The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Welcome Dzpotter. I lived in Wokingham for a while over 50 years ago, but although I would have liked to, was too busy to do any fishing at that time. A little later I lived in Reading, and fished the Kennet, often at the outflow from the Courage brewery, where the chub grew fat gorging the spent hops discharged into the river. The brewery may not even be there now - I've no idea.
Sorry I can't help with your search for waters, but good luck!

I am able to fish 3-4 different Kennet sections including parts where the river and canal combine.

Over the last few years the rivers' barbel and chub have rapidly declined on the parts I fish, still there but not in numbers making the fishing harder - much harder. It seems that there is a start of recovery with small barbel being caught occasionally. One section didn't have any barbel in numbers when I started to fish there so it appears to have gone full cycle - backwards 50 years!

A devastating pollution above Hungerford killed most of the invertebrates some years ago. Otters are now found along it length - the mink reduced.

Still the occasional big barbel can be found - if you are lucky - very lucky.

I have neither seen or fished the Wasing and left RDAA about 30 years ago.

to the forum
Nowadays the rivers don't seem to be used as much for fishing probably due to the number of commercial fisheries with easy access and plenty of fish to be caught.
Get out there and explore your old swims you may be pleasantly surprised

Wasing Estate river syndicate: - at £265 - expensive - - - plus a long waiting list!

Join Reading club or another local one for starters?

Welcome to the forum Daniel

Hello and welcome

Thank you everyone for your welcomes and advice.

Daniel I have been a member of Newbury Angling Association for many years, it’s a good club with several lengths of the Kennet, also exchange ticket with Civil Service AC, plus some good still water venues Regards Martin

I will just point out that I am a long time Member of the Civil Service AS - - just see my previous comment.