Galleon Stretch Of The Grand Union Offers Excellent Fishing

There are not many canal stretches in the UK which can offer a 30lb plus net of fish for under £10 a year but that’s exactly what anglers in the Milton Keynes area have on their doorstep with the Galleon stretch of the Grand Union Canal at Wolverton.

With so much good canal sport in the Milton Keynes area this section of cut has gone under the radar in recent times but the quality of fishing is as good as anywhere. This stretch is renowned for its big perch with fish to 3lb plus commonplace and worth targeting.

There are also the odd specimen carp but most anglers like to visit the canal in winter for a nice mixed net of roach, skimmers and gudgeon as well as the stripeys. The early pegs by the Galleon Pub, of which the stretch is named after, are around 25m wide and can be attacked by using a small feeder or waggler cast two-thirds to tight across. Bream to 5lb as well as the odd tench reside in this wide section so baits such as worm, caster and maggot are worth having on your bait tray.

The narrower pegs beyond this are around 10-12m across and have plenty of cover in the form of brambles and rushes. These pegs are excellent for perch as well as plenty of small fish. For a mixed net, fish small baits such as squatts and pinkies over a little groundbait on one line and then fish a little chopped worm down the middle of the canal for the perch. Here you will find the deepest water, around 5-6ft, so a heavier rig with slightly bigger hooks should be used with pieces of worm or maggot on the hook. Remember this is winter canal fishing so don’t feed too much at the start of your session.

TIP: Try squirting some Bait-Tech Predator Plus liquid to your chopped worm mix to help attract the big perch.

Prices: £6 a year Galleon Pub to aquaduct, Galleon AC,
Location: Grand Union Canal, Galleon Stretch, Wolverton, Bucks, MK12 5NL
Contact: Gone Fishin, 01908 313158
Rules: No carp in keepnets, no fires