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Shropshire Anglers' Federation
BELVIDERE WOOD
Belvidere Wood Fishery
The best kept secret........
Following on from the bottom section of the Monkmoor fishery is Belvidere Wood. A very much underfished stretch with lots of features and heavily wooded banks. Excellent sport to be had by the intrepid angler. There are many access points usually reached via the A 49 inner link road and Crowmere Road. Parking is roadside with a short walk along one of the many footpaths running through the wood itself. The paths may be muddy or slippery. Please be careful.
As this is adjoining a residential area we kindly request your co-operation to be cosiderate. Please park as carefully as possible so as not to inconvenience residents or obstruct their properties. Please keep your movements to a minimum wherever possible and please do not make any noise. You will be reported and asked to move or even vacate the fishery entirely.
The fishery itself comprises of a long, sweeping, downstream left hand bend starting close to the outlet pipe on the Monkmoor fishery, and ending at the point where the railway bridge crosses the river. A pleasing section, if not challenging, with plenty of near bank features and overhanging branches. Chub, Barbel, Perch, Roach, Dace, Carp and Pike can all be found at points along this fishery. The banks provide plenty of cover and a limited number of swims but offer peace, tranquility and isolation. A real 'Get away from it all' fishery, bar the occaisional train. The banks here are not as high as Monkmoor but can remain slippery throughout the year due to the dense tree cover, extreme caution should be exercised especially after a flood when the banks may be treacherous. Please be careful.
In the photo below, just out of shot top left of centre is the start of The Belvidere Wood Fishery. The river flows from top to bottom. Fishing is the right bank (the left hand bank nearest the houses in the photo) and approximately half a mile long.
The characteristics of the river here start with an increase in the current as the flow from the long straight Monkmoor bottom end section is swept toward the near bank. It forms a race alongside the near bank for a short distance, deflected only by the overhanging branches and near bank features. These themselves create some fantastic 'crease swims'. The flow then settles down to a beautiful long deep glide. Fantastic stick float, waggler or tip fishing for Chub and Dace, or stiffer Avon tops for the better Barbel. Plenty of holes and snags for the Pike too, possibly the odd Salmon. The tree canopy then draws away from the bankside and opens out as you arrive at the Paddock or Meadow. Here you will find of a variety of wild grasses, flowers and lush bankside vegetation. Plenty of wildlife on offer too. Buzzards and Kestrels in the fields opposite, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, and Treecreepers, Wrens, Warbellers and Chiff Chaffs, Kingfishers, Black Caps, the list is endless. Rabbits, Stoats and Water Voles on the bank and occaisionally an Otter or two will give you a wink before diving for cover.
As the river flows past the Paddock it widens, deepens and slows a little, before shallowing up and rushing through the arches of the railway bridge spanning the river. Here Barbel can be sought casting to the smooth pockets of water. Typically this section fishes best through summer to autumn months at normal river levels. The Paddock or meadow will become submerged at the slightest hint of a flood and the majority of paths through the wood will be cut off.
There are only 6 availble swims on the paddock with a view to improve and extend the number of fishable pegs through bankside clearance in the near future. Grants are being sourced to assist in clearance and accessibilty.
The shot below shows the Paddock or Meadow and the lower limit marked by the railway bridge.
As with all of our fisheries, fishing is from sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
Maximum of two rods at all times
No camping stoves, BBQ's etc
No bait allowed in tins or glass containers
Please use a bait box
No Bivvies
No bankside clearance or cutting of trees etc
Grid Ref/GPS:
SJ BNG (upper limit)
SJ BNG (lower limit)
Sat Nav:
Fishery Length: . Miles/ Metres
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