Hambridge – River Kennet

River level

The lowdown

• This is about 400 yards of Kennet, running from just upstream of the farm buildings to the pinch point where the river gets close to the canal.
• Fishing is from the south bank only, and vegetation keeps the number of usable swims fairly tight. It’s not a wander-about-and-fish-anywhere sort of place.
• The river is generally shallow and strongly flowing, but there’s plenty going on: varying depths, eddies, slacks and other little bits of river craft.
• The main target is roach and dace. Chub are present too, with grayling and brown trout adding a proper chalk-stream feel to the stretch.
• Perch, bream and pike are also listed by the association. Barbel were historically present in mid-sized fish, though they’re now described as few and far between.
• Trotting a loafer float is the obvious game here. Keep the bait moving naturally through the creases and slower water, and work the depth changes rather than just charging through the middle.
• The River Lambourn flows into this section nearby, so there’s extra interest around the confluence area. Look for eddies, slacks and any crease where the flows meet.
• Summer access can be a bit of a faff, as the field route behind the Clothing Warehouse becomes very overgrown. Parking is at Bellwood car park, postcode RG14 2QG — don’t park at the Clothing Warehouse.
• There’s also an adjoining exchange section, running from Hambridge Lane bridge to the Palletts car park by the canal swing bridge. That bit needs an exchange ticket collected from Thatcham Angling.

Methods: Float fishing, especially trotting with a loafer, is the natural starting point for this shallow, fast-flowing water. A light feeder or other coarse approach may suit the deeper bits, eddies and slacks, while keeping tackle sensible for the mixed fishery.

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

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

Key rules

• Coarse fishing on ordinary river waters runs from 16 June to 14 March.
• An Environment Agency rod licence must be held where required.
• Only rod-and-line fishing is permitted.
• Live fish may not be used as bait.
• Use an appropriate landing net where circumstances require it, and carry an unhooking mat suitable for the target species.
• A maximum of two rods is permitted in a swim.
• Night lines and eel or crayfish traps are prohibited unless specifically authorised.

Where it is