Ham Pool – South Cerney Angling Club

Broadway Lane · South Cerney · Gloucestershire

📋 About the Fishery

Ham Pool — also designated as Lake 18 within the South Cerney Angling Club’s extensive water portfolio — is one of the most picturesque and historically significant lakes available to SCAC members in the Cotswold Water Park. Sitting just off Broadway Lane in South Cerney, Gloucestershire, within easy reach of Cirencester, this beautiful 8-acre gravel pit has been at the heart of the club’s specimen fishing offering for many decades and remains one of the most sought-after and respected waters in the entire SCAC book.

South Cerney Angling Club itself has a remarkable heritage, having been founded by seven local anglers in 1936 — when membership cost just ten shillings and covered a stretch of the River Churn and the now-lost Station Pool in the village. Ham Pool was purchased by the club in the late 1940s, making it one of the oldest continuously managed club waters in the Cotswold region. This long history gives Ham Pool a depth of character that newer purpose-built venues simply cannot replicate — the lake has been fished, studied, and loved by generations of local anglers, and that accumulated knowledge and tradition forms a unique backdrop to every session on the water.

Visually, Ham Pool is a genuinely stunning venue. Throughout the spring and summer months, extensive lily pad growth fringes much of the lake’s margins, creating one of the most attractive waterscapes in the Cotswold Water Park. These lily pads are not merely decorative — they form essential carp habitat, providing shade, natural food, and sanctuary for fish throughout the warmer months and acting as focal points for productive angling tactics that experienced members have refined over many years of fishing the water.

The lake averages approximately 12 feet in depth across most of its 8 acres, which is notably deeper than many Cotswold gravel pits of comparable size. This depth profile, combined with clear water conditions for much of the year, creates a genuinely varied fishing environment where both surface and mid-water tactics have a role alongside more traditional bottom presentations. A number of marginal shelves can be found around the lake, providing defined holding areas for fish at various times of year and rewarding anglers who take the time to map the lakebed carefully with a marker rod before committing to a swim.

In August 2022, South Cerney Angling Club made a significant investment in Ham Pool’s long-term water quality by installing a six-point air diffuser system across the lake. This modern aeration system plays an important role in maintaining dissolved oxygen levels during warm summer periods when temperatures and algae growth can place natural stress on fish stocks — a forward-thinking piece of infrastructure that reflects the club’s genuine commitment to fish welfare and the long-term health of the venue.

Ham Pool sits at the centre of a wider SCAC complex that includes numerous other gravel pit waters across the Cotswold Water Park, from the heavily stocked Stait and Gillmans lakes to the more challenging Whitefriars and Dabchick waters. This variety means a single SCAC season permit — which grants access to all club waters — represents exceptional value for anglers based in the Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, or Oxfordshire area, with Ham Pool frequently cited as the standout specimen target within the membership.

The famous Fisherman’s Rest — a licensed clubhouse and bar located directly on the banks of Ham Pool — adds another dimension to the fishing experience at this venue that few other club waters anywhere in the country can offer. Overlooking the lake with views across the lily pad margins and open water, the clubhouse provides food, drinks, Sky TV, pool, darts, and skittles, making it a social hub for the club’s membership and a genuinely welcoming place for anglers to relax during sessions or gather for club events.

Chub were introduced to Ham Pool in December 2017, adding a further dimension to an already impressive multi-species stock. Their inclusion was a deliberate decision to broaden the lake’s appeal for members who enjoy the watercraft challenge of targeting this often-wary species alongside the carp and specimen bream and tench for which Ham Pool has traditionally been best known.

🐟 Fish Stock

Ham Pool holds a well-balanced and impressive head of specimen fish across multiple species. Carp are present throughout the lake in a mix of commons and mirrors, with the stock spanning a broad size range from doubles through to fish pushing the upper thirties — the carp record standing at 38lb. A solid population of twenties and a smaller number of larger specimens give the lake genuine specimen carp potential for well-prepared members who invest time into understanding the water.

Alongside the carp, Ham Pool supports a genuinely exciting multi-species stock. Tench have been caught to 11lb, bream to 10lb, and the lake holds a strong head of pike with specimens confirmed to over 30lb — making it one of the better pike waters within the SCAC complex for members who enjoy winter predator fishing. Perch to 2lb, roach and rudd to 2lb, crucian carp to 4lb, and the more recently introduced chub round out a stock profile that makes Ham Pool one of the most complete all-round specimen club waters in the Cotswolds.

Reports from the lake during spring 2024 noted feeder tactics drawing bream in numbers — with totals approaching 90lb weight of bream in a single session being reported by certain members from productive areas of the lake. This level of bream activity reinforces Ham Pool’s reputation as a standout mixed specimen water rather than a venue focused exclusively on carp, and tench have similarly built a strong reputation among the club’s dedicated tench anglers during the early summer months.

🎯 Tactics & Methods

Watercraft and accurate location are the defining skills at Ham Pool. The clear water conditions for much of the year mean fish can inspect rigs carefully, and carp that have spent time in a mature club water are typically more wary and experienced than those found on heavily stocked commercial venues. Spending time observing the lake before choosing a swim — watching for rolling fish, disturbed lily pads, or bubbling on the surface — will always pay dividends over rushing in and casting to the most obvious areas.

The lily pad margins are the single most important feature at Ham Pool and should be at the forefront of any carp angler’s thinking from spring through to autumn. Presenting a bait tight to — or even within — the lily pad fringes, either by hand-placing or accurate underarm casting, consistently accounts for fish that feel safe and sheltered beneath this natural canopy. A fluorocarbon hooklink blending into the lakebed, combined with a balanced wafter or pop-up, fished on a compact lead arrangement that won’t disturb the pads, is the classic Ham Pool setup for margin fishing.

For open-water fishing, a marker rod is essential at Ham Pool given the depth and the variation in the lakebed. The marginal shelves found around the lake are key targets — fish regularly patrol these shelf edges, particularly during the early morning and evening feeding windows. Silt pockets found in the deeper central areas are also worth locating, as carp and tench both feed actively in these natural food-rich zones, particularly during summer and autumn when natural invertebrate activity is at its peak.

Note that loose feeding of boilies is not permitted at Ham Pool — a club rule that significantly influences bait strategy. PVA bags, solid bags, and method feeder presentations are the most practical alternatives, keeping bait tight and accurate without requiring loose spodding or scattering of freebies. This restriction actually suits the style of cautious fishing that the lake rewards — small, precise presentations over minimal bait tend to outperform high-volume baiting approaches on a mature water like this.

For specimen bream and tench — which can be caught throughout the warmer months — feeder fishing with worm, caster, and maggot over a bed of groundbait is the most consistent approach. Reports from spring 2024 noted outstanding bream weights to feeder tactics from certain swims, and the tench fishing from late spring into early summer has consistently impressed members who target them specifically. Pike anglers should focus winter efforts on the deeper central areas and the drop-off zones near the marginal shelves where predators ambush prey fish throughout the colder months.

🏆 Lake Records & Key Stats

📅 Seasonal Fishing Guide

Spring (March–May): As water temperatures climb and the lily pads begin emerging, carp move increasingly into the margins and around the developing pad beds. This is one of the most exciting periods to fish Ham Pool, with fish becoming visible in the shallower areas and highly catchable to well-placed margin presentations. Tench also begin feeding strongly from late spring, and feeder tactics with worm and caster over groundbait produce excellent sport from May onwards.

Summer (June–August): The lily pad margins are at their most extensive and productive during summer. Carp regularly tuck themselves beneath and alongside the pads, making accurate tight presentations the key edge during this period. The deeper central areas also hold fish during the heat of the day, and zig rigs fished at varying depths can be very effective when carp are suspended in the water column. Bream and tench fishing remains strong through summer with feeder tactics.

Autumn (September–November): Carp feed confidently through autumn, visiting silt pockets, marginal shelves, and open-water features as they build condition ahead of winter. The clearer water conditions of autumn make fish location easier and reward patient anglers who observe before casting. Bream shoals also respond well to feeder tactics through September and October on Ham Pool.

Winter (December–February): Ham Pool fishes year-round with no close season. Carp activity slows but the lake’s excellent pike fishing comes into its own during winter, with 30lb-plus specimens a genuine target for dedicated predator anglers. Carp can still be caught on single hookbaits and small PVA bags fished to the deeper central areas and known holding spots. Night fishing is permitted, and the proximity of the Fisherman’s Rest clubhouse makes winter overnight sessions particularly comfortable.

ℹ️ Facilities & Key Rules

Ham Pool benefits from some of the best facilities available on any club water in the Cotswolds. On-site amenities include toilets and shower facilities with full disabled access, and many of the swims around the lake are accessible by car — a significant advantage for anglers carrying heavy carp or bivvy gear. The centrepiece of the bankside experience is the Fisherman’s Rest — a fully licensed clubhouse and bar overlooking the lake, offering ales, lagers, ciders, spirits, Sky TV, pool, darts, and skittles. The clubhouse is available to both fishing and social members and provides a warm, welcoming focal point for the entire SCAC community.

SCAC membership is required to fish Ham Pool — it is a members-only water with no day tickets available. Membership can be purchased from the Tackle Den in South Cerney, Angling Direct in Swindon, or on the bank from a bailiff. A passport-style photo and valid EA rod licence are required at the point of purchase. The adult season permit is priced at £60, with concessions for juniors (£30) and disabled/OAP (£35), and a weekly ticket is available at £40. A single season permit covers all SCAC waters. A second membership book is available for those wishing to use 3 rods on Ham Pool between 1st October and 28th February.

Key Rules to Know:

Members must carry their membership book and ID at all times and produce it for inspection on request. No loose feeding of boilies at Ham Pool. Unhooking mats must be used at all times for all carp and large fish. Fish may not be transferred to another lake under any circumstances. No reserving of swims — including with buckets. Members are limited to one swim at a time; accompanied swims may only be vacated for a maximum of 2 hours. Baited rods must not be left unattended — rods found unattended will be confiscated with a £25 charge for their return. No bathing, wading, or swimming on club waters. No radios, televisions, generators, or musical instruments at the waterside. Dogs permitted (maximum 2 per angler) on a short lead only — must be cleaned up after and are not permitted in the clubhouse. Junior membership ends at 17 years. A valid EA rod licence is required at all times. Night fishing is permitted.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

📞 Venue Information

🌐 www.scac.org.uk

📍 The Fisherman’s Rest, Broadway Lane, South Cerney, Gloucestershire, GL7 5UH

🗺️ Satnav: GL7 5UH

🎫 Membership from Tackle Den (South Cerney), Angling Direct (Swindon) or on the bank from a bailiff

Season permit £90 adult · £30 junior · £35 OAP/disabled · £40 week ticket · No close season · Night fishing permitted at extra cost, contact club for details