Donkhill set to reopen
One venue that I have enjoyed a lot whenever I have been there is Martin
Hodson Walker’s two-acre trout lake called Donkhill Fisheries, at
Donkhill Farm, near Catton which is near Swadlincote in Derbyshire but
close to the Staffordshire border.
It is true that getting to the lake entails a fair walk from the farm
and the journey involving the A38, with its horrendous lorry traffic,
can be a deterrent, but there are compensations to make up for that.
I really like to fish in tranquil, peaceful and quiet places and Donkhill
is one of the few places where you can still do so.
And the quality of the trout is super. There are some whoppers and a very
high average size.
However, some nine months ago problems with weed growth made it necessary
to close the fishery and clean and deepen the whole lake.
Now Martin tells me that the lake looks to be in tip-top condition and
will re-open for fly fishing on April 1.
Ticket prices have been kept at last year’s prices and I approve
of the fact that a limit bag of catch should be taken home and no catch
and release is allowed so there are no tatty fish that have been mishandled.
Intending visitors should book in advance by telephoning 01827 383296
or 383719 or 0778 858867.
It is quite rare for anglers to fail to catch here.