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Ladybower reservoir

Alex Chalmers-Wilkes

Alex Chalmers-Wilkes

Senior Member
As above has anyone ever fished ladybower reservoir. Myself and the wife normally head up to over Haddon once a year for a peak district fix. And have seen a few boats out on the reservoir, was keen to know what in there or and what people have caught.
 
Neville Fickling and his fishing mates had exclusive pike fishing access some years ago and did have some big fish. This lasted 2 or 3 years before it got out and more anglers gained access, the owners even sold trout livebaits for using there.
Unfortunately the fishing fell flat very quickly, Neville said that the place was literally littered with suspended ropes from the buoys used by the sailors and a lot of hooked fish were being tethered by the hooks to these when being wound in causing a high mortality rate. In addition he believed that the stocking density was low due to the combination of long cold winters and the highly fluctuating water levels at sand pawning time leaving spawn high and dry reducing the recruitment rate.
I am sure that there will still be some there as its impossible for them to have all perished, but I can assure you it isn't as productive as it was. Given time and low angling pressure it will more than likely improve, but as it does the angling pressure will increase and it will probably tail off again. It's got to be worth a 'go' as you never know what it might turn up though, although there is always Dam Flask not too far away which has a better track record.
 
As above - Nev Fickling and Nige Williams had it to themselves for a while and recorded some incredible fish. Between 2000 and 2003 Williams had 6 fish over 30lb the biggest being 33-13 and 29 fish over 20lb and that was just his results
As mentioned it quickly died off but again this was nearly 20 years ago so who knows?
Piking is such a secretive world , you would probably end up with a fatwa on you if you were catching on there now and named venues
Good luck if you have a go.
 
Phil Heaton said:
Neville Fickling and his fishing mates had exclusive pike fishing access some years ago and did have some big fish. This lasted 2 or 3 years before it got out and more anglers gained access, the owners even sold trout livebaits for using there.
Unfortunately the fishing fell flat very quickly, Neville said that the place was literally littered with suspended ropes from the buoys used by the sailors and a lot of hooked fish were being tethered by the hooks to these when being wound in causing a high mortality rate. In addition he believed that the stocking density was low due to the combination of long cold winters and the highly fluctuating water levels at sand pawning time leaving spawn high and dry reducing the recruitment rate.
I am sure that there will still be some there as its impossible for them to have all perished, but I can assure you it isn't as productive as it was. Given time and low angling pressure it will more than likely improve, but as it does the angling pressure will increase and it will probably tail off again. It's got to be worth a 'go' as you never know what it might turn up though, although there is always Dam Flask not too far away which has a better track record.
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Thank you Phil, that was a very interesting read i never knew about my fickling and his mates. I've driven and walk round it a few times and have always seen fishing boats out there so always assumed there would be some good pike to have had. But has you say maybe not as good as years ago, thank you again. Alex
 
Paul Richardson said:
As above - Nev Fickling and Nige Williams had it to themselves for a while and recorded some incredible fish. Between 2000 and 2003 Williams had 6 fish over 30lb the biggest being 33-13 and 29 fish over 20lb and that was just his results
As mentioned it quickly died off but again this was nearly 20 years ago so who knows?
Piking is such a secretive world , you would probably end up with a fatwa on you if you were catching on there now and named venues
Good luck if you have a go.
Click to expand...
Thank you Paul. That's today's troubles with fishing, you want to let me know so they can have a chance of catching great fish but other hand your letting every tom dick and Harry know were to go and hammer the waters. I wasn't expecting to much information back as. If people are catching good fish these days they generally keep it to themselves. Thank you again thou. Alex
 
I'm just about to list on eBay Just Williams by Nigel Williams if anyone is interested. Mint condition (unread copy) and it tells the stories behind NW's biggest fish from Ladybower. Quite an interesting insight into one of the most driven specialist anglers in the country. I've fished it myself (the once) and blanked as did nearly everyone else.
 
Phil Heaton said:
Neville Fickling and his fishing mates had exclusive pike fishing access some years ago and did have some big fish. This lasted 2 or 3 years before it got out and more anglers gained access, the owners even sold trout livebaits for using there.
Unfortunately the fishing fell flat very quickly, Neville said that the place was literally littered with suspended ropes from the buoys used by the sailors and a lot of hooked fish were being tethered by the hooks to these when being wound in causing a high mortality rate. In addition he believed that the stocking density was low due to the combination of long cold winters and the highly fluctuating water levels at sand pawning time leaving spawn high and dry reducing the recruitment rate.
I am sure that there will still be some there as its impossible for them to have all perished, but I can assure you it isn't as productive as it was. Given time and low angling pressure it will more than likely improve, but as it does the angling pressure will increase and it will probably tail off again. It's got to be worth a 'go' as you never know what it might turn up though, although there is always Dam Flask not too far away which has a better track record.
Click to expand...
The dam flask is nowhere near the pike fishery it once was. Been hammered by EE's.
When I walk round with the dog and chat to the pike anglers they've either had nowt or a jack.
 
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