GENERAL FISHERY RULES
Fly-fishing only using conventional rod, reels, lines, flies etc.
One rod only in use at any one time. Others may be set up ready. Rod in use to be "in hand" whenever line in water.
Barbless or De-barbed hooks must be used for Catch and Release.
The following methods are Not allowed: static lures including boobies; spoons with swivels; wagglers; silicone/synthetic worms;
Floats or Sight Bobs; ground-baiting; keep nets.
Fish to be returned should not be handled unless absolutely necessary and then only in the water. Landing nets by law must be knot free mesh.
Fish to be taken should be killed immediately and swiftly.
Deeply hooked or otherwise damaged fish, or fish unlikely to recover because of excessive fatigue, should be killed. These may be purchased or left at the Lodge for charity.
Brown trout are not to be killed out of season.
All anglers and visitors should check in at the lodge before visiting the waters. Catch returns should be recorded at the lodge before leaving.
Normal fishing hours are 8am till dusk for day-ticket holders and dawn till dusk for Permit Holders.
Permits and day-tickets must be carried at all times. Permits are not transferable and are renewable annually by the end of January.
Anglers must carry a current Environment Agency Licence.
Be environment aware- no litter; no discarded line; no feeding the wildlife.
Juvenile fishers are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult experienced in fly-fishing, or a permit holder, no more than 2 juveniles per adult.
Family members and friends can accompany anglers but not so as to be a nuisance to other anglers.
Dogs must be under control at all times, and any fouling must be cleared up so as not to be a nuisance to others.
All boat fishing is from fixed buoys
life-jackets are provided free of charge and must be worn. No alcohol. 2 people per boat only.
Parking is in areas around the lodge. Limited parking is available nearer the waters for anglers with physical access problems. This involves access through a gateway with a locked gate. Ask at the lodge for further details.
Show respect for others at all times; be careful with mobile phones; do not crowd another's swim; no shouting or other unruly behaviour.
Fly fishing is a fast growing sport. And the reasons for the popularity of fly fishing are obvious. Fly fishing is enjoyable, relaxing and rewarding - often times conducted in some of the most beautiful country side and scenery in the UK and the rest of the world. Unfortunately, for beginner anglers, learning fly fishing can at times be difficult, which is where our enthusiastic members come in. they will give the basic essentials an angler needs to begin fly fishing. Ideal for those who wish to try the sport for the first time.
They will teach the following:
How to start the pickup position to the back cast, to the forward cast and everything in-between. Learning how to load the rod and where to unload the rod. Learning how to accelerate the pick up. Then learning how to shoot line through acceleration. The importance of a high back cast. Understanding why you have to accelerate to achieve a good cast. Five simple steps to becoming proficient and comfortable at fly casting.
All lessons are Free.
Troutmasters
is the largest trout fishing competition of its type in the UK.
Westlow Mere has been involved in the competition now for many years.
Anyone catching a large trout at Westlow should ask one of our bailiffs for a form so they can enter the competition. At the end of every month, the three entrants who have caught the top three fish at any participating water will receive a Trout Masters cloth badge. At the end of the year, all badge holders will be eligible to enter the fish-off at their qualifying water to determine who will represent each water in the final.
If you catch a big fish and want to enter the competition please ask our bailiff for a form. All completed Troutmaster forms must be completed and witnessed by one of our bailiffs.
Two separate witnesses are required - one for the catch and one to the weighing. Forms should then be forwarded to Trout Fishermen within five days. After the closing date of 20th December 2007, Troutmasters will contact Westlow Mere and invite all the badge holders for the period to meet for a fish off.
Once a day is agreed the badge holders enjoy a fish off at Westlow Mere and the winner is put forward to a grand final fish off.
Two fellows are out fishing on the lake. A hearse and funeral procession passed the boat on a nearby road. One of the fellows stands up and holds his fishing hat over his heart as the hearse passes. His buddy comments, "Gee Harry, that was really nice and respectful." Harry reply's, "Well after all, we were married for 40 years."
Once upon a time, two brothers from a tiny town in the far north of England, set out to capture the hearts and minds of fishing maharajahs, film stars and royalty the world over.
The astonishing story of how a passion for angling and a love of craftsmanship created one of the most interesting, quirky and best loved British companies ever.
Fly fishing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fly fishing is a distinct and ancient angling method, most renowned as a method for catching trout and salmon, but employed today for a wide variety of species including pike, bass, panfish, grayling and carp, as well as marine species, such as redfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish and striped bass. There are many reports of fly anglers taking unintended species such as chub, bream and rudd while fishing for 'main target' species such as trout. There is a growing population of anglers whose aim is to catch as many different species as possible with the fly.
Fly fishing can be done in fresh or salt water. Freshwater fishing is often divided into coldwater (trout, salmon, steelhead), coolwater (pike, perch, walleye) and warmwater (bass, chub, catfish) fishing. The techniques for freshwater fly fishing also differ in lakes, streams and rivers.