Martin lands his dream job at the age of 22
Not many 22-year-olds have landed their dream job by the time they leave college, but that is just what has happened for an angling enthusiast from Whissendine.
Martin Tomlinson, a former Whissendine Primary School and Vale of Catmose College student, first came up with the idea of running his own fishery in 2002 when he was in his first year studying for a national diploma in fish management at Brooksby Melton College.
He said: "I have been an angler since I was about 10-years-old. Since then I have always wanted to do something connected to that as a career. I did a two- year course in fish management and that's when the idea started."
Martin's father, Richard is a farmer at Whissendine, and agreed to give over some of his land to create lakes.
That was just the beginning of a long process, but Martin finally opened Homeclose Fishery on July 21 this year.
He said: "It has taken six years and was a long process. There are four lakes which we dug out and flooded in 2006. Each one has different fish in it to cater for people's different preferences.
"A lot of fisheries concentrate on carp and I have tried to turn the clock back a bit by aiming for a more traditional fishery."
Among the fish species at Homeclose are tench, bream, crucian carp, rudd, orfe and perch. Martin has reared most of the fish himself and is now confident that they are well established. He said: "You can see the small fish this year so they are breeding well. I will do a stock survey every couple of years.
"Most people don't realise but there are a lot of rules about the movements of fish. We have to be very careful."
Homeclose Fishery has just been given a gold fishery accreditation, meaning it is of top quality.
Martin explained: "It's a bit like hotels getting stars. Fisheries can be bronze, silver or gold and we have been given a gold accreditation. I learnt a lot from the course at Brooksby that I have been able to use here.
"I can't thank my dad enough for letting me use his land."
The Tomlinson name is known among anglers for another reason, too.
Martin's mum Hilary is in the English women's fishing team, and travels all over the world with her sport.
Martin said: "She always wanted to get into it so when I was younger we used to encourage each other.
"I prefer to fish locally, although I don't have much time for it now. It's relaxing. You can get away from everything and enjoy watching the wildlife. If you catch a fish then it's a bonus."
Homeclose is a course fishery and is open seven days a week all year round.
Prices are for all four lakes and tickets run from dawn to dusk. Admission is 7 adults (5 concessions and under 16s) or 4 for an afternoon session. There is also an extra rod charge of 3.
For more information visit www.homeclosefishery.co.uk or call (07983) 969809.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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