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Shropshire Anglers' Federation
CASTLE WALK
The Castle Walk fishery
The Castle Walk fishery is a long section, almost a mile, of left hand bank fishing downstream of Shrewsbury Town centre. With a wide concrete towpath, access is possible for all abilities and is really a continuation from the lower Quarry section. Essentially the fishery starts at the ENGLISH BRIDGE and ends at Shrewsbury Weir. The bottom end of the fishery is the normal access spot, parking at Sydney Avenue and walking along the towpath upstream from the weir. You can also gain access from the car parks situated at St. Julians Friars, Wyle Cop and Abbey Foregate. The former two are adjacent to the river with Abbey Foregate a short walk of 300 yards towards the Town centre crossing the ENGLISH BRIDGE and walking down the steps either side of the bridge, alternatively continue past the bridge for 200 yards and take your first left towards St. Julians Friars car park.
If approaching the fishery from outside Shrewsbury we suggest taking the inner link road (A5112) to the roundabout signposted TOWN CENTRE. This should be OLD POTTS WAY. Follow Old Potts Way past the cinema, Vauxhall dealership and Asda store. You will meet a one way system and have to turn left. For Wyle Cop and St. Julians follow signs for Town Centre and cross over the river via the English Bridge. For Abbey Foregate, follow the one way system keeping right but then crossing to the left hand lane once past the Wakeman School. The car park is 300 yards on the right and is signposted.
The Quarry section (below) showing the ENGLISH BRIDGE on the far right hand side of the photo, the river flowing anti clockwise from top right to bottom right. The 'top end' of the Castle Walk is on the inside of the loop (feint grey line) and is just visible in the right hand side of the photo.
The River here is really a continuation from the Quarry section but with a slightly different character. After turning sharp left, shallowing and sliding gently beneath the English Bridge it deepens slightly and forms a wide, steady, even glide. Below the bridge it is typically weedy in the usual spots, margins and points mid river through the summer months, and approximately 60 or so yards wide. Fishing of all styles here. Excellent winter Predator fishing for the mobile angler. It passes opposite the old Gay Meadow site as it curves a long sweeping right hand bend towards Shrewsbury Castle and the Station Bridge. Here it kinks right as it rushes beneath the arches of the two imposing railway bridges. Very slippery beneath on the cobbles and certainly a very 'atmospheric' spot when the river has a few feet of angry water in it!
The lee of the bridge stantions is always worth a cast as well as the nearside bank. Roach, Dace and Chub are normally caught just off the rod tip to around three rod lengths out. The stick is normally used and will usually provide some excellent catches with more than a fair share of specimen Perch at certain times. Pole can be used but please be aware the the towpath is very busy. Constant cyclists, dog walkers, pedestrians etc, so please be very careful when placing down rods or un-shipping pole sections etc.
During the summer it can sometimes be a 6 foot drop to the water so please ensure you have a suitable landing net/handle and long enough keepnet if you wish to use one. If fishing for predators 'chinning' or landing by hand is not possible along 99% of this fishery in normal conditions so please bring a large enough and strong enough landing net, and due to the concrete path, a suitable un-hooking mat. Predator anglers please also read the notes below.
The river takes on a more gentle, sedate pace as it leaves the Station bridge and deepens as it glides beautifully along an elongated, gentle 'S' bend before rapidly quickening before it passes over the lip of the weir. Typical Roach fishing to stick float and lures for the Pike angler. Good sport from the inside bank margins above the Castle Walk foot bridge. Deeper water below the foot bridge with 10' not uncommon right off the edge of the path. Wide and comfortable you can spread out a little, just don't put anything down behind you. Fishing at any point along the entire fishery length, left bank.
Fishing within 15 metres above Shrewsbury Weir is prohibited.
This is above the set of steps provided for the canoe and kayak users.
Boat users have right of way here.
Please do not obstruct canoeists and please be courteous.
PREDATOR ANGLERS
If fishing for Pike we request that you carry with you at all times the following items;
A large un-hooking mat (a minimum requirement)
A large strong landing net (36" min) with a minimum 6' handle
Large 10" forceps or long nose pliers, or both
or
Suitable un-hooking tool for safely removing all deep set hooks
Wire cutters suitable for cutting traces and hooks
You must be able to cut the hooks you are using
Fishing from a boat is not permitted
A maximum of two rods allowed
Carry an un-hooking mat
Minimum mainline of 15lb B/S
Reccomended 25lb B/S
For deadbaiting a trace of 18" min.
Barbless or semi-barbed hooks
All too often we see anglers using insufficient tackle and equipment. This causes undue stress and damage to the fish. Please ensure you have the correct tackle and practice the correct safe un-hooking techniques.
Handle as little as possible and safely return the fish as soon as possible, ensuring it is fully recovered
If deep set hooks cannot be removed safely then cut the trace/hook etc as close as is practically possible and return immediately
Respect the welfare of your catch irrespective of species
Eels are common along this stretch.
Please handle them with the utmost care and if deep hooked, follow the procedure for deep hooked Pike
This overhead shot below shows the upper limit of the fishery. The ENGLISH BRIDGE is at the bottom centre of the picture (Wyle Cop/A458) and the river flows from the bottom of the photo. Fishing is on the left bank (left hand side of river in this shot). The Gay Meadow football ground (now demolished) and Station Bridge can clearly be seen as can the Wyle cop and Abbey Foregate car parks. St. Julians Friars car park is just out of view at the extreme bottom left. The river flows 'up' the photo.
This next shot shows the lower limit marked by Shrewsbury Weir. The river flows from left to right. Sydney Avenue can just be seen on the far right hand side of the photo. Fishing is on the left bank, the same side as the houses. On the far left hand side of the photo you can see the Station car park. This is signposted from the Town centre and accessible via Howards Bank. You can then walk up Howards Bank, past the Dana prison and down a set of steps adjacent to the Station Bridge. Please do not attempt to park in any of the surrounding residential areas. Please use the public car parks or park at Sydney Avenue and walk upstream.
A winter sunset over Shrewsbury, taken from the Castle Walk
The English Bridge with around 4 metres of extra water.
Castle Walk is on the opposite bank below the bridge.
The gentle 'S' bend..................
downstream from the Station bridge
From the weir
Grid Ref/GPS: SJ 49523 BNG 12359 (English Bridge)
Sat Nav:
Fishery Length: 0.7mile
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