SORRY FOLKS - NO PICTURE IN MY ALBUM OF THIS VENUE
OAKTREE CARP FARM AND FISHERY, SOUTH MOLTON
BACK TO PRIVATE LAKES
DESCRIPTION (Brochure from 01398 341568)
This is about as far as you ought to think about traveling for a days fishing if you are staying in or near Exeter. You need to allow about an hour for your trip from Exeter to the day ticket lakes at Oaktree fishery.
Three lakes. One stocked with mainly smaller carp, tench, rudd etc (that's the first one - about an acre), one with medium sized carp and tench (the middle one - about an acre again) and one with real biggies (the top one - a couple of acres in size). The first lake is usually really easy fishing - if you fancy the sort of day where you'll be pulling out fish after fish after fish, just pile a handful of maggots in with every cast and away you'll go. Actually, it can get tiresome after a while, so perhaps you should take a break and join the Fox chair and buzzer bar brigade on the other two lakes. Most of the standard carp baits and techniques work well here.
What I think is really nice about this venue is the fact that you can graduate kids from fishing quite happily on the lower lake and onto the rather more challenging fishing environment on the second. I took my lads here quite a few times when they were younger, and they loved the place.
The scenery is grand too - the fishery lies in the foothills of Exmoor and at the right time of year with the purple heather in bloom - well, you get the general idea. Well worth a visit - you are unlikely to have a bad day here.
GETTING THERE
Easy to reach this one. Leave the M5 at junction 27, join the A361 - the North Devon Link Road - and head towards Barnstaple. At Newtown take the B3227 (signposted to Bampton - travelling from Exeter, you will leave the Link Road by an exit on the left and then bear round and back under the Link Road).
After three miles on the B3277 turn left at Bullaford Gate and the lakes are a quarter of a mile on the right.
FACILITIES, etc.
Actually, there are lots. Fishing tackle can be hired, there is easy access for disabled anglers, there are toilets on site and bait can be purchased. No cows nearby. Excellent.