Hi all,


Im a newcomer to river fishing so take it easy guys if these questions sound a bit dumb.

One of the reasons I have put it off is due to the difficulties accessing a river. This could be because of steep banks, overgrown vegetation or the river being in the middle of nowhere (which is usually a good thing)

For instance, the majority of times I see a river is when I drive past on the motorway or go over a bridge. Parts of the river sometimes looks ideal for a spot of fishing but I could not see any access, apart from maybe trekking across miles of farmers fields and private lands.

Another problem is that a river can change ownerships several times on a short stretch. Is there any easy way go know who owns what?

My question is how do you river fishers find easy access to the riverbank? Do you use maps like google earth/streetmaps etc or do you just put in the footwork and try and follow a river on foot to find the best spots?

Thanks

try ordanance survey map or go with someone who fish's the river and knows the layout

I am in the process of covering as much Irwell as I can between Bury and Rawtenstall.
I pick up snippets of information off forums like this and study google earth. It’s then just down to parking up and walking the areas.
My general rule is if you can get in the water and there are no private fishing signs Ill have a bash. I rarely fish from the bank as most of the good fishy looking areas are a good wade away from the occasional access points. If challenged I apologise politely and move on but I always offer to provide free signage and monitoring for a little free access........

Your best bet is to start at the nearest tackle shop, if they don't know they may be able to put you in touch with any clubs in the area. If that draws a blank then it is time to start putting in the leg work and knocking on doors, don't expect too much from the latter approach but it does occasionally turn up some real gems.

People who just go and fish where they like because "There is no private fishing sign" and they are too lazy to find out who the owner is are known as poachers.


Andy

There are a lot of clubs (particularly in the North of England) that have incredibly reasonable annual rates. Often such clubs will have fishing on both rivers and a couple of stillwaters too. The advantage is that existing members can show you where to access the river and also help with advice. Depending on where you are in Lancashire you might want to look at Colne Water Angling Club (Colne Water Angling Club) or Disley and New Mills Angling Club (DINMAC(High Peak)). There will be many more, including clubs in North Wales.

Also - look to get involved with the newly reformed Salford Friendly Anglers as they are looking to arrange and retain free fishing rights for all comers:
http://www.salfordfriendlyanglers.co.uk/

All rivers in England and Wales belong to someone. All fishing rights belong to someone. All access belongs to someone. Before just wandering over to some interesting water you need to find out first if you are allowed to. The right way to go about this is to do your research in advance of your fishing trips. Once you have legally acquired the right to access and fish the river then you put in the legwork to find the places you like to fish.

Easy access is a misnomer.

richard

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Who resides on the right bank of the Derbyshire Wye and is lulled to sleep each night by the mutterings of a weir, dreaming that "When the rivers and their inhabitants come first, we ALL win..."

[QUOTE=Acid House;891797]I am in the process of covering as much Irwell as I can between Bury and Rawtenstall.

It sounds an interesting project. Hope that you'll post some of your findings. (especially the good stretches )

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.