Countdown is on to new river season

THE countdown to what has become one of the most highly-anticipated new river seasons in recent times is well and truly underway.

Along with the launch of the Angling Trust’s 2013 RiverFest boasting a £10,000 top prize, a host of the UK’s biggest clubs have now announced they will be providing their members with a series of brand new fish-filled stretches.

The Earl of Harrington’s Angling Club have secured some of the best barbel fishing in the region on the Derbyshire Derwent at Darley Abbey, which contains specimens to well over 14lb.

“I can’t remember there being a buzz like this at the start of a season for a long time and our new stretch has really helped build the anticipation and excitement for June 16,” said the club’s chairman Dave Parr.

“There’s no doubt that river fishing is making a resurgence and I know that there are many other clubs that have, and are also looking to, expand their portfolio of river stretches to attract new members,” he added.

Big barbel, along with chub, roach and dace are also set to feature heavily in catches at Hereford and District AA’s new length of the River Wye that runs downstream of the area locally known as the ‘Lugg’s Mouth’ just outside Hereford. “The need for quality river fishing is growing more than people might realise and that’s why there are so many clubs on the lookout for new stretches,” said Chris James, Chairman of Hereford & District Angling Association.

Birmingham Anglers Association, one of the biggest fishing clubs in the UK, have also secured the rights to a popular and prolific mile-long length of the River Severn from Bewdley Rowing club upstream to Trimpley.

An organisation with one of the most diverse and varied collection of river fisheries in the UK is London Anglers Association. And those who like to target deep, slow stretches in search of big shoals of roach and bream will now be able to take advantage of over a mile of some of the best fishing on the River Ouse at Holywell just below St Ives in Cambridgeshire.

**This week’s Angling Times comes with a free 32 page Rivers guide featuring 88 stretches reviewed and rated by some of the UK’s best running water anglers. On sale Tuesday June 11.**