Castle Ashby Fisheries is situated approximately 5 miles to the east of Northampton, and is pleasantly tucked away in a quiet rural village.  The fishery is overlooked only by its original owners at the mansion of this large estate.  These shallow ponds were excavated many years ago for clay for the making of roof tiles.  But now these very picturesque lakes are home to quite a different quarry, a large head of carp and silver fish.  The method feeder was born in these parts and anglers have for many years been honing there skills here on its residents.  A master of this technique is the current owner / manager of the waters, Mike Hewlett. ` The fishing has got to be good when the owner fishes there three times a week`. 

 Mike Hewlett the owner enjoying some Winter sport

 

(Car parking on Grendon Quarter Pond)          ( Pegs on Scotland Pond)

Platforms

Pegs at Castle Ashby are varied.  Some being constructed from slabs or timber, but the majority are grassed with a logged frontage acting as a bump stop for the wheelchair user.  The average size of the pegs being in excess of 1.5mtrs square.  Some having level access from the pathways.

Car Park

There are several car parks along the fishery some constructed from crushed stone and slate.   Others are of a heavily packed shingle and earth mixture.  The majority of which are level.

Access

Access to all pegs is via a cars-width pathway as parking behind the majority of pegs is permitted as pictured above.

Toilets

There are toilet facilities adjacent to the cafeteria / clubhouse, these have concrete ramped access and the female toilet is large enough to accommodate a wheelchair but is not designated as being for disabled.

Danglers Thoughts & Tips

We here at disabled-angler have no qualms in recommending a visit to Castle Ashby.   Methods tend to be feeder and waggler tactics, as the pole does tend to spook the fish in such shallow water, it being little more than 60cm deep. The management is very friendly and the setting is very peaceful.  Summer weights can be very large, the Grendon Quater Pond is renowned for its terrific head of carp. Pleasure anglers regularly have catches of 200 lb. The Scotland Pond is geared more to catching silver fish, with the opportunity of catching some very huge resident carp. Concessionary day tickets are available.

Directions

FROM A428 Bedford to Northampton Road. Leave this as indicated by signposts at Billing (via Cogenhoe), Denton (via Whiston) or Yardley Hastings (via Castle Ashby estate).

For further directions visit: http://www.castleashbyfisheries.co.uk