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Top roach venues
My local venue is…
The River Severn at Stourport is a decent drive from my home, but the fishing on offer makes the journey well worthwhile. It’s a stretch typical of the middle Severn at this time of year, with good flow and full of fish. Newhalls Meadow is my favourite bit, and it’s available on the great-value Birmingham Anglers Association ticket.
Favourite swim
It’s hard to pick a favourite peg, but the early pegs are good for my favourite stick float fishing up to a third of the way out. Once you get past the large white house the waggler and Bolo tend to be better options.
Best moment
I’ve had some great catches of roach, with 20lb bags common, and fish over the 2lb mark are certainly on the cards.
Go-to method
It depends on the swim, but because the depth averages 7ft–8ft, it’s ideal for floatfishing. This is a manageable depth on a standard 13ft rod, so specialist gear isn’t required. If the flow if close to the bank then reach for the stick float, but the Bolo and waggler can be very productive further out. You’ll also find big perch, pike and zander which can be caught on lures.
Inside tip
I’ll often start on the Bolo further out, while spending a few hours feeding the stick float line closer in. This will help to gain the roach’s confidence, with main bait choices being maggot and hemp. If you stop catching, try altering the depth of your rig slightly.
In the area
There are cafés and local shops close to the venue and the parking is by the old leisure centre. You then walk downstream past the Rugby swims to where the stretch starts by the caravan park.