Anglers Paradise is located in the heart of the beautiful Devonshire countryside in the south west of England. My first experience of this complex came about after searching for a venue to take my farther on a fishing holiday for his 60th birthday. That was in 1996 and since then I have returned a number of times with a few of the Pickled Carp Crew and more recently as a member of the 5C's syndicate. Zyg and Rose Gregorek created the venue back in 1985 and have in my opinion, done a superb job of building it into a literal paradise for anglers. The complex consists of 12 lakes and 40 very high quality Villas and Apartments for 2-9 people.

The lakes are superb;

Main Carp Lake. This is a delightful lake, that was there when Zyg and Rose bought the complex back in the 1980's. There are over 200 doubles and about 100 twenties, with a couple of the fish now over 30lb.

Octopussy Lake. Named because there is an island built so that all anglers fishing can have their own bay. This lake holds Carp, Tench, Catfish and Orfe. The Carp run from mid double to mid twenties, and is a good lake to get on when the Main Lake is fishing a bit hard.

Easy Access. This is another 'intermediate' lake with a good head of Carp from 10lbs to mid-twenty, plus Orfe, Tench, and double figure Cats. Another good water to get on when Main is proving difficult

Beginners Carp. Thousands of Carp from 2lbs to low double. Great fun if you just want your rod bent all day.

Float Fishing Lake. Literally thousands of Rudd, Tench and Carp, if you can not catch on this lake, give up fishing.

Tench Lake. Holds hundreds of Tench and Orfe which go to about 5lbs, but I have found average around 3lbs.

Pixie Lake. Very close to the accommodation this lake is full of Koi Carp and is ideal for beginners.

Magic Lake. A larger version of Pixie.

Specimen Carp. As the name suggests this lake holds some bigger Carp in to the 30s, but is definatly not easy as these fish have grown on from Main Lake and know all about anglers rigs.

Koi Lake. This is probably the prettiest lake on the complex, set in a lovely wood. It is full of Koi from about 2lbs to double figure.

Specimen Tench and Orfe. This holds some bigger Tench from about 5lbs to over 8lbs and a good number of Orfe which beat the British Record, I know, as I helped net the lake and witnessed the weighing of these monsters.

Mystery Lake. Its still a secret as to the contents of this lake.

Zyg goes out of his way to ensure that everyone visiting 'Paradise' has a great time, and the emphasis is on good fishing in a friendly, social atmosphere set in superb surroundings. Now I have looked in to a number of angling holiday resorts in the UK and found this to be the best value for money and is guaranteed good fishing. It really is somewhere to get away from it all. It really is an anglers PARADISE.

Contact Anglers Paradise for a brochure and booking information on telephone number 01409 221559, or write to Anglers Paradise, The Gables, Halwill, Devon, EX21 5XT, England.

If you have any comments or suggestions email me at pickled.carp@btinternet.com