UKCARP MAGAZINE 60 SEPTEMBER 6TH 2011UKCARP VENUE OF THE MONTHEight lakes and four stretches of river combine to make this Herefordshire venue a superb fishery - and it's just for adults DOCKLOW POOLSSWIM BY SWIM GUIDE TO...A good double-figure common from Major Bill.The farmhouseoffers B&B accommodation.Photographs by Robert AndersonSelf-cateringlodge cabins.

2011UKCARP MAGAZINE 61 SEPTEMBER 6TH 2011Docklow Pools is a fishery and holiday business set in 110 acres of countryside near Leominster.Established in 1972, it boasts river, match, specimen carp and catfish fishing. There are eight lakes and four river stretches, including two on the prolific Wye and another two on the Teme. Docklow is an adults-only venue, aimed at couples. The maximum party size is six people. There is a restaurant serving home-made food every day within a 17th century farmhouse country pub, and other facilities include a nine-hole pitch and putt, tennis court and snooker/pool room. Docklow also boasts a tackle shop that is extensively stocked with branded tackle and fresh bait.? ?For anglers, Docklow has lodges on a self-catering basis or a B&B option in the refurbished farmhouse. All rooms are based on two people sharing on a weekly basis, Saturday to Saturday in peak season, although shorter breaks can be arranged off season. The log cabins, premier and traditional properties are superbly suited to couples. New additions include log cabins with four-poster beds behind the Moby Dick Lake. All properties are close to the lakes and, if need be, the pools can be accessed by car.? ?The private Major Bill lake is Docklow's specimen pool, covering about eight acres with a central island. It has catfish to 68lb, and carp to over 30lb. This pool is not day ticket, so you'll need to stay in cottages or lodges or B&B.A double rod ticket for residents is just £50 a week, which covers all the lakes and rivers with two rods. There is a Monday to Friday bivvying-up ticket for £100, subject to availability.Day tickets are available from the tackle shop (Docklow Tackle, 01568 760544) at £6 a day for a single rod. The day-ticket pools are Mickey Mouse, Moby Dick and Figure of 8 pools. The other lakes and rivers aren't available on day tickets.? Mickey Mouse is probably the oldest commercial lake in the UK, having been around for nearly 40 years. Carp easily go over 20lb here, although it's a silverfish paradise too. There are carp, roach, rudd, chub, tench, bream, ide, barbel, crucians and even a few grassies. Moby Dick has been described as the best roach pool in the country.The Match and Farmer Jack lakes are used for occasional weekend club contests, but very rarely. They are popular for guests who have log cabins nearby. There are a lot of large fish, particularly in the margins late at night. The Stock Pool is used for an open every Sunday. Finally the Snake is a pole angler's utopia, 60-plus pegs winding through the farm in perfect surroundings. This is a pool for guests and members.? ?Docklow also has a stretch of the River Wye south of Hereford near the Bunch of Carrots pub, and another north of Hereford, plus the two Teme stretches near The farmhouse country pub restaurant.Tenbury Wells. The lakes are well established.Grass carp are a feature of Docklow.Docklow factfileLocation: Docklow, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0RUContact: 01568 760256www.docklowpools.comemail: docklowpools@hotmail.com. ?Info : Dave Harrell uses our Wye waters for his coaching days. For details, email: info@daveharrellangling.com. There is a river membership but no day tickets. The Major Bill membership is limited to 40 and there is a waiting list, but the Docklow membership covers all the other lakes, excluding Major Bill and river stretches.