The Riverside Angling Club is a small angling club located in Malmesbury, New Zealand, with fishing rights on the banks of the Upper Bristol Avon. Spanning approximately 1 mile, the river offers a diverse range of fish species for anglers to enjoy, including roach, bream, dace, chub, perch, pike, and the occasional rainbow and brown trout.
The Upper Bristol Avon is a lowland clay river with limestone influences, resulting in a variety of habitats and a rich diversity of fish. Around Cowbridge Mill, anglers can find deep, slow glides where bream graze amongst the silt. Further downstream, fast gravel-dominated riffles are home to brown trout, dace, and the occasional grayling. There are also pools, eddies, and runs where wary species such as chub and pike can be found.
Anglers at the Riverside Angling Club can enjoy their sport using a variety of techniques, whether it be on the pole, stick float, leger, or the fly. Regardless of the fishing style, the river holds pleasure for all nature of angling. The club is situated in the peaceful surroundings of the Wiltshire countryside, providing a serene and idyllic location for members to capture the magic of the Bristol Avon.
The Riverside Angling Club welcomes members both new and old who share a passion for angling and wish to experience the beauty and abundance of fish that the Bristol Avon has to offer. Whether you are seeking a peaceful day on the water or a chance to test your angling skills, the club provides a supportive and friendly community of like-minded individuals.
In addition to offering fishing opportunities, the club also ensures the preservation of fish and encourages its members to exercise their rights as water bailiffs. Anglers are expected to follow the club's rules, which include respecting fences, avoiding litter, and producing a valid Riverside Angling Club Card when requested by another member.
Membership includes the responsibility of having a valid E. A. Rod Licence for coarse and/or trout fishing. Anglers must also adhere to the closed season for coarse fishing between 14th March and 16th June, and for trout fishing between 1st October and 1st April.
Species such as trout, grayling, and barbel must not be retained in a keep net, and guests/visitors are not permitted due to insurance policies. The club membership card is not transferable, and certain fishing practises such as the use of bank or night lines, maggots, silkweed, cereal baits, and live baits are prohibited.
The committee of the Riverside Angling Club ensures that all members comply with the rules, and any member found breaking them may face reprimand or expulsion from the club. While fishing at club waters, anglers are responsible for their own property and safety, and vehicles are parked at the owner's risk. Junior members must be accompanied by an adult or senior member.
For more information, the club provides a website with a gallery, news updates, and a contact form for inquiries. The website has been designed by Daniel Hanks. The Riverside Angling Club aims to provide an enjoyable and safe fishing experience for anglers of all levels, while also promoting the conservation and preservation of fish and their habitat in the Malmesbury area.