Built in 1787 on the site of a five acre pool belonging to Clattercote Priory when it was a lepers' hospital, Clattercote Reservoir is 21 acres in size and holds 55 million gallons of water when full.

In common with nearby Drayton Reservoir, Clattercote is unusual in that it is almost completely surrounded by a modern wooden walkway which leads to 122 individual jetty-style pegs which jut out into the water.

In addition there are a further 10 pegs on the concrete dam wall.

Whilst this may sound very artificial, it actually provides an unusually interesting perspective on the fishery whilst giving a solid foundation from which to fish.

Indeed, the Canal and River Trust say that Clattercote is the prettiest of all their reservoir fisheries, being lined with trees and shrubs.

Where the walkway runs several metres from the bank, the attraction can be even greater as you have the impression of fishing from a private island with water and reeds behind and to either side of you and clear water in front, although anglers should note that they are not allowed to fish water behind the walkway.

Until the walkway was built most of the reservoir was unfishable.

By creating the walkway not only was much of the reservoir opened up for fishing, but it also enabled most of the indigenous trees and shrubs to be retained.

Additional planting of willows and reeds have made Clattercote even more attractive than it could otherwise have become.

Another nice thing is that, although the reservoir is usually fairly popular at weekends particularly when matches are being held, it is usually quiet mid-week and, with nearly 130 pegs, there is always plenty of free space for pleasure anglers and mid-week club matches.

Although the general stamp of carp does not run as large as those in its sibling rival Drayton Reservoir on the outskirts of Daventry, Clattercote is not far behind.

It is different from Drayton in that it is also well stocked with tench and silver fish which, for pleasure anglers, generally means you do not know what you are going to hook into next.

Matches are increasingly being won with decent catches of up to 40lbs of bream whilst the average size of individual fish is now about 2lbs, although specimens are are weighing in at around 6lbs.

The match record currently stands at 160lbs.

Permits are available on the bank from the patrolling bailiff and Clattercote is unusual amongst day-ticket waters in that night fishing is also allowed.

All pegs are available for matches and the fishery offers reduced rates for three-hour evening competitions on request.