Address & Contact Details
Address: Station Road, Theale, Reading, RG7 4AS
Telephone: 0118 930 3860
Fax: 0118 930 5860
e-Mail: sportfish-reading@sportfish.co.uk
Website: www.gamefishingcentre.co.uk
Store Opening Times
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday - Saturday: 9am - 5.30pm
Sunday: CLOSED
2024 Christmas Opening Hours
| Sunday 22nd December: CLOSED Monday 23rd December: 9.00am - 5.30pm Tuesday 24th December: CLOSED Wednesday 25th December: CLOSED Thursday 26th December: CLOSED Friday 27th December: 9.00am - 5.30pm |
Saturday 28th December: 9.00am - 5.30pm Sunday 29th December: CLOSED Monday 30th December: CLOSED Tuesday 31st December: CLOSED Wednesday 1st January: CLOSED Back to Normal Hours from 2nd January |
About the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre
Our Reading store forms the hub of the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre and offers 1500 square feet of retail space amidst 45 acres of delightful Berkshire countryside, including the famous Haywards Farm and Hobby Lakes, two of the finest trout fisheries in the UK.
The Sportfish Game Fishing Centre team offers the very best in single and double-handed casting tuition, stillwater trout fishing days and residential UK courses and can advise on all aspect of tackle selection to ensure you are fully prepared for all your game and lure fishing needs.
We carry an extensive range of products, including tackle, clothing and accessories from the biggest brands in fishing and, because choosing a new outfit is a big decision, you can try before you buy and test cast your choice of rods, reels and lines on the lake. We also offer a generous part-exchange rod upgrade if you want to replace your current outfit with one of the stunning new models available.
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY AT THE SPORTFISH GAME FISHING CENTRE
When buying fishing clothing, especially waders, nothing beats trying things on in person at the store. When it comes to investing in a new fly rod, wiggling it around in the shop will only get you so far.
Thankfully at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre (SGFC) near Reading we have an extensive mown area of grass and a crystal clear trout lake right in front of our 1,500 square foot showroom. It’s one of the few fishing shops in the UK where you can test out tackle on the water, so it’s no surprise our customers often travel large distances to try out a range of fly rods, reels and lines so they can be sure not to make expensive mistakes. There are even casting platforms above and below the water so you can get a better feel for how things will actually be.
How To Find Us
Simply leave the M4 at Jn 12 and follow the A4 towards Theale. Look out for the signs to Theale Station and follow them. Once you reach the station, proceed for 150yds (over hump backed bridge) and take the first turning on the right hand side.
Fishing at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre
Haywards Farm Lake
The 12-acre Haywards Farm Lake is a crystal clear, spring-fed fishery with superbly sculpted landscaping and additional oxygenation. Regular stocking is with a mix of full-finned rainbows with a high proportion of brown trout. The fish currently average around 3lb with plenty in the 5lb to 8lb range and there is a good head of doubles, with rainbows to over 13lb and browns to over 15lb caught recently.
There is ample free parking, a newly-refurbished lodge offering a lounge area, kitchen, male and female toilets and an outside picnic and barbecue area.
A variety of ticket options are available, including catch and release and boat fishing. Opportunities for float tube use and family fishing days are also available
Hobby Lake
The smaller Hobby Lake is available for exclusive group booking only for parties of up to four friends, colleagues or family members to enjoy. With a separate lodge, barbecue facilities and the use of two boats it is an ideal place to escape to, allowing you to chill out and enjoy some fabulous, relaxed fishing with friends.
Fish stock includes a sizeable population of fantastic tiger trout to 12lb, along with some exceptional browns, rainbows, blue and golden trout.
For further details of fishing at the Game Fishing Centre call us on 0118 930 3860 or via the Game Fishing Centre website
Sportfish Game Fishing Centre Team
 |
Jonathan Randall Retail manager at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre I have worked at Sportfish since 2003. Starting initially as a work experience placement after leaving Sparsholt College then earning promotion to assistant manager followed by store manager in 2008. I have fished in Norway for salmon, in North America for steelhead and in the Bahamas for bonefish. Telephone: 0118 930 3860 e-Mail: jonathan.randall@sportfish.co.uk Find out more & read Jonathan's profile » |
 |
Chris Hayward Farlows Group Tuition manager and instructor at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre I have been with Sportfish since 2008 and have a broad fishing background. I am the Farlows Group Tuition Manager, based at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre and I specialise in single and double-handed disciplines for trout and salmon. When not teaching at the store or helping in the shop I can be found guiding chalkstreams for trout in the summer and grayling in the winter. Telephone: 0118 930 3860 e-Mail: chris.hayward@sportfish.co.uk Find out more & read Chris' profile » |
 |
Robin Elwes Sales Advisor and Instructor at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre. I have been working for the Farlows Group since 1988, and joined the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre in 2014. For the duration of my employment, I have been an instructor specialising in single and double-handed disciplines. I teach at the shop, and on the banks of the rivers Test, Itchen, Kennet and Pang. My experience is extensive and I have fly fished in the Americas, Africa, Russia and Europe, as well as the aforementioned chalk streams. Additionally, I am a keen fly tyer, and teach on a one-one/one-two basis. Telephone: 0118 930 3860 |
 |
Simon Bedwell Sales advisor at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre I joined Sportfish in 2016, having retired after 30 years’ service as a police detective. Although I am an experienced fisherman I am continually seeking to develop my fly fishing skills and knowledge and being based at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre allows me to do just that. I have fly fished in locations such as Mexico, Cuba, Iceland, the Canaries and Madeira and, in addition to working in the shop, I have also taken over the supervision of the two onsite lakes. My aim is to help provide a peaceful setting for people of all skill levels to catch fish and to create a safe environment for both anglers and wildlife. Telephone: 0118 930 3860 |