Quite a long time ago now I attended the opening day on the first day
that Foremark reservoir near Burton-on-Trent opened for trout fishing.
Starting at dawn I soon had a good catch, a double limit in fact, though
I might not be so greedy nowadays.
Since that day I fished Foremark fairly regularly and enjoyed great sport,
especially from the boats.
I had some good fish including a double-figure trout, and I won a place
in the troutmasters final with a catch from Foremark.
When Colin Lawrenson took over the running of the fishing he continued
to give us sport of great quality and I continued my visits even though
the journey there and back became horrendous due to heavy lorry traffic
on the A38.
Unfortunately, Colin had to cease running the fishing, and this has happened
to so many people who have tried to stay in business as managers on reservoirs
that started off as water-authority-run fisheries.
Now another manager has opened the reservoir up to trout anglers again,
and I am hearing reports of heavy stocking and good sport including some
good dry fly sport.
Phil Dixon is the new manager and he offers a wide variety of different
permits for bank or boat fishing.
A full day permit to take home six fish or catch and release until the
limit has been killed seems a bargain at £15, with cheaper permits
for shorter spells of fishing, and discounts for members of Salmon and
Trout Association or the Grayling Society.
I note that those customers who enjoyed trolling at Foremark, including
some disabled anglers, will now not be allowed to use that method.
And I approve of the new management advice that it is unwise to stand
up in the boats as so many anglers seem to do.
I do wish Mr Dixon success because this is a really good fishery and when
you have to buy trout in instead of rearing them yourself it can be very
dodgy business indeed.