Richworth Linear Fisheries, one of the top carp fisheries in the country, are closing one of their lakes at Stanton Harcourt, Oxlease, writesAndy Webber.

The lake has not recovered from the July floods and Linear took the decision after consulting a fish health expert.

Fish which were going to be stocked in Oxlease will be put into Brasenose Lake before Christmas, and Oxlease will be stocked once everything has returned to normal.

Fishery officer Chris Blunt said "We've not taken this decision lightly, but feel that the health of the remaining stock must take priority.

"The directors are also concerned that anglers should get value for money for their day tickets and not fish a lake below our normal standard, even if this results in lost revenue for the company.

"We can only apologise to anglers looking forward to fishing Oxlease during the coming months, but hope they enjoy fishing our other waters equally as much.

"Thankfully those waters have come through the floods and are doing well."

Oxlease will not be reopened until it has been test-fished in the spring and the company are happy with the results.

Richworth Linear have worked hard after the floods and it's nice to hear that fish welfare comes before profit.

FARMOOR is fishing very well with 399 trout caught by 144 anglers at a rod average of 2.8 fish per rod.

Best patterns last week were black and green boobies, diawl bachs, pearly pheasant tails and minkies.

Largest fish of the week was a superb 7.14.0 rainbow taken by Thames Water ranger Mark Loughray on a black fritz lure on a slow intermediate line.

RS baits Angling Society have taken over control of the old Morris Motors stretch of the Thames at Eynsham.

Anyone interested in fishing this stretch can obtain a season ticket £15, or a day ticket £3, from RS Baits in Eynsham.

IF you have any news, views, photos or you just want to have a chat, you can contact me on 01865 725606 or email andrew@webber 01865.fsnet.co.uk