Wild fishing has long been the norm in countries such as the United States of America, where you can roam vast landscapes and fish almost anywhere with just a local fishing licence. That freedom has been much less prevalent here in the UK, where fishing was, for a long time, associated with artificially-stocked ponds and expensive commercial beats. Over the past few years, however, the tide has been turning as many anglers have chosen, instead, to fish for native species in beautiful, untamed sites, many of which are free, or inexpensive, to access. Popularised by a new demographic – fishing is soaring among Gen Z – this analogue pastime offers a chance to disconnect from the digital and enjoy a more mindful activity. This gentler approach to the sport is also drawing a more ecologically-aware crowd; there has been a noticeable shift among anglers away from landscaped riverbanks and expensive fishing enclaves as the community becomes more aware of the need to conserve, protect and restore our aquatic ecosystems.
This book is a guide for anglers keen to embrace this new, more modern style of fishing, and there are increasing numbers of them. A growing resistance to the costly practice of stocking rivers with fish, coupled with a mounting preference for the catch-and-release of non-invasive species, is shaking up the scene. The reward is a real diversity of quarry, from trout and grayling to chub, carp, roach, barbel and even pike.
Cheshire has fewer rivers compared to other parts of the country but among them are some classics. Its biggest angling river is the Dee, which offers excellent coarse and game fishing, including fishing for salmon. Probably equally well known is the River Mersey, which starts at the confluence of the Rivers Goyt and Tame in Stockport. Although water quality in the Mersey was severely affected by industrialisation, the river is now in better shape than at any time since the Industrial Revolution, with reports of salmon. However, of more relevance for wild fishermen, are the smaller rivers of the Cheshire Plain including the River Dane, the Goyt, Dean, Bollin, and the River Weaver. Here, for a few pounds, you can fish in solitary splendour with only a few sheep to critique your choice of flies, or casting technique. If you’re not sure where to start, the following sites in Cheshire and the surrounding counties are well worth seeking out:
The banks are fairly steep here, so care is required. A good year-round fishery with some very large fish recorded, including pike to 28lb and carp to 33lb. It’s not the easiest of fishing, but if you’re prepared to put in the hard yards, the results will be very gratifying.
Access: £20/ year, nantwichangling.com
Method: fly, bait, spin, led
Quarry: pike, carp, coarse
WEAVER RIVER
Meandering miles through the Cheshire countryside and into the River Mersey before entering the sea, the River Weaver is a great all-round coarse fishery. The fish are quite bold here, so a 12/14 size hook is ideal. Specimen fish abound, and it’s arguably one of the keenest priced fisheries in England.
Access: £5, northwichanglers.co.uk
Method: fly, bait, spin, led
Quarry: coarse
RIVER DANE
Most UK freshwater fish can be found in these waters. Claimed to be the cleanest river in Cheshire, and a good example of an urban fishing site it’s a delight to fish. You can try all styles of fishing, from ledgering through to fly fishing, even one of my favourites, a solo, unweighted worm on a hook.
Access: £5, northwichanglers.co.uk
Method: fly, bait, spin, led
Quarry: coarse
WOORE FRUIT FARM/LOWER POOL
Another new addition to the Fenton and District portfolio of waters, this pool is packed with features. Around the islands are large shoals of double-figure chub. Also, if you’re minded, you can spend the day causing havoc to the plentiful silver fish population.
Access: £23/ year, fdasofficial.co.uk
Method: fly, bait, spin, led
Quarry: chub, coarse
Described on the Fenton and District website as an absolute beast of a water, this site, just across the Staffordshire border, is certainly a spectacle. There are reputedly very large carp in here, but locating them will be daunting; I’m not sure how you would start to go about it – the experts would, but they never tell me. Very large pike here too.
Access: £23/ year, fdasofficial.co.uk
Method: fly, bait, spin, led
Quarry: pike, carp, coarse
DEE/LLANGOLLEN MAELOR
Regarded as one of the cleanest rivers in Europe, you will be fishing in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at this Denbighshire site. It is internationally renowned for brown trout and grayling and has good runs of salmon and sea trout throughout the season. Hawker Overend has produced a detailed guide for each of the19 pools.
Access: £22.50, llangollen-maelor-angling.com
Method: fly
Quarry: brown trout, grayling, salmon, sea trout
CLWYD RIVER/LLANDYRNOG
You can fly fish at this Denbighshire site, but it’s probably better suited for the worm angler or spinning with a tiny mepps (the smallest they make). It’s really challenging fishing with many long slow-moving pools, deep holes, and lots of tree and bank cover, as well as in-stream obstacles, but well worth the effort to fish.
Access: £15, valeofclwydanglingclub.org
Method: fly, bait, spin, led
Quarry: brown trout
Wild Fishing by Kevin Adams is published by Wild Things Publishing. Readers can receive 20 per cent off and free P&P with discount code CheshireLife at wildthingspublishing.com (usually £18.99)
