44 – River Severn – Holt Fleet

River level

The lowdown

• This is club water, with White Swan Piscatorials looking after the stretch. The club was founded way back in 1902, and membership is limited to 750 voting members.
• The fishable section runs roughly 560 yards down to the weir, with another 546 yards above it. A fair old walk of river, then, with plenty to explore.
• Above the weir, the Severn can reach 16 feet deep and moves slowly. That’s the bit for a more patient approach, especially with bream and bigger perch more predominant here.
• There are occasional carp above the weir too, while large carp and barbel have been caught on the venue. Chub, roach, dace, pike and eel are also named for the stretch.
• Below the weir, depths vary from about 2 to 6 feet. Expect more varied water and a bit more flow, with the usual Severn features worth picking apart swim by swim.
• Accessibility is described as fair, though some banks are steep. The track to the weir can be hazardous in winter, so take care when conditions are grim.
• Parking is available at the top of the track and at the bottom of the drive. Parking by the café is allowed when it is not in use.
• Take extreme care when pulling out of the drive onto the A4133. Power lines also cross the river halfway up the lock keeper’s island.
• The water is available all year subject to fishing seasons. In the coarse closed season, only salmon fishing is allowed below the weir, while fishing by any method is banned above it.

Methods: The slower, deep water above the weir suits a patient feeder or float approach for bream, perch and the occasional carp. Below the weir, work the varied 2–6ft water with sensible river tactics for barbel, chub and the mixed coarse fish.

Access & tickets

Club membership is required to fish the water. Guest tickets are booked through Clubmate by 11pm on the day before fishing, and are valid from sunrise to sunset only.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, roach, perch, pike, bream, eel, carp

Key rules

• A current Environment Agency rod licence is required.
• Rods must not be left unattended.
• Swimming, fires, camping and fishing from boats are prohibited on club waters.
• Appropriate unhooking mats are required at club coarse fisheries.
• During the coarse-fishing closed season, only salmon fishing is permitted below the weir.
• During the coarse-fishing closed season, fishing by any method is prohibited above the weir.
• Salmon anglers must hold a valid Environment Agency salmon licence and consult the relevant Environment Agency byelaws.
• The track to the weir can be hazardous in winter, and deep water is present above the weir.

Where it is