These two stretches of the beautiful Warwickshire Avon provide consistent sport in winter and summer. Being conveniently located close to the centre of Stratford means that angling can be combined with other activities for all the family. Quality shops, pubs, restaurants and the Stratford Leisure Centre with swimming pool are all nearby.

Both stretches have superb shoals of roach which often provide double figure bags. The Lido has a good head of chub, especially in swims with overhanging trees and bushes. In the upstream swims, these are joined by some quality dace and occaisional barbel. Other species include gudgeon, bream, pike, zander and eels. Big carp now inhabit the first few pegs opposite the theatre on the Recreation Ground stretch and recent match catches of bream have approached 100lbs. Truly a superb stretch of river, whatever your prefered method. As if all this were not enough, the downstream section at the Recreation Ground holds a good number of barbel into double figures. Feeder fished maggot, corn, hemp and recently pellets are the best baits.

Recent electro-fishing surveys by the Environment Agency have confirmed the huge head of quality fish in this section of the Avon (see picture). Quantities of Zander have been removed.

In summer, waggler and pole are the most productive methods with hemp, maggot and caster combinations working best. A stick float can also prove useful in certain swims. In summer, when the water is clear and the weather warm, hemp or tares can bring roach and chub on the feed. Tackle may need to be scaled down to a 22 hook to 1lb hooklength.

Boat traffic and huge numbers of tourists tend to keep anglers away from the Recreation Ground in summer, but autumn and winter, with a little more pace and colour in the river create one of the most prolific lengths of the river Avon. Stick, waggler and feeder all produce well and a link ledger, gently edged along the bottom can be the deadliest method. Double or single maggot is the prefered bait, again with a size 22 to 1lb hooklength. Best areas are opposite the Shakespeare Theatre, opposite and downstream of the church and at the Lido, the sandbank and upstream island pegs with the Lido itself providing a haven for fish (and anglers!) in flood conditions.

TICKETS. Leamington Angling members or day tickets on the bank.

PARKING. For the Lido, park in the car park off the A439 (see map). This is free at the time of writing. For the Recreation Ground, park in the public car park (pay and display) or if you intend fishing towards Lucy's Mill, you can park at the Greenways car park on Seven Meadows Road which is free and only 5 minutes walk down to the river and over the footbridge.

MATCH BOOKINGS. For information, contact Pauline Haynes on 01926 424491.

email Pauline Haynes