Many thanks to the `photographer' Russell Croft for the lovely picture above.
Westbrook Mere has been owned by the club since 1925. It is an
old gravel pit of some 3.5 acres with depths varying from 2.5 to 10 feet.
The Mere holds a considerable head of Carp, mostly 3 to 9 lb but with a
good number of "doubles". In addition there is a healthy head of
Roach, Bream, Perch and Tench. The Mere is maintained through a vigorous
fishery management policy and offers good fishing throughout the season.
Winter pike fishing is provided by a good population of this species.
Fish may be caught on a variety of methods and baits including
ledger/feeder, waggler and pole in conjunction with maggot, sweetcorn,
boilies, bread and worms sometimes with the careful use of a small amount
of groundbait, often just a cupful per session.
Its not all buzzers and boilies at the Mere. Simple
tactics work: A split cane rod and centrepin, a goosequill float and a
large worm accounted for this spring caught golden flanked nine pounder. Snooks
Pool is part of the same water mass, but is fenced off from the Mere, to
provide a smaller fish water, stocked at a greater density, without the
impact on stocks of the large carp. No
boilies or pellets are to be used on this section. We would like it to become a
natural bait water for young and old alike.
Note: An unhooking mat was used in the landing of this fish