The Essex Fly Fishers’ Club: We are a members-only trout fly-fishing club in the heart of rural Essex. Established in 1966, the club offers some of the best dry and wet fly fishing not just in Essex but in East Anglia
With fully stocked lakes, with rainbows and brown trout members are enjoying fantastic catches as we move into our ‘Winter’ Season. The crazy warm weather through the summer is now behind us and water temperature is currently 14 degrees…
Lakes have good levels of water, Lavender lake is a bit down in height but not enough to effect quality of fishing.
BROWN Trout have again been stocked and members are reminder they are C&R only
A reminder to members: The largest specimen fish (fish over 5lb cannot be dispatched and must be returned)
Membership for 2026 will shortly be issued from the waiting list…
Our two lakes fish very different and will test the skills of even the best fly fisherman through our fishing seasons. Each Lake is approximately 16 acres in size, and are situated in a tranquil, picturesque setting within easy reach of Chelmsford, Braintree and Great Dunmow, Essex.
Our Club numbers are kept low to ensure our members enjoy the best fishing available on offer anywhere in Essex. Our members enjoy unique fishing, with both a Summer Season (1st March -31st October) and a Winter Season (1st November to 13th February). The lakes are stocked throughout the year to match fish dispatched.
Some pictures from last years fishing…
A 7lb slab… Gareth Crooks Week 45
James Maxfield 3.5lb fish safely returned … Black flies tempted this beauty
Shane King… A new member to the club arrived to a beautiful Sun RISE….
November again proved our winter fishing is very special…. a total of 433 fish were caught over the 4 weeks. Wow………
October Fish 2022.
In week 38, 113 fish were caught on Lodge lake alone… some fantastic fishing on the lakes as the winter fishing season approaches fast. Simon Crosby nets and releases the best fish. A beauty estimated 6lb plus fish. I happened to be on the bank catching up while he fished not more than 10 yrds out on a boat, Dam end of Lodge lake. This fish was the 5th of the morning for Simon. I thought he was going to lose it as he struggled to net it… Several members reported bagging the Max 10 fish catch before heading home and CC landed 8 on Lavender on Sunday 23rd after the AGM meeting. He did get wet though!
The week before Colin Chandler also had a 3 1/4 lb in the net on Lavender. He tells me it fought like a donkey. Lavender does produce great hard fighting fish. Sadly no pictures of Colins catch.
Previous past months notable fish caught……
An estimated 10lb to 12lb fish, took a cats whisker with blue flash on a very fast retrieve. The fish gave Kevin Andrews a fantastic fight before being brought to the net and then safely returned still fighting. The fish had already snapped another member and Kevin was also able to remove that fly. He was using a 4 weight rod with 8lb leader. His view is the 4 weight rod helped massively in him landing the fish as it took all the strain as this fish went on many dives and runs. The picture really does not do the fish justice… a massive tail
8lb plus fish taken by Joe Stock. Fish safely returned. Joe had a great day on Lodge lake taking a number 3lb to 5lb fish all returned for another day.
A 7lb plus slab brought to the net by Steve Fenton…..
A 4lb plus beauty……..
A fine near 5lb fish caught by Steve F. One for the smoker…. !
The 2021 season started well for Ralph D and just as the 2020 season ended with some splendid catches. Here’s an impressive first week trout in excess of 12lbs
Joe S. catches and returns this fine 4lb2oz rainbow.. (above)
..and this fine 6lb8oz slab was netted by Colin D.
Essex Fly Fishers' Club 