River Fishing - A Right Royal Day Out

[FishingMagic]

This is a dedicated thread for discussing article: River Fishing - A Right Royal Day Out

[Judas Priest]

A very nice, well written and enjoyable piece Andrew

Cheers

[red creel]

Originally Posted by Judas Priest

A very nice, well written and enjoyable piece Andrew

Cheers

Agreed nice write up Andrew, have yet to grace the banks of The Royalty myself but is definitely near the top on my "to do" list in angling.

[David Dalton]

Thanks for such a good article. I have been on the Royalty a fair bit this year, and I have hardly seen anybody fishing the little weir. Due to the dry winter, the sluice gates that control the inflow to it have been mainly closed, with the result that there has been very little flow and hence no silver fish to attract the pike.

You mentioned that it was difficult to catch livebaits. During the summer months, the Royalty teems with dace and bleak, but they disappear after December. Where they go is anybody's guess, but they will all be back again with the beginning of the new season.

I'd recommend the Royalty to anyone. It does take some stick for being overcrowded and "hammered", but I think that's only partially true. Yes, the most popular swims such as the Pipes are usually occupied seven days a week, but the bottom end of the Fishery, Johnsons and Barlins, is very lightly fished. The very top, the Cinder path, is harldly fished at all.

There can't be many river fisheries where you can be with a chance of catching specimens of all all the usual river species, along with carp, sea trout, mullet, flounders and bass!

[Neil Maidment]

Originally Posted by David Dalton

.... the Royalty teems with dace and bleak, but they disappear after December. Where they go is anybody's guess, but they will all be back again with the beginning of the new season.

Take a stroll down below the Waterloo Pool/Bridge Pool, down past Clay Pool and into the upper harbour - that's where they are!

Nice article, used to fish The Parlour and Great Weir Compound way back in the 1970's. It's a bit different nowadays but still a pleasant place to fish.

The Royalty is still a fine fishery particularly for the barbel and, as has been said, there are excellent areas fairly lightly fished.

[chav professor]

I always enjoy visiting the Royalty as like yourself, it was a dream venue that existed in my mind ever since reading Crabtree. It can never live up to expectations, in fact I felt it was like fishing a circus venue.... but I am still drawn back and always feel like something really extraordinary could happen at any time.... and sometimes it does!

I have been tempted to buy a ticket for the Parlor Pool or top weir but my trips are never that organised to get anything sorted far enough in advance.

Just a point, isn't the Royalty managed by Southern Fisheries but still accessible to Ringwood Club book members on a limited basis? I don't think Ringwood has any role in managing the stretch.

[Peter Jacobs]

Originally Posted by chav professor

I have been tempted to buy a ticket for the Parlor Pool or top weir but my trips are never that organised to get anything sorted far enough in advance.

Both are wonderful places to fish, equally evocative and sometimes sitting there you can almost imagine Mr Crabtree in the next swim.

The fishing is not as good there as it once wass, but then, is it anywhere these days?

The Royalty Fishery is one of, if not the greatest of fishing experiences; given the choice of a day on the Royalty of a couple of weeks on the Trent I'd opt for the Royalty, every time!

[barbelboi]

A very interesting article. Have never fished the Royalty, took a look in the late 60's and preferred the less crowded, more laid back atmosphere of Throop which we fished regularly throughout the 70's.
Jerry

[Neil Maidment]

Originally Posted by chav professor

Just a point, isn't the Royalty managed by Southern Fisheries but still accessible to Ringwood Club book members on a limited basis? I don't think Ringwood has any role in managing the stretch.

Leased to Southern Fisheries by the Water Company as is the whole of the Lower Stour and much of the Harbour. RDAA have limited access to the Royalty for it's membership at no extra charge (except for the Premium Tickets).

Great Weir, Parlour and Bridge Pool are sometimes available at great value prices later on in the season. If you can fish at short notice then it's well worth the effort of checking availability with Davis Tackle. Sitting in that boat below the bridge in the centre of Christchurch within sight and sound of The Priory is iconic for me and would love to do again a few more times.

Both the Weir Compound and Parlour have changed considerably with the lesser flow and levels. Both can still produce some incredible fishing but can also be extremely hard work (as ever!).

The Royalty is quite a small fishery and has it's really popular areas, all day every day, but most of it has a tremendous head of Barbel (and some mighty big ones as well!).

[Dicky (Angling Trust PAC)]

Nice piece Andrew...

What make is your stalking seat?

I had one just like it for years but am struggling to find a replacement...