Barbel Society — Pixham Ferry

River level

The lowdown

• This is classic Lower Severn territory, and the stretch has a long barbel-fishing history behind it. The Society mentions past barbel to nearly 16 lb, so there’s a bit of pedigree here.
• There are numerous named swims to get your head around, including Green Door, Cables and Wasps Nest. Handy landmarks when you’re finding your feet.
• The downstream swims have easy access, making them a sensible starting point if you don’t fancy a trek with all the kit.
• There’s nearly a mile to explore, too. If the obvious swims are busy, you’ve got room to stretch your legs and look for a quieter peg.
• The Pixham risk assessment flags undercut banks and steep drop-offs, particularly around this fishery. Add slippery banks, high flows and possible flash flooding to the mix.
• That means a bit of care is bob on. Keep an eye on the river, especially when the flow is pushing through or the bank is wet.
• Night fishing is allowed, which gives dedicated barbel anglers the chance to fish into the darker hours. Just remember, the rules cap a stay in one peg at three nights or 72 hours.
• You can’t reserve swims, and no competition or pegged fishing is allowed. It’s very much a case of finding a swim and fishing it fairly.
• There’s no keepnet fishing unless the committee gives permission, and all fish must be returned. Bring an unhooking mat or cradle, too.

Methods: A proper barbel-style approach suits the stretch, with time spent reading the flow and working the named swims. Feeder tactics and other river methods can be explored, but the checked details don’t specify a particular bait or rig.

Access & tickets

You need current Barbel Society membership first, then buy the separate fishery permit. Members can use up to three 24-hour guest tickets per season, but guests must also be Society members and fish alongside the member.

Fish the club names

barbel

Key rules

• A current Barbel Society membership and separate fishery permit are required. Permit and ticket holders only.
• Each member may use three 24-hour guest tickets per season. Guests must also be Barbel Society members and must be accompanied by the member.
• Maximum stay in one peg is three nights or 72 hours. Do not return to the same peg for at least two days.
• Carry membership cards and permit books. A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required.
• All fish must be returned. No more than two rods may have lines in the water at one time.
• Unhooking mats or cradles must be used. No keepnets without committee permission.
• No competition or pegged fishing. Swims may not be reserved.
• No camping or fires. Bivvies and camping stoves are allowed if they do not inconvenience others.
• Take care around undercut banks, steep drop-offs, slippery banks, flash flooding and high flows.

Where it is