`Ivel Protection AssociationBarnet and District A.C. members have free membership to the Ivel Protection Association. They have stretches on the river Ivel from Langford to Blunham (around ten miles of riverbank), including the excellent Biggleswade Common where 50lb weights of Chub are easily possible on the right day. There is also excellent bream fishing at Broom Mill, for specimen bags of roach try Sandy New Road or the Dead River. www.ipafishing.co.ukCourse of the IvelThe River Ivel rises just north of Baldock in Hertfordshire, but most of its course lies within Bedfordshire. It flows through Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow, Langford, Biggleswade, Sandy and Blunham. It joins the Great Ouse near Tempsford. The total length is about 25 km(18 miles).TributariesThe Purwell and Oughton are chalk streams which join as a confluence at Ickleford in North Hertfordshire to form the River Hiz, this in turn joins the Ivel near the village of Henlow. Other tributaries are the Rivers Flit & Hit, which join in Shefford becoming the Ivel Navigation Chanel (Navigation now ceased) eventualy this joins the Ivel at Langford. BADAC - Barnet and District Angling Club`
MethodsThe 2 most popular methods of fishing the river are using a pole or ledgering. Trotting through with a stick float or waggler can still be very effective and at one time was the chosen method of most anglers. Pole fishing on the Ivel is a very effective method as 10 metres is about all that is needed on most stretches. Chopped worm or maggot/caster can be extremely effective in putting together a chub catch.Ledgering is the popular method for chasing both the chub and barbel with some surprises coming out like a near 3 lb roach and a 10lb bream all on pellet chasing barbel. Baits long forgotten are bread in the winter months or even a bit of cheese may work very well Where to TryBarbel: Biggleswade Back Meadows and Common are the most heavily fished for barbel with fish being regularly caught in double figures. However there are other spots and the best advice is to go and walk the river, check it out, in truth there are barbel all along the river.Chub: Fish to 8lbs have come out of the river and this species is common along the entire length in both shallow and deeper parts. Biggleswade Common is the most popular venue for chub but the biggest ones often come out of the deeper stretches.Silver Fish (Roach & Dace): There are good roach and dace in the river but not the numbers as in the past. Try the upper reaches beyond Biggleswade Mill have a walk and a look; there is an old towpath along this section. The deeper sections around Sandy New Rd Bridge are also worth a try.Perch: Some big fish of over 3lbs can be caught at Broom upstream left bank from the mill. These fish have got fat on signal crayfish so prepare for some silly knocks on your line.Finally try something a bit wild the IPA has a short stretch in Blunham Village you can find it on the map. Rarely fished it holds all species well worth a look.
HistoryThe Ivel was once an important part of the river and canal transport system. The 7 miles from its confluence with the Gt. Ouse at Tempsford to Biggleswade was made navigable in 1758 and a further extension to this was made in 1823 by making a five-mile extension from Biggleswade to Shefford known as the Ivel Navigation Canal. The old pound locks now in ruins can still be seen at various locations along the river. Navigation was officially closed in 1878 as by this time railways had mostly replaced the canal systems as the major source of transport. Another important part of the river use was to supply energy to "Water Mills" . Although none are still working today the actual buildings of some can still be seen at Stotfold, Langford and Biggleswade. Most of the towns and villages along the river have a road called "Mill Lane".Radwell in Hertfordshire is an old manor house and mill situated on the Ivel whose origins date back a 1000 years to Edward the Confessor. The Mill was included in the Doomesday Book of 1086 and declared as worth 6s. 8d. (34p in todays money).
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Ivel Protection Association
Barnet and District A.C. members have free membership to the Ivel Protection Association.
They have stretches on the river Ivel from Langford to Blunham (around ten miles of riverbank), including the excellent Biggleswade Common where 50lb weights of Chub are easily
possible on the right day. There is also excellent bream fishing at Broom Mill, for specimen bags of roach try Sandy New Road or the Dead River. www.ipafishing.co.uk
Course of the Ivel
The River Ivel rises just north of Baldock in Hertfordshire, but most
of its course lies within Bedfordshire. It flows through Stotfold,
Arlesey, Henlow, Langford, Biggleswade, Sandy and Blunham. It
joins the Great Ouse near Tempsford. The total length is about 25
km(18 miles).
Tributaries
The Purwell and Oughton are chalk streams which join as a
confluence at Ickleford in North Hertfordshire to form the River Hiz,
this in turn joins the Ivel near the village of Henlow. Other
tributaries are the Rivers Flit & Hit, which join in Shefford
becoming the Ivel Navigation Chanel (Navigation now ceased)
eventualy this joins the Ivel at Langford.
BADAC - Barnet and District Angling Club
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