I hope in in the right forum, apologies if not.

All,

My mate’s getting back into fly fishing after a gap of 15 years, he fished for about 2 years before the break, so for the sake of argument, he’s a beginner. I’ve posted him gear that will tie him over for a while but I’ve no experience of fisheries in his area so wondering if anyone has first hand experience of fisheries in the Ascot area, info on their suitability for someone starting back into it etc. Ideally he’ll want somewhere where the fishing relatively easy, probably where lures on a floater will yield success, and he doesn’t feel intimidated as a beginner. From web searches, those fisheries I can find in the area are, Haywards farm (nr. Reading), Barn Elms (Bradfield), Sheephouse (Maidenhead), Felix farm (Bracknell), Frensham Farm (Churt, Surrey). Any info on the suitability of these, or any other suggestions are more than welcome.

Cheers,

Andrew.

Barn elms is good for a beginner, definitely not felix - i like the place but it's bloody difficult. J

Yes Barn Elms is good, I would also say Haywards Farm is good for beginners plus it has a C&R lake and the Sportfish shop on site. Haywards Farm is also just off the M4 so might be a bit easier to get to if you are pushed for time.

Another vote for Barn Elms. It's only 5 minutes away from Haywards (which is great too) but it's a lovely spot. Well maintained and well stocked. There's even cake and biscuits in the lodge!

Although I've been fishing for years I'm new to the fly and I've had plenty of help and advice from the bailiffs there.

You can catch quite quickly on the main part of the lake but there are plenty of ways to make a full day of it if needed.

Barn Elms Fly Fishery, Pang Valley, Berkshire, Brown and Rainbow Trout, TroutMasters lake, Fly Fishing tuition

cheers lads, between these and looking trhough previous posts, Barn Elms is prob his best bet.

Had my first go at Haywards Farm today, managed to catch 2 of my 4, 2lbs7 and 3lbs12. As a venue it's okay, it's not as pretty as barn elms, and a bit featureless, but the fish seemed in good nick if a bit allusive.

I went to Haywards Farm yesterday, caught a smallish trout (maybe 2lbs) on the C&R lake with a Pheasant Tail Nymph towards the end of the day.

No-one i spoke to seemed to be having much luck on the main lake so you did ok!

I think it was a bit hit and miss, i caught my 2 within 15mins of each other, then nothing for the next 4 hours. Lost my sunnies too, went back to look for them today and managed to drive over them! J