Thomas Wood fishery access

A film about access and swims at Thomas Wood fishery - September 2023

[@paulsummers-g2r]

Hi what’s the track condition at the moment

[@martinoxley2759]

The track of doom is not maintained. It is very slippery when wet. Do not attempt the track down to the fishery unless you have a proper 4x4. It cost my mate £700 to be towed out of the ditch in his van. The local farmer would have done it but has been scared off by insurance liability from the fishery owners. On a plus side we caught 7 barbel and a chub on the day. Which was all this bloke was interested in. Absolutely no advice or assistance given except to call the AA. Who by the way do not have the proper equipment to get you out if stuck. Hence the money paid to a specialist company. The driver who got stuck at the side of the track is retired delivery driver with a vast amount of experience. The reason he slid to the side of the track was that when he was applying brake his van slid to the side which left his tyres on mud. As stated be aware if you do not have a 4x4 and it has been raining don't attempt and walk down. The information we was given about insurance by a local perhaps is a lie. But not sure why the person or farmer he spoke to would want to lie. Perhaps sick and tired of pulling people out.

[@anglingdreams8149]

It is maintained, but due to poor driving gets chewed up very quickly. We have vans and cars down there on a daily basis and they manage fine - as with anywhere off road though, approach with caution when it's wet - that's common sense. There is no ditch so this report is a lie, unless this is from the guy who couldn't reverse using his mirrors and drove off the track into the undergrowth? The AA have helped before, and that is standard advice for any "stuck" vehicle, as yes the farmer and ourselves have got better things to be doing than dragging vehicles up the hill (or driving them for others) because of bad driving and lack of skill, nothing to do with "insurance from the fishery owners", another lie. What other advice or assistance can I offer a vehicle in a hedge? Slip into a phonebox and put a lycra suit on? And as for "this bloke" (me) being only interested in fish - anyone would think I run a fishing business...