Autumn / Winter Roach

[Neil Smart]

Now the first frosts have arrived I guess Barbel have to take a back seat and my thoughts turn to my other passion... Roach. I found Roach fairly plentiful on the Bristol Avon but since moving to the Severn area they seem a bit thin on the ground, well the bigger ones anyway.
So, I have managed to wangle my way into a club that has a good stretch of the Arrow, and I guess as far as likely venues go this River is as good as it gets in the Midlands. The River certainly has all the attributes, but I was wondering if anyone has had experiences with Roach on the Arrow, I am not looking for 'best areas, or ''best tactics'' etc, I can cock up nicely on my own, but rather just sharing some information and stories..Cheers.

 

[Stuart Wright]

Hi Neil,

I was looking forward to reading this thread after seeing your initial post, but you don't seem to have got much of a response!

I don't personally have any experience of the Arrow, but do a lot of my winter roach fishing on the Bristol Avon. Where abouts on the Avon did you used to fish? I'm originally from Malmesbury, so tend to go back and fish the stretches around there that I know. Had some decent catches last season, but that magical 2lb fish continues to evade me!

Has anyone else had a go for the roach yet on their local rivers?

Stu

 

[Neil Smart]

Hi Stuart
Good to hear from you, I guess this site doesn't get a lot of attention, and tbh I forget to look as well Actually I used to fish Malmesbury too, lived in Tetbury for a few years and before that South Cerney. The big roach I saw was at Cow Bridge Farm you will know the bit...'thru the Farm Yard and above the wooden bridge. As I said I got the smallest of the shoal, and still to this day is my best Roach. The 'free' bit at the Fire Station above the Weir too was a hot spot. So many good swims along Malmesbury and even bigger and better fish above Malmesbury to Sherston, but fly only takes over so I usally kept very low
Only fished the Arrow a couple of times, and not with any real intent so far, but she is a beautiful River that you would love I am sue, if you fancy a day out let me know I will 'guest' you.Oh yes what about below Cow Bridge, used to be 'pye' factory water, is it still private.?
Neil

 

[Stuart Wright]

Ah yes, Cow Bridge! Used to catch a lot of decent perch down there in years gone by too.

I think the old Pye water is still private, although I'm not sure who controls it now.

Interesting that you mention the trout waters above malmesbury on the Sherston branch. I've tended to fish the trout waters on the Tetbury branch above the town (don't tell anyone though! Ha ha!). I take it the Sherston branch is also worth a sneaky dabble? How far up are we walking?!

Let me know if you fancy a return to some familiar territory over the winter... We both know there are some decent fish to be had.

Where abouts on the Arrow will you be fishing?

Stu

 

[Neil Smart]

Ah yes, Cow Bridge! Used to catch a lot of decent perch down there in years gone by too.

I think the old Pye water is still private, although I'm not sure who controls it now.

Interesting that you mention the trout waters above malmesbury on the Sherston branch. I've tended to fish the trout waters on the Tetbury branch above the town (don't tell anyone though! Ha ha!). I take it the Sherston branch is also worth a sneaky dabble? How far up are we walking?!

Let me know if you fancy a return to some familiar territory over the winter... We both know there are some decent fish to be had.

Where abouts on the Arrow will you be fishing?

Stu

The stretch downstream from Cow Bridge was (5/6 years ago at least) was controlled by Bell Labs the American Inc...and the fishing is perhaps the best on the Avon, IMO, Barbel, Chub, Perch Roach, has it all, but plagued by those stockie Rainbows But back then it was a closed shop, unless you worked for them (Swindon or Malmesbury), but a couple of guys I knew could fish it for whatever reason, but didn't work for Bell, but would be worth investigating, or better still go work there if you have to As you know the stretch eventually ends up in Little Somerford which was very expensive club membership and a long waiting list.
Did you ever fish Brinkworth Brook? stuffed full of coarse fish and Brownies/ Rianbows, and to look at it you would think it was devoid of anything...love those small rivers.
Talking of which I fish upstream of Salford Priors on the Arrow to Broom, which of course is the lower River.
As far as the Upper Avon is concerned I used to walk the banks from the Road Bridge at Sherston, by Tubbs Elastics downstream, virtually every deeper pool held a good roach or two a when the river became fuller. But that's the problem with the Upper Avon water abstraction, I guess it's as bad as ever.
See you live in Faringdon, lot's of chalk streams on your doorstep, not a better habitat for Roach I guess, but big Roach anywhere are a rarity, and that's the buzz for me.
To fish the Avon again would be a treat, but you must have a go on the Arrow too, let me know when you might want to come and I will fix you up with a ticket. A40 Cheltenham A46 Stratford about 90 minutes tops.
Neil

 

[Stuart Wright]

I will definitely take you up on that offer, Neil. I do a bit of barbel fishing on the W. Avon from time to time, so travel up that way fairly regularly anyway. Does the Arrow have any form for producing decent Roach?

Didn't realise there were still decent roach to be had as far up stream as Sherston itself. I actually worked in Tubbs Elastics one summer when I was a student. Funny memories.

I might look into the ex Pye waters. There have been loads of house built down at cow bridge now, so I suspect residents may have a right to join any controlling club and I know someone that lives down there... we'll see!