Lower Kennet this Year

[Doctor]

Paul.
just wondering which section you were fishing .
I have fished the Kennet around Hungerford for some 40 odd years ,and further down stream of newbury for barble even longer .
Sadly the pricing structure around Hungerford means I can no longer justify fishing there.

[paulf]

I can't justify the expense either, in fact it is just plain outside my means.

Without being specific the stretch I fish is known as a barbel water. The trout are wild fish and I suspect there are small populations along the length of the river wherever the habitat is right. Mayfly time was a revelation. Prior to that I was really beginning to doubt myself. But suddenly everything came alive and it was a fantastic hatch this year.

The numbers of fish aren't great so I suspect quite vulnerable to exploitation. One section I've stopped fishing because of a repeat capture. Size wise the fish have varied between 6" and 18" with most about 10". I have caught much bigger fish whilst fishing for the likes of chub and perch but those fish are quite predatory in lifestyle and unlikely to respond to standard fly tactics. It was these earlier accidental captures that put me on to these fish trout populations in the first place.

Have you ever read any the writings by the likes of HT Sheringham about the lower Kennet and trout? These writings from about 100 years ago make it quite apparent that the trout were there but except at Mayfly time were not a viable target for standard dry and nymph tactics.

Don't foget the free stretch of the Lambourn in Newbury (if you can put up with the dog walkers and "youf"). Term time weekdays after 10am and before 3pm seems to be best for avoiding any nuisance.

Paul

[Doctor]

Paul.
its a long way to go from North London,and now in my 60s I think searching for fish on long unknown stretches is not something i want too do at least until I retire.
My small streaming and general trouting tends to be on the Monnow system ,great fishing at sensible prices and the folks that are the MFA are great friends of mine