A couple of my fishing buds and I fancy a change of venues this weekend (18-19th) and am open to suggestions for a worthwhile day out. Ideally within 1 1/2 hour drive of Westbury (Wiltshire). We usually fish Chew, Blagdon or the local rivers, so maybe somewhere as per the title - chance to stalk a good fish or two.

Carl

It really depends on what you are looking for. Taking on board your desire for a stalking water Dever and Avington both have clear water, big fish and a river section. They are both expensive and can be very easy at times, especially early in the day. The difference is in the size of the stockies and Dever possibly has a few more browns in amongst the rainbow.

In terms of value for money I would avoid both and go to Avon Springs instead. If I wanted big fish I would probably go to Lechlade but the water isn't always clear enough for stalking. However if it has to be one of the other two, if I wanted a limit of big fish it would be Dever, if I wanted a nicer environment, slightly more challenging fishing with the chance of a monster it would be Avington.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

Cheers Sewinbasher, I have fished Avon Springs and to be honest I don't like the place one bit. One of the other lads fishes Lechlade quite often and we fancied a change.

Carl

OK, this might help.

Dever has two pools both of which can be gin clear and the average stock fish can be close to 8lbs (I'm not sure of current stocking policy). One pool has a fair amount of weed that offers the fish some respite but in the smaller pool almost everywhere is in range to a good caster and the fish get a bit hyper over the course of a day. You can select and target individual fish quite easily and it is quite novel to be pulling flies away from 8lb fish in order to get a better one for your limit. The last time I went there my brother and I had limits averaging just over 8lbs by lunchtime.

You can also fish a stretch of the River Dever but I think this needs a different ticket and has to be booked.

Avington has more pools and is much more mature as a fishery, the average size is lower but there are still some very big fish there. The fly life is better than Dever and the short Itchen stretch is included but C&R. Water clarity is generally very good but not quite as good as Dever.

One thing about Avington is that there are a few quiet corners where trees overhang and the trout are less stressed because most anglers walk past. All of Dever is open bank space.

Dever attracts a lot of rich but bad anglers who are just looking for big fish that are not too challenging to catch. They turn up in white shirts and cast badly but still catch a few fish!

It's really you pays your money and takes your choice.

If you just want monster fish you could also consider Sutton Springs near Sutton Scotney where the former owner of Dever has set up shop and they give you a wheelbarrow to transport your fish...I wouldn't go near the place but it might be what you are looking for however I think tickets are well over £100 if it's still going.

Just one health warning, I haven't been near any of these for several years and things may have changed.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

Ive fished both these places and can agree with Sewinbasher apart from the water clarity, which i have found to be better at Avington than Dever each time i've been.

IMO, both these places trade on their names. you'll find one or two big fish in each of their lakes, backed up by stockies. Recently i've found the average stockie to be 4lb in Avington and 5lb in Dever. Both soundly beaten by Lechlade (8lb) If you Do fish either of these places get there early, to have a good crack at the bigger fish. last year Avington put a few big browns in, which they may have done again this year.

However,

If youre after a big fish, then the stockie size matters not. why pay top dollar for a 5lb stock average when you could fish another venue with an average stock of 2lb, but the same number of biggies, if its the biggies you're after. Personally, i'd go to chalkies. Ignore the little stockies, and try and get out a big brown. the water's gin clear and there are some very large browns in there. I had an overwintered 10lb er last week that was a cracking fish and theres plenty more.

Cheers
Alex

As has been said..Lechlade. It must be the best value "Big Fish" water in the Country.

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Roy

Thank you for the suggestions above, however I may have biased the answers by the title I first used - We are not looking for massive fish, just somwhere with a good average size and the chance of fish worth having cold smoked.

I have fished both Dever and Avington, although years ago as a student, and was wondering if they are worth a shout, or somewhere a bit less 'White shirt'.

I might leave the boys to it and take a trip to the Wye or Usk and have a go with the double hander.

Regards

Carl

I'd personally go with this option. You may not catch as much but you'll have a much nicer day especially if you take a single hander as well. Might even be worth having a look at the Monnow for some real quality trout fishing.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

The stocking policy at Avington is not good. Avoid. Dever is a first class clear water venue as is Avon Springs. At Lechlade you have a better chance of a bigger fish. Leave weekends alone and visit these places during the week.

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[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]

would agree loopy, I was at Dever last week and the average size coming out that day was probably around 7lb, its in good nick and the fish where fighting very hard.

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Tomo

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