Willington (Vauxhall AC) — River Great Ouse

River level

The lowdown

• This is a broader, deeper and slower length of the Great Ouse, so expect a steadier sort of river rather than a buzzy, shallow run.
• The water is navigable, and boat traffic runs throughout the summer. Worth bearing in mind when picking a swim and setting up.
• Summer weed is usually not a major problem here, which keeps things a bit more straightforward when plumbing up or laying out a feeder line.
• Roach are a key target. Hemp and tares are specifically mentioned for daytime fishing, with pole and float-rod tactics both in the mix.
• Tench, bream and carp are approached with leger tactics. There’s enough depth and slower water for a patient feeder session to make sense.
• The club reports carp to 22 lb, tench to 6 lb and bream to 9 lb from this stretch, so there’s some proper weight about.
• Barbel are beginning to show on this length. They’re not listed as an established mainstay, but they’re certainly worth keeping in mind as the river develops.
• On-site car parking is available. Park by the fenceline, and take extreme care when crossing the bridleway — no rushing about there.
• The official page doesn’t give a stretch length or peg count. It also doesn’t confirm a specific night-fishing policy or publish a separate day-ticket price, so don’t assume either.
• No fish may be removed from Vauxhall waters. Keep the session tidy, follow the club rules and treat the bigger fish properly with a suitable unhooking mat.

Methods: For roach, try hemp and tares during the day on the pole or float rod. For tench, bream and carp, leger tactics are the stated approach; barbel are beginning to show too.

Access & tickets

Apply for annual Vauxhall Angling Club membership through Clubmate via the club’s membership page. Have a head-and-shoulders photo, your full address and rod-licence number ready.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, barbel

Key rules

• No fish may be removed from Vauxhall waters.
• Fish transfer between club waters is prohibited.
• Boats and bait boats are prohibited unless sanctioned by the committee for maintenance work.
• No tents are permitted on club venues.
• Gaffs are prohibited.
• Specimen anglers must use a suitable unhooking mat.
• Keepnets, where allowed, are limited to 50 lb of fish. Carp and silver fish must be kept in separate nets where keepnets are allowed.
• Bivvies must not be left unattended for more than one hour in any 24-hour period.

Where it is