In recent years there's been a marked escalations in problems on combs. I've witnessed some stuff first hand on here. The camping on the banks getting totally out of hand, the fishing tackle being the excuse for being there. Empty beer tins etc., unfortunately being the norm, even left water (unlocked) because they're too bloody bone idle to carry it off the water with them.

As far as I'm aware British Waterways are open to the idea of a club taking it over, there are however a few conditions.

The club has to collect ticket money, there's also something stipulated from the local parish about letting the locals fish it (may be even for free).

Indeed PA may have viewed the water, but to be honest I can't see where it fits in with their pretty outstanding portfolio, it doesn't seem a natural fit for that club at all. Most of their waters are far more exclusive, look at their recent acquisitions.

With that in mind, I'd say it'll stay how it is for the forseeable future. However, I'm prepared to eat humble pie if indeed they take it on.

Hiya guys if a club took over Coombs it would regret it. 68acres of water quite a lot of it unfishable due to deep mud, the dam wall is dangerous under foot parking in areas is very limited,long walks to pegs and if it's carp your after yes there are a handful of twenties the last time I heard about the big one it was twenty seven five. Who evers bin putting it about that there's over seventy carp in the place is wrong I know that for a fact a few years ago I did a nine month stint every day walking, watching, feeding fish and fishing. I've got a good friend who lives over the road and what he doesn't know about the place ain't worth knowing, he showed me all the the swims and at what time of year and day fish would be visible, the routes fish would take on a changing wind it was such a valuable lesson but it's no commercial or even syndicate it's full of bream that move over bait and keep you awake all night if you do get lucky enough to catch a carp or two your doing well but endless blanks are the order of the day. If PA or any other club want it the banks will be deserted then the locals will be back on putting themselves in trouble with the club when most of them like my friend have been fishing it for years. Why spoil such a rare free water. Come on British waterways give the angler something back.

hi Pheonixphythian. in 1976 robin farley who had the lease on there put 300 very small carp in, what out of them survived i dont know, he also took quite a few breem out, before he did one to spain !!! billy

Hiya bill my friend has been fishing there since late 80's he got photos of all the fish he's caught but about four years ago stopped because of repeat captures he has about 35 photos and hes witnessed deaths of fish aswell alot of the carp are very old and some quite scruffy old fish.

People wonder why fishing gets stopped on waters, just a taste of the state of combs last time I went up there:





The rubbish is bad enough, look closely and you'll see that the trees were crudely pruned to keep the so called anglers warm.

There are some nice fish up there, as well as some truly ugly carp... do a hunt on the internet, they're not difficult to find if you kNow where to find theM.

some more info here courtesy of dynamite baits:

Gareth Drury Visits Coombes Reservoir | Dynamite Baits

even includes a "visit" to the Goyt (briefly).