The Lakes at Barn Elms

Barn Elms is a chalk stream fed fishery consisting of 4 distinct areas of water linked together totaling 6 and a half acres. Although in reality a single expanse of water, for fishing purposes they are identified as ‘The Lakes’. Below, you can find further information about each of the lakes, recommendations on how to fish them can be found within our fishing tactics page or on our blog pages found on this website.

roxy lake fly fishing

Roxy Lake

Roxy is our biggest lake and in many ways the ‘Jewel in the Crown’, of Barn Elms Fly Fishery. Stream fed in the top corner it fishes well all year. Virtually rectangular in shape all sides produce fish but as the weather warms the fish move in the direction of the inlet and the top of the lake and the island area opposite. There is a 15ft depth channel through the middle of Roxy leading to the main bridge where it meets the shallower waters of Diawl Bach. Many an angler has reached his bag far too soon by being reluctant to move away from this popular area of the fishery.

barn-elms-diawl-bach-lake fly fishing

Diawl Bach Lake

Named after the popular Stillwater nymph, Diawl Bach means ‘Little Devil’. Linked to Roxy at the car park end by 2 small gullies, accessible from the car park by 2 bridges, this is a lake for the more discerning angler. If you want a day’s fishing for your 4 fish ticket this is the place to fish. Largely ignored during the Summer months Diawl Bach always contains fish but they can be difficult to locate. Except like all the lakes when a hatch is on, then fish can be taken on all the popular Dry Flys, Buzzers and Hoppers.

barn-elms-car-park

Car Park Lake

Adjacent to the car park, (where else?) this is the smallest and least fished of all 4 lakes. Deep in parts, it can provide some very visual fishing to the stalking angler, and who knows what lurks in its depths?

Lily Lake

Linked to Roxy by a small gulley by the island the aptly named Lily can be difficult to fish in the summer months as it is covered in Lily Pads. Lily is at its best at either end of the season. But it is not to be ignored at the height of the season, as the observant angler will often stalk a surface feeding fish, and enjoy the challenge of extracting it from the Lily Pads.