Horsey Mere open for Winter pike fishing on a trial basis

Anyone who can recall Peter Hancock’s 40lbs record pike, caught in February 1967 from Horsey Mere and the subsequent pike records caught from the ‘River Thurne’ by Neville Fickling and Derek Amies in the late 1980’s, may well have considered making a trip to fish this historic pike fishery but been put off by the limited amount of access.

Well from the 1st November 2006 anyone who fancies a days pike fishing on Horsey Mere will get the opportunity to boat fish it throughout the winter on a new limited permit access agreement.

Horsey Mere has until now been a closed water to angling from boats for many years between the 1st November and the 28th February each season, as part of a Voluntary Winter Wildfowl Refuge. The regular 1st March to 14th March open access, day ticket days remain.

This new trial access opportunity over part of Horsey Mere follows an agreement between the Horsey Estate, English Nature, Broads Authority, National Trust and angling representatives from Broads Angling Strategy Group. This agreement is also to support the Voluntary Wildfowl Refuges programme for Hickling Broad and Martham Broads to minimise disturbances of the internationally important over-wintering wildfowl that congregate on this important area of wetlands.

During 2006-07 the access is for 1 boat per day, with access being open for booking 7 days per week from 1st November 2006 until 28th February 2007. The cost of a permit is £15.00 per day, and allows for 2 anglers and a maximum of 2 rods each from the one boat, fishing from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm each day. Dates will be taken on first come first served basis. You will of course need a boat, either your own or a hired boat to access Horsey Mere via the river Thurne. Maps are provided of access and fishing area.

Booking must be made in advance, in writing using the application form available in writing from the Horsey Estate who are managing this access trial at the following address:
Buxton Property Management (Fishing), Speedwell House, Lingwood, Norwich, NR13 4ET
The application form may also be downloaded in PDF form from the web site providing details of the access trials at www.thurnefisheries.co.uk.

It is important that those of you who wish to enjoy this opportunity observe the guidelines closely during any visit you may make as this is a continuing trial which may, if we get a satisfactory appraisal, become a regular opportunity allowing anglers to fish such a valuable natural pike fishing location every season.

The Broads Angling Strategy Group is working partnership of Broads Authority, Environment Agency, English Nature and representatives from the Match, Pleasure and Specialist angling communities. Their brief is to advise on the management / development of angling, fisheries and access under the Broads Fishery Action Plan.