The Welney Website
Welney Angling Club
page created Jan 2005, last amended/updated Saturday, 11 July 2009
March and June 2007 updates:
This page is part of The Welney Website, the community site for the parish of Welney, and was posted in this format in Jan 2005, based on content provided by previous webmasters.
In early 2007 the local angling club launched its own website. If you've landed here by mistake, or want to see the current details, rules and contacts, cast your rod towards: Welney Angling Club.
This page remains on the community site for historical archiving purposes, but please be aware the text may be out of date or incorrect. Also note some photos are linked from other websites, and will only appear if the other site(s) continue to publish them.
The club was formed in 1985 taking over stretches of the local rivers from the Sheffield Angling Association. The club controls fishing on both banks of the Old Bedford River from the old Welney Hotel approx one mile upstream (SW) of the Bedford bridge to the double lift mill at Cock Fen 1½ miles downstream (NE) from the bridge, and also on the west bank of the River Delph, from the Delph bridge downstream (NW) for just over 4 miles to Welmore sluice. Fishing is not allowed on the east bank of the Delph.
These two adjacent rivers are close to the village, and just a short stroll from the Lamb & Flag Inn where meals and refreshments are available throughout much of the day. Parking on the roads and bridges is banned and on the Bedford Bank East parking is limited, and by courtesy of Welney Parish Hall. There is however, ample parking on the pub car park courtesy of Elgood & Sons Brewery.
The rivers are non-tidal and have very little flow. They have pike to 28lbs, some zander, lots of roach, bream, perch, rudd & some carp. The Delph is well known as a good water for pike and zander, and also has some large carp and most other species. Just downstream of the Delph bridge is a pool (large photo below) where the river widens from its usual 15m (50ft) to about 30m (100ft) and the depth increases from 2m (6ft) to over 6m (20ft). Needless to say this is a good fish holding area. Margin fishing is good with red-worm or sweet corn.
Normal water rules apply (No live baiting or bloodworm, 2 rods only, no litter), but please read the full rules below. Note that night fishing is subject to rules 2 & 14. Day tickets at £4, and season tickets at £12 (or £6 for O.A.P.s and juniors under 16) are available only on the bank. Club membership details as below. Tackle and bait used to be available at the village shop, the Post Office Stores in New Road, but the owners retired in June 2007 and the shop has closed.
For information on fishing elsewhere in Welney, go to our fishing page.
the east side of the pool on the River Delph just north of the bridge
Ivan on Bedford Bank East just south of the sluice
Rules (as at 2002/3): go to Welney Angling Club for current rules.
1. Only members residing within a 12 mile radius of the village of Welney are entitled to vote at the A.G.M.
2. A maximum of TWO rods can be fished on club waters at any one time.
3. No camping or night fishing on club waters between one hour after dark and one hour before dawn Friday and Saturday nights.
4. Matches to be fished in accordance with N.F.A. rules. All pike and Zander are to be excluded.
5. Anglers must never leave tackle unattended by the river. The club has the right to confiscate unattended tackle.
6. No fishing from the bridges at any time.
7. Fishing shot and weights must comply with current environmental agency legislation, ie. no lead to be used between 1/2 oz. and No. 8.
8. All anglers must produce authority to fish (Club book or day ticket) upon request of a bailiff or club member.
9. No litter, discarded line, shot or bait is to be left on the bank by any member.
10. Bloodworm and joker are not to be used on the club waters at any time.
11. Fishing is BANNED within 30 metres of overhead cables. Fishing near overhead cables can be fatal.
12. No radio/cassettes are to be used by fishermen during their time spent on the bank.
13. No access to any section of the club water via the Ouse wash bank. Use of this access is strictly prohibited. Fishing is banned from the wash side.
14. No night fishing at any time in the section indicated by the W.W.T./W.A.C. signs.
15. No fishing at any time after November 30th in the section indicated by the W.W.T. / W.A.C. signs.
16. Access to all waters is from Welney bridge only. No legal access exists at any other point to club waters.
17. Any sign of pollution must be reported to either the Environment Agency or the committee immediately. Phone: (01354) 610xxx.
18. Any member in breach of the club rules may, at the discretion of the committee have his/her membership withdrawn.
19. The decision of the committee is final.
20. W.A.C. request that all persons walking through the environmentally sensitive section walk on the Bedford side of the bank and not on the Delph side or along the top of the bank.
RULES SPECIFIC TO PIKE AND ZANDER FISHERMEN.
21. Individual Pike/Zander anglers must not occupy an area greater than two swims.
22. Live bait must NEVER be used in Welney Angling Club waters.
23. Pike and Zander baits must not be caught and removed for use in other waters.
24. No freshwater fish caught on club waters over 5 inches in length to be used as bait.
25. No pike or Zander in excess of seven pounds in weight can be removed from club waters.
26. Livebait buckets are not allowed on club waters. Live fish cannot be brought to or taken from club waters. Any angler caught using Livebait will be asked to leave.
27. No parking of vehicles on the Bedford or Delph bridges or associated footpaths.