Tall Trees Fishery
"A beautiful, mature, willow encased 2 acre gem, set in the glorious tranquil Bedfordshire countryside"
Little is know about the full 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 1880s, excavated for the clay to make bricks. Many of these bricks can be still seen in use today at most of the local farms in the surrounding area.
Originally 3 pools, the far pool was filled in around 1940, when the task to completely fill the pools was halted, to create 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 either side, 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 erosion of the island size has been 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 excised at the time, the new influx of stock caused a boom in catch rates. (Although mainly 5lb' ers were caught!)
Previously to Melvyn, "John" the builder had owned all the properties around the lake, at this time (1970) known as Hunter's Moon lake.
It is whilst called "Hunter's Moon Lake", that the late, great "Dick Walker" frequented the lake. Whilst the lake has been renowned for its quality carp over the years, back in Walker's time he was searching for the big Perch believed to be in the water. We are still trying to find out more info on Walker's visits.
During John's ownership he befriended "Kevin Maddox" who had stocked the stock pool with between twelve to 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) in around 1975 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 30 & 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 6lb'ers, and also a good head of 8lb'ers.
John recalls commons in abundance, mainly in the 12lb region (in 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 their expected age and departed us to that great lake we all hope to be fishing behind the pearly gates!
In 2004, my father, (John Folly) purchased the lake from Melvyn (New City Heating).
As a very keen angler from an early age, as many an angler, his dream was to one day own his own lake.
