Has anyone fished Virginia Water? I didnt realise the lake was that big, any idea on membership cost, is it really £1000 per annum. Any idea on stock?
In reply to Post #1
Yep a grand.
http://www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk/media/235780/windsor-great-park-fishing-syndicate-application-form-2016.pdf
Yep a grand.
http://www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk/media/235780/windsor-great-park-fishing-syndicate-application-form-2016.pdf
Maybe Queenie needs the extra income 
In reply to Post #1
If money is no object then you will be fishing one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. However don't expect it to be easy.
I have fished Virginia Water on and off for the last 10 years, unfortunately only for probably a maximum of 20 -30 days over that whole period but I had a ticket last year (one of very few that did). I have a very good friend who lives locally and I have joined it and fished with him purely on a social basis over that period. I live nearly 100 miles away and VW has always been day only fishing. By the way it is very rare to see anyone fishing it now.
By the looks of it the syndicate is getting access to the parts of the lake that have previously not been fishable, but interestingly a lot of the areas now marked 'out of bounds' have been fishable for many years. If they are keeping a season ticket for those areas then I would suggest getting both but I suspect they will do away with the standard 'day only' season ticket.
Don't expect large numbers of big fish either, most of the stock are commons from 10-20lb. However I have no doubt that the lake probably contains a few large carp that have never (to my knowledge) been caught. My friend, who lives locally, has probably caught 200 fish from Virginia water over the years, he hasn't even had a 20. He has also caught next to nothing over the last 5 years. We have no idea why the fishing has become so difficult, but possible the water has been targeted by individuals that take fish for the table.
IF I lived locally and had a lot of spare time I might consider joining, unfortunately I can't justify £1,000. I had actually decided not to join for £80 next season. I will still visit my mate but we will do a few days on the Thames instead.
In summary it is a huge, beautiful lake with I hope some unknown, uncaught monsters. A 30lb fish from there would be a fish of a lifetime, a 40 or 50? Yes possible. Is it worth £1,000? Not for me, no.
If money is no object then you will be fishing one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. However don't expect it to be easy.
I have fished Virginia Water on and off for the last 10 years, unfortunately only for probably a maximum of 20 -30 days over that whole period but I had a ticket last year (one of very few that did). I have a very good friend who lives locally and I have joined it and fished with him purely on a social basis over that period. I live nearly 100 miles away and VW has always been day only fishing. By the way it is very rare to see anyone fishing it now.
By the looks of it the syndicate is getting access to the parts of the lake that have previously not been fishable, but interestingly a lot of the areas now marked 'out of bounds' have been fishable for many years. If they are keeping a season ticket for those areas then I would suggest getting both but I suspect they will do away with the standard 'day only' season ticket.
Don't expect large numbers of big fish either, most of the stock are commons from 10-20lb. However I have no doubt that the lake probably contains a few large carp that have never (to my knowledge) been caught. My friend, who lives locally, has probably caught 200 fish from Virginia water over the years, he hasn't even had a 20. He has also caught next to nothing over the last 5 years. We have no idea why the fishing has become so difficult, but possible the water has been targeted by individuals that take fish for the table.
IF I lived locally and had a lot of spare time I might consider joining, unfortunately I can't justify £1,000. I had actually decided not to join for £80 next season. I will still visit my mate but we will do a few days on the Thames instead.
In summary it is a huge, beautiful lake with I hope some unknown, uncaught monsters. A 30lb fish from there would be a fish of a lifetime, a 40 or 50? Yes possible. Is it worth £1,000? Not for me, no.
In reply to Post #7
Might have done Josh, I thought the stock was well known in there and went to low 30's but I am probably 5 years out of date on that!
My answer was just about VW, I haven't fished Obelisk.
Might have done Josh, I thought the stock was well known in there and went to low 30's but I am probably 5 years out of date on that!
My answer was just about VW, I haven't fished Obelisk.
In reply to Post #9
I don't doubt you at all Josh.
If I lived nearer and had the available time I would also consider joining. I absolutely love the place, to me it was very much fishing the unknown and that was the appeal. Interesting to see that there is no new parking for the syndicate so it's still a hell of a walk to most of the swims at least you know once you get there that you can be on for 3 days rather than the day sessions I have fished on there.
I don't doubt you at all Josh.
If I lived nearer and had the available time I would also consider joining. I absolutely love the place, to me it was very much fishing the unknown and that was the appeal. Interesting to see that there is no new parking for the syndicate so it's still a hell of a walk to most of the swims at least you know once you get there that you can be on for 3 days rather than the day sessions I have fished on there.
In reply to Post #10
Hmmmm, does seem a bit steep if the stocking isnt much. I did wonder if it held a few lumps, but to fish for perhaps a handful in 130 acres isnt so appealing.
Its a beautiful place, those reed line banks are amazing. The place is huge.
Hmmmm, does seem a bit steep if the stocking isnt much. I did wonder if it held a few lumps, but to fish for perhaps a handful in 130 acres isnt so appealing.
Its a beautiful place, those reed line banks are amazing. The place is huge.
Is this the same water as recently fished by Simon crow in the windsor area that's opening up as a syndicate?? 
In reply to Post #13
No sorry Josh I don't. But it's defiantly in the Windsor area might even be in the grounds of the Castle? Apparently it was being filmed for Nash tackle..
No sorry Josh I don't. But it's defiantly in the Windsor area might even be in the grounds of the Castle? Apparently it was being filmed for Nash tackle..
In reply to Post #15
It is VW in the article (last weeks carp talk) that Simon crow is fishing and has the good fortune to have a couple including a 30
Michael
It is VW in the article (last weeks carp talk) that Simon crow is fishing and has the good fortune to have a couple including a 30
Michael
In reply to Post #16
I'd be really interested to see that too. I know they had opened up the north bank last season to a select few in order to try and assess the stock.
I'd be really interested to see that too. I know they had opened up the north bank last season to a select few in order to try and assess the stock.
In reply to Post #18
Given that they're opening it up as a syndicate I'm very surprised they didn't name the venue. Was it VW or Obelisk?
Given that they're opening it up as a syndicate I'm very surprised they didn't name the venue. Was it VW or Obelisk?
In reply to Post #19
Definitely VW as Obelisk gets a separate mention. Fished it many years ago on a feeder and caught well, bream and wildies at c.4lb. If I still lived in the area I would definitely consider joining
Definitely VW as Obelisk gets a separate mention. Fished it many years ago on a feeder and caught well, bream and wildies at c.4lb. If I still lived in the area I would definitely consider joining
Does anyone know if it's true this place was stocked with fish from Donald Leney in the 50's?
In reply to Post #21
I don't know about that but it is mentioned in one of Chris Ball's books. A 26lb carp was found dead there in 1926 so it certainly has history!
I don't know about that but it is mentioned in one of Chris Ball's books. A 26lb carp was found dead there in 1926 so it certainly has history!