Written By: Andy Nicholson
On Date: 14/12/2012
We all tend to remember where and what we were doing, when recent day major historical events took place. The likes of “if you are old enough” When President Kennedy was assonated, the first moon landing, England winning the world cup, when sadly Elvis the king died and more recently the fantastic amazing events of the Olympic games and our dear Queens anniversary celebrations.
The year was 2009, in glorious June; we had been kindly invited to the idyllic Brompton lakes, to review and experience the luxury holiday’s lodge’s complex, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, near to the ancient town of Richmond.
It was the last day, after the most splendid few days of stunning weather, fishing and hospitality, my fishing companion Roy and I had risen before dawn, to fish a stretch of the river Swale. Radio 2 kept us company as we drove the short distance. Then the sad news came through, that the iconic pop star idol, Michael Jackson had tragically died.
This should not have been one of our abiding memories, from the most wonderful idyllic amazing week, but difficult not to remember exactly where I was on that fateful day for Michael Jackson. Whenever he is mentioned, I am transported back to Brompton lakes and of course our memories of an idyllic time spent there come flooding back.
Over these many moons I have embarked on countless press trips, not only in this country but also across the globe, all of them memorable, some for the wrong reasons!! But never before have I re-visited the same place, always on-wards and forwards, a new exciting adventure to be experienced. However somehow I yearned to return to Brompton, was it un-finished business? Had I yet to further explore the valley and fish areas as yet un-tried on my first visit, maybe? But it’s always been the case on press trips, impossible to see and do everything in a few days.
My yearning was something else, an un-known force drawing me back, to yet again experience, the peace tranquillity and calm that Brompton exudes while staying in their luxury lodges. Situated and overlooking the lakes, with balcony and each with a fishing station. After all in 2009 the complex had not been quite finished as some of the lodges on the lower lake, along with landscaping had yet to be completed and it would be marvellous, to now see the finished article, the fishing not only in the lakes but bordering river Swale was to die for. Ok! Ok! Enough excuses and justification, enough said, I persuaded the powers that be, to allow my return and so delighted that they agreed, “Thanks Helga”
The month again was June as we headed North en-route to Brompton and anticipation mounted as we approached Richmond, had my memory of last times experience been clouded through the mists of time, was I looking back through rose tinted glasses. Any slight doubts I had were immediately dispelled as we coasted to a stop outside our chosen Lodge.
The complex and sympathetically landscaped grounds looked amazing, resplendent in their summer colours, all so much more mature and had become part of nature. The surrounding area, the sedum roofs on the lodges in full bloom. All had been completed. A breathtaking sight even though I had seen it before, be it un-completed. A blend of luxury lakeside lodges, crafted and intertwined with the natural surroundings, almost as if they had grown naturally rather than been constructed, it was so good to be back.
Choices, Choices, did we start by fishing the lakes? Wander across the footpath and fish their private beat of the Swale bordering the complex? The fishing on the lake and bordering river is exclusive to residents only. Or venture a little further and fish the extensive beats that Richmond and District Angling Society have freely available on day tickets, oh a big thanks to this wonderful Society for providing Roy and I with complimentary tickets for the week.
Spoilt for choice, would be a gross understatement!! So much wonderful fishing to sample, the majority right on the doorstep. Our mind was quickly made up as we viewed one of our neighbours slipping the net under a fine double figured carp. We opted to start off on the lake, and after all we could sip a rather nice cool G&T, as we fished and of course over see the un- packing and progress of our first nights feast prepared by the good ladies. Yes, Yes the words chauvinistic pigs are already resounding in my ears, but we were there after all, to explore and sample the angling delights. “Well that’s my excuse anyway and am sticking to it”!!
The fishing on the lake was not to disappoint us, soon we were battling double figure carp, and many taken on floating crust, always such an exciting method, seeing the fish cruise past and suck in the bread. Roach, Rudd, Perch came to our rods that first day. After a sumptuous supper with copious glasses of wine, the long summer day gave way to dusk and inevitable darkness. Time when the seriously big carp come out to play and are less wary, again we were not disappointed a 20lb carp was netted and that was our excuse to turn in after a wonderful first day at Brompton.
Any seasoned angler will tell you that your best chance of catching a decent Tench is the first hour or so of light, it would have been rude not to try as its so easy, roll out of bed, make a cup of tea and start fishing, “simples” as a famous Meerkat once said!! But am not sure the rulebook says you can fish in your Jim Jams!! The idea was have an hour or so, catch a fish or two, then slope of back to bed for a wee snooze. Didn’t happen the fishing so good and some cracking Tench caught, time had slipped by and the world had come alive and im still in me Jim Jams! madly fishing away. Well I was nearly 60! And am allowed the odd eccentricity.
As much as I loved fishing the lake by the Lodge and is so convenient and a lazy option, was not sure my liver would stand the pressure for the week! As it is so easy to have a glass of wine or two handed down, by her in-doors! and as they were out not only shopping till you drop! But also exploring the surrounding area, so much to do and see!! Roy and I wanted to explore other areas and beats on the Swale, we previously had not visited. The season In full swing and we had waited with baited breath for the river season to start, from March the 15th till June the 16th is a long time to wait.
The river abounds with specimen Chub, Barbel, Grayling and Trout and such a pretty river it is too. With so many diverse characteristics, long glides, riffles, deep pools, rapids and shallow tails of pools. Where wafting perfectly finned chub wait to ambush your floating crust, the trout rise freely to your finely tied dry fly, and un-like other areas of the Swale and so many rivers, it is massively under fished. All week we saw not one other angler, I presume they come out to play at weekends? But it was like having a private river all to yourself, the beat by the lodges and the lakes; we decided to restrict ourselves to early mornings and evenings. You can have too much of a good thing!!
So each day with flasks and a picnic packed we ventured forth, to explore this fine wild and wonderful river, oh boy did we have some wonderful fishing, Chub to nearly 6lb, Barbel into double figures, Grayling topping the two-pound mark and a magnificent wild brown trout of 3.5lbs, taken off the surface on a sedge. We experimented with all the methods, within our armoury and successful on all. Around each bend of the river, was like entering a brand new sweetie shop, an exploring anglers dream.
Then in the evenings after dinner, to be able to either fish the lake, or wander down the river, by the lodges was sheer delight, perfect and idyllic in every way. Our cup of tea and Jim Jam moments early morning on the lake was perfect. Brompton really is angling utopia, a must not only for the serious angler, but for the one that occasionally likes to have a dangle, something for everyone, even none anglers. The Lodges decadent and wonderful luxury.
I started of by saying what memory came to mind, be it Michael Jackson or Brompton Lakes, both now are inexorably linked. So during that week, no one famous died, there were no global disasters, nothing untoward, just a peaceful, happy fulfilling week that we would remember for all the right reasons, or so I thought!! Brompton had lived up spectacularly and succeeded all my expectations, especially the fantastic fishing.
On our last evening while enjoying supper, soaking up our luxurious surroundings and peaceful setting, the sky became leaden, almost darkness descended and the heavens opened, oh boy what a down pour, that lasted literally no more than 15 minutes. The clouds then rolled back to reveal a sunny balmy evening. Our plan to spend the evening and into the night, fishing on the river in search of a big barbel could still go ahead.
I hoped that the rain hadn’t affected the river, as it was perfect height and colour, in my last review and fact file, I warned that the Swale was the fastest rising spate river in the Uk and to carefully watch the river and forecast, this I had only read about! Arriving at the river it was still in top condition, relive we could still fish and enjoy our last session and planned to fish into the Wee hours!
With our tackle set and cast upon the water, it wasn’t long before a fine specimen of a near 6lb chub came to the net, he had been tempted with one of Roy’s famous cheese and bread paste mixes, “not for the faint hearted” I might add. The signs were good and looked like a productive night ahead?
After over half a century of fishing and endless hours willed away on countless rivers, I have become wise to the various moods of rivers and have learnt to watch for signs of any change, especially a rising river.
While Roy was taking the requisite photos of me and the chub, I noticed and heard a slight change in the tone of the river, quickly the fish was returned and I turned to Roy and stated “this rivers rising”, “lets move our tackle from the gravel shore to the top of the bank” by the time Roy had reached his tackle, some 5 yards away his flask and bait boxes were floating, by the time we had hurriedly scrambled up the bank to safety, the river had risen some 5ft plus, all in less than five minutes.
In just under 15 minutes the river had risen some 7ft, all manner of debris, trees and dead sheep were rocketing down what was now a raging boiling torrent. It was like watching a spring tide rise up a beach with such ferocity, the sound was unerring, the like I had never witnessed before. Fortunately I had heeded my own advice and carefully watched the river and made sure I fished in a place of safety, just in case. It was a sight to behold, another abiding memory and a lesson in this spectacular force of nature. The earlier down pour must have been far worse in the upper reaches, hence why such a severe, all of a sudden rise, the likes I had never witnessed before! Fortunately a rare occurrence.
Ten minutes later the river started to drop, but our planned nights fishing expedition was well and truly over, we had such a tail to tell the lady’s on our return. Such was the intricate planning that went into the creation of Brompton Lakes, they had foreseen a potential flooding problem and sympathetically built a flood bank in the guise of a walk way along the entire border of the complex, so that there was never a chance of it being flooded and it never will be, such is the height of the bank. I am sure some of the caravan sites doted around and on the banks of this system, wished that they had such foresight!!
So yet again another blissful trip to Brompton and yet again a momentous occasion and natural event that I will never forget. Somehow Brompton never fails to amaze me, engage me, mesmerise me and enchant me and most of all calls me back to her like an addiction. How do I get Brompton out of my mind? I think or hear Michael Jackson or see a rising river, I think of Brompton, maybe I need extensive therapy? or maybe it will just be easier to return on an annual basis for my Brompton fix.
Fact File
LUXURY ANGLING HOLIDAYS IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES
Brompton Lakes Yorkshire Dales Lodges
Address: Easby, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7EJ
Tel: 01748 850333
Web Site: http://www.bromptonlakes.co.uk
E-Mail: enquiries@bromptonlakes.co.uk
(Brompton Lakes, Richmond, North Yorkshire)
Introduction
Brompton Lakes is a development of luxury self-catering holiday lodges built on the shores of two former fishing lakes in the Yorkshire Dales. With exclusive lake and river fishing opportunities, the lodges offer angling enthusiasts a high standard of stylish yet comfortable accommodation.
What is Brompton Lakes?
Situated just two miles from the historic market town of Richmond on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Brompton Lakes consists of twenty self-catering holiday lodges set in 26 acres of privately owned land.
Surrounded by woodland and open countryside, the lodges occupy a quiet location on the banks of the River Swale. While the site itself offers a high degree of peace and tranquillity with private lake and river fishing, it also has easy access to many popular fishing venues.
In fact, it provides an ideal location for everyone; and for those wanting to combine angling with other activities (or are holidaying with family members with alternative interests!) there is plenty to do – from walking, cycling and horse riding to visiting castles, historic houses, gardens and other places of interest.
The fishing
The lodges are set on the shores of two former private fishing lakes (3 acres and 1.8 acres), which are well stocked with freshwater fish such as carp, bream, roach and tench. Some of the carp weigh up to 20lbs and there is a plentiful supply of small and medium sized fish. Specially constructed fishing platforms provide anglers with a unique coarse fishing experience from the front of their lodges, but these are sufficiently far apart to allow individual space and privacy.
The fast-flowing River Swale flanks the edge of the site, providing excellent opportunities for fly and game fishing – with good numbers of brown trout and grayling.
Nearby fishing sites
Should guests wish to vary their angling experiences while on holiday then Brompton Lakes is close to a number of popular fishing sites – most only a few miles drive away.
Jubilee Lakes Fly Fishery – Darlington
This was voted no. 6 in the ‘Top 50 fisheries in the country’ (Trout Fisherman magazine) It has two lakes (2.5 acres and 1.5 acres) which regularly yield trout over 20lb.
Ellerton Park – nr Bolton on Swale
This is a freshwater, spring fed, 60-acre lake, close to the Brompton Lakes site. The lake is well stocked with carp, bream, roach, perch and pike, and the park provides a range of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and diving.
Kiplin Hall – nr Bolton on Swale
Set in the grounds of a Jacobean Hall (dating back to the 1620s), Kiplin has a 30-acre lake, well stocked with rainbows, blues, golden and browns.
Tanfield Lodge – nr Ripon
An 11-acre lake – previously a gravel pit – well populated with rainbows and browns.
Crabtree Lake – Gilling West, nr Richmond
A 3-acre, purpose-dug trout lake in a quiet valley.
Stonebridge Trout Lakes – Little Fencote
Two purpose-built lakes with separate trout master status specimen lake stream and spring-fed, 7-acre specimen coarse lake.
Leighton Reservoir – Swinton Estate, nr Masham
110-acre reservoir in scenic surroundings
Bellflask – nr Ripon
10-acre gravel pit.
The Lodges at Brompton Lakes
Most lodge-style developments in the UK are little more than static caravans with various degrees of cladding. The lodges at Brompton Lakes couldn’t be further away from this concept.
Blending with the natural features of the site, the lodges are both distinctive and contemporary to look at – with their unique convex roof design – yet are as environmentally friendly as possible in their construction and functionality.
As well as having their own name, each lodge has its own look. This was achieved by acclaimed interior designer, Rosie Mennan, who has brought together a variety of colours, textures and patterns inspired by the natural world. The result is luxurious space that is also relaxed and comfortable.
The area outside the lodges is just as important as the lodges themselves and landscape designer Louise Bainbridge has been responsible for planting a large number of indigenous species of trees, shrubs and wild flowers. This has all been done with the natural environment in mind and creates year-round interest for visitors.
Environmentally friendly construction
Materials – the timber-framed lodges are constructed from European soft wood sourced from sustainable plantations.
Energy efficiency – the lodges have double-insulated walls and sedum green roofs. This not only helps them blend into their natural environment but also acts as a second insulate to retain heat in the winter while keeping the lodges pleasantly cool in the warmer months. Large glass windows and sliding doors also increase passive solar gain.
Natural springs – the site sits over a large natural aquifer, which provides spring water through a borehole under its own natural pressure.
Geo-thermal heating – the lakes themselves provide the main source for the site’s heating as part of an innovative geo-thermal heating system. This is one of the first systems to use geo-thermal heat pumps to provide both hot water and under floor heating on any UK holiday development. A nominal amount of electricity is required to operate the pump and this is sourced from a green supplier.
Living accommodation
There are two lodge styles available at Brompton Lakes.
Type A – this is the smaller of the two designs at 114m² but has a good sized kitchen with a generous open plan dining and living area. It also benefits from a utility room and three double bedrooms. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room, with the other two rooms utilising the family bathroom which also has a shower.
Type B – this is slightly bigger at 125m² with an equally pleasant open plan living and dining area with three bedrooms. The master bedroom has an en-suite bath and separate shower whilst the family bathroom has a bath with shower above.
All lodges benefit from:
• Wooden floors
• Good-sized kitchen areas with bespoke units and composite stone work surfaces
• Flat-screen TV and audio systems
• State-of-the-art swivel log burning stoves
Richmond and the surrounding area
Brompton Lakes sits on the edge of Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, close to the tiny, picturesque village of Easby with its 12th century abbey. Just a couple of miles further down the river, is Richmond, a bustling market town best known for its impressive Norman castle, cobbled streets and stunning Georgian architecture. It is also home to Britain’s most complete Georgian playhouse and has a thriving arts centre with cinema, together with an array of individual shops and a good choice of eating places.
The town is also the gateway to some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside, making Brompton Lakes an ideal base for walking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits. Within easy travelling distance are an abundance of ancient castles, stately homes, picturesque gardens, and numerous other venues for interesting days out. The historic towns of York and Harrogate are also within easy reach.
Further Information:
Jackie Mackenzie & Associates, Tel: 01748 826091
Brompton Lakes website: www.bromptonlakes.co.uk
Tackle Shop & Ticket Distributor of the Richmond and District Angling Society
Gilsan Sports.
5 Market Place
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 4HU
tel. 01748 822108
fax. 01748 822105
Or From the sectary of Richmond and District Angling Society
Mr P. Bennett, 1 Theakston Lane, St Martins, Richmond, DL10 4LL.
Tel 01748 824894
Ticket prices are £6 per day, £15 per week 0r £35 (£30 +£5 joining fee) per year.
This gives you 5 miles upstream and 5 miles downstream of Richmond town; this should cover all the fishing you would need to on the Swale in both directions.
Angling Fact File.
Brompton Lakes
Species: Crucian, Common, Leather and Mirror Carp, Perch, Roach Rudd, Bream and Tench.
Tackle suggestions:
12ft float rod, medium feeder and quiver rod, both 9ft; 12ft 2.5lb Carp rod and 10mt take apart Pole. Reels Bait runner fixed spool 3000 type, lines 4lb, 8lb and 10lb.
Accessories; A range of wagglers and stick floats, lake pole floats and self-cocking floats, med open-ended swim feeders, hooks to nylon barbless hooks, sizes 16s, 14s and 12s, Carp hooks broad bend, 8s, and 6s. Mixed Shot and bombs to 3/4oz. Size 8 swivels, beads and size 8 hair rigs, and P.V.A Bait Bags, 10ft micro knotless keep net, along with 32inch extendable handled landing net. Plus rod rests and bank sticks.
Bait Suggestions:
Crusty Bread, Dog biscuits floaters, Cheese, Luncheon Meat, corn, Tutty fruity Boilies, 8mm and 14mm halibut pellets, soft, mixed coloured maggots, small red worms, jokers, bread paste, white and brown fine crumb ground bait, plus Sennsas flavoured tench mix, vanilla essence flavouring.
Methods:
Traditional float fishing with waggler and stick floats, feeder fishing, quiver tip with 3/4oz bomb, Pole fishing on the drop, Stalking with crust and floaters, Hair rigged Boilies, along with cheese and luncheon meat, ground baiting little and often.
Top Tip for all species, use a mixture of cheese and bread paste, and float fished.
Upper River Swale:
Species:
Barbel, Chub, Dace, Rainbow Trout, Grayling.
Tackle Suggestions:
11ft 1&1/4lb test curve specimen rod, 12ft float or trotting rod, 9ft 5/6 A.F.T.M Fly rod, Trout Fly reel, Centre pin trotting reel, bait runner 3000 type fixed spool reel, Fly line sink tip 5/6 A.F.T.M, floating 5/6 A.F.T.M, monofilament, 4lb 8lb, 10lb and 12lb.
Accessories: A range of stick and chubing floats, large single open-ended swim feeders, Loose barbless hooks size 10s, 12s, 14s, Barbel, Chub broad bend hooks, 8s, 6s, 4s, Mixed Shot and bombs to 1.5oz. Size 8 swivels, beads and size 8 hair rigs, 10ft micro knotless keep net, along with 32inch extendable handled landing net. Plus rod rests and bank sticks.
Bait Suggestions:
Crusty Bread, Dog biscuits floaters, Cheese, Luncheon Meat, corn, 8mm and 14mm halibut pellets, soft, mixed coloured maggots, small red worms, jokers, bread paste, white and brown fine crumb ground bait, plus Sennsas flavoured barbel mix, vanilla essence flavouring.
Flies Suggestion.
Weighted nymphs, caddis emergers, black knats, snipe and purple, grey dusters and green olives.
Methods
Traditional stick float fishing, trotting style, feeder fishing, quiver tip with 1& a 1/4oz bomb, Stalking with crust and floaters, ledgering along with cheese and luncheon meat, ground baiting little and often. Traditional dry fly and wet fly with sink tip, Top fly tip, caddis grub emergers, on rolled nymph technique.
Top coarse fishing tip, swim feeder fishing with barble ground bait mix, hook bait 14 mm halibut pellet tipped with corn.
A cautionary Note: The Swale is the quickest rising spate river in Uk and to be very careful when rain predicted, watch the weather forecast.
Brompton Lakes Re-visited