Fly Fishing lake & Venue
Salford Trout Lake
Salford Trout Lakes • Salford • Chipping Norton • Oxfordshire • OX7 5YZ • Tel/Fax: (01608) 643209 • info@salfordtroutlakes.co.uk
The Salford Lakes are tucked away in the peaceful and rural corner of the North Cotswolds and is close to the small market towns and villages of the area. Many visitors return for an annual pilgrimage to fish the waters which feature amongst some of the most scenic in the country.
Salford is 2 miles NW of Chipping Norton off the A44. The Lakes are set in their own peaceful valley about half a mile from the village.
Upon arrival in Salford, go past the Pub, left by the Village Hall, up the hill, past the Play Ground and left into the drive. Signposted thereafter.
Salford Trout Lakes is a small privately owned Trout Fishery comprising of two spring fed lakes totalling 8 acres of water set admist beautiful, rural North Cotswold countryside.
The Lakes were created out of marshland 30 years ago and have been providing trout fishing ever since. The adjoining unspoilt countryside acts as a wonderful habitat for numerous plant, fly and insect life.
The water is clear and well oxygenated lending itself to the survival of healthy and well grown fish feeding from this abundance of natural fly and insect life available.
Stocking Policy
The stocking policy is aimed to provide a steady density of fish throughout the season.
Rainbow and Brown trout are stocked from 1.5 lbs up to 5 and 6 lbs. They are sourced to provide strong fighting fish.
The warmer weather leading to high water temperatures now commonly experienced in late July and August necessitates the stock levels to be considerably reduced mid-season; however season dates are now extended to provide early spring and late Autumn fishing. Fishing these waters requires the basic need to examine carefully what insects and flies are hatching at the given time of day. The wealth of natural fly life is ideally suited to nymph and dry fly fishing. The summer of 2007 will be remembered for the excessively wet June and July which led to excellent fishing being maintained throughout the season. The warm dry spring that preceded it led to early fly life on the surface with May fly hatches at the end of April and Damsels following in early June.
It was encouraging to witness fish feeding more naturally throughout the season than they have done so for many years. Spring returns will normally feature pond and lake olives, GRHE and pheasant tail nymphs; however do not arrive without buzzers - black, green and claret. Towards Autumn daddy long legs feature in the returns. The lower lying fish often feeding on shrimps and snail will be tempted towards the surface and margins by careful presentation and not fishing too heavy.
Invariably for first time visitors there will be an 'experienced hand' around to offer advice and guidance to fish these challenging but rewarding waters.
The Owners attempt to maintain an atmosphere here at Salford where a balance of good sport in these idyllic surrounds compliments their wish to run a commercial fishery where sportsmen can come and test their wits for a few peaceful hours of fly fishing; an ideal opportunity to get closer to nature in this rapidally expanding urban world.
