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Lower Benyon – River Kennet

Plan a session

Lower Benyon is a historic River Kennet stretch run by Reading & District Angling Association, with deep bends, plenty of bankside cover and some proper fish-holding features. It’s one of three sections known for specimen barbel, with specimen perch and chub in the venue too.

Run by Reading & District Angling Association · checked 14 Oct 2026 · boundaries only partly described by the club

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Reading Calcot Bridge gauge

Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.

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We don't publish an "ideal level" — nobody can promise one. Flood water is dangerous: if it's up and coloured, stay well back from the edge. Open Reading Calcot Bridge on Live River Levels

The lowdown

  • A cracking bit of Kennet water with a proper bit of history behind it. RDAA describes Lower Benyon as being linked with the annals of barbel fishing.
  • The venue is split into three sections, and specimen barbel have come from all three. So there’s form right across the water, not just one famous swim.
  • Expect deep bends and substantial bankside cover. That sort of character gives the fish plenty of places to tuck themselves away, so it pays to fish tight and tidy.
  • There are attractive fish-holding features throughout the venue. Look for the crease, the deeper water and those quieter bits tucked beside cover.
  • Barbel are the headline act, with specimen perch and chub also produced from the venue. The water also contains roach, dace, grayling, pike and the occasional carp.
  • RDAA holds venue records for barbel and brown trout. A fair sign that this stretch has a bit more about it than a simple pleasure-fishing run.
  • Keep things mobile and cover likely holding water rather than charging in. A feeder or trotting approach would suit the river’s varied features, with predator gear available when targeting pike.
  • The close season runs from 15 March through 15 June inclusive. Outside that, normal permitted fishing times are set by RDAA’s seasonal rules.
  • There’s no night fishing here, including through the Bronze upgrade. Side-of-road parking is available downstream, with a public car park upstream.
  • The venue map and current fishery rules matter. No fishing within 30 metres of overhead powerlines, or within 25 metres of locks, landing stages or bridges where applicable.

Methods: Trotting and feeder fishing are the obvious ways to work the Kennet’s bends and fish-holding features, with careful presentation around the bankside cover. Pike anglers need proper predator kit, including long forceps, cutting equipment and an unhooking mat.

Access & tickets

Adult annual RDAA permit

RDAA General Permit; no non-member day tickets.

£90 (as listed 14 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Senior or concessionary annual permit

RDAA General Permit.

£67.50 (as listed 14 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Bronze upgrade

Provides additional night access on eligible river venues, but not Lower Benyon.

£75 (as listed 14 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Buy the £10 non-member day permit through the Clubmate booking service linked by RDAA. Guest tickets are also listed for Wallingford B.

Fish the club names

barbel, roach, perch, chub, carp, pike, trout, chub, chub

Key rules

  • The close season is 15 March through 15 June inclusive.
  • Fish only during RDAA’s normal permitted seasonal fishing times.
  • Follow the venue map and current fishery rules.
  • Do not fish within 30 metres of overhead powerlines.
  • Do not fish within 25 metres of locks, landing stages or bridges where applicable.
  • No fish may be removed from RDAA waters.
  • Unhooking mats are encouraged and fish must not be placed on hard surfaces.
  • Dogs must be under control on a short lead, and owners must clear up after them.

Coarse fishing on English rivers is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. That's the law for coarse fish on rivers — it's not a club rule, and game-fishing seasons work differently.

GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fish

Where it is

Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.

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