Bransford; River Teme

Winding its way through the Worcestershire countryside flows one of the most populated barbel rivers in the country, the River Teme. The Teme valley is a fishermen's paradise offering everything the barbel angler could wish for.

The Barbel Society controls two adjoining stretches at Bransford, giving approximately 2 miles of glorious barbel fishing. We have three bankside car parks located conveniently along the length of the fishery giving good access points to the swims. Each car park is padlocked giving the angler piece of mind that their vehicle is secure whilst they are fishing. We even permit night fishing on the Bransford Bridge section of the fishery.

The whole stretch just oozes character, with every type of barbel swim imaginable. There are so many features, sunken trees, rafts, shallows, deeps, bends, overhanging bushes, allowing you to combine all the skills of a good river angler.

Whether you prefer to sit in the same swim or rove around, either approach will work. Just remember strong tackle is paramount, Teme barbel are very hard fighters and will test your tackle to the limits, 1¾lb TC rods, 10lb mainline, 12 lb hooklengths are a must.

The average size of fish is 4-6 lb, and catching 12-15 or more in a day is a realistic target. There are fish all over the stretch and really lends itself to the roving approach. You can turn up in the week and find you are the only one there, with total freedom of the entire stretch.

My own approach is very much geared to this roving style. I travel with the minimum amount of tackle using baits like pellets, boiles and paste and opportunist cast in all the likely looking fishy areas. This approach has proved very successful over the past couple of years and I have had a number of sessions where I have taken more than 10 fish, with many over 8lb.

I have been fortunate enough to land fish to over 11lb and know of fish over 13lb, so who knows what the true potential is. There is no shortage of other species as well, roach, bream, dace, pike and chub, the latter I have taken to over 5lb during the winter, making it one of the most balanced river fisheries in the country.

So where can you go to catch 15 barbel in a session with a chance of fish up to and over 10lb? Not many places, but Bransford is certainly a venue where this is achievable. So if you fancy fishing in some of the most beautiful surroundings, catching hard-fighting fit fish, then why not give it a go. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

It is simply a joy to fish.

Simon Asbury 2003

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