Midlands Focus on the River Nene and great day-ticket fisheries to try now
RECOMMENDED RIVER NENE, NORTH BANK, PETERBOROUGH
THE venue of this year’s Division Two National was a tough nut to crack for many of the participants but still gave a glimpse of the potential for a great day’s fishing.
The five-mile length can be a daunting prospect for the visiting angler due to the lack of features so spending some time finding the fish is vital.
The length is best known for its large shoals of bream. As the results of the big event show, 50lb-plus bags of slabs can be caught if you can locate the large nomadic shoals. Individually, these fish average 3lb-6lb and can be seen rolling under the right conditions.
If fishing for the bream there are two main approaches. A traditional open-ended feeder fished three-quarters of the way across with worm turned out to be the best approach in the National. It is also possible to catch these fish down the middle on the pole. Try cupping in groundbait and fishing over the top with maggots, pinkies or small pieces of worm.
Other species that can be caught include roach, perch, pike, zander and carp.
For the roach it’s worth fining your tackle right down and fishing with bread-punch over liquidised bread.
If you are a specimen hunter, the venue is worth a look for a big carp. Similar to the bream, these large fish, which run to over 30lb, are very nomadic
and therefore will require time to locate. It’s worth prebaiting several areas over a week-long period then fishing them just before the hours of darkness when disturbance on the banks is minimal.
If looking to fish the venue in the present conditions, be aware there is a lot of weed in certain areas, so be sure to take a rake.
LOCATION: North Bank, Peterborough, Cambs, PE6 0RW CONTACT: 07702 440892, Peterborough DAA PRICES: £5 per day, senior citizens £3 per day
RULES: No bloodworm or joker, no livebaiting, fishing in river season June 16 to March 14 only