We are now closed for the winter break and hope to see you all back in March. Keep an eye on this page for the exact date of the 2025 spring opening.
Christopher Bourne-Arton
Sunday 6 October: last day of the season 2024
Season 2024 is coming to an end in just a few days: Sunday the 6th of October is the last day you can catch the big one that successfully evaded you all summer! One more weekend to grab your chance before we give the survivors their well-deserved winter break!
Keep an eye on the website for the start date of our 2025 season and we hope to see you again in March!
Christopher Bourne-Arton
Dates for the DIARY
BUSY DAYS 2024: on Sunday the 31st of March, Sunday the 18th of August, and Saturday the 7th of September, we have clubs visiting Tanfield Lake.
On these days, our regular visitors are welcome too, but we like to give you a heads-up that on these days, it will be busier than usual.
Christopher Bourne-Arton
OPENING DAY 2024 FRIDAY MARCH 15 TH
After last year’s dry summer with low water levels everywhere it was inevitable, I suppose, that we would have a wet winter - but THAT wet? The Lake seems to have resisted the temptation to join up with the river so with luck our odd resident fish might still be hanging around waiting to give some sport again this year. Still no increase on last year’s prices (worried that Ron might not be able to afford his cruising if we put it up), with the same catch limits. See you in sunny Spring.
Christopher Bourne-Arton
CLOSED and BUSY DAYS 2023
We have a few days in this season’s diary where The Lake will not be available during normal operating hours or access will be limited.
On Tuesday 16 May and Wednesday 17 May, the Lake will be closed until 2 pm.
You are welcome from 2 pm, and evening tickets will be valid from 2 pm on these days 😊!Our yearly Clay Shoot (supporting various charities) will take place at The Lake on Saturday the 5th of August.
On Saturday the 5th of August, The Lake will be closed for fishing.
On Friday the 4th there will be limited access due to set-up activities.We hope for your understanding and please contact us at cwbatanfieldlodge@btinternet.com if you need more details.
Today's catch!
And another picture for our blog, this decent brown trout caught by regular Trevor Sedgwick. He told us this trout was caught just to the left of the tree near the peninsula. So now you know where to find it 😊, as this beauty was returned to water. But only after it had its picture taken!
Decent Brown Trout caught by regular Trevor, returned to water.
NICE BAG!
Regular Fred Rule’s recent bag. A 7 lbs caught on a size 16 black buzzer, 5 lbs on a March Brown and this year’s 2.5 lbs on a blood worm.
Who said rainbows don’t overwinter!!
Caught in March! Who said rainbows don’t overwinter?
OPENING 17 MARCH
“The spring is sprung the grass is riz I wonder where the fishes is?”
With apologies to Ogden Nash
Yes, it is getting near to that time again, so the Lake will open on Friday 17 th March.
In view of everyone’s straitened circumstance, and to do our bit to curtail the cost of living crisis, we will be holding our prices for yet another year.
However, in order to be able to afford to add a couple of fish to the three remaining residents, we have decided to reduce the bag limits to:
- Three fish for day tickets.
- One fish for junior and evening tickets.
Trust this doesn’t drive you to MacFisheries instead of coming to see us.😊
Christopher Bourne-Arton
CLOSING FOR THE SEASON
We are now closed for what has been a difficult season for fishing with the extreme temperatures making life unpleasant for the fish and hard for the fishermen. Fortunately, our fish survived well in the deeper parts of the lake which has the benefit of good spring water, and once the weather broke this showed some great sport in the back end.
We hope to be open again next March - watch this site for dates - when the 5/6 fish you seem to have missed this year will be happy to see you again. Who knows you might even catch them this time!
Happy Christmas to you all.
Christopher Bourne-Arton
REOPENING ON MONDAY 11th APRIL
We are happy to report that after an intensive investigation by both the Environment Agency and their scientific colleagues at CEFAS no underlying problems have been identified for the difficulties we have had. The Lake is now fishing well with fish rising freely in the evenings, and seemingly as lively as usual. Let’s hope this was a one-off and we have a great season from now on.
WELCOME BACK!
Christopher Bourne-Arton