Aldermaston – River Kennet

River level

The lowdown

• This is the association’s furthest downstream River Kennet stretch, and it fishes like a proper bit of river rather than a tidy park water.
• The upstream end starts roughly half a mile below Basingstoke Road bridge. The stretch runs for about a mile down to Padworth Mill.
• Near the small association access car park, the river is broad and fairly straight. It then gets more interesting around the halfway point, where a series of bends cuts deeper holes.
• Those bends also create patches of slack water. Worth a close look when the main flow is pushing through — there should be a few likely-looking creases and quieter edges.
• The lowest peg fishes towards the mill weir, giving that end a bit of extra pull and character. The river is described as broad, deep and powerful, so tackle needs to be up to the job.
• Banks are partly overgrown and naturalised. There are some open swims, but you may need to cut a bit of vegetation back to free a peg. No need for a full garden makeover — just keep access sensible.
• The stock is mostly silver fish and trout, with chub, barbel, perch, roach, dace, pike, brown trout and rainbow trout listed by the association. There are some good barbel here.
• Harder baits such as boilies may help dodge the red signal crayfish. Pike fishing is allowed in its season, while trout fishing is artificial dry fly only.
• Access is through the gated car park opposite the Butt Inn, and you’ll need an NAA venue key. Parking is restricted to designated areas, and dogs must stay under control.

Methods: For coarse fishing, keep things tidy and robust: feeder or float work around the straighter water, the crease and the slack patches, with barbel gear ready for the deeper holes and stronger flow. Harder baits such as boilies can help avoid red signal crayfish.

Access & tickets

This is Newbury Angling Association water and is members-only apart from association guest arrangements. Access needs an NAA venue key; membership runs from 16 June to 15 June.

Fish the club names

trout, chub, barbel, perch, roach, pike

Key rules

• Members must hold a current Environment Agency rod licence where required.
• Coarse fishing on the river normally runs from 16 June to 14 March.
• Trout fishing runs from 1 April to 30 September and is artificial dry fly only.
• Only two rainbow trout may be taken away in one day; unharmed brown trout must be returned.
• Pike fishing is permitted from 1 October to 15 March.
• Rod and line is the permitted method. Live fish may not be used as bait.
• A suitable landing net and unhooking mat are required where appropriate.
• Night lines, eel traps and crayfish traps are prohibited unless authorised. Maximum two rods per swim on this two-rod water. Dogs must remain under control.

Where it is