Jubilee Lakes & Anglers Lodge Tackle Shop

Jubilee Lakes & Anglers Lodge Tackle Shop is a long‑established specialist retailer focused on fly fishing and fly tying, with a reputation for knowledgeable, personal service backed by many years of experience. Anglers visit not only from the immediate area but also travel some distance for face‑to‑face advice, which says a great deal about how much value customers place on the staff’s expertise and the depth of stock available in the shop.

The business is closely linked to its trout fishery, Jubilee Lakes, which has historically attracted fly anglers for day sessions, tuition and corporate events as well as for the chance to browse a dedicated tackle shop on site. While the lakes themselves are currently affected by a pollution issue and are not open for fishing, anglers still use the shop as a go‑to source for equipment and materials, and this dual identity as both a retail outlet and a fishery hub strongly influences how customers view the place.

One of the main strengths of the tackle shop is the emphasis on specialist fly fishing advice. Reviews consistently highlight that staff take time to talk through options in detail, whether someone is choosing a new rod, waders, or a piece of technical clothing, and customers often mention leaving with gear that suits their needs rather than simply the most expensive item on the rack. This kind of support is particularly valued by anglers who may be upgrading to more advanced equipment or returning to the sport and wanting reassurance about rod weights, line choices and wading safety before committing to a purchase.

The shop also provides detailed guidance for those ordering remotely, which is important for anyone who cannot easily reach a specialist outlet. Several anglers report phoning with questions about products such as fly‑tying vices, jackets and waders and receiving patient, practical answers that directly influenced their buying decisions and led to successful online orders. This combination of mail‑order efficiency and traditional one‑to‑one conversation helps the business stand out in a market where many anglers have moved to anonymous online retailers that cannot offer the same level of tailored input.

Stock range is another strong point. Regular customers describe the shop as very well stocked with almost every type of fly tying material they can think of, alongside rods, reels, lines, waders and clothing from established brands. For dedicated fly tiers, having access to a broad selection of hackles, dubbings, hooks and synthetic materials in one place removes the frustration of piecing orders together from multiple suppliers, and one reviewer even goes so far as to describe the shop as among the best suppliers for fly‑tying in the country.

Pricing is generally regarded as competitive, particularly when balanced against the level of service. Anglers note that they feel they receive good value for money, not just because prices compare well with other outlets but because the advice they receive helps them avoid costly mistakes, such as buying the wrong size waders or an unsuitable wading jacket for the waters they fish. When combined with reliable delivery times for online orders and careful packing that ensures items arrive in good condition, the overall perception is that the shop delivers a strong balance between cost and quality.

Customer service is repeatedly highlighted as friendly and down‑to‑earth. The owners and staff are often mentioned by name, with anglers commenting that they are remembered from previous visits and welcomed back in a way that feels personal rather than transactional. For many customers, this familiarity turns the shop into a regular stop before trips and a place to seek honest feedback on new products and techniques, which fosters long‑term loyalty and word‑of‑mouth recommendations.

For potential visitors, it is worth understanding the relationship between the tackle shop and Jubilee Lakes fishery. The fishery has long offered stillwater trout fishing with features such as corporate fly fishing events, tuition and day tickets, and anglers often describe the lakes as attractive, with a good layout and the convenience of a dedicated tackle shop just a short walk away. Having everything on one site – fishing, tuition and equipment – has historically made it an appealing choice for newcomers to fly fishing and for groups arranging organised days with instruction built in.

However, recent reviews and information from the site itself indicate that the lakes are not currently open for fishing because of a pollution problem affecting the water. One angler notes that they visited the shop and found a wide selection of gear and helpful staff but were unable to fish the lakes due to the ongoing issue, while the fishery’s own information confirms that fishing remains suspended. For customers, this means that although the tackle shop continues to trade and provide equipment and advice, they cannot at present combine a visit with a day on the water at the same venue.

Even prior to the closure, some anglers raised concerns about stock levels in the lakes and catch rates on certain days. A small number of reviews mention sessions where very few fish were caught, with comments suggesting that restocking did not feel as frequent as in previous years and that value for money seemed to be declining compared with earlier experiences. Others report days with limited rises and little surface activity, which may reflect a combination of stocking patterns, environmental conditions and angling pressure. These opinions sit alongside positive comments from visitors who enjoyed their time at the venue, but they do point to ups and downs in the stillwater fishing experience even before the current closure.

For anyone assessing the business as a whole, this divide between a strong tackle shop and a fishery facing environmental problems is an important consideration. On the positive side, the retail side continues to operate with high levels of customer satisfaction, reliable mail order and a reputation for being a dependable source of fly‑fishing gear and tying materials. On the negative side, anglers wanting a combined shop‑and‑fish venue will currently need to plan their fishing elsewhere until the pollution issue is fully resolved and the lakes can reopen safely.

In practical terms, prospective customers can expect in‑person shopping, advice and product collection during normal trading days, as well as the option to order online or by phone. Reviews of recent orders mention prompt dispatch and early‑morning delivery, with parcels well packed and items reaching customers in perfect condition. For anglers who rely on mail order for specialised fly‑tying items or larger kit such as waders and jackets, this reliability is a significant advantage and helps the shop compete with larger online‑only retailers.

When it comes to the physical layout, customers describe the shop as organised and easy to browse, with clearly displayed ranges and enough space to look at rods, boots and clothing without feeling rushed. Anglers appreciate being able to handle rods, try on wading boots and examine materials up close before buying, which is especially helpful for those tying their own flies who want to check colour, texture and fibre length in person. Having staff on hand to suggest alternatives or complementary items, such as suitable lines for a chosen rod weight or the right fly line backing, adds further value to the visit.

Strengths for tackle buyers

For anglers focused mainly on buying equipment, several aspects stand out. First, the depth of fly‑tying stock means that those who tie their own patterns can source everything from basic hooks and threads to more specialised materials in one order, reducing time and postage costs. Second, the emphasis on advice – whether in person or over the phone – helps less experienced anglers avoid common pitfalls when assembling their first outfit, and even seasoned fly fishers often consult the staff on newer rod and line combinations.

Reviews indicate that the shop also caters for clothing and accessories, with customers specifically mentioning wading jackets, waders and wading boots, alongside smaller items that make life easier on the bank such as leaders, tippet and fly boxes. Anglers who have purchased larger‑ticket items such as rods and breathable waders report satisfaction not only with the products themselves but with the way they were guided through sizing and suitability, which is particularly important when buying gear that must perform in cold, wet and sometimes fast‑flowing water.

Another positive element is that the business has been operating for many years, which gives customers confidence that they are dealing with an established retailer rather than a short‑term online presence. Long‑term customers mention ordering repeatedly over time and visiting the shop on multiple occasions, suggesting that the business has built a loyal base of anglers who trust the advice and the product range. For potential new customers, this history can be reassuring when making larger purchases or setting up ongoing orders for fly‑tying materials.

Limitations and points to consider

There are, however, some limitations potential visitors should weigh. The most significant is the ongoing closure of the lakes to fishing because of pollution, which means the venue cannot currently offer the full package of tackle shop plus stillwater trout fishing that many anglers associate with Jubilee Lakes. This may be disappointing for those who have fond memories of fishing the lakes or who were hoping to combine shopping with a day targeting stocked trout on site, and it naturally affects how the fishery side of the operation is perceived at present.

Previous concerns about catch rates and restocking also linger in some reviews, even though these sit alongside many positive comments about the lakes, scenery and staff. Anglers considering fishing there in future, once the water quality issues are resolved, may wish to keep an eye on how the fishery communicates its stocking policy and environmental monitoring, particularly in light of broader awareness of water quality and pollution affecting fisheries around the country.

Another practical consideration is that, as a specialist shop, product choice is strong in fly fishing and tying but naturally narrower in other angling disciplines. Coarse or sea anglers looking for very broad multi‑discipline ranges may find that this retailer is more focused on fly fishing than on general tackle, although for those who primarily cast flies for trout and similar species this focused approach is in fact a key strength rather than a drawback.

Overall impression for potential customers

For anglers looking for a reliable source of fishing tackle, fly fishing gear and fly tying materials, Jubilee Lakes & Anglers Lodge Tackle Shop presents a strong option thanks to its experienced staff, well‑regarded customer service and extensive specialist stock. The ability to combine knowledgeable advice with competitive pricing and dependable mail order fulfils many of the needs that modern anglers have when equipping themselves for rivers, reservoirs and stillwaters elsewhere.

• Anglers who value in‑depth discussion about rods, lines, waders and clothing are likely to appreciate the time staff spend tailoring recommendations.
• Those who tie their own flies benefit from a wide range of materials in one place, making it easier to keep well‑stocked without multiple separate orders.
• Customers who cannot visit in person can still access the same expertise over the phone, with quick dispatch and careful packaging of online orders.
• Anglers seeking a combined day of stillwater fishing and shopping on site should be aware that the lakes are not currently open due to pollution issues.

Balancing these points, the business currently functions primarily as a specialist tackle and fly‑tying retailer with a strong reputation among regular customers, while its associated fishery is temporarily out of action. Potential clients who understand this distinction can make informed choices about how best to use what the business offers: as a trusted source of specialist gear and advice today, with the possibility that, once environmental problems are addressed, it may again become a venue where anglers can both gear up and spend time on the water in the same location.