by Martyn Russ & John Rees
We decided to pay out local river a visit last weekend just to see what fish we could find and the different swims available. We were shocked to find that most of the river area we had chosen to visit was tidal and extremely shallow with only one or two spots along the way that could possibly produce fish. There are two parts to the river Rumney, The lower ( the shallower and tidal area of the river where most of the water is salt water due to the feed into the Bristol Channel) and the Higher River Rumney where you will find lots of fresh water fish including Barbell and Chub.
We had decided to try The Lower Rumney and see what we could find. I have to say i was shocked to see so much rubbish and wheels thrown into the river and then just left there. It’s like no one has taken any care of the water and as most of the lower Rumney runs past the back of a rural area it tends to turn into a rubbish tip. We did see signs of life amongst the water, a few scarce wild trout and few dabs (small flounders) in the silt and sandy mud. We didn’t really find any swims apart from one that was fishable and the only fish there were small fry.
As you get further down the river it opens up and then you can find clear areas but very muddy and fill of sand and silt but still fishable in the high tide. Sea Trout, Wild Salmon and even Bass can be found in the lower part of the Rumney where it joins the Bristol Channel. I would advise using sea baits and tactics if fishing this area as it has a high content of salt in the water and they tend to go for rag worm rather than normal worms or maggots. We didn’t get much action when we fished this river and were upset that no one had looked after the rural parts of the river. Our next river adventure will be up the Higher part of Rumney river next time and see if we can get some tidy Barble or Chub.
Wet Nets & Tight Lines
