Dam Flask Fishery/Reservoir, Bradfield/Sheffield

This absolutely massive reservoir is situated about 7 miles outside Sheffield, it covers in total over 100 acres, so you should be able to get a peg, no matter how busy it is. The water dates back to 1896 when it was initially constructed as a compensation reservoir for all the major towns in the area. Similar to a lot of the reservoirs in the South Yorkshire area, in that it is also an all year round fishery.

There is a road that runs the full way around the water, so it is never a long walk from the car. The most popular pegs tend to be the 55 permanent pegs used for matches. The water also has a wide variety of depths from one end to the other, with depths of 6ft at the inlet dropping down to almost 100ft at the wall end. But for the majority of the water, the average depth is probably around 15 to 20ft. Because of this there are two distinct styles of fishing on this water.

Feeder or legering will target the bream shoals, with fish averaging 2 to 3lb. But larger specimens have been taken at just under 8lbs. Try using luncheon meat to target the better bream. A waggler and maggot approach can also produce very well, as long as you can put enough depth on to reach the bottom. Fishing mid-water and feeding with either hemp of maggots using caster as hook bait can guarantee large bags of roach which average 2-4oz in size. The water can at times be gin clear, so it is always wise to fish on the lighter side and be guaranteed bites and lose a few rather than not get any bites at all. Every now and again chub are also taken with the best reported at a little over 6lb. Other species present are a few tench and also dace. Fantastic sport can be had in the colder months by fishing the deep water with a slider float.

The water is often at its busiest during the colder months when anglers target the pike and the perch. Fish run to over 34lb and 4lb respectively, with sea dead baits being the best approach, although working a heavy spoon or jerk bait can provide results as long as you persevere. As with all perch, the bigger specimens here can be tempted with a large lobworm fished on a small bomb.