Castle Farm River Wensum Stretch, Swanton Morley

River level

The lowdown

• You get around 2 miles of natural-flowing Wensum here, so expect a proper river rather than a neat, stocked commercial water. Find the crease, glides and any softer inside water.
• The fish list across DDAC’s river sections includes chub, roach, dace, perch and pike. A cracking mix for a few different river tactics.
• Trotting is the obvious starting point when the river’s carrying a steady pace. Keep the float moving naturally and work likely runs, slack edges and crease lines.
• A light feeder approach should suit deeper or steadier swims, especially when there’s a bit of colour in the river. Keep things tidy and avoid fixed leads or feeders.
• Chub and dace are worth targeting in the flow, while roach and perch can show in steadier water. Pike are also permitted, but only between 1 October and 31 March.
• There’s no general day-ticket option, so don’t just turn up with a rod and hope for the best. It’s season-permit club water, with guests only through DDAC members.
• Members can pre-book up to two guest day tickets per season. Guests pay £10 each, fish dawn to dusk, must stay with the responsible member and display the ticket in the vehicle.
• Night fishing is members-only. Boats and bait boats are banned, and anglers must not cross the Wensum at DDAC fisheries.
• Handle every fish carefully and return it to the same swim. Dogs need to be on a short lead, vehicles are limited to 10 mph, and parking mustn’t block access or passing traffic.

Methods: Keep it simple and mobile: trotting for dace, roach and chub, then switch to a light feeder when the flow or depth calls for it. Pike anglers need at least 15-pound line and a suitable wire trace.

Access & tickets

DDAC operates on a season-permit basis and does not offer general day tickets. Guests can fish only through DDAC members: tickets cost £10, must be obtained in advance, and members may pre-book up to two per season.

Fish the club names

chub, roach, perch, pike, barbel, catfish, trout, rudd, crucian, eel, zander

Named by Dereham & District Angling Club across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• A current Environment Agency rod licence is required.
• Two rods may be used at once; a third needs an extra permit and suitable Environment Agency licence.
• Fixed leads and feeders, boats and bait boats are prohibited.
• Wading, swimming, camping and fires are prohibited.
• Fish must be handled carefully, returned alive to the same swim and not transferred between waters.
• Pike fishing is allowed from 1 October to 31 March only. Live baiting and pike gaffs are prohibited; use at least 15-pound line and an appropriate wire trace.
• Anglers must not cross the Wensum. Dogs must be kept on a short lead and under control.

Where it is