STILL TIME TO BAG A SPECIMEN REDFIN
THE SOUTH’S THE PLACE!
SOME of Britain’s biggest river roach have been landed from the South. Try one of these venues for final-week success!
RIVER AVON, BRITFORD, SALISBURY, WILTSHIRE
The series of carriers and side streams on the London AA-run stretches at Britford offer the best chance of a 2lb roach and a possible giant of up to 3lb. So says fisheries keeper Stuart Wilson, who has monitored the stretch for over 20 years Contact: GT Bait & Tackle, 01722 333097 Price: £10 per day
RIVER BRUE, SOMERSET
This little-fished river is full of roach for those who put the effort into finding them. A renowned spot is along Merry Lane, upstream of Basin Bridge. The river here is tidal, and normally fishes best after high water. Get things right and a 20lb-plus bag can be had here. Simple trotting with float tactics and maggot or caster hookbaits should produce plenty of fish around 6oz mark, with the odd larger specimen of 1lb. Contact: Thyers Fishing Tackle, 01278 786934 Price: £6 per day
RIVER FROME, WAREHAM, DORSET
A 3lb roach from a river is about as good as angling can get, and this free stretch is just the place to try your luck! The venue is tidal, and reports suggest the best times for the biggest roach are at the top of the tide. The area around the main road (B3075) bridge is a renowned haunt for the specimens. Try trotted flake or feeder-fished maggots.
Contact: Dean Watts, Purbeck Angling, 01929 550770 Prices: Free fishing
RIVER MEDWAY, MAIDSTONE, KENT
The free fishing stretch through Maidstone town centre presents fantastic roach fishing opportunities towards the end of the season with fish between 8oz and 12oz in nets to 50lb. Areas between the two road bridges are noted, as are spots leading to the Medway’s tributary River Len, where the roach head to spawn. Chris Snaydon at Maidstone Angling Centre is well worth a visit. He recommends trotting corn over hemp for the better fish. Contact: Chris at Maidstone Angling Centre, 01622 200000
Prices: Free fishing
RIVER THAMES, WALLINGFORD, OXFORD
The Thames is home to some clonking roach, and the free stretch in Wallingford holds specimens over the 2lb mark which are regularly taken. Good bags of roach also appear in matches along this stretch. Bread has been the best bait this winter, although maggots will score, as do pellets in warmer weather. Paying Chris or George a visit at Bensons Angling Centre is recommended, where there is also free fishing opposite the shop. Contact: Bensons Angling Centre, 01491 838288 Prices: Free fishing