The first of the two new pools you come to when you follow the track to the left in front of Alders Pool, Birch Pool was created over the winter of 2011 and opened for fishing in 2013.

It has a total of 20 well spaced pegs.

Stocked with a mix of carp and silver fish it holds commons, mirrors, ghosties and F2s as well as chub, tench and barbel.

The carp average between 3lbs 8oz and 4lbs but run to 13lbs.

With an average depth of about five and a half feet and a flat and even bottom, the pool has a two-foot deep three-foot wide shelf which runs all the way round the water and which has been planted in parts with reeds and irises.

The main feature of Birch Pool is a large island about 11 metres from the bank which is accessible from about half of the pegs.

Again the island has a shelf running all around it.

The remainder of the pegs provide fishing in open water and is good for pole, waggler and feeder fishing.

Already a popular pole and waggler water, most anglers tend to fish towards the island, although once hooked the fish need to be turned quickly as they tend to bolt into the reeds.

Another popular technique is to fish close in to the margins, a method which is particularly successful when there are fewer anglers fishing the pool.

The most successful baits include expander pellets, sweetcorn and luncheon meat, particularly when fished with small but regular offerings of feeder pellets trickled into the swim.

Lake Rules