Martin Bowler visits the famous Royalty stretch of the Hampshire Avon
02 June 2008 14:31
The Royalty on the Hampshire Avon is one of the UK’s most popular venues, and the scene of countless big-fish catches. Martin Bowler joins Ray Walton to discover all there is to know....
Behind Ray Walton and me stood an ever-growing queue, all eager for Davis Tackle to open at 7.30am so we could purchase a ticket for the barbel lottery.
To find this number of anglers willing to fish a river on a Monday morning, you could be forgiven for thinking that I’d gone back in time to an era when flowing water ruled and commercials were what you found on TV.
There is one place, however, that still has a magical pull, be it for locals or holidaymakers – and it’s the Royalty Fishery on the Hampshire Avon. In the past I have been unkind to the grandmother of venues by comparing her to an industrial estate. I would still prefer her situated deep in the countryside, but this aside, I apologise. Because if you cut beneath the surface you will find that beauty is so much more than skin deep.
With a kaleidoscope of swims, from weirs to shallows, the angler is spoilt for choice and perhaps, more importantly, it houses some of the largest barbel residing in the Hampshire Avon. For the price of a ticket, anyone has a chance to test his or her skills against the prince of the river. With the door unbolted the rush for tickets began, with all the anglers (myself included) acting like women at the January sales. Prime swims needed to be secured. Everyone had an equal chance and, to me, anglers queuing to fish was a delight to see. In such lean times for our sport I’m not going to frown about it.
Fortunately, Ray and I bagged our desired pitch and while the baitdropped pellets had time to work their magic I asked him to lead me on the guided tour. If any man alive can put you in touch with this fishery it’s Ray. Starting from the top end we began our stroll – the Great Weir and Compound, Trammels, Water’s Meet, Parlour Pool, Pipes, Groundbanks, Railway, Fiddlers Piles, Boat House, House Pool, and the Rapids and below.
At the end of our tour we bumped into the new fishery manager, Dave Burgess, who is the face of Southern Fisheries Ltd. I think it’s fair to say that blood has been spilt over recent months, with angling clubs vying for fishing rights. Dave answered the only question I needed to pose – will fishing remain open to the general public? A resounding ‘Yes’ was good enough for me. In fact, Southern Fisheries is trying to accommodate the angler more, with limited night fishing. It is planned that piking will start on October 1, with artificial lures allowed from then until January 31. Once again the Grand Old Lady has found her feet.
So which swim did I decide to fish? The Trammels, opposite the Little Weir. Prior to our walk, and on Ray’s advice, I had laced the gravel under my feet with pellets. When I returned I lowered down a halibut pellet and half-an-hour later I was in battle with a bronze torpedo.
This summer do yourself a favour and visit a piece of angling history. Who knows? You might just add to it.
» For tuition, you can book Ray for £100 per day per person or £50 for a half-day in summer. Tel: 01202 269035/07751 572419 or visit www.barbelshack.biz
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Boat House
Above the Boat House you will find swims known as Fiddlers and Piles, but the deeper water can be found on the west bank, with a good run-off being situated by the Boat House. A cast about a third of the way across the river should put you in contention.
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Parlour Pool
Upstream of Water’s Meet on the left hand fork its, arguably, the most famous swim on the Royalty. This is a spot that can be pre-booked, giving the angler solitude. For maximum results, though, the weir here needs to be flowing well or the barbel will leave.
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Pipes
Both above and below the Pipes offers consistent sport, especially for big fish. By casting mid-river the gravel runs can be located. A deep hole sits between the pipes, providing a holding station for fish. Trotting can also pay dividends in a swim laced with maggots.
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House Pool
This is ‘the’ big-fish area, but with this reputation comes inconsistency. By sitting on the island and casting down to the rapids a gravel run can be found, and it was here that the Royalty record barbel was tempted. If you want to hook a monster, this is definitely the swim for you.
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Great Weir and Compound
The thunder of white water echoed around the pool and it was here, in the white water, that Ray pinpointed the spot. According to him, an underarm lob and plenty of slac k would allow the bait to trundle back under the sill. Here lay the barbel, and hopefully a bite.
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Trammels
As the weir throats up there’s a fast, shallow section containing four main spots – two overhanging trees plus opposite the sluice and the little weir. This is a good early season place for fish-spotting. Both static and roving techniques produce the goods, but when the weir is not running and the river is diverted, the area becomes a desert for barbel. This is the time to find large numbers of bream in residence.
Railway
A very consistent spot in the shadow of the bridge. On the east bank, fish can be found close in, while the sand bar on the west bank is a hotspot. Be it winter or summer, fish can be found in residence. This area produced my own Royalty pb at over 12lb.
Piles
On the east bank, the spot to look out for is the blackberry bush. Here you will find a salmon stone in the water, with its wake providing a home for barbel. Lace the swim with pellets and wait for the fish to move out into the open.
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Rapids and below
Incorporating both the ‘Telegraph’ and the ‘Road Bridge’, this area tends to hold fewer barbel. On the plus side, the average size of fish is superior to anywhere else on the fishery. It suits a roving approach and is perhaps the area offering the quietest fishing. Whispers of uncaught, massive barbel give an air of mystery to the stretch.
Fiddlers
This shallow section is good in summer, but avoid it in winter. On the west bank, the green gate is the best area while the middle, Mugs Hole, can be very hit-and-miss.
Water’s Meet
This is where a joining of the river takes place, providing heavily-oxygenated water by the two weirs. A far-bank cast under the willow is the spot for feast or famine. Both the east and west banks give a pitch to fish from, but wading gives the best vantage point. Famous for John Wilson fishing there in his Go Fishing series.
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Top 5 Royalty Tips
1 Wear polarising glasses, which help you target barbel in clear water during summer.
2 Meat is best rolled when the river becomes coloured after heavy rainfall.
3 For static fishing use a back lead – these are pressured fish and will spook from your mainline unless you do this.
4 Don’t forget your marine halibut pellets – they are the ‘in’ Royalty bait.
5 Get there early, as the Royalty is very popular – to get the best swims don’t be late. Alternatively, come for the last couple of hours when many people have packed up.
