When we heard Mike and a few of his buddies were making the long trip from Cornwall up to The Cotswolds in search of some quality trout fishing we thought we'd better follow them up the M5 and take a look.
I'd heard Mike was heading to Lechlade and I wanted to see what was happening up there, having only fished Bushyleaze more years ago than I care to remember.
When it comes to big fish waters Tim Small's fishery is up there with the heavyweights and has gained a well earned reputation for a healthy big fish stocking policy.
Big fish waters can easily attract disdain from some anglers and some of those I have visited in the past have been little more than stock ponds, which only adds fuel to the fire of those against them.
I knew Lechlade was smaller than 22 acre Busyleaze but wasn't sure how small. As I walked down the path it was a pleasant surprise to see a nice sized lake open out in front of me. At 9 acres, Lechlade has a good mixture of bays and open water to fish.
Mike was casting from the platform nearest to me. He and his 3 friends are all exerienced anglers who ply their trade on the stillwaters of Cornwall. He was fishing a new intermediate line and after a short while lifted into a fish.
Mike and his friends have fished Lechlade a few times and like the fishery, especially the chance of hooking a real big one, and that makes them come back for more.
A little further up the bank I met Alex. Alex makes the trip over from London and is at the fishery most weeks. He knows the nooks and crannies of the fishery and likes to stalk the bigger fish, especially the big browns that are stocked. We saw a few really nice fish move along our bank, but they weren't interested but we watched a good sized brown follow the fly but was beaten to it by a 9lb rainbow. It must have put the brown at 12lb.
I'd been taking some photos of some guys fishing just a short distance away and thought I'd better let them know that I wasn't from the Tax Office, just in case! Gary, H and Marcus were from North London. They like to fish the reservoirs of the Midlands during the season but like to get together for a fish during the winter. Lechlade is popular choice with them.
Gary is getting into competition fishing and when we spotted a few fish move near the surface he snipped off his lure and rigged a washing line set up. The slightest twitch from his boobie and he struck into a fish that we all thought was bigger than the 14lber he'd had earlier. It wasn't. Not even close but this thing punched way beyond its weight.
I think this is one of Lechlade's strengths; it appeals to anglers who want to hit the road and fish somewhere different. Plus you get the added extra of a large fish being a distinct possibility, which must be a strong factor in helping you make the decision where you are going to fish.
As I see it you can look at it two ways: go as a treat and pay more than your standard still water ticket price, but have the opportunity for some large fish, or use it as a cheaper alternative to the other "big fish" waters in the South East.
Lechlade is a slick operation with interesting fishing and good sized quality fish. I'm really glad I went and took a look!
Vists Lechlade's Website for more details.