READER RECOMMENDED Top venues to try
Angling Times readers and staff reveal their top choices
BRISTOL AVON, SUTTON BENGER, WILTSHIRE
CarpFeed Editor Chris Haydon says: “At this time of year, the roach begin to show in the pools off the end of the shallows, where you can catch well on hemp, casters and tares. The pole is the most accurate way to get a bait to them, but a waggler fished on rod and line is more capable of taming the big chub that often put in an appearance during a session.” Contact: TK Tackle, 01249 812003 Website: www.swindonisis.org
RIVER DEE, ECCLESTON, CHESHIRE
Reader Rob Evans says: “The free stretch of the River Dee at Eccleston is my choice. I’ve had some quality perch there lately.”
We say: This stretch is a fantastic option and offers great fishing for not only perch, but also quality roach. You can fish a range of methods there too – waggler, stick float, the pole or even a feeder. Whatever you do, though, be sure to fish light and make subtle tweaks to your approach throughout the day to stay in touch with the fish. Contact: Chester Tackle Locker, 01244 345069
Postcode: CH3 6PU
SOUTH HOLLAND MAIN DRAIN, HOLBEACH, LINCS
AT News Editor Freddie Sandford says: “I love my river fishing, but while my local venues are currently clogged with weed, the South Holland Main Drain, controlled by Holbeach and District, offers some really interesting sport. Alongside the usual roach, perch, skimmers and bream, there’s also a head of small carp and tench. It’s ideally suited to the pole, and fishing maggot and corn over a sweet fishmeal groundbait scores well. An elastic around the 8-10 mark is needed to stop the fish powering into the reeds.”
Contact: Ged’s Fishing Tackle, 01406 422020
Website: Visit Holbeach & District AC Facebook page
NEW JUNCTION CANAL, BARNBY DUN TO SYKEHOUSE, SOUTH YORKS
AT Tackle Tester Dan Webb says: “I’d go for the Doncaster and District stretch of the New Junction Canal between Barnby Dun and Sykehouse. It’s a pretty deep, wide shipping canal that’s a tricky venue for most of the year but suddenly becomes alive with roach and pommies about now. Pole with maggot groundbait and pinkie will get plenty of bites, but if you fancy singling out some better roach a hemp line is worth priming.” Contact: Wickersley Angling Centre, 01709 540998
Website: www.ddaa.co.uk
RIVER WYE, COURTFIELD, HEREFORDSHIRE
Reader Russell Hamblin-Boone says: “I’ll be going on my annual trip to the stunning River Wye, in search of its famous barbel.”
We say: The River Wye is as good a choice as any, and at this time of year, as the leaves just start to turn, it looks even more breathtaking than usual. If we get a bit of rain the fishing can also be brilliant. While this river is best known for its good stock of barbel, the Wye and Usk Foundation stretch at Courtfield is known to throw up larger fish pushing double figures. Well worth a look if you fancy trying for something larger.
Contact: 01874 712 074
Website: www.fishingpassport. co.uk/fishing/lower-wye/courtfield
RIVER GREAT OUSE, WOLVERTON, BUCKS
AT Associate Editor Stephen Stones says: “Circling around Old Wolverton Town, this bit of the Ouse is capable of producing some lovely chub to 6lb, plus chunky perch and silvers, with the chance of the odd big barbel thrown in too. It’s generally shallow and pacey, but the three stretches here, all on the Milton Keynes AA book, also have deeper sections and enticing glides which can be tackled with either a roving feeder/leger approach, or trotting tactics. Yearly club books from MKAA.co.uk, or day tickets on the bank priced at £8.”
Contact: Angling Direct Milton Keynes, 01908 234144
Website: www.mkaa.co.uk