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Fishing On Your Barge Hire Holiday

Have you ever wanted to have a go at fishing? then a barge hire holiday will give you the perfect opportunity to give it a try.

You do not have to spend a fortune on fancy equipment, a basic kit can be bought for very little and will be sufficient for a novice. Try your local tackle shop and tell them what you want to do - basic fishing in a canal and that you don't want to spend too much money and they will be able to get a kit or “rig” together for you. You will need a rod licence and these can be purchased from any local Post Office or on line at www.environment-agency.gov.uk (full details and current prices can be obtained on line).

It is an offence to fish without a rod licence and the penalties for being caught are severe - up to £2500.00. Check with your barge hire marina as you may also need a day ticket to fish in some stretches of the canal. Look out for the signs as sometimes fishing is prohibited as the rights are owner by local fishing clubs.

The close season on British rivers is between 15th March and 15th June but you can fish on canals at any time. If you need any advice then your local library may stock some fishing guides and books.

Why not speak to the locals, most fishermen are only too pleased to show off what they know or brag about what they have caught and with what bait. If you are considering trying a spot of fishing whilst on your barge hire holiday here are some species you may be lucky enough to catch – Tight Lines!

TENCH – Has a strong stocky body it is dark brown or olive on its back shading to bronze on its belly.

ROACH – The roach is a shoaling species and the fully grown adult is deep bodied with a flat head.

CARP - These come in the common – totally scaled, mirror – sparsely scaled and leather – no scales varieties.

PIKE – The pike has a large bony head with prominent forward/upward eyes the mouth is fierce as it contains rows of razor sharp teeth

BARBEL - A really beautiful fish they are normally golden bronze fading to a creamy white underneath. Their fins are reddish brown and sometimes have an orange tinge.

BREAM - The bream is a really deep bodied fish and looks quite very thin appearance. The mature fish have a dark brown/ bronze back and a lighter side they also have an almost white underneath.

GUDGEON - The gudgeon is a silver/blue colour and is small and sleek fish the fins are long and sleek and the tail is long.

CHUB - The body of the chub is elongate rather than cylindrical. Its side are silver with a white underside and a greenish-grey back.

There are some rules and regulations and these must be adhered to so

DON'T

Drop litter or leave behind tackle. Discarded line and hooks are a danger to wildlife so take any discarded or damaged line home and dispose of carefully.

Feed the birds. Birds will associate people with food and then run the risk of getting tangled in your line.

Leave your fishing rods unattended If you leave your bait in the water this may result in a hooked fish becoming snagged and it does increases the risk of birds becoming entangled in the line.

If you leave your rods on the canal bank the baited hook could be picked up by birds or animals.

Do not fish from a moving barge.

Do not cause an obstruction. Do not tie up close to locks, bridges, designated moorings or water or turning points

All catches must be kept in a holding net and must be returned unharmed to the waters. Do not fish within 30 metre of overhead power lines.

DO

Be careful Banks can be slippery and steep.

Do respect and appreciate the wildlife and the natural environment. Don't try to retrieve your line when there are birds swimming across it.

Do consider other canal users - Respect the privacy of other barge users especially in the early morning or evenings. Do not throw bait close to other barge users and don't cause an obstruction.

Keep the tow path clear. Keep your fishing tackle tidy and do not obstruct the tow path.

Remove your rig - If your rod gets caught up in vegetation on the bank, in branches or underwater snags do not get yourself into danger by trying to retrieve it. If you cannot recover lost tackle report this to the fishing club, the club bailiffs or the fishery owner so they can remove it for you.

Do read The Waterways code. Before you go fishing ensure you read the The Waterways Code available to download on line at www.britishwaterways.co.uk