Esthwaite Water Trout Fishery — Local services in England

Beautiful location. The cafe is nice spot to stay and enjoy a snack overlooking the serene lake. The fishing however... twice I have tried to take a boat out. Not having signal in the Lakes has not allowed me to book ahead on the days we wanted to go. The first time, in complete honesty, we turned up on a whim just after 4pm, when the last boats go out at 4pm. Fair enough. What wasn't appreciated was the complete lack of customer service or simple respect shown from the Scottish man working within the Fishery. Barely looking at me, he told me to "Go away, last boat's out at 4pm."

A few weeks later when a group of us returned, well within good time, we got parked up outside and the same man walks over to us as we exit the vehicle with the overtly passive aggressive greeting of "If you want to eat at the cafe you'll have to park over there... this is parking for the fishing."

"Oh, hello, yes we were hoping to do some fishing."

"Have you booked?"

"Well we couldn't get any signal so thought we pop by the see about the availability."

"We're booked up. You can't park there. Move your car so there's a space for the paying customers."

Now... there's a way to treat your customers. I can appreciate booking are preferred and that parking, slim as it is, should be reserved for said paying customers, but this man's attitude is disgusting, as noted by numerous other reviewers. If one runs a boating business which no doubt is funded significantly by tourists and passing trade, then if they wish to remain in business, I suggest this man learn some...

Giving 2 stars and this is generous... and I'll detail for why. I've fished Esthwaite since I could hold a rod, good fishing on SOME days and if you know where to go can prove worthwhile ( although you pay an arm and a leg to catch some 4-5lb trout ). HOWEVER, I'll be lying if I said I wanted to return. The scottish bloke who runs this place has an attitude that stinks worse than a rotting fish, almost to the point where you question if he wants people to fish his venue at all? I understand protecting stock is the key interest of any fishery owner, and keeping mal-practised anglers out is sensible take. But for someone who believes he is the Trout lord, he seems to think that using wire trace ( on a lake that is notorious for big pike ) is uncalled for. Tell me Jim, when was the last time a pike could identify that the spoon I was using it was a trout lure.... would you rather it bite through my line and die with a hook lodged down it's throat? The regulations on this lake are extraordinary, I wouldn't be surprised in a years time if they provided scuba gear because you had to catch them with your bare hands. Funniest thing is, told not to target pike, which we didnt ( 12 trout caught ), but also caught pike on the exact same set up... funny that isn't it Jim? Very cliquey and unwelcoming, even though I have family ties with the lake I wont be returning....

What an absolute shame, could be a fab friendly cafe but sadly only seems to cater for LARGE groups. Arrive at 10:50, politely waited for the couple in front to order a couple of pasties, took them till just after 11am to order and sort, to then be told, sorry, its after 11am and we are no longer serving... ??..

Hang on, we were here prior to your 11am cut off time, (10 minutes on a Sunday ).didn't demand the attention of the lady cleaning the display and still get this this ??.. Sorry, but no, we promptly decided to give this place a miss, made our exit and saved ourselves £25 in the process ( 2 full breakfast's with extras and beverages )... You'll find most of the 5 star reviews, in fact most of the reviews, are for the fishery, certainly not for the CAFE...

2020... Update. Returned to the area certainly NOT to visit the cafe, but to get some footage from my licensed and registered drone. The owner, once again in his best of moods came marching over to demand I not fly in a NO FLY ZONE. The drone I was using, WILL NOT FLY in a no fly zone, it simply will not take off.

Please find included in the pics for the area the FAA map of designated no-fly zones.

To sum up, the mams a complete black spot on what is otherwise a beautiful...