MAP 1 - THE BEATS
Follow A4 into Reading from Junction 12 of M4, through short section of dual carriageway. At George and Dragon Pub on left hand side, turn right at traffic lights into Burghfield Road. Go over River Kennet and Cunning Man Pub on right hand side.
About 30 pegs, good mixed fishery, Roach dominate, with good Chub at each end and some Bream. Often allocated with Beat 2 for matches.
NO NIGHT FISHING
Follow A4 into Reading from Junction 12 of M4, through short section of dual carriageway. At George and Dragon Pub on left hand side, turn right at traffic lights into Burghfield Road. Go over River Kennet and Cunning Man Pub on right hand side.
Is a continuation from Beat 1, changing as our lower reaches waters often do, from canal to river sections. Beat 2 is limited to 15 pegs, due to the presence of O H P lines, which MUST NOT be fished, these are well signed, and are clearly identified in your permits. There are 2/3 swims in the weir pool but read your venue details carefully, as we actually cross 2/3 Leisure Sports swims to get to them. Roach, Gudgeon and Perch abound, there is a good Chub population and an occasional Barbel.
NO NIGHT FISHING
From Junction 11 of M4 follow A33 to Reading, go past the Madjeski Stadium, past B & Q on left, through traffic lights, then 1st left signposted Civic Amenity Site (tip). Opposite site entrance turn right, down lane, public car park at end of lane.
A typical canal section which opens to the Kennet at both ends. Very good Roach and Perch populations, followed by Gudgeon and Dace. Can produce very good bags of Chub from time to time. Has about 16 swims and is often allocated with Beat 3 (B).
NO NIGHT FISHING
From Junction 11 of M4 follow A33 to Reading, go past the Madjeski Stadium, past B & Q on left, through traffic lights, then 1st left signposted Civic Amenity Site (tip). Opposite site entrance turn right, down lane, public car park at end of lane.
This backwater has about 22 swims. This is a very prolific venue, with very large bags of Barbel and Chub, Roach and Perch.
NO NIGHT FISHING
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From Junction 11 of M4 follow A33 to Reading, go past the Madjeski Stadium, past B & Q on left, through traffic lights, then 1st left signposted Civic Amenity Site (tip). Opposite site entrance turn right, down lane, public car park at end of lane. Also some limited roadside parking at Waterworks entrance next roundabout on A33
Particularly noted for the swims in and around the confluence with Foundry Brook, where exceptional bags of Bream can be taken, with the occasional Carp. An excellent venue, often allocated with Beat 4(B).
NO NIGHT FISHING
From Junction 11 of M4 follow A33 to Reading, go past the Madjeski Stadium, past B & Q on left, through traffic lights, then 1st left signposted Civic Amenity Site (tip). Opposite site entrance turn right, down lane, public car park at end of lane. Also some limited roadside parking at Waterworks entrance next roundabout on A33
Predominately a Perch and Roach venue, with lots of Gudgeon. There is also a good head of Chub dispersed along the section and the odd quality Barbel and Carp. When used with Beat 4(A) there are about 45 swims, depending upon the weed growth.
NO NIGHT FISHING
From Junction 11 of M4 follow A33 to Reading, then follow A4 Newbury, at traffic lights turn right then 1st left or right to park on roadside adjacent to River Kennet. Can also be accessed from Beat 4 but a long walk. No car park provided, side of road parking only.
Takes about 40 pegs, and at the downstream end, is the nearest point we get to Reading town centre (the venue ending at County Lock where shopping trolleys are the main bag !) Upstream from the pathway under the Inner Distribution Road, there is a phenomenal Perch population, with quality Roach and Gudgeon in quantity. Some swims up from the Berkeley Avenue Road Bridge produce regular Chub with the occasional Barbel.
NO NIGHT FISHING
MAP 2 - REMOTE VENUES - FROXFIELD, NORTHMOOR & WALLINGFORD
(On Berkshire / Wiltshire border West of Hungerford.)
Leave M4 at junction 14 and travel on A338 towards Hungerford where it joins the A4. Turn right on A4 towards Marlborough . Venue is on left hand side as you enter Froxfield village.
RDAA’S premier Canal venue, nearly 3000 metres in total, fishes the year round. Matches are producing 20lb plus of mainly Roach Perch and Skimmers with larger Bream and Tench possible all through the venue.
NO NIGHT FISHING
A long venue of about 1.75 miles of some 85 swims, divided into two sections above and below Benson Lock. B section has suffered considerable erosion and many pegs can only be fished with difficulty or at low water. Always check swim area to ensure that it is safe and has not been undercut. Far bank feeder fishing produces good nets of Chub, Roach and Perch on this section. Section A is a good walk, but upstream of the Lock it is on a long sweeping bend which has not suffered the same erosion problems, and near bank fishing is favoured with Chub and Bream featuring with Roach and perch. Parking is rather limited. At the downstream end, the small roadway between the Cemetery and the Church, can accommodate 8/10 cars, which if parked with care, do not obstruct other vehicles/tractors on the roadway (then footpath, down to the River). At the centre of the venue, an access road leads down to Copse Cottages. Six cars only are permitted to be parked on the grass area in front of the Barn to the right of the Cottages ONLY. No coaches are permitted. Each of the Cottages and the surrounding land are privately owned, and the very narrow road is in regular use by farm equipment. ONLY USE THE PERMITTED SPACES and respect the cottage's rights.
NO NIGHT FISHING
From Kingston Bagpuize on the A415 towards Witney at the Rose Revived P/H turn right into Moreton Lane. Continue into Northmoor village and turn right at the T junction toward Standlake 600 metres turn right to Ferryman P/H. The B Section gate is 300 metres before the turn on right hand side.
This is one of the top sections on the Upper Thames. A large shoal of Bream patrol, Chub, Barbel and the usual river fish are to be found, including the odd Trout from time to time. The venue has 85 swims, with car parking facilities at both ends of the venue. We allow its use in Nationals on the Thames, and if not inconvenient to our members, for the Thames Championship. At the upstream end, the Ferryman's Inn has an Anglers Bar ( Wellies allowed ), and can accommodate 6/8 anglers overnight ( providing the wellies are taken off ).
NO NIGHT FISHING
MAP 3 - PINGEWOOD AREA VENUES
From Junction 11 of M4 take A33 towards Basingstoke. 1st roundabout take 3rd exit, then 2nd right, continue towards Pingewood over M4 to traffic lights, over railway bridge past Cottage Lane on right, past entrance on left to Hanover International Hotel, next gate on left hand side (Avago). Venue can also be accessed from Burghfield Road Take Pingewood Road opposite Cunning Man (see Burghfield River) Turn left at T junction Venue is on the right hand side.
This 31 acre site, containing a 26 acre Lake, purchased in September, 1998.
In addition to the resident stock, which we had not been able to quantify, but which included at least twenty double figure Carp, we have now added the cream of the quality fish from the two Brimpton Lakes, including Carp to 36 lb., Tench to 6 lb., Bream to 11 lb., Rudd to 4.1b, plus breeding stock and silver fish.
The south bank has now been infilled due to the proximity of the overhead power lines. This we will allow to be fished from the 16th June 2003-04 season.
This venue is open for night fishing to holders of a Specimen Group supplementary permit.
From Junction 11 of M4 take A33
towards Basingstoke. First roundabout take 3rd exit and then 2nd
right, continue towards Pingewood over M4 to traffic lights, over railway bridge
and Cottage Lane is first road on the right. Or from Burghfield Road see Farnham
Flint Venue. Car Park on venue.
This is a complex of four Lakes. Lake 1 has 24 swims, Lake 2 has 27 swims, Lake 3 has 18 swims. These are allocated as one or two lakes, always leaving one lake free for the pleasure angler at weekends. Lake 4 is a JUNIORS ONLY VENUE, and must NOT be fished by any Senior Permit Holder at anytime. We do, of course, encourage senior members to accompany their sons or nephews to introduce them to angling, indeed our General Rule 1 permits a child under the age of 14 years, who is accompanied by a senior member, to fish any of our waters free of charge. This applies to Lake 4 as well, providing that the senior member is giving instruction, NOT fishing in this instance. These fisheries are our most prolific non-specimen group Carp water. In 1995/6 season, match results only, 101 Carp were taken to 26 lbs. with 74 Tench to 8 lbs. in the 18 matches held on these Lakes, with the best winning weight of 58.5.0 .
NO NIGHT FISHING
From Junction 11 of M4 take A33 towards Basingstoke. First roundabout take 3rd exit and then 2nd right, continue towards Pingewood over M4 to traffic lights, over railway bridge past Cottage Lane on right, car park gate is on right hand side. . Or from Burghfield Road see Farnham Flint
Car Park on Farnham Flint Venue.
A 47 acre lake adjacent to our Farnham Flint Lake and match headquarters. this water holds very large fish ( the once British National Bream record fish 0f 16lb 9oz was caught here, and recently the carcass of a bream that died of natural causes was recovered which had exceeded 20 lbs. !).Carp are present in the 40 lb. plus class and there are heavyweights in other species, notably Pike and Roach.
Be warned though, it is a hard water and demands a patient approach, which can be extremely well rewarded. An excess of weed growth in 1996 has been countered by professional application of herbicide at the start of the 1997 close season which has improve the catch rate.
This venue is open for night fishing to holders of a Specimen Group supplementary permit.
From Junction 11 of M4 take A33 towards Basingstoke. 1sr roundabout take 3rd exit and then 2nd right, continue towards Pingewood over M4 to traffic lights, over railway bridge past Cottage Lane on right, car park gate is on right hand side. 2nd car park in Searles Farm Lane. Venue can also be accessed from Burghfield Road Take Pingewood Road opposite Cunning Man (see Burghfield River) Turn left at T junction Searles Farm Lane is first on left.
A lake of some 42 acres, it is also the Match Headquarters for our monthly R & D A A matches. The draw takes place here, and results are given on completion of these very heavily attended matches. There is a very large car park, with a separate parking area for the disabled, alongside three specially constructed concrete platforms, approached by ramps, with secure railings. The lake contains a large head of fish including Carp, Tench and Bream. Work has just commenced to remove the overhead power lines on the Northern bank which will then open nearly the whole venue and the new bank will be restored for matches hopefully for the start of the 2003-04 season.
Night fishing is allowed on this venue.
This is a small 2.4 acre pool adjacent to the main lake. Whilst there are no restrictions on the pool, you should know that it has been very heavily stocked with silver fish so that youngsters can always make a catch. It is booked for Junior Club matches on several Saturdays during the season.
Night fishing is allowed on this venue.
MAP 4 - RIVER KENNET & KENNET / AVON CANAL (1) & MOATLANDS
Leave M4 Junction 12, on A4 to Reading, dual carriageway ends at 1st roundabout, carry on through next section of dual carriageway, past Reg Vardy Ford on right, 2nd traffic lights (George and Dragon Pub), turn right on to Burghfield Road. Over railway and canal/river, Cunning Man Pub on righthand side.
In 1995 we introduced 5000 Dace, but little has been seen of them. In 1996 the venue was extended when we acquired the upstream section of Rushey Meadow from Swan Bridge, which has introduced six new good Chub swims. The most prolific swim ( Chub ) is that immediately adjacent to the road bridge behind the Cunning Man, where we are allowed to use the 12 furthermost parking slots from the road nearest to the river.
NO NIGHT FISHING
Leave M4 Junction 12, on A4 to Reading, dual carriageway ends at 1st roundabout, carry on through next section of dual carriageway, past Reg Vardy Ford on right, 2nd traffic lights (George and Dragon Pub), turn right on to Burghfield Road. Over railway and canal/river, Cunning Man Pub on righthand side.
A continuation upstream of the river section. In late 1994 and early 1995, we experienced a problem with low flows emanating from interference with a weir at the upstream end, where water was being diverted to a private fishery ( at which time there was a significant migration of the fish stock). Following complaints, the NRA re-engineered the weir to make this impossible. The venue was restocked and is now a good general pleasure fishery.
NO NIGHT FISHING
Leave M4 Junction 12, on A4 to
Reading, dual carriageway ends at 1st roundabout, carry on through
next section of dual carriageway, past Reg Vardy Ford on right, 2nd
traffic lights (George and Dragon Pub), turn right on to
Burghfield Road. Over railway and canal/river, past Cunning Man Pub take next
right (Mill Road), follow this until row of cottages in front, turn right over
little bridge then through combination lock gate, gravel road down to river, car
parking on right.
An excellent mixed venue with a large Bream population, which often produces the winning peg on our R & D A A monthly matches. There are some sixty swims, divided equally to the Arrowhead, with an anomaly, an add on reach of 8/10 swims on the other side of the Arrowhead, but which cannot be reached from that point. This isn't used in matches, but can be found on the Theale venue map in your permit. It is well worth a visit by the patient angler, for the quality Barbel in particular.
Night fishing is allowed on this venue.
The Canal section is a true canal-type water, of some 800 yards, ideal for 'the pole'. The Middle Cut runs from Sheffield Lock to Bonsals Point, where the main R. Kennet starts and goes onto Sulhampstead Lock. Roach and perch throughout, with Tench in the Middle Cut, and Barbel and Chub on the quite deep River section.
NO NIGHT FISHING
Recognised for it's specimen Tench catches.
NO NIGHT FISHING
MAP 5 - RIVER KENNET & KENNET / AVON CANAL (2)
Upper Benyons B Upper Benyons A
Possibly the best, and certainly the best known water on the Lower Kennet, members travel from as far afield as Cumbria to fish this water. Divided into two sections A & B, this is now a pleasure anglers venue with only a small amount of matches on the south bank. All methods of baits are worth a try, but 9 out of 10 anglers are going for Barbel, Barbel, Barbel.......
In addition to our own private Car Park, the local Community Centre has a large Car Park 125 yards north of the Padworth Road Bridge, which we have permission to use, but gets little use. Members often generate problems for us by inconsiderate roadside parking on a fairly narrow road and when the fever is upon them in the first month, often double parking, creating difficulties for vehicles and agricultural equipment, this leads to disciplinary action with the offenders permits being removed at least. Our response to police complaints now, is simply to remove and impound offending vehicles.
NO NIGHT FISHING
Follow A4 Newbury from Junction 12 M4 at second roundabout turn left into Wigmore Lane, park adjacent to conifer hedge on left hand side. For western end of venue continue over second roundabout on A4 and take the next turning left, over river and public car park on right hand side.
From Sulhampstead Road bridge downstream to confluence with Kennet and Avon Canal at Sulhampstead lock.
Match sections are shown as red, yellow and blue. Pegs will be indicated by coloured markers. Venue is nearly 2000mtrs.long in total.
Is divided into three sections , each of about 25 swims, so as to enable us to leave one or two sections available each weekend on this fine water for the pleasure angler. Top R & D A A Match weight last season 86 lbs. plus! In the 25 matches held across these sections last season 2,341 Chub were recorded with 277 Bream and 69 Barbel amongst the catches. Occasional problems, as CALPAC have the opposite bank (South), but only to the Penstock, as a day ticket water.
NO NIGHT FISHING
Padworth East Towney
EAST TOWNEY :-Follow A4 Newbury from Junction 12 M4 over two roundabouts, just before dual carriageway and opposite the Winning Hand Pub, turn left, go over canal and river, car park on left.
PADWORTH :- Follow A4 Newbury from Junction 12 M4 over two roundabouts, on to dual carriageway turn left at Courtyard Hotel signposted Padworth. Over railway and canal bridges and RDAA car park is on left just after swing bridge. Overspill car parking in Community Centre just before swing bridge. Also lay by parking on A4, use footpath to bottom of venue.
Both are true canal type sections of 38 swims each, separated by Towney Bridge (unusable). Both are excellent mixed fisheries with a heavy small fish population, but also has good Bream, Tench and Crucian Carp. Beat winning weights have been 14.0.0 and 19.4.0. respectively.
NO NIGHT FISHING
Follow A4 Newbury from Junction 12 M4 over two roundabouts, just before dual carriageway and opposite the Winning Hand Pub, turn left, go over canal and river, car park on left.
Car park at Ufton Bridge or the public car park at Tyle Mill bridge (see Lower Benyons).
About 25 swims from Sulhampstead Road Bridge up-stream to Ufton Road Bridge on both banks, excepting the privately owned Tyle Mill fishery. Deep and slow with plenty of cover for the double figure Barbel, which appear regularly. There is also a good head of Chub and Roach, and Winter Pike fishing is productive here. Our own private Car Park is adjacent to Ufton Bridge, with a Public Car Park alongside Sulhampstead Road Bridge which we feel should be left to the public in the Summer months, but is little used in the Winter.
NO NIGHT FISHING
MAP 6 - RIVER KENNET & KENNET / AVON CANAL (3) - WYLIES & HAMBRIDGE
Leaving Newbury on A4 towards Reading, approaching Thatcham turn right at traffic lights into Lower Way, then turn right into Sports Centre.
We have progressively stocked this lake, since its purchase in 1989, as a mixed Fishery, with particular emphasis on Tench and Bream. The current addition in February 1997, was 300 lbs. plus of Roach, of between 3/4 to 1. 1/2 lbs. each. On weekdays, not Sundays, we permit the sale of up to 15 Day Tickets, which may be purchased at the Sports Centre Foyer. Our own private Car Park is behind the sports centres own facilities. Adjacent to our Car Park, the platforms were built wider to facilitate disabled anglers being able to park and fish with ease. As there are another 33 platformed swims off the perimeter path surrounding the Lake, it would be thoughtful to leave the disabled platforms unless the other platforms were taken.
NO NIGHT FISHING
Leaving Newbury on A4 towards Reading, approaching Thatcham turn right at traffic lights into Hambridge Road. The RDAA car park is 50 yards on left hand side.
This is a lovely venue of some 14 acres, an idyllic summer venue, ringed by mature trees and bushes, constantly refreshed by the Moor Stream, which runs through it. The lake contains a good head of mature Carp, with good secondary and tertiary groups, and many other species, particularly good Tench.
This venue is open for night fishing to holders of a Specimen Group supplementary permit.
From Junction 12 M4 take A4 towards Newbury, continue for 4 miles to roundabout with A340 Aldermaston. Continue on A4, through Woolhampton Village and in 2 miles turn left signposted Brimpton. Venue on left.
An unusual venue, which at the downstream end, is fished on the North bank, changing over at Heales Lock to the South bank. A typical canal fishery with a good head of Roach, Perch and Gudgeon, well backed by Bream, and Chub with some Tench. An average winning weight in summer is 7.4.0. and over the Winter 3.13.4. and will usually include some of the 'biggies'.
NO NIGHT FISHING
From Junction 12 M4 take A4 towards Newbury, continue for 4 miles to roundabout with A340 Aldermaston. Turn left on this road , into Aldermaston village and turn left into Fishermans Lane.
No car park is provided here, parking only in Fishermans Lane which is an unmade road. A fairly lengthy walk to the river, look for RDAA signs.
Never allocated for match fishing, access is only via Fisherman's Lane from Aldermaston, and adjoins the much publicised Day Ticket water at Aldermaston Mill. A very deep slow moving section, it has a good population of large Barbel, which are not easy to catch, but when they do, go......
Night fishing is allowed on this venue.
From Junction 12 M4 take A4 towards Newbury, continue for 4 miles to roundabout with A340 Aldermaston. Continue on A4, take 2nd left Frouds Lane.Car Park :- Fenced and gated car park on left just before canal bridge in Frouds Lane from A4.
Starts upstream of Aldermaston Lock and continues to the confluence with the R. Kennet. An under fished water, which can produce good weights, often better in Winter. You will need on average 6/7 lbs. in Summer, and 8/9 lbs. in Winter to be in the frame, but will often need twice that. Roach, Perch, Tench and Chub with some Bream and Dace.
NO NIGHT FISHING
MAP 7 - SONNING EYE PIT & RIVER THAMES VENUES
Follow signs through Reading for Caversham, cross River Thames, turn left at traffic lights on to A4074 (Woodcote). Carry on up hill and out of built up area. Turn left opposite Pack Saddle Inn and follow signs to Mapledurham House.Follow road downhill into village.
Superb location upstream from Town, of 995 yards and 1,995 yards ( 1.7 miles ), over 70 swims now, with arrangements to hand for Contractors to open up another 30 or so, this close season. Roach, Perch, Chub and Dace are main species. Very variable, Can be sluggish or pacey within the same day. Boat traffic in the summer can be a problem, particularly on the bends. Day or hourly leased boats in the hands of tyro boatmen are no respecters of swims ( or of other boats!)
NO NIGHT FISHING
Follow signs through Reading for Caversham, cross River Thames, turn left at traffic lights on to A4074 (Woodcote). Start up the hill and turn left into The Warren, follow road and bear left at the end of the houses past entrance to Chazey Court Farm and turn right to car park.
This is a downstream extension of the Mapledurham Estate Beats 1 & 2 . In due course, this section of a further 1000 yards, will be able to be linked, so as to provide an overall 130 pegs or so. In the meantime, developments are taking place at the Reading end of the venue, where the old Chazey Farm is undergoing refurbishment, in order to become a Nursing Home, this will result in our having a new Car Park, giving us three over the venue as a whole. No matches are planned on this water. Members will find this a longish but rewarding walk at the moment, with conditions and fish very much as at Mapledurham.
NO NIGHT FISHING
LAKE RIVER
From A4 at Charvil follow B478 through Sonning village, over River Thames. Turn left at next mini roundabout, follow road around to the right and turn left into venue through combination locked gate. Car park on right just after gate or follow road to car park just before Sailing Club. Can also be accessed from Reading – Henley road A4155 and turn right at mini roundabout on B478
The Lake is very sizeable and holds an immense head of Bream , which patrol in large shoals. A good head of Tench and numbers of large Perch are also prominent and a significant number of large Carp, 52lbs Mirror caught May 2000 . Quite popular with our Pike fishing fraternity in the colder months, on its day can produce huge bags, but the problem is, are the fish anywhere near you? Not a fair match venue, so very rarely allocated. The River areas are excellent for pleasure fishing, but is not suitable for match fishing as overhead power lines abound, and the swims are in small blocks. A number of members swear by it, and have this as a first choice venue.
Disabled members should fish the small water linked to the main lake, the car parking is just on the right as you enter the venue, and you can virtually fish from the back of the car - a very productive area, in which no one should ever blank.
The Lake only is open for night fishing to holders of a Specimen Group supplementary permit.
NO NIGHT FISHING ON RIVER
WHISTLEY MILL LAKE
As with the river, the 2003-04 season will be our first season on the water. At this time our only information is what Barnet & District A.C. have supplied us with. Carp have been taken last season up to 42lbs, Tench to 13lbs, Bream to 12 lbs and pike to 30lbs plus. The lake will be issued on the Specimen Group Supplementary Permit. We have also agreed a further two year single venue agreement with Barnet & District A.C. to fish this venue. Leave M4 at Junction 10 on A329M towards Reading, take 1st exit for Winnersh & Earley. 2nd exit at next roundabout past cinema on right. Turn left at traffic lights for Winnersh up to next traffic lights turn left for Hurst. Stay on road to Hurst, just past Elephant & Castle pub turn left into lane, car park on right just over river bridge.
This venue is open for night fishing to holders of a Specimen Group supplementary permit.
WHISTLEY MILL RIVER LODDON (1500yrds)
As with the lake information is limited for this new season but Barnet 7 district A.C. tell us that large Barbel and Chub are to be found in good numbers with Pike to 20lbs plus. The Environment Agency use the first 100 metre stretch for sampling on the Loddon each year and last year they found 18 Barbel with three fish over 11lbs in this stretch.
This venue is open for night fishing to holders of a Specimen Group supplementary permit.
Any member holding a current R & D A A Permit who is interested in joining the Specimen Group, should contact Mr P. Millington on 01256 410099 or e-mail
P.millington1@ntlworld.com.
Any member holding a current R & D A A Permit is entitled to take a Guest on most, but not all of our waters - please check your Permit details. These can be purchased from the Dealer outlets shown within the Permit.
Fisheries General Rule 6.
"When a senior member is accompanied by a member of the opposite sex, or a child under the age of 14 years of age, then that person may fish free providing there is no abuse of the privilege, and at no time shall the number of rods in use by the party exceed two.