Britford Fishery

River level

The lowdown

• This is a quick, clear chalk-stream water, so expect pace rather than sleepy, flat glides. Trotting and careful presentation should be right at home here.
• The fishery is split into Harnham Bridge and Island, Bridge Farm, Rectory Farm and Old River. Plenty of water to explore, then.
• Harnham Bridge and Island runs for roughly 900 yards. Its postcode is SP2 8AJ, New Bridge Road, Salisbury.
• Bridge Farm, Rectory Farm and Old River use SP5 4DY, Lower Road, Britford. Bridge Farm parking is in the LAA car park beside the track to the fishing lodge.
• Old River covers about 2,500 yards along the south bank, from the sluice to the Main Carrier junction. That gives you a fair old wander.
• The holder rates Britford as an excellent winter fishery. Roach to 3 lb, barbel over 10 lb and chub to 7 lb or more are reported — proper river fish.
• Dace, grayling, perch and pike are also named. Match the approach to the swim: trotting, feeder work and searching the crease all sound bob on for a fast chalk stream.
• Bank walking can be hard going, with waterlogged ground in places. Keep to the riverbanks and recognised footpaths, and don’t fancy driving onto the banks.
• The marked fishery areas are the only places to fish. Other channels and drains are excluded, and all gates need shutting behind you so livestock stay put.

Methods: On this quick chalk stream, trotting a float through the pace, working the crease or using a feeder around deeper features should all be worth a look. In the game-fishing section between 14 March and 16 June, stick to wet fly, dry fly or nymph.

Access & tickets

You’ll need London Anglers’ Association membership to fish Roxton A; the holder’s handbook lists no day tickets here. Check with the association for the current membership price and joining arrangements.

Fish the club names

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

Key rules

• Visitors must have London Anglers’ Association membership, and an Environment Agency rod licence is also required.
• Fishing is restricted to the marked fishery areas. Other channels and drains are excluded.
• Keep to riverbanks and recognised footpaths.
• Do not interfere with sluices, weirs, hatches, side streams, ditches or irrigation works.
• Keep all gates closed to prevent livestock straying.
• Return eels immediately because the association does not hold eel rights.
• Grayling must not be retained in keepnets and must be returned alive.
• Return out-of-season salmon and trout immediately.
• Between 14 March and 16 June, only wet fly, dry fly or nymph may be used in the game-fishing section.

Where it is