This month Tom gets to sample the angling delights of Berkshire’s fourth-largest urban area
ASK anyone and they probably haven’t even heard of Bracknell. This town is the smaller cousin of nearby Reading but, from an angling perspective, is extremely well served, sitting between major gravel working areas such as Yateley as well as being a short hop to the Thames and several canals.
Despite this, it’s not the connected waterways that bring us to Bracknell this month, for there are many pretty park lakes sprinkled about the place, each one with its own unique charm and character. And, most importantly, full of fish.
With a full day at my disposal, first stop is the wonderful tackle shop – Crowthorne Angling Centre. Although slightly out of the town centre, a short bike ride or so away, this tackle shop is a real gem, smart on the outside and packed to the rafters inside.
While I waited to be served, two young anglers in front of me received high-grade service, heartwarming to see. It’s an all-too familiar sentiment from young families looking to get into the sport that they often find friendly help wanting. In this area that seems not to be the case. The shop is well stocked with all the necessary carp, coarse, match and predator gear that you could possibly need, with a few second-hand diamonds thrown in too – including some beautiful old Daiwa big pit reels.
Sadly, I had to leave these in the shop – I would’ve likely been very much in the doghouse had I bought them!
Mill Pond
If you could design a perfect park lake you would probably be hard-pressed to get better than Bracknell’s Mill Pond. Although primarily known for its specimen-sized carp, we are here for two other things – tench and McDonalds – both of which just happen to be within 100m of each other. Joined for this session by one of my angling apprentices and old friend from university
