I hope the following guide, and coarse fish river report will be of interest to current and prospective members’:

Although coarse fish are found throughout the syndicate’s water, my report is restricted to information from just below the Cascades near the A38 to Berkeley Road Bridge where the ‘Free-Stretch’ begins. Upstream of the A38 is predominantly game fishing, and I have not fished there.

Fishing for me begins some 200 metres below the Cascades, where the river bends almost at a right angle. From here down to Matford Bridge the river is characterized by high steep banks, shallow depths (few areas are more than a metre deep), and sharp meanders that all combine to make the fishing challenging. The rewards for endeavour can be very good, and if the fishing is difficult the bird life in this stretch more than compensates when the sport is slow.

Fishing from the bank, especially from mid-June to October is extremely difficult. Dense vegetation (nettles almost two metres high) in many places, and the severity of the bank makes access more than challenging; let alone trying to fish. Wading is the only feasible way to explore the fishing in the summer and autumn.

The winter months provide the bank angler with more opportunities and easier access. Although mostly shallow there are a few deep holes, and the normal cautions when wading apply. There are two obvious entry points into the river from the east bank in this section, although for the more athletic and adventurous most swims are accessible.

The deeper stretches are usually the most productive both in winter and summer, and these are clearly discernable by observation. There is a particularly good swim at the head of an area I call the ‘Bulrush- Stretch’. This spot is easy to locate, for it is the only place along the river where the plant grows in profusion. I would strongly recommend you fish the west-bank of this stretch in the winter.

The main species in this area are grayling and chub. From my experience grayling is the most abundant fish throughout the beat, chub only begin to dominate in the last section above Matford Bridge. All my best fish (if size is important!) have come from this section.

However, there is a sting in the tail, disturbance especially when chub fishing does limit what you can catch from each swim. I have found all the usual methods work, but using worm and bread, especially when the fishing is hard can make a difference to the sport. Stalk then walk best describes the fishing.

As with the A38 to Matford beat, the Matford Bridge to Brownsmill stretch is characterized by high steep banks, with the river meandering with serpentine grace. The flow through this section is significantly slower than above Matford. When the Environment Agency stopped clearing the reed, sedge, and rush from the river, there was a rapid increase in growth and distribution of these species through this stretch. So much so, that apart from Matford Pool, and two short stretches (less than 20 metres in length) immediately above Brownsmill the opportunities to fish were very limited.

Fortunately the Berkeley Estate took independent action and reduced the weed growth to create improved flow, and by happy consequence provide more spots to fish. Nevertheless, this part of the river is best fished in the winter. I would recommend staying on the east side as the bank is more user-friendly. Where you can fish chub are the dominant specie.

Good grayling and the occasional large bream can make for interesting fishing immediately above Brownsmill. The pool at Brownsmill is very moody, but when the river is carrying water good fishing for chub, and the occasional bream is possible. I would stress here that fishing the frontage of residential property is forbidden1. Therefore no fishing of the west-bank (property side) is permitted upstream of Brownsmill Bridge until the third field on the west-bank.

Below Brownsmill Bridge the banks are easier to negotiate with vegetation less dense especially on the east side. Below Brownsmill Bridge the river slows and the depth is generally good at over 1.5 metres. In this short stretch (known as the Canal) for obvious reasons, expect to catch chub, grayling, bream, the occasional roach, and dace. The river immediately above Meadow Bridge looks inviting, however, experience has taught me to fish elsewhere. For those that enjoy a challenge this is the spot for you!

In the last short run from the Meadow Bridge to Berkeley Road Bridge the river again picks up pace. Bank access is good, but swims are limited. Reed, sedge, and rush growth again make summer and autumn fishing here challenging. As with all the sections described, winter presents the angler with greater opportunities to fish once the plant growth has died from the bank, and in the river.

The Meadow Pool looks very inviting, however, from my experience few fish seem to be in residence. Grayling again take centre stage in this area, with chub, and the odd bream and roach providing some variety. Dace were once plentiful here, but the population seems to have collapsed. The same applies to perch, which to my knowledge have not been caught in the river for at least a decade.

A brief mention of the ‘Free-Stretch’ might be of interest to the winter angler. I have occasionally fished this part of the river in the winter. In summer access is extremely difficult. I have caught quality chub and grayling here. The outstanding swim is 300 metres from the mouth of the river on an almost right-angled bend. With a good depth, and interesting reverse flow pattern this swim can be brilliant when there is colour in the water.

To finish this report, I have a few observations in respect of the health and numbers of course fish in the middle, and lower river: In 2011, I wrote a report to the Environment Agency on my concerns with specie decline, and year class recruitment. My trips to the river since that time have been infrequent, and not very successful from an angling perspective.

Most lowland UK rivers show cyclical patterns of specie dominance and decline, the Little Avon is no exception. That has been evident from personal experience; and supported by many conversations with a former work colleague (still a member) with nearly forty-years experience of fishing the lower river. I am mindful that fishermen are not always the best guide to fish stocks in the river. However, for the first time since 2006 from observations in mid-summer and mid-autumn of last year plenty of tiny roach and dace could be seen in the lower river.

Much to my surprise, I recently saw a group of small perch just below Matford Bridge. A very welcomed discovery; and with a good population of minnows, hope for the future of this specie in the river. With cautious optimism, the Little Avon may soon see a resurgence of recently declined species. Although, I remain worried that avian predation primarily by cormorant is still a problem in the middle and lower areas to sustainable year class recruitment. Syndicate catch returns will hopefully allow for more accurate tracking of specie types and trends in the future.

The Environment Agency undertook a fish survey of the Little Avon in 2013. I will contact Peter Sibley (Chief Environment Officer) to try and obtain a copy of their findings. Subject to obtaining permission to use extracts from the report, I will update the guide to show the latest information on diversity, and health of fish stocks in the lower river.