Bordeaux Pit

Bordeaux Pit is a members-only coarse fishery managed by Saffron Walden Angling Club, offering a compact but varied venue for anglers who value mixed-species sport, peaceful surroundings and a managed club environment rather than a commercial complex feel. It is situated near Little Chesterford, with access through a locked gate, which helps to control numbers on the bank and maintain a quieter atmosphere for those who prefer a more relaxed session.

The main attraction for many visitors is the opportunity for carp fishing, with fish present into the upper double figures and club information indicating specimens to around 20 pounds, backed up by reports of hard-fighting common carp from regular visitors. Anglers mention enjoyable days targeting carp, often speaking positively about the quality of the fish and the sense of achievement that comes with working a relatively intimate water rather than a heavily stocked commercial fishery.

Beyond carp, Bordeaux Pit is run as a true coarse venue, with a wide stock profile that includes bream, F1 hybrids, chub, ide, roach, rudd, tench, perch and crucian carp, which makes it an appealing choice for anyone interested in coarse fishing rather than chasing a single species. This variety allows both pleasure anglers and those bringing family members to find steady sport, whether that means building a bag of silver fish or setting more selective traps for larger specimens.

The fishery is organised into the larger "Big Lake" and a smaller pond sometimes referred to as the Little Lake or stock pond, each with a distinct role within the club’s portfolio of waters. The Big Lake offers around forty dedicated pegs, with swims identified and mapped by the club so that members can plan their sessions and understand the rough layout before they arrive on site.

One strength repeatedly highlighted by anglers is the general setting and layout of Bordeaux Pit, which sits slightly below the surrounding land and is naturally sheltered, making it more comfortable in breezy conditions and helping to extend the season for regular visitors. Reviews describe it as a beautiful place to spend the day, and long-term members have noticed how much work has gone into clearing undergrowth and improving access to swims, which is especially important for those who prefer to fish with more equipment or who have limited mobility.

The Little Lake is a particular asset for those introducing children or beginners to fishing lakes, with a handful of pegs and depths typically around four to five feet, lending itself to straightforward float tactics and lighter tackle. Club guidance notes that carp can often be found near the reeds, while skimmers, rudd and crucian carp are readily caught in open water on simple baits, which makes this area a useful confidence-builder for new anglers who want to see regular bites rather than sit behind big carp rods all day.

In terms of tactics, Bordeaux Pit responds well to traditional methods associated with English coarse venues, and the club provides clear hints that help visitors make the most of their sessions. Maggots fished in open water or to features are cited as a reliable approach for mixed bags, while pellets are particularly effective for bream and carp, and sweetcorn fished in the margins during warmer periods can produce explosive bites when fish patrol the edges.

Visiting anglers who share their experiences often mention productive sessions where a single carp may be the highlight of a day, underlining that this is not an instant-haul venue but a balanced water where watercraft and patience still matter. Accounts describe returning after many years away and still finding the venue rewarding, with at least one report of a mid-double common carp on a return visit and praise for the ongoing maintenance work that has been carried out around the banks.

Several regulars praise Bordeaux Pit as a good club lake and comment that joining Saffron Walden Angling Club has been worthwhile specifically because of the quality of this water and the variety it offers. Others emphasise that it is a great place to take children, not only for the fishing but also for the chance to enjoy the outdoors and encounter wildlife such as kingfishers and woodpeckers, which enhances the experience for families.

Video content created by keen carp anglers provides further insight into how the venue fishes over a season and supports the impression that this is a carp fishery where local knowledge and regular short sessions can pay off. Reports from these anglers suggest that the water can produce a run of fish on one day and then feel more challenging on another, which again reinforces the idea that Bordeaux Pit sits somewhere between an easy commercial and a highly pressured syndicate in terms of difficulty.

From a management perspective, Bordeaux Pit is governed by a clear set of club rules aimed at protecting fish welfare and ensuring that all users can enjoy the venue in a responsible way. Limits on groundbait usage, bans on certain baits such as dog and cat meat, and the requirement to return larger fish immediately rather than retaining them all underline a conservation-minded approach that will appeal to anglers who care about long-term stock health.

There are specific rules designed around the nature of this water, including a ban on pike fishing and restrictions on keeping larger fish in nets, reflecting the club’s focus on safeguarding key species and preventing undue stress on more valuable specimens. Rules also outline expectations around barbless hooks on stillwaters, the use of unhooking mats for carp and pike, and the need to keep gates closed and locked, reinforcing both fish care and site security.

The emphasis on security has practical implications for visitors: access via a locked gate and the requirement not to disturb nearby properties helps maintain good relations with neighbours and contributes to a quieter, more controlled environment on the bank. For some, the need to remember codes and follow procedures can feel restrictive, but for many club members it provides reassurance that the venue is reserved for those who respect the rules and the fishery.

One of the positive aspects of Bordeaux Pit is how it caters to different styles of angling within a relatively small footprint, providing a setting where specimen hunters, match-style anglers and families can all find something that suits them. The presence of around thirty-nine to forty pegs, clear swim definition and good access paths makes it easier to choose a spot and settle in for either a short evening session or a longer stay, with the shelter from the wind making it more comfortable during less favourable weather.

However, potential visitors should be aware that this is not a public day-ticket water and access is tied to club membership or the arrangements set by Saffron Walden Angling Club, which may not suit anglers who prefer to pay on the bank and move between waters at short notice. The syndicate-style nature also means that pegs can be occupied by regulars who know the water intimately, so newcomers may need a few sessions to get to grips with the most productive areas and approaches.

Another consideration is that the size of the venue and its sheltered position can occasionally contribute to a sense of being enclosed, which some anglers appreciate and others may find less appealing compared to larger reservoirs or expanses of river. Those who prioritise large open views and expansive bankside walks might find Bordeaux Pit relatively modest, whereas those who value convenience, short walks from the car to the peg and clearly defined swims are likely to see these features as advantages.

Catch expectations also need to be realistic: while there are carp to around twenty pounds and a healthy head of other species, this is not described as an overstocked runs water where multiple big fish are guaranteed every visit. Reports of single-fish sessions or modest bags on some outings suggest that conditions, swim choice and baiting strategy all play a large role in success, which may appeal to anglers who prefer a bit of a challenge but could disappoint those expecting constant action.

For families and those bringing juniors, the Little Lake stands out as a strong point, providing a manageable environment where children can learn basic skills such as plumbing the depth, feeding a line and playing smaller fish safely. The chance to combine this with wildlife watching and light tackle float fishing creates a more rounded day out, although parents and guardians still need to be mindful of bankside safety and follow club recommendations around supervision.

Anglers focused specifically on specimen carp lakes might view Bordeaux Pit as an intermediate step rather than a destination for chasing record-breaking fish, since current information suggests upper doubles and low twenties rather than very large specimens. On the other hand, this size range can be ideal for those who want meaningful fights on balanced tackle without the long waits that often accompany very low-stock big fish waters.

Overall, Bordeaux Pit stands out as a small but well-managed fishing lake that balances mixed-species sport, sensible rules and a peaceful environment under the stewardship of Saffron Walden Angling Club. Potential visitors who are comfortable with a club-based access model, value fish welfare and enjoy the blend of challenge and reward typical of traditional English coarse venues are likely to find it a satisfying choice, while those seeking instant, high-volume action or very large carp may prefer to treat it as one option among several rather than their sole focus.