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Longwater Fishing Lake

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Longwater Fishing Lake

A page for the Longwater Course Fishing Lake in Erlestoke. Ran by Adrian and Pam Hampton. Just you, a rod and the fish.

A page for the Longwater Course Fishing Lake in Erlestoke Wiltshire. Boasting a plethora of fishin it's 8 acres of water including Bream and Carp, the latter hitting weights of 30lbs, this is a quiet calm lake where you are tucked away from the world. Ran by Pam & Adrian Hampton for the last 3 decades, a great family run catch and release lake.

10/09/2026

Winter Tickets: Information for Interested Non-Members

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me about winter fishing. I am sorry if I have not replied to you yet; I am working through messages as quickly as I can.

The lake is still fairly quiet at the moment, but I expect it to become very busy once this notice goes out.

But I am now confident enough to release the winter tickets from 1 October.

A standard adult winter ticket will be £255. This covers fishing from October through to 16 March. In practice, we usually remain open until 1 April, although each year there may be a short closure period if severe weather or other conditions make that necessary.

If you are seriously interested in a winter ticket and would like to come and look around the lake over the next three weeks, please call me on 01380 830294. I can arrange access and talk you through the rules and any questions you may have.

If you message me, I will do my best to reply as quickly as possible. Please bear in mind that there are only a small number of winter tickets available and I do get inundated with enquiries at this time of year.

For that reason, if your enquiry is more general, or if you are only looking for information about fishing at the lake in the future, I would be grateful if you could wait until after 1 October before getting in touch. That will allow me to focus first on those hoping to take up a winter ticket this year.

Tickets are let on a first come first serve bases. So email me at 0000hrs on the 1st Oct to [email protected], and the first few the inbox gets a ticket. (not before). Likewise be fair to other members, only register if interested. I am not offended that the lake is not for everyone, so only register if you are sure, have the funds and the time (check with partners first :))

I am very happy to speak to anyone who is genuinely interested in joining for the winter, and I am always pleased to show potential members around. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

LW

07/09/2026

Lake Update: Peace, Quiet, Winter Tickets and One Very Firm Rule
Dear all,

The lake has been impressively quiet recently. Not just “a bit peaceful” quiet, with only a few members fishing.

Apologies to everyone who has asked about winter tickets. I am working through the enquiries and I have got back to some of you already. For those I have not replied to yet, please bear with me; I promise I am not ignoring you, I am simply doing the traditional countryside admin method of answering messages between jobs, weather, animals, machinery, and whatever decides to break five minutes before tea.

If the lake stays this quiet for another week, I expect to release the winter tickets shortly after that. If anyone else wants to get in touch before then, please do, and I will get back to you as soon as I can. If you would like to come and have a look around before deciding, that is absolutely fine just message me — it is always better to satisfy yourself first rather than buy a ticket and then discover your preferred fishing style is “indoors, near a kettle”.

On fish weights, they are a little down this year. Previously, the bigger fish were up to the 35 lb mark; at the moment, the larger fish seem to be nearer 30 lb. Sadly, this is not a case of faulty scales, wishful thinking, or anyone standing slightly on one foot while weighing them. I suspect the long hot summer has had an effect. The good news is that the fish are still coming out, and the anglers who are fishing the lake are reporting catches, so the fishing remains very worthwhile.

Important reminder: barbless hooks only
Now for the serious part. This is a barbless hook lake. Barbed hooks are not permitted under any circumstances.

We are finding barbed hooks on discarded line and tackle, which means an angler is ignoring the rule. That cannot continue. The rule exists for the protection and welfare of the fish, and it applies to every member and every visitor.

There are only two options: fish with barbless hooks, or do not fish this lake. It is not a preference, a recommendation, or something to be debated on the bank. It is a lake rule.

Thank you for your understanding, and thank you to everyone who continues to respect the lake, the fish, and the rules.

If you recognise these hooks in the photos as yours, you need to change your tackle.

But also some photos of the green banks, the rain and the grass have returned.

Keep safe and catch big

28/08/2026

Lake Update: Winter Tickets, Fish, and Other Rare Sightings

Firstly, thank you to everyone who's been asking about winter tickets. At the moment, the lake is so quiet that the fish are probably starting to think it is the closed season.

We've had just a handful of anglers down there all week, and until today the fishing had been excellent. Unfortunately, the weather appears to have put the fish into "working from home" mode, with reports suggesting they've completely switched off. Hopefully they'll have found their appetite again by the morning.

Because the lake remains unusually quiet, I'm keeping a close eye on things over the next couple of weeks. If it stays this way, I'll likely release the 10 winter tickets earlier than usual, potentially with an announcement towards the end of September and tickets available in early October.

As always, winter ticket holders will continue to receive first refusal on membership for the following season. To preserve the quality of fishing, numbers will remain strictly limited. The fish deserve some peace and quiet too.

On another note, while excavating a drawer that hasn't seen daylight since the last century, I discovered a collection of old lake photographs dating back to the 1980s. I attach the photos of the top lake near the fisherman's car park. The images show just how dramatically the landscape has changed over the last 40 years and how quickly nature can take over when nobody's looking.

So, in summary: the lake is quiet, the fishing has been good, the fish had a day off today, winter tickets may arrive early, and I've accidentally become curator of the Longwater Historical Archive.

Enjoy the photos! 🎣📸🌳

21/08/2026

Rain Returns... and So Do the Anglers!

After what can only be described as a suspiciously quiet week on the lake, the rain has finally returned, which usually means one thing... the anglers won't be far behind.

This week has been remarkably peaceful, with a maximum of just three anglers on the bank at any one time, and on one night absolutely nobody fishing at all. The fish, however, clearly didn't get the memo, as the lake continues to fish well.

The changing weather has also brought a timely reminder about bank safety. A tree came down this morning, highlighting the importance of checking the area around your chosen swim before setting up. Please take a moment to look up as well as look out when selecting your spot.

I inspect the lake every day and will undertake work where required :). The tree has been removed.

The recent rainfall will also be welcomed by the vegetation around the lake. After looking a little tired during the dry spell, everything is likely to spring back to life, turning green and growing at a rate that will no doubt keep both nature and the strimmer fully employed.

Finally, apologies to everyone who has emailed regarding winter tickets. Thank you for your patience. I'll be catching up on correspondence this weekend and will reply to everyone as soon as possible.

In the meantime, enjoy the rain, enjoy the fishing, and remember: if the fish are feeding and the kettle's on, a little drizzle never hurt anyone.

Tight lines! 🎣

17/08/2026

Lake Update 🎣

Well, yesterday we absolutely quadrupled the number of anglers on the lake. Instead of the usual solitary soul talking to the ducks, we had four members fishing at once. I think it even peaked at five at one point. Frankly, it was so busy I nearly had to look into traffic management measures.

The weather seems to have had a bit of an impact on the weights. The larger fish are currently topping out nearer 30lb rather than 35lb, which is apparently their way of telling us they're on a summer diet.

A huge thank you to everyone fishing. Members continue to be extremely sensible with fish handling, which is great to see. The fish are undoubtedly grateful, although they remain strangely reluctant to send thank-you cards.

I normally spend most of my time moaning about the lake being spring-fed, but with the current lack of water everywhere, having a constant supply of fresh running water is proving to be an absolute lifesaver. Quite literally.

Fishing has remained surprisingly good. To be honest, I was convinced it would slow right down, which once again proves that fish enjoy making me look foolish.

We are still very dry around the lake, so please continue to do everything possible to avoid fires. One careless moment and we'll all have bigger problems than blanking for the day.

For those asking about joining, if any spaces become available, I'll let more members in. At the moment, however, the lake remains full. The next likely opportunity will be when winter tickets become available in a few weeks.

And finally, a genuinely terrifying thought: mentioning winter tickets means we're now only about four months away from Christmas. I've no idea how that happened. It was March about ten minutes ago.

04/08/2026

For those non-anglers reading this page -

🎣☀️ Hot Weather Carp Facts for Non-Anglers! ☀️🎣

Think it's only people who struggle in a heatwave? Carp do too!

🐟 Carp are basically the sunbathers of the fish world. On hot days you'll often spot them cruising lazily near the surface, soaking up the warmth and taking it easy.

💨 They love fresh air... well, as much as a fish can! Warm water holds less oxygen, so carp head for breezy banks, shaded areas, and spots where fresh water enters the lake.

🍽️ Even carp lose their appetite in the heat. Just like many of us don't fancy a huge roast dinner on a scorching day, carp often prefer lighter meals and smaller snacks.

🌅 They're early birds and night owls. Some of the most active feeding periods are at dawn, dusk, and overnight when temperatures are cooler.

👀 Location, location, location! Experienced anglers spend as much time looking for fish as actually fishing. Finding where the carp are holding up is often the biggest key to success.

❤️ Fish welfare matters. During hot weather, responsible anglers take extra care by keeping equipment cool and wet, and returning fish to the water as quickly as possible.

🤔 Did you know? The largest carp at Loingwater can weigh over 30lb, which is heavier than many dogs!

So next time you see carp basking on a warm summer day, they're not being lazy... they're simply keeping cool and conserving energy until feeding time arrives.

LW

02/08/2026

Well this hot weather continues and we are in for another dry hot week.

So just a reminder to all.

Fishermen first: keep yourself cool
• Drink water, wear a hat, use sun cream and take shade breaks. Do not try to out-brave the sun — it cheats.
• Look up before setting up. Avoid fishing or pitching under weak, cracked or overhanging tree limbs.
• No barbecues for the moment. Dry grass plus hot coals equals an avoidable drama.
• If camping, keep tents ventilated, store food safely, keep water topped up, and use stoves only where allowed and well away from dry grass or tents.

Hot weather fishing: help fish keep their cool too
Warm water holds less oxygen, so fish tire faster, recover more slowly and need extra care from anglers.

Why it matters
Heatwaves can quickly reduce oxygen levels. In short: hot water is not a fish spa.

Know the risk levels
• Big fish and hard-fighting fish are most at risk.
• Land fish quickly, use wet hands and unhook them in the water where possible.
• Return fish only when they are strong and steady.

Keep safe.

LW

13/07/2026

OK, I’ll hold my hands up — I got that one wrong. It was just the two usual suspects down at the lake today.

The carp are still coming out around the 30 lb mark too, which is excellent to see — especially in this heat. Clearly, they are coping better than most of us.

On a more serious note, the hot weather has taken its toll on some of the trees around the site. I had to remove a couple over the weekend because of heat-related damage, so please take a moment when setting up to check what is above you before you get comfortable.

I am checking the grounds twice a day and doing everything I can to stay on top of it, but a quick look up before pitching, or settling in is strongly advised. If anything looks unsafe, damaged, or questionable, please choose another spot and let me know.

When camping in hot weather, shade is your friend — just make sure it is safe shade, not the sort that comes with surprise branches. Mature trees and natural cover can help keep things cooler, but avoid setting up under anything that looks stressed, cracked, dead, leaning, or recently damaged.

Choose a pitch with good airflow where possible, avoid low-lying areas that trap heat and humidity, and think about how the sun will move through the day. Facing your tent away from the morning sun, and using a reflective tarp or sunshade can all help keep the tent more comfortable.

A breathable tent also makes a big difference. Look for good ventilation, mesh panels, doors or windows that can be opened safely, and a rainfly that allows air to move through. In short: keep cool, keep comfortable, and please keep an eye on what is above you.

LW

11/07/2026

Not sure where everybody is tonight, but there is currently a grand total of one mad-soul around the lake. It was much the same yesterday as well. Either everyone has discovered air conditioning, or they've decided that sitting in an oven isn't the best recreational activity! Or maybe it is the football!

To be fair, the heat down there is a bit challenging at the moment, so if you're heading out, come prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen, and perhaps a portable iceberg.

Of course, every time I post on Facebook saying it's quiet, six people turn up the following day and ask what on earth I was talking about. So we'll see what tomorrow brings!

As it's been so peaceful, I've taken the opportunity to get the mower out again and tidy around the lake. The grass is looking great, and at least when you arrive everything should be looking neat and presentable.

Tomorrow's exciting task is another battle against the brambles, or as my mum always calls them, "the blackberry bushes." They were cut back last week, but clearly nobody told them. They're growing at an astonishing rate and seem determined to reclaim the countryside before the end of summer.

I'm sure you've all seen my recent clip of the barn owls. They are absolutely thriving at the moment and seem to be enjoying the lake even more than the rest of us.

The good news for hay fever sufferers is that the fields around the lake are now progressing nicely through the haymaking process. The fields on the north side have been baled today, and the fields on the south side should be completed over the next few days. Hopefully, with the hay now off the ground, there will be a little relief for anyone who has spent the past fortnight sneezing their way around the lake.

So, whether you're one of tonight's hardy mad-souls or one of tomorrow's surprise visitors, enjoy yourselves, take care in the heat, stay safe, and make the most of this glorious weather while it lasts.

See you down at the lake!

LW 🌞🚜🦉🌾🍇

09/07/2026

Important Health Reminder – Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease)

Many members will be aware that one of our well-known members has recently contracted Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease). We are very pleased to hear that recovery is progressing well and we wish a full and speedy recovery.

Whilst cases remain relatively uncommon, this serves as an important reminder to all of us that Leptospirosis is a serious illness and that anyone spending time on or around freshwater should take sensible precautions.

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that is most commonly spread through the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. Infection can occur when contaminated water or mud enters the body through:

Cuts, grazes or broken skin
The eyes, nose or mouth
Swallowing contaminated water

Those involved in watersports, fishing, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and other activities around freshwater environments can potentially be exposed.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

Simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk:

Cover all cuts and grazes with waterproof dressings before going on the water.
Avoid swallowing water where possible.
Wash hands thoroughly before eating, drinking or smoking.
Wear appropriate footwear to reduce the risk of cuts and abrasions.
Shower and wash exposed skin after water activities where practical.
Clean and cover any wounds as soon as possible.
Know the Symptoms

Early symptoms can resemble flu and may include:

High temperature
Headache
Muscle aches
Chills
Nausea or vomiting

If you develop flu-like symptoms after being in freshwater or muddy environments, seek medical advice promptly and make sure you tell the healthcare professional about your recent water-based activities.

Looking After Ourselves and Each Other

The vast majority of people enjoy water-based activities for many years without issue, but awareness remains one of the best forms of protection. This recent case is a timely reminder that good hygiene and simple precautions can make a significant difference.

Once again, we are delighted to hear that our member is recovering well and we send best wishes for a full recovery. Let's all take a moment to refresh ourselves on the risks and make safety part of every trip on the water.

Address

Lower Road
Devizes
SN105

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+441380830294

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