Britford Fishery – River Avon

The lowdown

• Section 1 is around 900 yards, running from the hedge upstream to the fence by the spinney downstream. The island in the main river is included too.
• Access to the island is via bridges over the navigation and Manor Ditch. Handy, but expect a fair bit of walking between swims.
• Section 2 starts at Bridge Farm and covers the navigation and main carrier area. It’s reached from Lower Road, Britford.
• The Old River section runs for approximately 2,500 yards along the south bank. That’s a proper bit of water to explore.
• This is fast chalk-stream fishing, so expect lively flow rather than a lazy, polished glide. Look for steadier water and obvious creases where the pace changes.
• Roach, barbel, chub, dace, grayling, perch and pike are named for the fishery. Roach to 3 lb are described as not uncommon, with barbel over 10 lb and chub over 7 lb reported.
• Winter is particularly well suited here. The ground can turn waterlogged, though, and walking the bank may become difficult, so decent boots are bob on.
• The water includes marked fishing areas only. Other channels aren’t covered, so don’t assume every bit of water is fair game.
• The navigation, carriers, side streams, ditches, sluices, weirs, hatches and irrigation works are all part of the picture. Keep to the recognised banks and footpaths, and leave the workings alone.

Methods: The fast chalk-stream character suits careful trotting and feeder work where the flow allows, with a close eye on the crease and steadier edges. Winter fishing is highlighted as particularly suitable.

Access & tickets

You’ll need London Anglers’ Association membership to fish Roxton A; the holder’s handbook lists no day tickets here. Check with the association for the current membership price and joining arrangements.

Fish the club names

roach, barbel, chub, tench, perch, pike, trout, chub, roach

Key rules

• Keep to the river banks and recognised footpaths.
• Do not interfere with sluices, weirs, hatches, side streams, ditches or irrigation works.
• Only marked areas covered by the association’s fishing rights may be fished; other channels are not included.
• Out-of-season salmon and trout must be returned immediately.
• Eels must be returned alive immediately, as the association does not hold eel rights.
• Grayling must not be retained in keepnets and must be returned alive.
• Keep all gates closed to prevent livestock straying.

River level

Where it is