Lavendon Road

River level

The lowdown

• The upstream end is known as Longlands, with the most upstream swim called the pipe peg. It gets an inflow of water, making it a spot the club singles out for silverfish and pike.
• Downstream, the Beanfield opens out and slows right up. That wider, steadier water is popular with carp anglers and gives the stretch a very different feel.
• The club describes the water as largely untouched, which is always a good sign. It’s also flagged as capable of producing unexpected catches, so don’t write off any swim too quickly.
• There’s a decent spread of fish on the list: carp, pike, bream, tench, chub, perch and silverfish. Historical pike have reached 20 lb, while carp over 20 lb have also been reported.
• Silverfish are no mugs here either, with bags over 20 lb reported. The pipe peg is the obvious place to think about a silverfish approach, while the Beanfield is the natural carp area.
• For tactics, keep it simple and adapt to the swim. Float gear or a light feeder should suit the more fishy water, while carp anglers will want to explore the slower, wider sections.
• Pike are specifically noted at the pipe peg, so a proper predator setup is worth considering there. A bit of colour and fresh water around the inflow could make that feature especially interesting.
• Night fishing is permitted, but parking is limited. There’s room for about five cars, then access is through the metal farmers gate. On match days, special off-road parking may be arranged in the farmer’s field.
• The water is described as largely untouched, so quiet, tidy fishing should be the order of the day. No camping tents, open fires or barbecues, and dogs need prior committee agreement.

Methods: A flexible approach looks bob on: try float or feeder tactics for the silverfish, bream, tench, chub and perch, then switch gears for carp in the Beanfield or pike around the pipe peg. Keep specimen kit and fish care sorted for the bigger fish.

Access & tickets

Day tickets are available online from Olney & Clifton Fishing Association. The official price is £5 for 18 hours; check the marked night-fishing conditions before fishing after dark.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, pike, perch, chub

Key rules

• An EA rod licence is required, and anglers must follow EA rules plus applicable local rules or by-laws.
• Unhooking mats are required for specimen fishing. Barbed hooks are permitted, with proper fish care required.
• No camping tents, open fires or barbecues. Fishing shelters or bivvies are permitted.
• Coarse, trout and eel fishing is prohibited during the coarse-fishing close season from 15 March to 15 June.
• Coarse fish must not be killed or removed, except specified alien species including zander and red signal crayfish.
• Dogs require prior agreement from the committee. Cars must not pass meadow gates without landowner or committee permission.
• Swimming and boating are prohibited on club waters.

Where it is