Angling Times WELCOME

TUESDAY JUNE 12 2018

THE start of the new river season is just a few days away, and I can’t wait to get back on running water. I’m not alone, either – recent chats with readers reveal that the excitement of a new season on the rivers reminds us all of Christmas as a kid, and some even admitted that they never sleep well the night before opening day!

This year couldn’t be more perfect as June 16 falls on Saturday morning, giving us all plenty of time to get out on the bank and soak up a full weekend of river action.

I drive over the River Nene on the way to the Angling Times office every day and I’ve been stopping on the way to have a look at a few likely stretches over the past few weeks.

The weed which often chokes the river in its middle reaches doesn’t seem to have got going yet, and there’s even a decent amount of flow.

That means that running a float downstream won’t be like taking part in a slow-motion slalom race as it can be later in the summer – all the more reason to get out early in the season!

To help you make the most of ‘Super Saturday’ (and Sunday if you’re lucky enough!), this week’s bumper Angling Times has all the advice you need to succeed, including 50 brilliant tips from river legend Dave Harrell, who starts his new weekly column today.

Plus, we’ve got great advice on where to head for, the right baits to take, and the best species to target at the start – I hope you enjoy the new season!