Excellent Fishing on the Trent & Mersey at Horninglow
The Trent & Mersey Canal through Burton-on-Trent is an excellent but under-rated stretch of waterway containing a good mix of species, including a number of river fish, such as chub, due to the Trent entrance near Wychnor further south.
The stretch is the chosen venue for the Division One National Championships this year, proving its consistency and the quality of fishing on offer. The pole is the most obvious and proven tactic that visiting anglers tend to opt for here particularly if you are targeting the venues big head of roach, skimmers and perch. Squatt, pinkie, maggots and bread will all work on their day but at this time of year the former tends to be the best option for a good net of fish. The trick is to fish a couple of lines, one at 3-5m on a whip or top sections of your pole loose-feeding little and often to keep the fish coming as well as feeding another line at the bottom of the far shelf at around 11m feeding it the same way. A little groundbait here is also a good idea to keep the fish concentrated but this must be topped-up if boats pass through and try not to use too. Some of the good pegs can be found by Dallow Lock at the northern end of the stretch as these tend to hold some skimmers and chub which can provide a nice bonus to any good roach and perch net. For the bigger fish you can use chopped worm and caster but some anglers opt for the corn or pellet fished tight to the far bank where roach to 2lb are in residence.
For predator fans there is also a good head of zander with good catch rates of fish in the 4-10lb bracket. Pike will prove harder to find but it is known for fish over 20lb to lurk in the deeper water.
Prices: £2 a day or £12 a season from Burton Angling Supplies or Burton Carp Tackle, Burton Mutual Angling Association, Juniors under 18 are £1 a season on the canal
Contact: Club secretary John Anderson 078911 26910
Location: Trent & Mersey Canal, Dallow Street, Horninglow, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE14 2PJ
Rules: No litter, distance of at least 5m between moored boats
Facilities: Parking by Dallow Lock off Dallow Street
