Shear Water Lake
This 37-acre lake is part of the beautiful 9000-acre Longleat Estate, to the west of Wiltshire. Shear Water Lake offers some fine fishing and with such a large head of carp, some huge catches are possible (see Mark Simmonds Southern Review in Carp-Talk). The carp vary from 2lb to almost 30lb, most are upper singles and low doubles, though they are growing on very well. The lake itself averages eight foot deep, with the deepest area being near the dam at 35ft. There are roughly 80 swims located around the lake and there are a few platforms suitable for disabled anglers. There is a café on site and in most cases parking is directly behind each swim. Night fishing is now permitted around the entire lake. There are four other lakes on the estate that offer excellent fishing

Prices:
Day ticket (7am-7pm) £8
Night fishing (24 hours) £15

Contacts:

Nick Robbins (Longleat Water Bailiff)

Longleat
Warminster
Wiltshire
BA12 7NW

Tel: 01985 844496
Mob: 07889 625999

www.longleat.co.uk

Carp - Perfect Days

By John Bailey

The light is fading out of the hot summer Sunday evening and I sort of know this is my first real chance of catching a carp. It is the first time I've had this sense. I am eleven. Perhaps it is the first time I'm properly adult, adult in angling terms at least, capable to some degree of analysing the situation that I am in. It is an exciting, absorbing moment — one I will come to recognise with increasing frequency as the years progress.

I am aware that tonight, my fishing isn't a lottery, a speculative game. I know that every second now counts, that every angler now leaving the lake increases my chances. I know that if I can make it through to real darkness when there is the first true peace of the day, then my plan might just work...

Carp - Perfect Days by John Bailey is available now from the Carp-Talk Shop for £22.95. You can order either by calling 01430 440624 or by visiting www.carptalk-shop.co.uk.