Nottingham Piscatorial Society (Old River, Staythorpe to Crankley Point)

River level

The lowdown

• This is Old River Trent rather than the main navigable channel, so it has a quieter, more natural feel.
• The Society describes several miles of Old River Trent fishing, with Staythorpe among its historic and current waters.
• There are hidden pools to hunt out, plus natural weirs that should create plenty of interest in the flow.
• Fast gravel slides feature here, giving the river some proper pace and variety from the deeper, steadier water.
• Deep runs are another key feature, with overhanging trees adding cover and a bit of character to the banks.
• It’s coarse-fishing water under Nottingham Piscatorial Society, with barbel, chub, river carp, bream, roach, dace, perch and pike named across NPS waters.
• For the angler, the mix of slides, runs, pools and tree cover gives plenty to explore rather than one samey channel.
• The official NPS match calendar records an annual match on the Old River at Averham, confirming this water is actively used by the Society.
• This isn’t listed as an NPS day-ticket fishery. The Society says waters outside its day-ticket and guest-ticket fisheries are exclusively for members.
• Membership is therefore the key to fishing this stretch. Bob on if you’re already in the Society; otherwise there’s a joining fee as well as the annual subscription.

Methods: The varied flow gives you plenty to work with, from the fast gravel slides to the deep runs and hidden pools. Trotting, feeder and close-in work around cover are the obvious river approaches, with careful barbel handling and prompt release expected by the Society.

Access & tickets

Day tickets for Fiskerton and Rolleston are sold online only, in advance — £8 online, or £10 in person at Fiskerton Post Office — never on the bank. East Stoke is a limited guest season ticket.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, carp, bream, roach, perch, pike

Named by Nottingham Piscatorial Society across its Trent day-ticket waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• Membership is required because this Old River stretch is not offered as a day-ticket or guest-ticket fishery.
• The Society promotes careful barbel handling and prompt release.
• NPS day-ticket rules require an Environment Agency rod licence, although those rules are stated for the day-ticket fisheries.
• NPS day-ticket rules allow a maximum of two rods, prohibit fishing from boats and prohibit keep nets, although those rules are stated for the day-ticket fisheries.
• Unhooking mats are required when specimen fishing under the NPS rules.
• NPS day-ticket rules prohibit dogs, radios, fires, tents and firearms on the day-ticket fisheries.

Where it is