Stowe Pool, Lichfield.

Council run, day ticket/season permit pool in the middle of Lichfield. Built in the 18th century Stowe is basically a concrete bowl approx 10 acres in size, a posh Salford I suppose! Also an SSSI site due to population of white-clawed crayfish. I never really fancied this place much but I knew it held a couple of lumps. Only ever day fished it as it's a cracking stalking water. The water itself is normally crystal clear and the fish are always in the margins. There were two target fish for me: Two-Tone (now deceased), and Humpy. When I fished it this year the lake had just lost the biggest fish (Two-Tone) so I was only really after Humpy, although there are some other nice 20s in there. I guess I didn't really fall for this place so when I caught Humpy it lost its attraction and I only ever go down there now and again for a bit of surface fishing action. But it's still a nice pool and one that should be on the list for any serious Mids carper to have a go at.      

Stowe Pool - home of the infamous "Humpy".

"Humpy". 25lb 12oz. Aug 2007. Real old warrior this one. I wouldn't like to guess how old he is but must be around 50 years. Made famous by Dave Mallins article detailing the capture of him and Two-Tone in Big Carp magazine (early 90s).

19lb 12oz common, June 06.                 15lb 8oz mirror, Aug 07.              Low double, Jun 2006.                               An early morning shot of Stowe from the town end. Well worth a look, just watch our for the dog crap, drunks, ants and crayfish! Typical park pool I suppose, comes with the territory. But beyond all the agro you get with some of the local parks pools there really is some good fishing to be had, and these carp mean something, they've got history and character.