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The Mill
Heathman Street
Nether Wallop
STOCKBRIDGE
Hampshire SO20 8EW
T: 01264 781988
F: 01264 782590
info@fishingbreaks.co.uk
www.fishingbreaks.co.uk
 

Limestone rivers in Gloucestershire

Fishing Breaks has fly fishing for brown trout and grayling on the River Coln in Gloucestershire

Here is a good quiz question: Through which county in England do the longest, second longest and fifth longest rivers in the United Kingdom flow? The answer is Gloucestershire which boasts the River Severn (220 miles), the River Thames (215 miles) and the River Wye (135 miles).

Famous though they are it is not these rivers that the discerning fly fisher heads for whilst in the Cotswolds, for much better known for trout fishing are the rivers Coln, Leach and Windrush.

New since 2011 is a lovely beat on the River Coln in the quaint Gloucestershire village of Colwyn St Aldwyn, part of the Williamstrip Park estate, 9 miles east of Cirencester.

Our rivers | Fishing advice and flies | Places to stay | Map

Our rivers

RIVER COLN

The River Coln rises at Brockhampton to the east of Cheltenham, and flows in a south/south-easterly direction through the Cotswold Hills via Andoversford, Withington, Fossbridge, Bibury, Coln St Aldwyns and Fairford. It joins the River Thames to the south-west of Lechlade, where it shares a confluence with the Thames and Severn Canal, by The Round House Footbridge.

Though not a chalkstream in the true sense the River Coln does share some of the familiar characteristics as it takes its water from the limestone uplands of the Cotswold’s. The river has abundant fly life, including a spectacular Mayfly hatch and the ranunculus weed thrives.

COLN ST ALDWYN

The River Coln is a true limestone stream and without a doubt the best trout river in the Cotswolds, with this particular area around Coln St Aldwyns one of the prime sections. The Broadwater beat runs to nearly three quarters of a mile and is ideal for one to three Rods. With plenty of water to cover there is variety from the slower, deeper sections to the faster, gravelly parts where the fish are easily spotted. All the beat is fished from the bank (right side as you look upstream) and is well looked after by the keeper John Reeves who has worked on the river for four decades. The limestone habitat is ideal for a diversity of fly hatches including a spectacular Mayfly that runs from the last week in May through the first three weeks of June. The beat has a good head of wild trout supplemented by careful stocking, plus grayling and a few rainbows.

The beat is within five minutes walk of Coln St Aldwyn the perfect Cotswolds village with The New Inn a welcoming spot ideal for a pint, lunch and as somewhere to stay.

For further details, please complete our enquiry form or e-mail info@fishingbreaks.co.uk

Fishing advice and flies

In broad terms the fishing season runs from April to October. The Hawthorn hatch is late April/early May, with the Mayfly running from ate May to the end of the third week in June. There are no easy pickings in the second half of the season, but small flies, delicately fished are the secret weapons.

Top Gloucestershire Flies:

April Dark Olive (12)	May IGrey Wulff (10-14)	June Adams Parachute (12-16)
July “F” Fly (16-18)	August Crane Fly (Daddy Long Legs	September/October Sedge patterns

The Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Damsel Mayfly Nymph in a variety of sizes are the best sub-surface patterns.

Recommended outfit: 7.5-8.5ft rod, of 3-5wt. Floating line. Tippet to 2lb/8x. Flies size 14-18, barbless or de-barbed.

Places to stay and visit

Top country house hotel:- Barnsley House

Top spa hotel:- Calcot Manor

Top local hotel/inn: – The New Inn

> View the full Fishing Breaks accommodation guide

Maps

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

1 COLN ST ALDWYN

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