Stratford Upon Avon Angling Association
Hampton Lucy Brook
Stratford Angling Associations little gem of a water coming off the Avon close to Hampton Lucy. Members only, no day tickets available.
Fabulous piece of 'out the way' water for those who like something different, and worth the annual licence on its own. Hampton Lucy brook runs off the unnavigable stretch of the Avon a few miles from Stratford for approximately a mile, starting at the upstream end of the water is the fantastically picturesque weir with the grounds of Alveston House providing the backdrop, the weir pool is quite deep with 7 foot of water under your rod tip and 10-11 feet in the middle, there are two swims to have a go at with the water flowing back on its self like a cauldron, you could use a feeder, stick float or the pole here and catch anything including some large predator's that hang around in the deeper holes in the pool.
Once out of the weir pool your into a long narrow straight with some pace and with the depth shallowing up to around 5 feet down the middle, you can see the bottom which is gravel for the most part with areas of slack water and blend lines over the far side to fish in, its nice to travel light and have a roam around, with a decent pair of polaroids you may be able to spot and nab decent fish by adopting a stealthy approach.
In places the stretch is like a mini Hampshire Avon but there are a good number of clear swims to trot a stick float down with a few pegs on bends that are great places to fish the float or a small feeder, Trotting a stick float overdepth with meat, holding back hard and inching it down can pay dividends.
Small rivers hold big fish and this stretch confirms that, its an incredibly peaceful water to fish and on a recent trip I was really taken by the amount of wildlife down there, newly installed platforms have made it a comfortable place to spend some time, lovely and unique members only place to fish.
Directions & Parking
From Stratford head toward Hampton Lucy on the Stratford Road, toward postcode (CV37 0NE), the entrance to the water is actually at Hatton Rock, around 1 mile from Hampton Lucy on a shallow bend in the road there is a v shaped (in and out) entrance to a farm gate
Pull up in front of the gate and use the code in your Stratford AA book to get through, parking is around 30 yards on the left, there is no driving down to the water which is around a hundred yards away.
Non Fishy Facts
Charlecote park which is close to the brook is famous for its deer, back in the day it is said that a young Shakespeare used to poach deer from the estate which is owned by the Lucy family, Thomas Lucy the grandson of the owner became good friends with Shakespeare and it is said he spent a considerable amount of time in his earlier life around the Charlecote estate.
