Pixley Pools is a well established carp fishery comprising two separate pools which are located less than half a mile from each other off the main A4172, just a short drive from the historic market town of Ledbury.

Both pools - Pixley Pool and Glebe Pool - are large irrigation lakes which were built to supply water to adjoining fruit fields.

For many years they were run by Brian Powell of Three Counties Fisheries but, together with the two Redbank Pools on the outskirts of Ledbury, were taken over by a new owner at the beginning of 2012 who is already greatly improving the waters by making improvements to the access to the pools and installing purpose-made hard pegs.

Anglers should note that fishing on Glebe Pool is available for members only at £50 per year and that fishing on both pools is only available for over 18 year olds.

Whilst Pixley Pool is a superb pleasure fishery offering a good stamp of carp for anglers of all abilities, it is also an outstanding match venue where the match record currently stands at a staggering 524lbs.

It is fair to say that if you can't catch at Pixley Pool you can't catch anywhere.

One match regular says a good technique is to fish just the two top sections of a pole in the margins with sweetcorn, feeding the swim regularly.

Describing the match fishing on Pixley Pool as 'a fish race', he said the quality of the fishing can be judged by the fact that anglers need 20 fish an hour to be in with a chance of winning!The two Pixley Pools can be found as you drive along the A4172 from the Trumpet crossroads towards the delightfully named village of Little Marcle.

The entrance to Glebe Pool is the first you come to, being found on the right directly opposite Pixley Court Berries exactly half a mile after the Trumpet crossroads and traffic lights and just before the sign for Pixley Church.

Drive down the track to the car park at the end on the left and walk along the track to the right which runs along the edge of the fruit field.

Continue through the gap in the hedge and you will see the steps leading up to the pool in front of you slightly to your left.

Pixley Pool is four tenths of a mile further along the road towards Little Marcle, the entrance again being just before the sign for Aylton.

The entrance to the pool can be found at the end of the car park track to your right.

The gates to both pools are controlled by a combination lock so anglers need to telephone the fishery owner on 07802 402399 to obtain the combination.

Day ticket fees for Pixley Pool are collected on the bank.

Both pools are very attractive and provide unspoiled fishing in natural surroundings as they are set amidst fruit fields and virtually surrounded by trees.

There is a path around both waters leading to clearly marked pegs which give anglers plenty of room for large nets and tackle.

The pegs on Pixley Pool have recently been upgraded to provide hard standings for anglers whilst a new bridge has been constructed on Glebe Pool to enable anglers to fish from the island.

Work is also being carried out to create new hard standing pegs on Glebe Pool.

In addition to offering day tickets, Pixley Pools also offers a season ticket which provides unlimited fishing - apart from when there are matches - on all four waters at a cost of just £50 a year.

Membership includes exclusive fishing on Glebe Pool.

Membership runs for 12 months from the date it is taken out.

Day / membership tickets and match bookings can also be obtained through Fishtastic, Unit 5, Block A, Holmer Trading Estate, College Road, Hereford HR1 1JS(Tel: 01432 350808).

Fishing is available on Pixley Pool from 05:00 until dusk but night fishing is not allowed.

Juniors under the age of 18 are not allowed on any of the waters.

Keepnets are allowed only in matches but apart from this there are few rules and no bait bans.

All that is asked is that anglers enjoy their fishing, respect the fish and leave their pegs tidy.