Nestled in the Worcestershire countryside within a gated estate, the Barbel Society’s Bransford fishery is one of the most beautiful of the river Teme fisheries. It teems with birdlife and just to spend a day sitting by the waters edge is a treat in itself. I have seen Tree Creepers, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and Cuckoos all at close range and it is hard to forget the shrill whistle and iridescent blue flash of the Kingfisher, a common sight on this part of the river.

Its seclusion eliminates any concerns you may have about vehicle security and as night fishing is allowed it’s a safe place to camp out over night, though do be aware that movement out of the fishery is restricted after dark.

The river itself can be fickle and it rises and falls rapidly as the water is funnelled through its steep sided banks. Summer showers can take the unwary by surprise making the banks slippery and difficult to scale – a dog spike and rope is a must have if the intrepid angler intends to fish away from the pre-cut swims. These swims are clearly defined and accessible to most and the whole length of the fishery can be walked in 45 minutes, although it can easily take longer if like me you get distracted by the tempting possibility of un-fished swims and the abundant wildlife. The high banks aid fish spotting in clear water conditions and when the fish are spawning you can readily spot the barbel as they give away their position with smoke signals of silt kicked up by the activities of the excitable males.

Two car parking areas plus a third winter hard standing area (the latter being located half way between the top and bottom of the upper part of the fishery. Helpful in winter flood conditions when the ground becomes saturated) are provided to serve the upper and lower parts of the fishery. The upper fishery is nearer to the railway line that crosses the river at this point and offers easy access to some excellent trotting swims at its upper reaches. As the water deepens downstream access becomes a little more of a challenge but nonetheless inviting.

For my part I tend to favour the lower part of the fishery partly because access is easier and partly because its here that I have enjoyed greater success. I have caught barbel in most conditions, low and clear, flooded and coloured but like all rivers you do have to pick your spot. It fishes the best (at least for me) when the summer river is up 18” to 2ft and slightly coloured.

Tactics are simple – 10lb line, running lead, short hook-link of 8-12 inches, size 10 or 12 hook baited with pellet, luncheon meat or meatball. This can be mounted on a hair or in the case of meat and meatball directly on to the hook. It can be tempting to scale down your tackle if bites are slow in coming but be mindful some of the swims hold snags and those “Teme Tigers” pull hard. I find that the way I fish I don’t need anything heavier than a 1oz lead and as I fish with a split cane rod and centre pin reel I rarely cast much more than half way across the river and often under the rod tip. I also introduce free offerings before and regularly during my session and for extra pulling power toward my hook bait I will attach a small PVA bag to concentrate the feed.

Friends have used hempseed to feed the swim and a swim-feeder is a popular method of introducing a steady trickle of free offerings. As I said at the outset it can be a fickle river but the barbel are there, along with the chub and under normal circumstances I would expect to catch within the first hour or so. I tend to stay put especially if I catch but will sometimes move to another swim if my rod top remains motionless and my bait does not receive any attention. I know that others regularly rove the fishery, pre-baiting as they go and fishing those swims again on the way back and I know that works for them too. Indeed if you can manage to fish mid-week there is every chance you will have the upper or lower fishery to yourself. Just remember none of it is rocket science and whilst you have a baited hook in the water you have a chance of catching.

Unless the river is in full flood there is no real need to fish with the rod high, this is a small, intimate river and with a centrepin in use I usually point the rod toward the water, keeping the angle of the line low.

The winter floods have a habit of changing the topography of the river bed and a favourite snag known to hold fish can disappear after a few days of heavy water. It’s the beauty and frustration of the Teme but it makes for an interesting and at times challenging fishery for the angler to pit his or her wits against.

On her first ever trip to Bransford my daughter had two barbel over 9lbs from two separate swims, losing an earlier fish from the first swim after only 15 minutes. I blanked that day but then that’s another story, her delight alone was enough to sustain me that day!

Les Darlington – Fishery manager

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