Dalston Beat, River Kennet

River level

The lowdown

• This beat sits within the River Kennet & Enborne Syndicate, which covers more than four miles of scenic countryside. A cracking bit of Kennet Valley water.
• The boundary runs from Bailey Bridge down to the start of the Rowbarge Pub Garden. The exact length and number of pegs aren’t listed.
• Expect a real mix of river water. Weir pools bring depth and slack, while the faster races need a tidy presentation and a bit of control.
• The slower swirling eddies look handy for working bait through, especially when the river has a touch of colour. Find the crease and keep an eye on the softer water.
• Barbel are listed up to 17lb and chub up to 8lb, so trotting and feeder work both have plenty going for them. Keep the gear sensible around the faster water.
• Perch over 4lb, roach up to 3lb, bream over 3lb and dace up to 1lb 1oz are also named among the Wasing Fisheries stock.
• There are pike listed up to 28lb, along with trout. That’s a broad spread of fish, so the water can offer something different as conditions change.
• The season runs from 16 June to 14 March. Night fishing is allowed, and members can fish for up to 48 hours before moving off.
• From 1 November to 31 March, that 48-hour limit can be extended to 72 hours at Wasing Fisheries’ discretion. Handy for a proper winter session.
• It’s a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, with access restricted to existing routes and the riverside path. Locked gates, an annual access code and signed beats keep things orderly.

Methods: Trotting the creases and slower eddies should suit the mixed coarse stock, while feeder fishing can put a bait in front of barbel and chub around the deeper pools and faster races. Keep things tidy around the weirs and use the flow to find the fish.

Access & tickets

Annual syndicate membership is listed by Wasing Fisheries at £290. Day tickets aren’t available; guests need a £25 permit booked at least 48 hours ahead, with vehicle details supplied at booking.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, perch, roach, pike, bream, trout, chub

Named by Wasing Fisheries, Wasing Estate across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• Syndicate season runs from 16 June to 14 March.
• Fishing is exclusively for syndicate members, with guest permits available by advance booking.
• Guest permits must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
• A maximum of two guests is permitted per river beat per day.
• Guest and visitor vehicle details must be supplied when booking.
• Members may fish for up to 48 hours before vacating the river; from 1 November to 31 March this may be extended to 72 hours at Wasing Fisheries’ discretion.
• A maximum of two rods is permitted per person.
• Access is restricted to existing routes and the riverside path. The water is within a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Where it is