Ever get fed-up with the "local" water; the kids, the dogs, the runners and riders, the twitchers (the excessive boat traffic!)? Well, why not do something about it? And no, I don't mean shoot them. (Although in some cases it may appear to be the kindest thing to do!)

I know recently that some of you have had fishing holidays abroad and have enjoyed them - all of those 50's and 60's seem no match for Branston do they? However, without the extreme expense and the tortuous traveling associated with foreign trips a great fishing holiday can be had in this country.

Over the last few years a number of holiday centres have been set-up in the UK exclusively for the use of anglers and anglers families. These can be found in Scotland as well as main land England

One such holiday centre is Anglers Paradise in the heart of Devon on the edge of glorious Dartmoor. This is a "Paradise" that I would whole heartedly recommend to anyone - no matter what age or level of angling expertise.

At the present time, "Paradise" is a complex of 12 lakes and approximately 40 anglers accommodations. I say at present because plans are afoot to expand both the fishing and the accommodation in the near future.

Zyg and Rose Gregorek, the owners and managers of Anglers Paradise are two of the nicest, most sincere and accommodating people you could ever wish to meet - even if Zyg is totally off his rocker!

So why did a mad Polish winemaker and fisherman spend all of his hard earned cash setting-up a holiday complex for other anglers rather than keeping it all to himself? Simple - Zyg has a passion for angling that runs so deep that his enjoyment can only be enhanced by sharing it with others.

Once you have met Zyg you will understand what I mean. His enthusiasm never dwindles and it seems to rub off on everyone. He cares for his fishery and it's residents (fish and fishermen) as if they were diamonds - and to him they are!

The accommodation is superb; ranging from 2 berth villas to 8 berth luxury homes each kitted out with all mod cons. Cookers, fridge's freezers, microwaves, televisions (with satellite), etc. are standard in all of the accommodation along with antique tackle, pictures and stuffed fish adorning the walls and ceilings. Other properties have four-poster beds, Jacuzzi's and other luxuries - the choice, as they say, is yours!

The fishing itself is excellent with something for everyone. Float fishing lakes have golden orfe, koi carp, golden tench, etc., up to about 5 or 6 pounds. The beginners carp lake has carp and orfe upto double figures, which give tremendous sport on light tackle. Other lakes have a good mixed stock of fish with carp to twenty pounds and, "the jewel in the crown"; the main carp lake has a large stock of twenty-pound carp with several now breaking the thirty barrier.

Besides these lakes there are also Specimen lakes. These lakes have been purposefully made and stocked to produce specimen sized fish. At present there are three of these i) Koi Carp ii) Golden Tench and Orfe iii) Mirror and Common Carp. Although these lakes cost a little extra to fish they are certainly worth a go.

So, what do you do if you don't want to fish (or if the wife and kids don't want to fish!)? Other amenities are plentiful. There is a superb indoor swimming pool, table tennis tables, a games room with pool and fruit machines, a nature trail through the woods and, if all of this is not enough, the seaside resort of Bude is only a few miles up the road.

Zyg always looks after the children as well as the fishermen and one of his treats each day is to let the children feed the farm animals - or should I say zoo animals - being as Zyg keeps pot-bellied pigs and Emus !

Last but not least is the social aspect of a visit to Anglers Paradise. The bar is open every night where you can recount the days events to other anglers or sit and watch fishing videos. On Sunday nights there is always a barbecue which is excellent and comes complete with "magic glasses" which never empty of Zyg's homemade wine - a very potent brew - beware, you have been warned!!