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New member going on an adventure to the river Severn.

M

Michael Wilkins

Member
Hi everyone. I have just joined this forum in the hope of getting any useful information.
I will give you a brief history of myself and my fishing.
I am almost 70 years old and been fishing since I was 15.
27 years as a Match angler fishing canals in Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire and often Fenland drains in the winter.
And I packed it all up at 42 to get a life. As Match angling became to much of an obsession.
I then spent 18 summers fishing for CARP on my local canal (another obsession)
And the last few years back float fishing for roach on the rivers.
But in recent times (20+ years) I have also CHUB fished in the winter.
But I am always looking for new challenges. So a few days ago I decided to purchase a Birmingham ticket just so I could fish the Severn for CHUB.
Which is something I last did 45 years ago.
Where I live in Bedfordshire the Severn is roughly 2.5 hours drive. So I won't be going every other day as I do now on the Great Ouse around Bedford.
Which is less than 1 hour away.
But I do intend to go at least once per month apart from obviously during the close season.
So now after all that nonsense.
All I am looking for is any useful tips.
Not the actual fishing bit. I don't need to know where the best swims are or even the best methods and baits.
But useful things like which stretches are easy to get a trolly along. Which has good parking close enough to the river.
Although it would be helpful to know any stretches where I am wasting my time CHUB fishing as there aren't enough there to bother about.
I am just an old fisherman looking for a new adventure.
And if I catch a few that would be an added bonus.
Looking at the Birmingham ticket they have 26 sections of the Severn.
And considering I have probably only got 10 more good years left in me. I doubt I will manage to get to them all.
Sticking a pin in the maps. I have decided to start in the area from Hampton Loade down to Arley.
So a bit of water to go at between now and March 14th.
So do the different sections have easy access and parking. And can you use a trolly or is it carrying stuff only?
And are there any CHUB there which is probably the most important bit, lol
Bit long I know.
And thanks in advance for any help.
 
Hi Micheal, and welcome onboard. I think you’re starting in the right place, re Hampton loade to Arley areas. I’m sure the members on here will help you further, with lots of info, a really helpful and knowledgeable bunch on here.
 
Hi Michael . I am no expert at all on BAA waters , but last year I bought a BAA ticket as I was spending a week in the area . One stretch that I fished was below Bewdley at Blackstone Rock . You can drive the stretch and park more or less behind your peg . It seemed easy access to me and I am 72.
The river looked perfect for trotting .
I dont need / use a trolley and could carry my gear the short distance to the swims .
There are some platforms to fish from and it was quite a comfortable venue .
No idea about chub .
The BAA do a printed guide to their waters that costs about £3.00 when you buy their permit so I would advise you purchasing one as it is quite detailed .

David
 
David Craine said:
Hi Michael . I am no expert at all on BAA waters , but last year I bought a BAA ticket as I was spending a week in the area . One stretch that I fished was below Bewdley at Blackstone Rock . You can drive the stretch and park more or less behind your peg . It seemed easy access to me and I am 72.
The river looked perfect for trotting .
I dont need / use a trolley and could carry my gear the short distance to the swims .
There are some platforms to fish from and it was quite a comfortable venue .
No idea about chub .
The BAA do a printed guide to their waters that costs about £3.00 when you buy their permit so I would advise you purchasing one as it is quite detailed .

David
Click to expand...
Thanks David.
The guide sounds a good investment
 
Hi Michael. I live round about 3.30 - 3.45 hours away from the Severn so know your situation. I have fished The middle river from just below Bridgnorth to Arley. I fish for 4 or 5 days at at a time owing to the distance and having the luxury of being retired!
I also fish the BAA stretches. Though I fish for Barbel I catch plenty of Chub! I haven't caught any big ones ( up to about 4 1/2) but they do come out. You can use a trolley on Knowle Sands, Coombys Farm, and Arley ( east bank). At Arley Harbour Inn you can drive to your peg!
Arley east bank and Harbour Inn require the least walking and would be good places to start though many of the Harbour Inn swims are quite steep and awkward so I'd go for Arley east. I tend to stay on the west bank ( I walk over the footbridge to access Arley east) so don't know much about Quatford or Hampton Loade east but I think you will find they require very long walks, particularly Quatford!
Hampton Loade (B Section) isn't really suited to a trolley. There are awkward styles. You could use a trolley at Eardington but only the upstream stretch.
Wherever you fish on these stretches you will catch Chub.
Good luck. I've just booked my stays this summer and autumn. 👍
 
Am sure some locals will give you some up to date advice, but until covid me and a group of mates would holiday in Bridgnorth every year for a week in September.We would buy the BAA ticket, good value even at £40ish.
Have fished most of the BAA stretches, my favourites being Knowle Sands (though the hill down to the river is a killer unless you travel light), Eardington Brook and Trimpley/Northwood. The BAA website is good for the maps.
Those stretches I mentioned are not the best for using a trolley though. Apley, opposite the golf course is a bit easier to negotiate being flat.
All those stretches are decent for barbel and chub, although like Andrew, my experience is limited to the warmer months.
The good thing about the Severn is that you can normally catch in most conditions, even when its warm and sunny, if you choose a swim carefully.
 
Andrew Jackson said:
Hi Michael. I live round about 3.30 - 3.45 hours away from the Severn so know your situation. I have fished The middle river from just below Bridgnorth to Arley. I fish for 4 or 5 days at at a time owing to the distance and having the luxury of being retired!
I also fish the BAA stretches. Though I fish for Barbel I catch plenty of Chub! I haven't caught any big ones ( up to about 4 1/2) but they do come out. You can use a trolley on Knowle Sands, Coombys Farm, and Arley ( east bank). At Arley Harbour Inn you can drive to your peg!
Arley east bank and Harbour Inn require the least walking and would be good places to start though many of the Harbour Inn swims are quite steep and awkward so I'd go for Arley east. I tend to stay on the west bank ( I walk over the footbridge to access Arley east) so don't know much about Quatford or Hampton Loade east but I think you will find they require very long walks, particularly Quatford!
Hampton Loade (B Section) isn't really suited to a trolley. There are awkward styles. You could use a trolley at Eardington but only the upstream stretch.
Wherever you fish on these stretches you will catch Chub.
Good luck. I've just booked my stays this summer and autumn. 👍
Click to expand...
Thanks Andrew only just found this post. I to am retired and although I might start doing odd days. I intend to maybe go for 2-3 days at a time.
Thanks for the info.
In my normal chub fishing on the Ouse and other rivers before that. I hardly take any tackle. Rod, landing net, unhooking mat which I also sit on and a rucksack. And I have been doing this for 20+ years.
But going to a new river especially one like the Severn which is far more powerful than I am used to.
I will end up taking more gear especially to start with until I sort myself out. Hence the need of a trolly.
I might also end up going for barbel as well at sometime.
 
Steve Jeffery said:
Am sure some locals will give you some up to date advice, but until covid me and a group of mates would holiday in Bridgnorth every year for a week in September.We would buy the BAA ticket, good value even at £40ish.
Have fished most of the BAA stretches, my favourites being Knowle Sands (though the hill down to the river is a killer unless you travel light), Eardington Brook and Trimpley/Northwood. The BAA website is good for the maps.
Those stretches I mentioned are not the best for using a trolley though. Apley, opposite the golf course is a bit easier to negotiate being flat.
All those stretches are decent for barbel and chub, although like Andrew, my experience is limited to the warmer months.
The good thing about the Severn is that you can normally catch in most conditions, even when its warm and sunny, if you choose a swim carefully.
Click to expand...
Thanks Steve, If there are chub there in the summer months then they will still be there in the winter. Just different tactics needed.
As long as there are some there that is all I need to know.
The fun will be me trying to catch them. I love a challenge and it definitely will be for me.
I have no experience of big fast rivers apart from the odd visit to the Trent and Severn 40+ years ago and that was only a handful of times.
It is going to be good fun trying.
 
Michael Wilkins said:
Thanks Andrew only just found this post. I to am retired and although I might start doing odd days. I intend to maybe go for 2-3 days at a time.
Thanks for the info.
In my normal chub fishing on the Ouse and other rivers before that. I hardly take any tackle. Rod, landing net, unhooking mat which I also sit on and a rucksack. And I have been doing this for 20+ years.
But going to a new river especially one like the Severn which is far more powerful than I am used to.
I will end up taking more gear especially to start with until I sort myself out. Hence the need of a trolly.
I might also end up going for barbel as well at sometime.
Click to expand...
No problem Michael. I don't know if you look at the Facebook group River Severn Barbel Fishing but some very good Chub get posted on there. Last season one highly accomplished angler who fishes around the Shrewsbury area caught one that was somewhere between 7.10 and 7.14 ( I can't remember exactly) but as you know, it's finding the swims and stretches where the big ones are and this is quite likely to be away from the Barbel swims I suspect. The middle Severn is a beautiful place and I love it there. Yes I could catch more and bigger on the Trent but, for me, that's not the overriding factor. I have black country roots so maybe that explains why I'm drawn to the area? I don't know really. 👍
 
Andrew Jackson said:
No problem Michael. I don't know if you look at the Facebook group River Severn Barbel Fishing but some very good Chub get posted on there. Last season one highly accomplished angler who fishes around the Shrewsbury area caught one that was somewhere between 7.10 and 7.14 ( I can't remember exactly) but as you know, it's finding the swims and stretches where the big ones are and this is quite likely to be away from the Barbel swims I suspect. The middle Severn is a beautiful place and I love it there. Yes I could catch more and bigger on the Trent but, for me, that's not the overriding factor. I have black country roots so maybe that explains why I'm drawn to the area? I don't know really. 👍
Click to expand...
I think we are from a generation that believes fishing should be a good challenge in nice surroundings. And catching every time you go isn't necessarily the only goal.
I have been float fishing a stretch of the Gt Ouse the last 2 summers for roach. Where the depths are 9-10 feet in one field and 12-13 feet in another.
It is a very good challenge especially in the deeper bit. And the reason I go there.
Plus it is away from any roads and in the middle of the countryside. The only noise you hear is the church clock chiming in a nearby village.
When sitting there in my shorts and a T shirt. Feeding hemp a wheat and catching between 50-90 roach in roughly 4 hours.
I think I am living the dream.
Even when fishing the canal in my area I walk 1/2- 1 mile and fish places nobody ever fishes. All on my own.
There is a marina that is probably the best fishing for miles. With parking just over a lock.
Everyone and his brother fishes it.
But I never do. Too many people, boats opposite. It just isn't the sort of place I'm happy fishing.
Going back to the Shrewsbury area and barbel anglers catching big chub.
I wouldn't want to know where they are catching them.
The fun is finding them myself.
I had a brief look at those other stretches you mentioned. And marked them down for a visit, thanks.
Maybe I might bump into you at sometime. Tight lines.
 
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Hi men

Micheal, I suggest you watch the video I posted about the Severn , shows the fishing and you can see the minimal tackle he used in it .
Yesterday there were 2 otters in that marina you mentioned , chasing carp under the boats , and walking up and down the wooden walkway 🙄

Hatter
 
For big chub I think Avon Warks that is, never really caught much chub on the Severn, so if you could consider the Avon, there is imo a better chance for a clonker or two. BAA waters offer huge potential just stick a pin in the map and there will be chub. Best for me is over 7lb from Lower river, but as said they abound.
Arley etc is good, but very busy, but give me an undercut bank on the Avon anytime.
 
Neil Smart said:
For big chub I think Avon Warks that is, never really caught much chub on the Severn, so if you could consider the Avon, there is imo a better chance for a clonker or two. BAA waters offer huge potential just stick a pin in the map and there will be chub. Best for me is over 7lb from Lower river, but as said they abound.
Arley etc is good, but very busy, but give me an undercut bank on the Avon anytime.
Click to expand...
Yes,I might try the Avon as well.
But just like tthe Severn it is knowing where to go.
In my original post I said I have probably got 10 more good years in me. lol
I should have started doing this 10 years ago. :)
The Avon would probably suit me more as it will be similar to fishing the Ouse.
 
Michael Wilkins said:
Yes,I might try the Avon as well.
But just like tthe Severn it is knowing where to go.
In my original post I said I have probably got 10 more good years in me. lol
I should have started doing this 10 years ago. :)
The Avon would probably suit me more as it will be similar to fishing the Ouse.
Click to expand...
OK Certainly have a look at Barton and Bidford, the former is a very user friendly stretch indeed, with good safe parking a level walk, a weir Chub Barbel etc. As Graham says big Chub all along the Avon.
 
Andrew Jackson said:
I agree with you. The middle Severn in the Arley, Highley, Hampton Loade areas is well away from the roads. I simply will not fish near busy roads. It costs me fish but I simply do not enjoy it. 🙂
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I always fish for the fun of doing it.
So it has to be somewhere I actually like fishing.
I can't believe people fish in those commercial ponds.
So boring. You can see everyone else and easy fishing.
What is that even about.
I would rather walk 2-3 miles along a nice river and get one bite from a chub.
 
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