FREE WATERS! Places to enjoy this weekend
With some day-ticket venues closing their doors across the country and many clubs at maximum capacity, here are 10 top-quality free waters for you to try this weekend
CROOKES VALLEY PARK, SHEFFIELD, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
This deep park lake just outside Sheffield city centre offers great winter sport. Quality roach can be caught on the pole or feeder, using groundbait and fishing a range of hookbaits over the top. A handful of big carp are in here too, but they’re notoriously difficult to catch! They could be worth targeting if you like a challenge, though.
Contact: Billy Clarke Fishing Tackle, 0114 255 1145
Postcode: S10 2TU
RIVER DEE, ECCLESTON, CHESHIRE
Fantastic sport can be enjoyed on the Dee at Eccleston, using waggler, stick float or feeder tactics.
It’s quite a challenging venue, and the key to success is being prepared to adapt your approach to suit the conditions of this moody venue. Big roach, dace and the occasional perch will be the rewards for your efforts.
Contact: Chester Tackle Locker, 01244 345069
Postcode: CH3 6PU
OLD RIVER NENE, MARCH, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
A phenomenal winter venue, the Old River Nene fills with heaps of roach, perch, pommies and skimmers during the winter. Pole tactics with bread, hemp or pinkie and groundbait will score. The easiest pegs to access are those on a concrete mooring by the library, but walk further up, beyond the bandstand, and you can find swims that are not so heavily fished. Contact: Mill View Fishing Tackle, 01354 660566
Postcode: PE15 9LT
RIVER GREAT OUSE, BEDFORD, BEDFORDSHIRE
The Bedford Embankment stretch holds roach, dace, bream and perch. This slow-flowing stretch responds to a range of tactics, the pole being particularly productive. Fish two lines – one long with groundbait, hemp and caster, the other just off the nearside shelf with chopped worm – for a mixed catch. There are various places to park nearby. Contact: Bleak Hall Sports, 01234 852530
Postcode: Duckmill Lane car park, MK42 0AS
RIVER TRENT, NOTTINGHAM, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Some of Britain’s best river anglers have sat on the legendary concrete steps of the Trent Embankment. The fishing is excellent, too, with a wide range of species to target and many methods working. You’ll catch roach, dace, chub and bream, but there are also big perch, pike and zander. Park at the Victoria Embankment. Contact: Matchman Supplies, 0115 9140210
Postcode: NG2 2LW
RIVER WENSUM, NORWICH, NORFOLK
In Norwich city centre the free stretch of the Wensum is renowned for its winter sport. If it’s carrying colour you’ll find bream in good numbers that can be caught on the pole or feeder. Roach are also well worth targeting, with quality fish to stick float tactics. Large pike come out of the stretch every season. Contact: Wensum Valley Angling, 01603 929090
Postcode: NR1 1QH
BRISTOL FEEDER CANAL, BRISTOL
You’ll enjoy great sport on the Bristol Feeder Canal with skimmers, bream, roach and dace. Pole tactics are ideal for this venue, and feeding groundbait laced with particles and fishing a variety of baits, including chopped worm and caster, over the top should find the skimmers. For the roach and dace, loosefeeding hemp and maggot with the odd
small ball of groundbait will score. Contact: Bristol Angling Centre, 0117 950 0201
Postcode: BS2 0QD
RIVER WEY, FARNHAM, SURREY
Crystal-clear water filled with lush streamer weed is generally something you have to pay a high price for, but on the River Wey by the Farnham bypass you can enjoy some stunning fishing.
You’ll find good chub, dace, roach, and even the occasional brown trout. It’s very narrow, so tread stealthily. Keep things simple with maggots and bread, fished either under a float or with a small linkleger. There are numerous car parks in Farnham.
Contact: Hampshire Tackle, 01252 318937
Postcode: GU9 7PS
RIVER OUSE, YORK, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Through the historic city of York, you’ll find the deep and powerful River Ouse. There are numerous species present, but the most popular target is bream. Feeder fishing is the main approach and feeding groundbait and trying a range of hookbaits, including maggot, worm and caster, should produce. There are also some big pike about. There are lots of places to park in the city, but a reliable option is at Rowntree Park. Contact: York Tackle, 01904 411210 Postcode: Rowntree Park, YO23 1JQ
RIVER ITCHEN, SOUTHAMPTON, HAMPSHIRE
Specimen roach, barbel and chub can all be caught from the free stretch of the Itchen, running along Mansbridge Road down past the White Swan pub and into the Riverside park. Due to the crystal-clear water, location is relatively easy, however the fish are incredibly spooky. Make sure to spend time feeding them, gaining their confidence, before casting out.
Contact: Poingdestres Angling Centre,
02380 510077
Postcode: SO18 3HW