I Need a River!!

I read your message and it could have been written by myself!! After 10+ years break (girls, beer, cars etc) I returned and have been excited by the prospect of barbel & chub from rivers. I'm lucky enough to live near the Gt Ouse and have joined Vauxhall AC who have some great stretches of the river with both species present (I'm told becasue as yet I've not connected with any!). This I think may be too far, but would the Kennet be within your travelling distance?? I've never fished it, but understand it holds both species. You could also try the Hants. Avon or Dorset Stour both of which may be within your travelling time. I suggest that you contact tackle shops in Ringwood and Christchurch for details on day tickets (or if you are really keen, go flat out and and join Ringwood or Christchurch angling clubs - about £100 per year each I believe). I had a day on the Severals fishery at Ringwood on the last day of the season that although I blanked I thorougly enjoyed. Finally if you are interested in any of the above three rivers on day tickets, I've got some Anglers Mail Where To Fish details covering them all. If you want scanned copies, mail me. (I bet this breaks copyright...oh well...)
Eddie Short

Thanks for the info Eddie!...I must say that one of the things I find most daunting with the prospect of fishing a river is not really knowing what stretch to hit...how to access it...etc...hence the Where to Fish info would be great! May I suggest you just pull out the direction text rather than scan the whole thing, it may make the task of e-mailing it to me less time consuming for you. Can you also put a special note in the e-mail dedicated to my wife to encourage her to give me day off to follow my pursuit...hehe...I was interested to read that you too returned to fishing after a substantial break. I wonder how many other folks are out there that would like to do the same given the opportunity? Anyway, thanks again, if I got the posting right my e-mail address should be available on this posting (Steve crosses his fingers)

Blast! I obviously didn't, well here it is dvwonder@eurobell.co.uk

Steve, the nearest to you is the Penshurst - Ashurst stretch of the River Medway, which is a very short cross country drive for you (I live in Orpington and it takes 25 minutes). It is quite narrow, but there is very good chub sport plus barbel, although the barbel are limited to a number of stretches. As Eddie said, Ringwood is an option, which you could get to via the M23/M27 (I think, its via Chichester). If you are interested email me on stuart.bullard@ebeon.com and I will forward the club details. If you are on the mailing list, there is a fish-in being arranged for the 28th/29th July on the River Severn. If your are not on the list, the red joining button is just to the left of this note. Good luck. PS - I am the same, having just started again a few years ago after a 20 year break.

There are a few more venues in the area and if you travel around the M.25 to junction 10 you will find the River Wey at Walsham Weir/Pyrford in Surrey and other sections downstream mostly controlled by Byfleet A.C. The River Mole also holds Barbel on some stretches! If you whip around the M.25 in the opposite direction to Junc 25 or 26 you will find the River lee at Fishers Green, Kings Weir, Carthagena weir, Dobbs Weir, Fieldes Weir, Enfield Lock relief channel, or the Coppermill Stream at Walthamstow. In East Sussex there is Frant Fisheries at Bells Yew Green, where they have a day ticket stretch of the River Teise. There's even the River Eden in Kent also. All mentioned have Barbel and Chub. Out of interest, i have now, 100% left Anglers Mail where i used to write up the 'Where to Fish 'pages and photograph the S.E venues and i now, with great enthusiasm, 'freelance' for the "new" re-vamped Angling Times. They now have a great new editor in Richard Lee, and he really cares about fishing. If you check out this weeks copy you will find info on the River Kennet at Aldermaston and St.Patricks Stream at Twyford along the M4 at Junctions 10 and 12 and theres others. Hope this helps. Ray from the poor part of Hampstead.

Steve - Reading and District AA have some classic stretches of the Kennet. The Upper and Lower Benyons is probably the best known.

Costing around £30 a year it is spot on if you are getting back into angling after a break.

I currently travel 1-1.5 hrs to get to the Kennet, and am never disappointed.

While I can't guaratee a fish I can guarantee beutiful surroundings and a relaxed attitude from fellow piscators.

If you are interested drop me a line I will send you the contact details - david.taylor@bbslimited.co.uk.

oi! des wot do you think of the close season??? Nice to be with you at A.T and this web lark is great too. I used to hate writing letters and articles but now i can't stop! I'm doing a book next with my mates the 'munchkins' while im listening to your 'brummie' tapes. Can you buy them in different languages.. like true british cockney? or do we have to get them translated? Luv ya!... Ray from the poor part of Hampstead.

oo err! Dave, i thought you were des!!!
you've found out!

[GrahamM]

Ray, if you feel the need to write very strongly there is an empty slot on this web site waiting for a nice article from you..........

Thanks for the info guys...hehe...Ray, I thought the Des Taylor drop off was really funny!