CANALS FOR A NET OF SILVERS
STAINFORTH AND KEADBY CANAL, THORNE, S YORKS
This popular canal holds great stocks of roach and skimmers in winter. Breadpunch will bring lots of bites, while hemp and caster can find the better fish. Contact: 01302 846623
LANCASTER CANAL, LANCASHIRE
The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain controls this canal from its southern extremity to Hest Bank. There’s some excellent fishing along it, with quality bream and skimmers on offer. Contact: www.pacgb.com
TRENT AND MERSEY CANAL, SANDBACH, CHESHIRE
Roach bags over 20lb have come from stretches at Warmingham Lane, Sunt’s Bridge and Cotton Lane. The fishing is controlled by clubs in the South Cheshire Anglers Consortium.
Contact: Dave’s of Middlewich, 01606 833853
COVENTRY CANAL, COVENTRY, WEST MIDS
Run by Tusses Angling Club, this stretch is full of roach, bream, and perch, and has been in great form this season.
Contact: 07450 974366
SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL, GOLDSTONE, SHROPSHIRE
Hodnet Angling Club controls this length of the ‘Shroppie’. Expect plenty of roach, skimmers and perch, and keep rotating your lines through the session to keep the bites coming! Contact: 07974 535377
GRAND UNION CANAL, ROWINGTON, WARKS
Leamington AA’s 3.5-mile stretch at Rowington offers great winter sport. Bring some bread and you’ll catch plenty of roach, with the chance of a few bream too. Contact: Bailey’s of Warwick, 01926 491984
MOIRA CANAL, SWADLINCOTE, DERBYS
This unique, landlocked canal is an incredibly scenic place to fish, with bream, carp, tench and a host of silverfish to go at. Contact: 01283 224667
BASINGSTOKE CANAL, HAMPSHIRE
You can catch all manner of species here. Fishing punch will find roach, while feeding a little chopped worm and caster can single out some better fish. Contact: Tackle Up, 01252 614066
KENNET AND AVON CANAL, DEVIZES, WILTS
This 15-mile stretch of the Kennet and Avon is controlled by Devizes AA. You’ll find all sorts in here, from roach and skimmers through to tench and even carp. Contact: Wiltshire Angling, 01225 763835
OXFORD CANAL, OXFORDSHIRE
From the centre of Oxford northbound to Kidlington, the Oxford Canal is controlled by North Oxford AS. Skimmers have shown in good numbers, plus roach and big perch. Start on bread and prime a groundbait and pinkie line for later. Contact: Andrew Crisp, 01865 553800