Hamstall Fishery - Four Lakes

Hamstall Fishery is set in the beautiful rolling Staffordshire countryside in the village of Hamstall Ridware. The whole area is steeped in history that dates back to the Norman Conquest. The place name Ridware derives from the Celtic word ‘rhyd’, meaning a ford and ‘wara’, an Anglo-Saxon word meaning dwellers, so ‘dwellers by a river ford’. The prefix Hamstall means ‘homestead’ or ‘place of a house’, suggesting that this might have been the first of the four Ridwares to be settled. In the Domesday Book of 1086, Hamstall Ridware is recorded as Ridvare. The manor belonged to Roger, Earl of Shrewsbury, one of the major tenants in the county at this time. It was of little value, worth five shillings per year and had only enough land to support one and a half ploughs. In terms of its population there were four villeins (an unfree tenant who held his land by performing agricultural services) and two serfs. Today the area is home to around 1,500 people, and is a friendly and thriving community with a church, a pub, several farms, businesses, numerous clubs and societies, an arts centre and the fabulous and unique Ridware Theatre. For more on the history of the village, go to the website of the Ridware History Society. The Fishery is reserved for pleasure and specimen anglers. With pegs suitable for disabled anglers, it offers five pools of differing characteristics plus a largely unfished stretch of the nearby River Blithe which can be reached by crossing over the small bridge near the flow measuring station between Pools One and Two. Over the past few years, Hamstall has matured nicely and is now a natural looking venue clothed in a mass of waterside trees, bushes and bankside vegetation. Open all year round, the fishery is served by a central car park fronting onto which is the purpose-built ticket office where a range of snacks, confectionery and hot and cold drinks can be obtained, as well as a range of baits. Because of it’s variety of pools and verdant surroundings with good access to all the pools, Hamstall is an ideal spot for families looking for a day out where there is good fishing for experienced, children and novice anglers alike. As long as everyone is quiet, anglers can enjoy a day's sport whilst relaxing for a lazy few hours with their families. Please read the fishery rules before fishing. Both bailiffs can give advice if required. Day Ticket Prices for Pools 1, 2, 4 & Canal TICKET ONE ROD TWO RODS ADULT £7.00 £9.00 UNDER 16s £5.00 £7.00 SENIOR (65 & OVER) £5.00 £7.00 Please note that any Angler purchasing a Consessionary ticket must provide proof, e.g Rod Licence to purchase their ticket. Consessionary tickets are no longer available on Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays unless under 16 Ticket Prices for Pool 3 ( Specimen Pool ) No Consessionary Tickets are available for the Specimen Pool. PRICES AVAILABLE IN 2014 Unfortunately we are unable to offer recycling facilities for any rubbish, so we would appreciate it if you would remove all your litter and unwanted bait and dispose of it at home. Genral Fishery Rules ( pools 1, 2, 4 & Canal ) Our aim is to make your day as pleasant as possible, so all we ask is that you observe these simple rules and show our fish some respect. Unfortunately we are unable to offer recycling facilities for any rubbish, so we would appreciate it if you would remove all your litter and unwanted bait and dispose of it at home. No dogs allowed on the fishery. Under 16s to be supervised at all times. No barbed or long shank hooks. No fixed leads or fixed feeders. No braid main line. Landing net to be used at all times. No landing net No fishing. Use y/ur landing net to return the larger fish. Return fish in your own swim. No keepnets. No boilies or Nuts. Ground bait only in a cup or feeder. Do not throw unwanted bait in at the end of your days fishing. Never leave your rod or pole unattended. No fishing between the pegs. Maximum two rods per peg. When unhooking larger fish use an unhooking mat. Never walk around with the fish. You are welcome to take photos of your fish but you must be kneeling down and holding the fish over an unhooking mat. Please treat our fish with respect and return them quickly. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN A BAN FROM THE FISHERY. Specimen pool 3 Rules All Anglers must purchase a ticket before fishing. Anglers must be capable of handling large carp on their own. No under 16s. Each Angler must have their own 42’’ landing net and a well padded unhooking mat or cradle, no sharing Barbless hooks only. Minimum hook size 10. Minimum 12lb line. No Braid main line. No lead core. No fixed leads or feeders. Maximum 2 rods per angler, One angler per peg. Never leave rods unattended or in the care of another angler. No Poles. No carp sacks. No fishing between pegs. No nuts or particles. Fresh or Frozen Boilies only no shelf life. Only fishery feeder pellets to be used. Ground bait in a feeder only. You are welcome to take photos of the fish you catch, but you must be kneeling down and holding the fish over your unhooking mat. Make sure you keep the fish wet in warmer weather. Never walk around carrying fish. All fish to be returned in your own swim safely using your landing net or weigh sling, never carry the fish in your arms. Please treat our fish with respect. Damaged mouth or scales to be treated with carp care products. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN A BAN FROM THE FISHERY