Barbel Fishing on the River Dane

[Ewan Turner]

I would like to do some barbel fishing on the River Dane. Can anybody help on the best areas to fish and who owns the waters.
Any help would be much appreciated. I prefer a roving style of angling

 

[Alan Cooper]

I understand the Barbel Society have a stretch on the Dane Ewan. However, that is as much as I can tell you - I don't know anymore.

 

[GrahamM]

Byley Bridge and Scropton Lane at Middlewich are the only day ticket waters I know on the Dane. Phone Daves of Middlewich tackle shop (01606 833853) for prices and latest information.

 

[Barry Grail]

Middlewhich joint anglers have sections of the River Dane (Byley Bridge etc) and you can fish on day ticket or an annual permit (?28) available from Daves of Middlewich. I am a recent member myself, making the trek from North Wales to try and find some reasonable barbel fishing. I dont know if these stretches hold a reasonable head of barbel so any further information would be of benefit to me as well.

 

[John Tait]

Alan

Sorry to disappoint you, but the Barbel Society no longer have any fishing on the Dane - I know because I had asked the question myself a few months ago.

Barry - I think Byley Bridge may be as good a starting-point as any - maybe better than some ! - It is not easy to come by information about barbel on the Dane - the regulars seem to be very secretive about it, probably with good reason.

Jonty


ps - I am a PAAS member, we have several stretches of the Dane, but I have yet to have barbel off any of them. Whether that is a reflection on the quality of the fishing, or the ability of the angler, I leave to you to decide !!

 

[Barry Grail]

Thanks for the info John. I'm sorry you haven't contacted any barbel yet. In my desire for information what sort of approach have you tried? Luncheon meat fished over hemp or small particle/maggot? Long trotting or swim-feeder? So far I have only visted the river when the water has been very high and coloured. I have had some success with chub using bread flake and sweetcorn. The quality of the chub seemed excellent but I would really like to add some barbel to save me making trips to the Severn or Teme.

 

[John Tait]

Barry, I've tried both approaches, maggot feeder in lower, clearer water conditions, and meat, either over hemp or on its own, in this years more normal conditions of high and coloured water !!

My nephew and I have seen barbel (well, just one, actually) on one of the stretches, but getting into a position to actually be able to fish for it is near-impossible.

Imagine . . .

You are at the top of the river-bank, 15feet above water level - the fish is at the tail of a gravel run, which is heavily streamer-weeded. Just above the bed of streamer beneath which the fish is lying is a fallen tree, lying in the river. This tree does not reach either bank, but is deeply embedded. And the only area which allows access to river level is about 30 yards above this tree. Just below the fish's lie is a deep pool on a sharp left-hand bend, which acts as a natural magnet for all the fallen timber which is washed down-river in floods - it is the most horrendous series of snags I have ever seen.

So - I can't fish down to the fish because of the tree. I will not drop a bait down to it from the top of the bank - I see no point in putting a bait to a fish which it is not possible to be able to net. And I dare not fish upstream from the snags - the fish would be among them in a flash.

So, the only option I can see is to actually get into the water and remove the fallen tree - then there may be a slight chance to also be able to improve bankside access enough to allow me to fish down to the fish - that is, if it is still there after the `improvements`.

If it all works out, then it would definitely be worthwhile - the fish is a good one - I just need to gather the `bottle` to go and do it !!


Jonty

 

[Barry Grail]

John.
The situation you describe sounds very challenging!! I hope all this flood water rearranges the snags enough to give you a shot at this fish... if it stays around. I hope that I can get out onto the river soon and try to contact some fish myself although the impression I get is that I need to walk the river to try and spot particular fish or just fish likely places for chub and hope ol' whiskers turns up.

Barry

 

[John Tait]

Barry, just a thought. Are you a Barbel Society member ?? - if so, then that may be one way of getting a little more (or maybe even a lot more, if you're really lucky!!) information regarding the Dane. I'm sure that someone, somewhere will have some knowledge which they will be willing to share.


Jonty

 

[Barry Grail]

John.
I am not a member of the Barbel Society, but I have been on their web site and although it does give some good information it does not tell you how to become a member. Any contacts wrt this would be helpful because as you suggest it opens up another source of information.
Barry

 

[STEVE POPE]

Hi Barry,

I've sent you details of who to contact for info about the Barbel Society.
I don't know which site you visited but the Barbel Society website is not yet complete and on line. I would expect it to be up and running early on in the close season.
The last pieces of the jigsaw are being put together and I am optimistic we will be ready soon.
We want a site that we can all be proud of and will be at the cutting edge of the barbel scene.
All the best,
Steve.

 

[STEVE POPE]

Hi Barry,

I've sent you details of who to contact for info about the Barbel Society.
I don't know which site you visited but the Barbel Society website is not yet complete and on line. I would expect it to be up and running early on in the close season.
The last pieces of the jigsaw are being put together and I am optimistic we will be ready soon.
We want a site that we can all be proud of and will be at the cutting edge of the barbel scene.
All the best,
Steve.

 

[Dave Johnson]

Hi Steve, can you forward the details to me also please.
cheers.

 

[John Tait]

Thanks, Steve, you've saved me a job there !! - I have not been in the office today, and so have not logged-on until now. Otherwise I would have passed-on the required info. to Barry.

Jonty

 

[Paul Williams]

Steve, I know you like to push th BS but once is enough !!! lol

 

[STEVE POPE]

Hi Paul,

Apologies for the double post, my finger slipped and that's the truth, I'm a real novice at this computer lark!!

Steve.

 

[John Tait]

Barry, there is a match report in this week's Anglers Mail regarding an NJAA match at Byley last weekend, won with barbel to 8lb. - so they are definitely there. Unfortunately, that is about all the report siad - no peg number, I'm afraid.

Jonty

 

[Barry Grail]

John
I will look out for that match report. I also saw that under October in the digital diary Graham Marsden had a 10lb fish from the Dane. So even if these are exceptional fish it might mean that there are a few 2 to 5lb fish to be had.
Barry.

 

[John Toohey]

drive out of middlewich on one way system away from motorway.road bends right.cross junction on to roundabout take second exit into croxton.park in layby on left before canal.walk along canal on same side as parking and you will find you wiil cross river on bridge.carry on past big bay on canal,river runs on your left here keep walking till the river is actually along side you.had barbel to 7lbs plus here and have lost better.also carp in here maybe thrown in after matches from canal.day ticket weekdays only. some good depths along here.look for well worn pegs along the river when next to canal.also good roach and chub.dont disregard straight featurless runs as these hold fish in undercuts in bank.oh also had bream on these pegs to 5lbs.have fun.
John.

 

[Simon Bainbridge]

Does anybody know who now owns the Somerford Booths (Congleton) stretch of the Dane?