Stillwaters set for £1m investment

A major overhaul at some of the nation’s most popular stillwaters is set to go ahead, Angling Times can reveal.
Fishery bosses will invest over £1m in a number of ground-breaking projects designed to reinvigorate their waters.
The popularity of commercial fisheries continues to grow and officials have signalled their intention to repay visitors by spending huge sums raised from day-ticket fees on major upgrades.
Work has already got under way to create new lakes, pegs and facilities, with venue owners setting their sights on completing the improvements in the coming months.
Devon’s Stafford Moor is among those that are currently working on the biggest transformation in their history.
“We have completely redesigned Pines Lake to give anglers something different and improved access across the fishery,” said owner Jo Coombes.
“Endless hours have also been spent removing snags and rubbish to create an even more pleasant environment.
“We are so grateful for the support that anglers have given us and we felt it only right to invest in the fishery and make it even better than it previously was.”
Big efforts to accommodate more anglers have also started at Staffordshire’s Cudmore Fisheries, with a new lake being developed to cater for the spiralling demand.
Fishery manager Vic Spooner said: “We had a number of occasions last summer when we struggled to fit everyone on to
the complex and we wanted to avoid that happening again.
“Lake One has been redeveloped into a 40-peg pleasure water that will be stocked with F1s, carp and big silverfish. Lots of other modifications are also going on across the complex to make sure that we continue to provide our customers with the best possible experience.”
Others improvements planned include new accommodation at Somerset’s Viaduct Fisheries, while Lancashire’s Bradshaw Fisheries and Lincolnshire’s Westwood Lakes have dipped into their wallets to install new catering facilities.