Stanley Reservoir

[James Furness]

Just wondering if anyone's got any info on this water, and where it is actually located!

Cheers!

[Stig]

Ask Nige he is our resident Stanley res expert I have been there once but someone else drove so you know how it is to busy spilling flask coffee over myself and burning cig holes in my shirt + causing the driver no end of dismay by dropping both crumbs and the contents of sandwiches all over his car.
It was a windy day and the surf was up great big rollers going down the middle of the reservoir so we decided to go to Capes instead

[Nige]

Hi,

It's siutated just outside of Endon (nr leek) and is just a couple of miles form botht he major A53 and A520 routes. It is actually in the Village/Hamlett of Stanley. If you do require more in-depth directions I'll be happy to sort out.

Had a similar question about Stanley on the oldforum so to save time I have copied my reply from there:

Basically Stanley was at it's best in the late 70's throughout the 80's and in the early 90's. It held Pike in excess of 30lb, but was by no means easy. Massive campaigns of blanks were commonplace, however if you were/are prepared to put the time and effort in - rewards will come.

The problem is that they run the water very low in the summer, causing low oxygen levels and in years of extreme cases, numerous big Pike and Prey fish were killed.

Then SOTAS gave it up (around 9 years ago) and it basically became a free for all, with every noddy and his dog leaving rubbish, tackle..etc and it basically was a real demise from its former glory.

To add to this, they claim to have "Netted all Pike" from the venue.

There now basically hangs a massive question mark over the fish stocks in there now. There is massive potential for the Pike in there now. Pike are always said to thrive on neglect, and that is exactly what they have had, by this I mean, undisturbed and unpressured fishing at the Top Pool, which will in turn provide good spawning for the fish.

The water now produces double figure fish, with 20's occasionally caught (I think Geoff Beckett had a brace of twenties a couple of years ago).

There are also good coarse stocks in the water, from fry right through to specimen roach. There were also decent Tench and Bream in there in years gone by, however these have not been seen/caught so it's again another big mystery!

Hope this helps...if you want anymore info just ask!
Nige

[James Furness]

Cheers nige.
I'll PM you if i decide to fish it and need more detailed directions etc. Does it hold any carp? Sounds like quite an interesting water. I like a bit of mystery in a water, as there doesn't seem to be many waters with unknown stocks these days.

Tight lines.

[Stig]

Originally Posted by James Furness

Cheers nige.
hold any carp? Sounds like quite an interesting water. I like a bit of mystery in a water, as there doesn't seem to be many waters with unknown stocks these days.

Tight lines.

Some small carp were stocked years ago but everyone thinks the crocodiles ate them all

[Nige]

yup, and have never been caught or seen since. And I think that SOTAS plan to keep it carp-free, although I'm not sure (Will ask Geoff on Sunday).

[williams7]

Originally Posted by Nige

yup, and have never been caught or seen since. And I think that SOTAS plan to keep it carp-free, although I'm not sure (Will ask Geoff on Sunday).

i had a 23lbs pike just before stoke took it over loads of jacks but ive never seen or heard about any carp but you never know