I've watched a lot on YouTube on fishing around the canals in Europe and it has lit up a bit of a fire for me to explore our canals on a bit of a road trip down to memory lane.
But I have no idea where to start.
Being based in Portsmouth, there aren't many options near me, so I fancy working out my own UK road trip focused only on canals getting as far north as the Bridgewater canal on the stretch in West Timperley near the tram station where I caught my very first fish (assuming it's fishable)
Anyone have any pointers or tips on areas and clubs that have lots of canals for me to explore online and any to avoid?
Thanks
But I have no idea where to start.
Being based in Portsmouth, there aren't many options near me, so I fancy working out my own UK road trip focused only on canals getting as far north as the Bridgewater canal on the stretch in West Timperley near the tram station where I caught my very first fish (assuming it's fishable)
Anyone have any pointers or tips on areas and clubs that have lots of canals for me to explore online and any to avoid?
Thanks
In reply to Post #1
I would start here
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
I would start here
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
In reply to Post #1
The Bridgewater, where it all started for me in the 80's, not far from Timperley, the Dane road stretch
The old NAA matches.
Used to be some very special fish in the general area (Not there) for the time, high 30 Carp and low 30 Pike.
Would you believe about 10 years ago I went back to a place I knew used to hold a big Pike in winter and in the very same spot I hooked a very big Pike, but sadly lost it, was it the same one, or one of it's off spring...hmm...still want to go back and see.
Lymm Anglers have a canal card. The C&R trust ticket is worth it for none club leased river and canals, Angling Direct have/had discounted membership.
I used to live in Sale but I've moved further out toward Middlewich now, some good fishing on the canals around here. I used to work in Runcorn and there's some good canal fishing around there. Made me laugh, they said it was a bit hush hush, but the hawthorns other side of the path had perfectly semi circular bivvy holes cut into them
The Bridgewater, where it all started for me in the 80's, not far from Timperley, the Dane road stretch
The old NAA matches.Used to be some very special fish in the general area (Not there) for the time, high 30 Carp and low 30 Pike.
Would you believe about 10 years ago I went back to a place I knew used to hold a big Pike in winter and in the very same spot I hooked a very big Pike, but sadly lost it, was it the same one, or one of it's off spring...hmm...still want to go back and see.
Lymm Anglers have a canal card. The C&R trust ticket is worth it for none club leased river and canals, Angling Direct have/had discounted membership.
I used to live in Sale but I've moved further out toward Middlewich now, some good fishing on the canals around here. I used to work in Runcorn and there's some good canal fishing around there. Made me laugh, they said it was a bit hush hush, but the hawthorns other side of the path had perfectly semi circular bivvy holes cut into them
If they are like ours around here, they have been decimated by Eastern Europeans, Otters and fish thieves. No longer the carp filled Eutopia's of my youth.
In reply to Post #3
Ahh, small world! I was brought south when I was 12, it was like my world ended at the time 😂😂.
Up there, my neighbour used to take me to lymm (sp) dam he'd fish for pike but I'd talk to the crazy men under little umbrellas and roll out mats and as a young kid growing up in quite a dump I thought that outdoor life was a bit of me, and so it began 🙂. Would have probably been '83/84.
My neighbour would lend me a few bits to get started and I'd be off up and down the cut on my bike. Used to try for the carp, but I thought they were uncatchable so used to fish for what ever would eat my crust.
Looks like Warrington Anglers run the canal now, so the end destination is sorted.
I'll start somewhere on the Basingstoke canal, it's just finding a few stops between them and sorting tickets or free stretches for a night or two.
Ahh, small world! I was brought south when I was 12, it was like my world ended at the time 😂😂.
Up there, my neighbour used to take me to lymm (sp) dam he'd fish for pike but I'd talk to the crazy men under little umbrellas and roll out mats and as a young kid growing up in quite a dump I thought that outdoor life was a bit of me, and so it began 🙂. Would have probably been '83/84.
My neighbour would lend me a few bits to get started and I'd be off up and down the cut on my bike. Used to try for the carp, but I thought they were uncatchable so used to fish for what ever would eat my crust.
Looks like Warrington Anglers run the canal now, so the end destination is sorted.
I'll start somewhere on the Basingstoke canal, it's just finding a few stops between them and sorting tickets or free stretches for a night or two.
In reply to Post #3
Thanks for the info too ðŸ‘
Thanks for the info too ðŸ‘
In reply to Post #4
That is a shame, I will want to catch carp. But this will be more about getting away from busy overfilled lakes chocked full of bivvy dwellers watching love island whilst tic tocing and getting out there to see what else we have on offer in England.
Birmingham looks to have loads of canals and plenty of free water, don't suppose anyone would give up a certain area to look at?
That is a shame, I will want to catch carp. But this will be more about getting away from busy overfilled lakes chocked full of bivvy dwellers watching love island whilst tic tocing and getting out there to see what else we have on offer in England.
Birmingham looks to have loads of canals and plenty of free water, don't suppose anyone would give up a certain area to look at?
I'm not sure you will get the same satisfaction from spoon fed locations, even if people are willing to give them up. If it's a road trip just get out there and see what you find. There is plenty of information on clubs and stretches that can be fished if you take the time to do a bit of research.
In reply to Post #5
The bridgewater at Dane Road is the most fishing friendly place, have a look at Google maps. Between the tram station and M60 fly over you can, or used to be able to, park in or behind your swim.
Brooklands to Timperley stretch, Walton Road, just off it is a fitness place with car park right on the canal (in Walton Road Park ish) but the towpath is typical canal (not a lot of room).
There's also a good area between Timperley and Navigation road, just after Timperley bridge. My father in laws friend is a match angler and he practices on that stretch, there are still plenty of fish to be had but they can be quite time specific, ie, late avo early evenning.
Dunham way there's more room behind the towpaths and there's some parking near the canal, Old No3 pub layby and a layby near Dunham Fisheries, virtually next to the canal bridge, again Google maps is your friend.
If you think you may do Dane Road stretch give me a shout and I'll do a recce for you, I'm in Sale Moor most weekends visiting the inlaws
The bridgewater at Dane Road is the most fishing friendly place, have a look at Google maps. Between the tram station and M60 fly over you can, or used to be able to, park in or behind your swim.
Brooklands to Timperley stretch, Walton Road, just off it is a fitness place with car park right on the canal (in Walton Road Park ish) but the towpath is typical canal (not a lot of room).
There's also a good area between Timperley and Navigation road, just after Timperley bridge. My father in laws friend is a match angler and he practices on that stretch, there are still plenty of fish to be had but they can be quite time specific, ie, late avo early evenning.
Dunham way there's more room behind the towpaths and there's some parking near the canal, Old No3 pub layby and a layby near Dunham Fisheries, virtually next to the canal bridge, again Google maps is your friend.
If you think you may do Dane Road stretch give me a shout and I'll do a recce for you, I'm in Sale Moor most weekends visiting the inlaws
In reply to Post #8
Agreed, I just don't want to end up in an inner city war zone 😂😂
Agreed, I just don't want to end up in an inner city war zone 😂😂
In reply to Post #10
Maybe avoid London then
Maybe avoid London then
In reply to Post #1
Being based in Portsmouth, theres surely opportunities closer to home such as the Basingstoke and Wey canals. Both linked to the Thames via 263829822 different locks if I'm correct.
Being based in Portsmouth, theres surely opportunities closer to home such as the Basingstoke and Wey canals. Both linked to the Thames via 263829822 different locks if I'm correct.
In reply to Post #11
Yes, please stay away from London. Places like Walthamstow etc are way too scary for anyone from outside of the North / South Circular.
Yes, please stay away from London. Places like Walthamstow etc are way too scary for anyone from outside of the North / South Circular.
😂😂
London isn't on the list for certain.
London isn't on the list for certain.
In reply to Post #12
Yes, I'll almost certainly start on the Basingstoke, then onto the Wey Nav - I've already have tickets for them.
It's what happens afterwards is where the adventure probably starts and how far north I travel before my next stop. It looks like from Birmingham upwards is where there are so many waterways to pick from.
Almost a waste of time staying down south because I can do them anytime
Yes, I'll almost certainly start on the Basingstoke, then onto the Wey Nav - I've already have tickets for them.
It's what happens afterwards is where the adventure probably starts and how far north I travel before my next stop. It looks like from Birmingham upwards is where there are so many waterways to pick from.
Almost a waste of time staying down south because I can do them anytime