as fishing an estate lake.
Although their numbers have dwindled over the years, Buscot Park in Oxfordshire continues to fly the flag for this majestic type of fishery.
Stunning views can be enjoyed from any of the 25 pegs, with the 230-year old manor house sat on top of rolling hills.
Regardless of whether you’re a traditionalist or have a penchant for commercials, the diverse stocking aims to make this venue an attractive proposition.
Those who are inspired by the likes of Chris Yates will have the chance to target true crucians, with good stocks to around the 2lb 8oz mark.
Tench and bream are also on the cards, with specimens to 5lb on offer.
Carp feature too, and the management appears to have hand-picked its stock, with almost every immaculately conditioned fish having a mesmerising scale pattern.
Hotspots all round
There are all manner of different opportunities to investigate at Buscot, with swims suiting all manner of approaches.
The area close to the car park allows you to fish close to the quaint bridge, while there are plenty of overhanging trees dipping into the margins at the opposite end of the lake under which fish like to bask. Improve Your Coarse Fishing
magazine’s features editor Tony Grigorjevs has sampled the venue on numerous occasions, and he told us: “I’ve been fortunate enough to visit hundreds of fisheries up and down the country, and Buscot Park is without doubt among the most stunning.
“The fishing is just as impressive as the backdrop, and if you get your tactics right there could be a real mixed bag coming your way.”
Take your pick
When it comes to tactics the venue really is an open book.
If you fancy picking off a few of those stunning mirrors and commons, scouring the water will pay off. The fish often leap clear of the surface, and launching a Method feeder laced with dampened micro pellets towards them is bound to find a lump or two.
A long rod with a small waggler can give you that ‘Mr Crabtree’ feel and will work down the margins for a real mixed bag.
The pole will always serve you well too. Prime three lines and alternate between them, feeding pellets and corn in the margins, at 7m, and 11m.
If you visit Buscot Park this week, everywhere else could well feel like second-best from that point on!