About
Spade Mill Angling Club
Our Club
Fishing Responsibly
The club is very popular with some 150 members and operates a waiting list system to fill vacancies that may occur from time to time. The majority of members fly fish (Barbless or debarbed hooks) however, there are some longstanding members who still fish using worm or spinners on a single barbless hook.
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Both reservoirs are well stocked with Rainbow, Blue and Brown trout with a stocking policy that ensures each reservoir is stocked once a month from March till September.
In the past year there has been a successful trial extending the season to 12 months (previously 15th March to the 31st December) as there was a demand from the membership. It will now run from the 1st March – 28th of Feb.
Our Story
Two Local Reservoirs
The origins of the club started at Stocks reservoir as a fishing club for employees of Northwest Water. However, when the company requested that Stocks be operated on a full time basis, this was not practical for the club members and a new home needed to be found.
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The club moved to Darwen Sunnyside reservoir with additional fishing rights being acquired on the river Wyre.
During this period Les Hardman and Bill Rushton were sent out to investigate the reservoirs at Abbey village but parking and access issues rendered this option unsuitable.
Then followed a time at Wyresdale Park however this was problematic with the coarse fishing and frequent competitions.
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During this time Northwest Water had looked for an alternative venue and Spade Mill reservoirs had become available. At this time some 30 years ago “Northwest water and friends” fishing club was started. This became Spade Mill Fishing club which now leases the water from United Utilities.