AnglingCapers

Hello everyone,

I'm a newbie to modern fishing (returning after a 20 yr sabbatical) and have 2 simple, but fundemental question.

I live less then 5 minutes away from the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire, which I regularly walk with SHMBO and have never seen more that 2 people fishing a 3 mile lenght of the canal.
Firstly, why does no-one fish the canal and secondly, if I want to fish it! what licence(s) do I need??

The length of canal in question is between the north-end of the Blisworth / Stoke Bruerne tunnel and Blisworth Arm.

Thanks (in advance )

AC

silver fish

Hi Mate,

Great length of canal there! The problems are , in no order -

Boats driven tw##s!
Mountain bikes ridden by tw##s!
Dog sh##!

I love fishing canals, but these days only go in the winter when there are a lot less of the above to contend with. You will need to buy an EA Rod licence , available online at the Environment Agency website, or at the post office. I think it was £26 this year, but I cannot be sure of that. You could fish it usual canal style, squats and pinkie or even try some pellets cos there is a good head of Skimmers, Tench and Carp along there.

Have fun...Mark

the Young angler

canals are open all year round march the 16th 2009 you will need to buy a new rod license and get a new permit for the canal

__________________
best finish in a match-last with 1oz-

and im not joking

Will Lakin (-14-)

my pb bream

AnglingCapers

Thanks for the reply,

The reason I ask about the licence is that when I was growing up, I lived in Brum and to fish the canal you used to have to have two licences - a rod licence and a BAA licence (can't remember what BAA stands for).

Would I be right in thinking that this is not the case on the Grand Union?

silver fish

Hello again,

The rod licence is a Natonal Law, the BAA ( birmingham anglers association ) wasn't a licence it was a permit because they controlled the length of canal you were fishing. The bit you are looking at might belong to Northampton nene or britannia are there any signs? You will get a day ticket on the bank fr less than a fiver! Maybe ask for more local information in one of the local shops?
Drop me a pm when your planning to go, I might be able to come and join you for a couple of hours, dodging the bikes and boats!

Cheers...Mark