Well just that really, are canals open to fish to anybody with a license?

Also I was informed that a #7 is heavy enough gear for Pike, is that correct?

If this is the case, anybody know any good spots near SW London (30ish mile radius)?

Some canals are on day tickets. Worth a check with your local coarse fishing tackle shop - they'll point you in the right direction. Probably just a couple of pounds.

I wouldn't advocate fishing for pike with anything less than a #9. The PFFA suggest a #10 outfit as minimum as I understand it.

If you're going piking, get the proper gear so you and your quarry have good day

__________________
Dave Wiltshire

River Fly Box

No. You'll usually find that the rights have been leased from British Waterways to a controlling organisation.

You should really try and check the particular water you're intending to fish. Some stretches are controlled by clubs and amalgamations so you can get access to miles through one ticket or year book.

I've never fished for pike, but #7 might be just heavy enough, at least to get you started. If you've got any heavier gear I'd probably use that though.

alot of canals are controlled by angling clubs, but there are always free sections also. so no's the answer

Where do I find out about the free sections/the club info?

It seems like all the waters are controlled and wherever I look online I have difficulty finding a map/info regarding this info.

Quite simple really .... just go into a local tackle shop and ask. They'll sell tickets / permits for local clubs and associations and usually are a mine of information. While you're there buy a few hooks or some other bits and bobs - their advice is worth at least a small investment.

__________________
[I]"I still don't know why I fish or why other men fish, except that we like it and it makes us think and feel."[/I] Roderick L Haig-Brown

[url]www.wildfly.net[/url]

[url]http://www.gameanglinginstructors.co.uk/[/url]

Get in touch with your local British Waterways office (you'll find them in the Yellow Pages).

You should be able to get a list of your area where there are stretches of canal (s) that are not controlled by clubs. There is a Waterway Wanderers Ticket (I think what its called) whereby you pay a fee and you can fish the unleased stretches. This is aimed at the "Holiday Boating" fraternity.

In reality you can fish the unleased stretches without paying anything. In the eight years I've been fishing my local canal I've never seen a bailiff. In fact, I don't think that BW have any specific fishery bailiffs. They tend to rely on club baliffs to do the job for them (unpaid of course).

There are hundreds of miles of (in essence) free fishing available on the canal network and with a little bit of homework you can have days of fantastic sport for minimal outlay.

With regards to rod weight. A #7 Trout Rod is NOT suitable. I would recommend at least a 9/10 weight Pike Fly Rod. Yes, you might be catching "Jacks" but the canals can and do contain some huge Pike. A canal is nothing more than a long, shallow and narrow lake with plenty of fodder fish in them so the Pike have the potential to grow very large indeed.

For more info about Pike FlyFishing check out the PFFA web site
PIKE FLY- FISHING ASSOCIATION - Home

Hope I've helped you a little.

Ernie.

PFFA Membership Secretary.

Thank you very much. Once again the great FFF members furnish me with great knowledge.
I will invest in a heavier set up for the pike as don't want to damage any fish if at all possible.
Thanks again.

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