Fishing in Berkshire By Philip Burton

Famous for being one of England's oldest counties (dating back to when Alfred the Great first demarcated County boundaries), and housing England's oldest and most famous public school - Eton College - as well as Windsor Castle, Berkshire is also a county crossed by two great rivers. The Rivers Kennet and Thames have both created gorgeous riverscapes and lush valleys in their wake. Both rivers provide excellent clues as to why you might wish to try fishing in Berkshire.

Aldermaston Mill offers one of the few opportunities currently available for day ticket fishing on the Kennet. Situated where the River Enbourne joins the Kennet, the Mill is a superb setting for coarse fishing, especially if big barbel and chub tickle your fancy (try the lawn swims below the weir for some truly spectacular catches). The water flows more slowly through the upper swims, and it's positively pinging with bream, carp and roach. Be warned, though: the venue is exceptionally popular in the summer, and if you want to stand a chance of getting a ticket, you'll have to get there early.

If river fishing rocks your boat (not too literally, hopefully) you'd also do well to approach the Farnborough And District Angling Society (FADAS), which controls a stretch of the River Loddon at Sindlesham Mill. This strip of the river contains some of the best barbel and chub coarse fishing in the country (not to mention the hefty pike, perch and bream).

Stillwater anglers will also find plenty to keep them happy when fishing in Berkshire. For instance, the two beautiful sheltered lakes in deepest rural Berkshire offered by Finch Farm Fishery near Maidenhead. You'll find an impressive stock of bream, carp, chub, perch, pike, roach, rudd and tench here. Both lakes are totally enclosed by tree-lined grass embankments: the smaller of the two features around 18 swims and thick reed beds, whilst the larger boasts more than 40 swims. The Fishery runs open matches all season round.

Over in White Waltham you'll discover another irresistible reason to go fishing in Berkshire in the form of the splendid Pondwood Fisheries, with its three superb coarse fishing lakes (one of which dates back to medieval times). It includes another stillwater called the Snake, which also has a medieval pedigree. Originally a one metre wide brook, the Snake has been widened and is now brimful with thousands of fish, including carp, chub, roach, rudd and tench, all of which were home grown at the Pondwood complex. The lakes span approximately an acre each and the older one has a central island which is accessible by bridge. This medieval lake is teeming with catfish, carp, chub, roach and tench (the carp originate from Italy and spawn three times a year). You're guaranteed a fantastic day's fishing here and it'll suit all anglers, regardless of skill level.

The county boasts innumerable other fantastic venues, including the Midgham Sections of the Kennet and Avon Canal near Brigham. This mile-long stretch of the canal runs from Cramwell Bridge to Heales Lock and is controlled by the Reading and District Angling Society. It boasts a variety of fish, including roach, perch, chub, bream and pike, a coarse fisherman's dream.

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