Thornton Manor Lake

[fish41]

Well not quite today but i couldnt post it in "Where are you going fishing".  just wondering if any anglers are intrested in fishing this once forgotten lake.

[DaveE]

Yes I would be, if only for old times sake. (the fishing was terrible the last few years that I went)

Is fishing allowed again?

When I spoke to the latest owners a few years ago I was told firmly that it definitely wasn't. Since then a large marquee has been permanently set up on the lawn area adjacent to the main lake. The owners make their money from weddings, parties and film sets.

If you are at all interested I can tell you some of my experiences at this lake over the years.
I'm sure there must be lots of older anglers who have fond memories of fishing this beautiful water.

[Amateur]

That place brings back some memories.
Fished it a couple of times about 35 years ago with my Dad, who was in the Police angling club.
Vaguely remember that everyone was paranoid about leaving anything behind to show we had been fishing, even breadcrumbs, sawdust etc. Lady of the manor was very particular.
Recall catching some lovely tench, but it was very weedy and there was no room for finesse, just hook and hold on strong tackle.
Have been past on the footpath with the dogs a few time and wondered if those tench were still there.
Would definitely be interested if the opportunity ever arose.

[fish41]

I fished it a few times and some lovely crucians. Now there is a catch ! and it might not pay off but then again it might be worth the chance. They are looking for voluntary gardeners (travel expenses paid) to help keep these once prestigous gardens looking nice (and very good for your cv if your an up and coming horticulturalist). Now IMO they must be short of a bob or two  (as if) if they have to rely on volunteer gardeners. I would think a fair days gardening is worth a fair days fishing-- even better if the gardening involves looking after the lake. I have asked them the question and will post back

[DaveE]

I'll be very interested in the response you get!
Good luck if you do get permission.
The man who fronts up the family that own the place, Philip Cowan, is very money orientated, ie he likes making it not spending it. I have also heard from two separate sources that he is an unpleasant man with a volcanic temper.  

[fish41]

I wrote to them a couple years back just to welcome them and inquire about the fishing!- giving them a little history i knew about taking children from the childrens homes fishing on there. Had a nice reply from Angela Cowan. At that time the lake was still in the ownership of the Levers Estate but the Cowans have since got it back I believe.  It would probably need a rich syndicate to make it worthwhile for the Cowans rather than day ticket. I doubt even Sunlight could offer enough yearly rental. What it might need is a bit of imagination and some famous anglers for a celebrity match and they could all stay at the hotel. Roger Daltrey, Chris Yates, Bernard Cribbins, John (chuckle) Wilson  Izaak Walton (if he was still alive) any more names ?,  and of course us just to make up the numbers and  get BBC or Channel 4 along to film it.  An old English stately home lake  relatively unfished and once owned by the worlds soap makers must have some interest and draw some sponsorship.
Then again "coarse" fishing might not be in keeping with the image of the Manor-- lob in a few salmon though!

have been wonderng about another venue for next years junior match

[dan the man]

i fished this lake about 40 odd yrs ago when i was a member of port sunlight boys club .as a 13 yr old catching what seemed monster tench at the time probably about 2lbs,but yeah im interested in fishing it again ,whats the fee for lairds club now ,and is anyone here in poprt sunlight anglers that would recomend me .i fished some yrs ago when leverhulme estates had it and caught like 50lb of crucians in a day session ,and its not far from me in rock ferry ,oh btw im dan kellsson i can be reached on 07510682590 thanks

[Steve1]

Hi Dan and welcome
You could check out the PSA club website
and I am sure there are a number of PSA club members on the forum who would put your name forward

[Steve1]

Hi all
On the subject Thornton Manor Lakes
I have heard that the members of Thorton Angling Club who I think run the waters don't like publicity
So if there is a member of the committee out  please comment

[DaveE]

As far as I know their has never been any connection between Thornton Hough Village Club, Angling Club and Thornton Manor Lake.
THVC Angling Club rent several ponds which are on farm land belonging to Leverhulme Estates but not Thornton Manor Lake.
Unless someone knows different..........  

[dan the man]

cheers steve many thanks m8 ,and great site by the way well done you

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Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:18:21 -0700
From: [hidden email]
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Thornton Manor Lake

Hi Dan and welcome
You could check out the PSA club website
and I am sure there are a number of PSA club members on the forum who would put your name forward

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[dan the man]

[hidden email] This is cool http://x.co/aXgQ every one has the ability to work from home, some just don't know how easy it is

[baldie]

Hi Dan,

The old saying "If it looks too good to be true, it usually is!!" Springs to mind!

Dave

[dan the man]

erm thanks dave ?

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Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:12:46 -0700
From: [hidden email]
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Hi

Hi Dan,

The old saying "If it looks too good to be true, it usually is!!" Springs to mind!

Dave

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[baldie]

Hi Dan,

Can someone see something different than me when they click on the link in your post??

http://x.co/aXgQ

Dave

[dan the man]

dave m8ty ,erm i think someones playing silly buggers here m8 ,never put a link in any of my posts to date ,sorry for any confusion that has arisen ,dan

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Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:06:49 -0700
From: [hidden email]
To: [hidden email]
Subject: RE: Hi

Hi Dan,

Can someone see something different than me when they click on the link in your post??

Dave

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[Steve1]

Hi Dan/Dave
That link is a spam post
The best way to avoid this is not to post  from your e-mail but to post directly on to the forum
Use your e-mail just as a indecenter that someone has replied to your post
Hope this helps

[dan the man]

cheers buddy thought i was going mad there lol .was questioning myself ,thanks for that  dan

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Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:17:03 -0700
From: [hidden email]
To: [hidden email]
Subject: RE: Hi

Hi Dan/Dave
That link is a spam post
The best way to avoid this is not to post  from your e-mail but to post directly on to the forum
Use your e-mail just as a indecenter that someone has replied to your post
Hope this helps

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[DaveE]

There is an article in this weeks Wirral News entitled 'Historic lake rediscovered'.
It concerns Thornton Manor Lake and states that 'a long forgotten lake with an extraordinary stock of fish has been discovered at the home of the late Viscount Leverhulme.' Allegedly an estate worker 'pulled in a huge bream', though the actual weight is not stated!
A gentleman called Bryn Jones who is a member of the estate restoration team states that the the 'incredibly well stocked lake' has been left dormant since the 1920's and 'can be regarded as virgin fishing ground.' Apparently specimen carp, bream, roach, perch, tench and pike can be found there in abundance.

All utter rubbish of course!

Older Wirral anglers will know that it was fished throughout the 1960's, 70's, 80's and 90's by numerous clubs and individuals.
However, angling interest dwindled as the fishing deteriorated dramatically until it no longer was worth the cost or effort.
The lake became very badly silted due to leaves, twigs etc and by the late 1980's the tench and crucians for which the water was famous had all but died out. Some swims which had been 3ft deep were only 6ins deep due to silt and debris.

The purpose of the blatant propaganda becomes clear at the end of the article when it is stated that 'there are plans to open it for fishing parties.'
No doubt the estate owner, Mr Cowan, is hoping to make money from anglers.

Unless thousands of tons of silt has been removed (which I very much doubt) I can't see how a miraculous change in its' fortunes can have occurred.
It won't take long for anglers to discover the truth.

I've no doubt the lake contains a stock of roach, perch and bream but a return to the crucian and tench glory days of the 60's and 70's is too much to hope for.

If it does prove to be an angling paradise I'll be the first to apologise.
 

[davey boy]

hi daveE the liverpool echo have ran the same story today.shows a picture of the worker/angler with the bream.says the weight was approx 5lbs. and lake in the background.