Mets Lake

I first visited the Mets Lake at the end of winter a few years ago. Even still in its winter state, I could see it was beautiful water. The Mets is one of two lakes on the Thorney Weir complex in West Drayton in the Colne Valley. The Mets always used to be run as syndicate water, but in 2013 the owners decided to open the Mets Lake up as a day ticket water, which for the carp angler is a real treat.

The lake is fifteen acres in size, and I would have to say one of the most stunning carp waters I have fished, it’s to me my dream lake.

A good friend of mine Dave Vaughn is the head bailiff on the complex, and if Dave is around, he will be the first to point you in the right direction, as would any of the other bailiffs. The Mets has always been a mystery water, and that’s what really interested me. Dave told me that the original stock consisted of some 170 carp, and over the years he said only around twenty-five percent of these fish have ever been caught.

Later a further stocking of 132 fish was introduced and today some of these fish are coming out at mid thirties. To add to this already incredible stock, a further 209 carp between ten and fifteen pounds were stocked bringing the total stock to just over 500 carp. What a great head of fish! The lake records so far are mirrors and commons to 38lb, but as I’ve said there is a lot of mystery about the place, Dave has told me about the big residents in the lake and I have seen them myself, so for the dedicated big fish hunter the Mets is perfect.

The lake is very mature, with every possible feature you can think of, gravel bars, islands, shallows, plenty of snaggy fish holding areas, big weed beds, and a deeper lagoon at one end. A good way to approach this water is to be mobile; it’s a big water so there is always scope for a bit of stalking. The fish get in every nook and cranny, so I like to feed a few spots and spend the day creeping about.

Two good swims to fish are ‘Turkey Burgers’ and ‘The Cut Through’, these areas are good as the fish use these bottle necks to move through to get from one part of the lake to another. So it’s a good ambush area. Out in front of the point swim and the plateau the lake shallows to only a few feet of water, this area is very weedy but also holds a lot of fish; an area to keep an eye on especially in the warm weather. Observation like on any water is your main asset here; they are not incredibly hard to catch if you’re in the right place.

My top tip is to be mobile during the day stalking, floater fishing, although I have learnt at night they will move out of the snaggy holding areas and feed out in the open water. All in all, The Mets is a fantastic water for carp anglers of any standard, I love the place and will be snooping around from time to time in hope of one of those unbanked carp.

Both lakes on the complex are the same price £15 for 24hrs, for three rods and that’s a bargain. Tickets are collected from a machine that only takes £1- £2 coins so make sure you have enough with you. The ticket machine is located at the Lizard Lake, which is just a bit further down Trout Road on the left before you enter onto the Thorney complex. Porta loo toilets are in the main Thorney car park and by the ticket machine, there is a recently opened bait and snacks shop. Everything you could possibly need!

The vital information you need...

Biggest resident: 38lb
Average fish size: Mid-doubles.
Rough fish stock: 500 plus carp.
Going bait: Most baits will work well.
Local tackle shop: On-site bait shop.
Takeaways: Peking Chef 01895 444125; Jhinga Feast 01895 435091.
Rod limit: Three rods maximum.
Location: Trout Lane, West Drayton, Greater London, UB7 7XX.
Contact: 07931 255897.
Website: thorneyweirthemets.co.uk
Prices: £15 for 24hrs.
Facilities: Toilets, bait and snack shop.
Known summer areas/swims: 'Turkey Burgers' and 'The Cut Through' swims.
Jerry's top tip: “Be mobile and target the marginal areas during the day with stalking tactics."