Sapphire Lakes
This picturesque fishery is one of the regions oldest established coarse fishing waters. With 3 lakes set in more than 11 acres Sapphire can cater for all anglers, from the carp angler looking for that personal best to the match and pleasure fisherman hoping for that huge net full at the end of the days session, Sapphire Lakes won't disappoint!! Facilities include ample car parking - toilet and shower cubicle. Oh yes, and lets not forget Graham (Fishery Owner) is always at hand for that invaluable and friendly advise.
The carp lake is a picuresque 4.5 acre lake with many features, especially in the summer when the lilly pads are in their peak. There are 18 pegs but anglers are strictly limited to 13 at any on time.
Holding a good head of double figure carp to 32lb there is always a good chance of getting that elusive 20lb plus fish. The stock is roughly 50/50 commons and mirrors mixed, all the carp are the original stocked British fish.
All baits work well, especially the old favorite “corn”. The lake averages 6ft-7ft with some areas going to 9ft. In the summer months there can be as little as 2ft on the bars. Margin fishing is not to be ignored, especially at night.
All anglers must use landing nets, unhooking mats and weigh slings as supplied by Sapphire. There is a 3 rod limit, although winter time this may be increased to 4 if the circumstances allow.
The Specimen Lake is limited to Carp fishing only - General Coarse Fishing Is Not Allowed
Little is know about the history of Talltrees due to the privacy of the venue over the years. We can currently call upon three previous owners to give details dating back over the last 25 years.
The lake was created in the late 1800s, excavated for the clay to make bricks. Many of these bricks can be still seen in use today at most of the local farms.
Originally 3 pools, the far pool was filled in around 1920, when the task to completely fill the pools was halted, to cereate a natural lake. the two remaining pools were then connected either side to leave what is now the island.
The island was originally around 10 meters wide, with two bridges eitherside, to allow the easy passage onto the island. The bridges are said to be removed around 1940. The island currently has a width of approx. 2 meters, in places. This errosion of the island size has beed due to the fish eroding the island walls.
No date has ever been found of when fish were originally stocked. "Melvyn" is the first owner to lay claim to making some serious stocking. Commons and Mirrors were stocked in vast numbers around the 5lb mark in approx.1980. Although varied stock already excisted at the time, the new influx of stock caused a boom in catch rates. (although maily 5lb' ers were caught!)
Previously to Melvyn, "John" the builder had owned all the properties around the lake (at this time known as Hunter's Moon lake)
During his ownership he befrinded "Kevin Maddox" who had stocked the lake with twenty cats, all about 3lb in weight. Whilst the cats are never really fished for, numerous anglers over the years have laid claim to the "screaming run" that they could never control, and lost the fish without ever getting to see anything. With some night-time monster splashes, some have said a cat in the region of 60lb must now hide somewhere in the depths!
John recalls a good varied array of stock from his time, from the roach, rudd & perch, to the small school of bream (currently around the 6lb mark) the introduction of a couple of pike occurred.
The pike are currently well feed up on the shoals of roach & rudd, with catches of a one time 35lb, and in recent years a 24lb.
In the past 12 months we have seen a 15lb come out on a pineapple boilie, reeled in for recasting. A few sessions of late have found a boom of 4-5lb jacks, a clump of 6lbers, and also a good head of 8lbers.
John recalls commons in abundance, maily in the 12lb region (the early 80's). Some of these fine looking golden, bronze beauties have been caught of late as 24-28lb, but a good few have sadly passed thier expeced age and departed us to that great lake we all hope to be fishing behind the pearly gates!
Welcome to Holyfield Carp Lakes website. You may choose from 3 lakes (Top Lake, Bottom Lake & match Lake) Holyfield Fishery provides toilets, a cafe and 24 hour CCTV monitoring of the car park. For details of the three lakes see below.
Holyfield Bottom Lake is a specimen carp lake, with carp ranging from around 8lb up to 35.5lb. Including Tench up to 6.5lb, the lake itself is just under four acres with a silty bottom, the lake is well stocked with average sized Carp at around 20lb. Membership for this lake is available or day tickets can be purchased on the bank.
22lb Bottom Lake
RECORD CATCH - TOP LAKE
33lb 4oz
Holyfield Top Lake restricted to memebers only at weekends and is for over 18's only. The present lake record is 33lb 4oz, with an average size of 15lb. There is also a good stock of Tench up to 4lb, the lake features two islands with mature trees surrounding. The bottom of the lake is clay with some weed and Lilly pads, during the summer months, many of the fish are caught at the surface. Top and bottom lakes are both open 7 days a week.
Holyfield Match Lake recently opened in 2003, is around one acre in size. Consisting of 12 swims, the lake is very well stocked with a range of fish including Roach, Rudd, Bream, Perch, carp and Tench. This lake is open to beginners or experienced fishermen. Children are welcome but must be supervised by an adult.
The lake is open seven days a week for day tickets or can be booked for private matches. Holyfield Fishery provides toilets, a cafe and 24 hour CCTV monitoring of the car parking area. We also often have some small home bred Carp and Tench available in our fish house.
