Hamstall Fishery offers a 700 metre stretch of the River Blithe, the majority of the farbank which is sometimes grazed right up to the waterside.

The width varies between 10 and 25 feet and the depths from one to six feet, particularly on the outside of the bends where the tree roots have created some spectacular chub haunts.

Regarded as grossly underfished and largely unknown to many of the Hamstall regulars, this stretch of the river holds super chub which have been caught to 6lbs, excellent dace with many shoals holding fish to 8oz, pike to 12lbs, a few roach and perch, eels and brown trout to 1lb, the occasional rainbow to 3lbs and grayling to 2lbs.

Anglers who regularly fish the water with both coarse techniques and fly say the most successfull method is to stalk because the water is usually gin clear and the fish scatter at the slightest noise, footfall or shadow.

In summer, however, the banks can become overgrown which provides plenty of cover - although you have to clear your own way to some of the pegs.

Trotting maggot or worm about 18 inches deep or legering the deeper swims and holes are the best coarse techniques.

Freelining using a short spinning rod and just one Swan shot to allow a bait of cheese or bread to trundle along the bottom is a good way of taking the bigger chub.

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