Alder Quarry Lake

Alder Lake is a flooded quarry pit, owned by Bob Westlake, Alder Farm.

The quarry was abandoned prior to the Second World War, and flooded once the pumps were stopped, depths now attain over 70 feet in places.
Over the years it has matured into the water you see today. No records seem to be kept of any stocking but it is suspected that a few carp were introduce in the early 70’s, possibly some Tench and Bream. There was also a period when trout were stocked in the late seventies & early eighties and there is a source of wild brown trout from the River Lew. Eels have also populated the water from the surrounding streams. I cannot get confirmation but it was rumoured some fish were transfer to the lake by the EA in the early eighties possibly these fish came from Exeter canal during a period the canal was drained.

The main species known to be present are, Roach, Rudd, Tench, Bream Perch, Common & Mirror Carp, Eels, Rainbow & Brown Trout, Roach /bream and Rudd /bream Hybrids.

The Lake can only be described as an awkward water to fish, mainly due to the considerable depth that exists over the majority of the lake. The most popular approach is the slider float, 8M pole to hand, or long rods in the 15-17feet range. Many anglers new to the water are somewhat daunted by the depth and go straight onto the ledger, don’t be put off. Fishing in the margins literally under the rod top can produce plenty of sport.

Several attempts have been made to reduce the depth in places. At various times hardcore has been tipped. This can be seen in some swims, as well as around the vicinity of the inlet pipe, when the A30 road was cut through the hillside in front of Alder farm.

For the size of the water it is under-stocked, although there used to be an abundance of stunted silver fish, mainly Roach, Rudd & Perch. The lack of weed cover and natural food, along with the lower than normal water temperatures probably influence the stock levels. Cormorant predation of the silver fish in 2008 to 2010 and the fact the lakes froze over in the winters 09 /10 & 10 /11 certainly took its toll . In typically cooler summers the fish may not spawn till late, if at all, and survival rates may be lower due to predation.
Natural food would appear to be mainly insects, and naturals from the surrounding vegetation and lave of water born insects. Small fry seem to be the staple food of the predatory fish. The inlet pipe at the waterfall must also bring some nutrients to the lake.

The Carp would appear to be very thin on the ground and are hardly ever seen topping or cruising on the surface. The depth of the water may be a factor in this, so far as the water temperature generally does not warm up to the same extent as a shallow lake would. It is only after a very hot spell that the water in the margins becomes noticeably warmer. This would also account for the overall lack of weed growth throughout the lake, the factors being the depth, temperature, and maybe the acidity.

Estimates are Carp in the lower 30lb bracket, largest known fish to date 28lb, Mirror caught Sept 2016, Tench to 5lb, Perch to 5lb, Bream to 10lb, Roach to 2lb, Rudd to 1lb & Eels to 6lb
These estimates are based on the general size of reported catches and the odd sighting.

It is possible larger specimens do exsist, eg Perch. 10 years ago or more, there were photographs of a brace of 2. 5lb Perch caught at Alder on display in Bude pet supplies. If those fish have grown on, then there is a reasonable chance of a true specimen. There are 2 known Perch 5LB + fish in existence Depths vary around the lake, but the majority of swims the bank drops away steeply to deeper water. There are one or 2 swims where there is a shelf of depths approx. 12 to 15 feet. There is a shallow strip of water between the spit and the bank where the bottom can be seen, but as there is marginal weed cover it generally remains fish-less except for the odd cruising shoal of small Rudd.

The Eastern end of the lake has estimated 70 feet depth at its center, some visitors a number of years back said they had scuba dived to 50 feet and no bottom was found until they lowered a plumb line to the 70 feet mark. The Western end has estimated 36 feet at its center. This does shallow where the promontory divides the two end of the lake.

Generally all manner of baits appear to catch at some time or other, but there are times when what is good one day does not score the next. Ground baiting will concentrate the shoals of fish and if the feeding is kept regular the bites will go on all day. The reported large Bream have generally been individual fish and again ground bait does not seem to concentrate them. No shoals of big bream have been sighted rolling and there do not appear to be vast numbers of skimmer bream either. My best Bream, from the water, was caught on sweetcorn from end of the promontory, float ledgering 2 rod lengths out.

Eels tend to be more prevalent in the evenings on meat baits and dead baits should account for larger specimens if they are your quarry. (No pun intended).

Local advice is very sparse Simon Beasley from Gunnislake was probably the most conststant angler on the water. In the early 2002 / 3 seasons and the
Landlord generally recommends light lines and small hooks. Most of the swims, that are used regularly, will produce a fish, so look for evidence of other anglers. This usually means that there is shallower water in front of you, unless Carp anglers have been bivvied up a casting to the far bank to find shallower water.

Around the flatter protrusion into the lake at the Southeast end there are some sunken fallen trees also along the far bank there are some snags for the unwary. Long-range fishing is generally directed in the gaps between the trees on the far bank against the steep quarry wall. There is a marginal shelf on that side in places, which makes it favorite for the long stay distant caster.
Swims at the eastern end of the lake are silty due to the abundance of autumn leaves blown into that corner particularly noticeable in the very corner swim. This swim may well be worth raking in the summer to attract the interest of the Tench