CAPESTHORNE TOP POOL

Description
About 6 acres in size, Capesthorne Top Pool must rate as one of the most idyllic estate lakes in the country and is steeped in carp angling history. The water and its surroundings are well established and huge beds of large lily pads cover much of the lake. The majority of the water is surrounded by dense woodland, and with masses of marginal cover between swims, fishing the Top Pool gives the angler the feeling that they are cut-off from the rest of the world.

The deepest part of the water is the bay area in front of the boathouse and the rhododendron bushes at around two metres. As you move up to the shallows area the water ranges from just twelve inches to a couple of foot, an area where most of the fish like to congregate in the warmer months.

Julian Grattidge with a cracking Top Pool fully scaled mirror

The water holds an excessive amount of Canadian Pond Weed during the summer months, which whilst pleasing the specimen angler, can sometimes frustrate the pleasure angler. The Society is at present addressing this situation and the Fisheries Manager is undertaking a long-term programme of removal.

Species
The Top Pool holds an excellent head of good Tench to over 8lbs and Crucians to 4lbs. A restocking policy has been undertaken to re-establish the number of specimen fish for the future. The water holds a good number of carp over 20lb with at least three now nearing the 30lb mark. Bream introduced several years ago are now being caught at 7lbs, and small Roach, Perch & Skimmers show well to float fishing tactics.

Julian Grattidge with the Top Pool's 'Victor'

Species Weights

Bream to 7lb; averaging 1-2lb
Common Carp to 28lb 14oz, averaging 14lb
Mirror Carp to 27lb 12oz, averaging 17lb
Crucian Carp to 4lb 2oz, averaging 2lb
Roach to 1lb
Perch to 2lb
Pike to 20lb, averaging 1-5lb
Tench to 8lb, averaging 3-5lb

Chris Knapper with a Top Pool mid-twenty

Location

Located on the A34 just South of Monks Heath junction.

Additional

SOTAS Website Manager Julian Grattidge also owns Northern-Monkeys.com where you can find published articles covering fishing on many of the SOTAS waters, particularly Capesthorne Top Pool and Main lake. If you wish to read articles about the water and view images of fish caught by Julian and angling companions on the Top Pool, just click HERE.

Additional rules apply to this water – refer to Society Information.