Little
is know about the full history of Talltrees due to the privacy of
the venue over the years. We can currently call upon three previous
owners to give details dating back over the last 25 years.
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The
lake was created in the late 1880s, excavated for the clay to make
bricks. Many of these bricks can be still seen in use today at most
of the local farms in the surrounding area.
Originally
3 pools, the far pool was filled in around 1940, used as a war time
bottle dump, many old curious bottles and pottery items have been
found around the far bank. when the rear pool was completely filled
the last two pools were left to create a natural lake. The two remaining
pools were then connected either side to leave what is now the island.
The
island was originally around 10 meters wide, with two bridges either
side, to allow the easy passage onto the island. The bridges are said
to be removed around 1940. The island currently has a width of approx.
2 meters, in places. This erosion of the island size has been due
to the fish eroding the island walls.
No
date has ever been found of when fish were originally stocked. Although
Sidney Divers had put in some stock in the early days, "John the
Builder " is the first owner to lay claim to making some serious
stocking. Around 50 Commons and Mirrors were stocked in around the 5lb
- 8lb mark in approx.1980. Although varied stock already excised at
the time, the new influx of stock caused a boom in catch rates. (Although
mainly 5lb-8lb' ers were caught!) These fish were around the 15-20lb
mark priot to John selling the lake.
Around
1989 John sold the lake to Melvyn, who also put some stock in, rumoured
to be some green and golden tench. It has been a while since a tench
has been on the bank, possibly because they are the favourite food of
catfish!
John
owned all the properties around the lake, until selling the lake to
Melvyn, at that time it was known as Hunter's Moon lake. It
is whilst called "Hunter's Moon Lake", that the late, great
"Dick Walker" frequented the lake. Whilst the lake has been
renowned for its quality carp over recent years, back in Walker's time
he was searching for the big Perch believed to be in the water. It is
rumoured that he spent an entire autumn and winter in search of the
possibility of a record Perch in the lake, and at that time the Perch
were the only predator fish in it! We are still trying to find out more
info on Walker's visits. One of our members has a metting arranged with
Mr. Walker's wife, so hopefully something will come to light.
During
John's ownership he befriended "Kevin Maddox" who had stocked
the stock pool with between twelve to twenty cats, all about 3lb in
weight. Whilst the cats are never really fished for, numerous anglers
over the years have laid claim to the "screaming run" that
they could never control, and lost the fish without ever getting to
see anything. With some night-time monster splashes, some rumours of
a cat in the region of 60lb caught at the turn of the decade have been
spoken about by local anglers.
John
recalls a good varied array of stock from his time, from the roach,
rudd & perch, to the small school of bream (currently around the
6lb mark) in around 1975 the introduction of a couple of pike occurred.
The
pike are currently well feed up on the shoals of roach & rudd, with
catches of a one time 30lb, and in recent years a 26 & a 24lb. In
the past 12 months we have seen a 15lb come out on a pineapple boilie,
reeled in for recasting. A few sessions of late have found a boom of
4-5lb jacks, a clump of 6lb'ers, and also a good head of 8lb'ers. This
probably indicates that there is no longer a big dominant fish in the
water. The winter works for 2010 will see the Pike removed, along with
the Perch, Bream and silver fish.
John
recalls commons in abundance, mainly in the 12lb region (in the early
80's). Some of these fine looking golden, bronze beauties have been
caught of late as 24-28lb, but a good few have sadly passed their expected
age and departed us to that great lake we all hope to be fishing behind
the pearly gates!
In
2004, my father, (John Folly) purchased the lake from Melvyn (New City
Heating).
As
a very keen angler from an early age, as many an angler, his dream was
to one day own his own lake. He purchased the lake as an ideal retirement
retreat.
More
to follow!.................................
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