Terry Nutt: Goldstone
I have fished the Goldstone/Soudley stretches of the Shropshire Union Canal for many years beginning as a youngster in britches right up to now as a ‘youthful’ pensioner, still competing in club matches, Drennan and Winter Leagues as well as enjoying many hours of pleasure fishing.
Angler's name: Terry Nutt
Current club, team or sponsor: Hodnet Angling Club
Age started fishing: five
Favourite fish species: roach
Favourite fishing bait: hemp
Greatest angling achievement: gaining funding for improving fishing access/facilities for disabled anglers at two Hodnet Angling Waters. Secondly, Team NFA National Winners Medal
Angling ambition: to win an Irish Fishing Festival, closely followed by winning the Canal & River Trust/Angling Trust Canal Pairs Championship.
Angling hero: Kevin Ashurst
"The section between bridges 55 to 54 of the canal has just about everything going for it."
The section between bridges 55 to 54 of the canal has just about everything going for it. The Goldstone Wharf Pub stands close to bridge 55, it serves good beer and hearty meals, you can even camp on the caravan park attached to the pub. Peg 120 is sited at bridge 55 through to Peg 83 at Bridge 54, which is known as a dead bridge to anglers as it can only be accessed by farm traffic.
My favourite peg is Peg 90 (formally peg 40 until re-pegging some years ago). Gone are the old bream shoals from these particular pegs, but they have been replaced by chub which will give you some fun going up to 5lbs. Kingfishers frequent this spot, a glint of blue passing in the blink of an eye, unfortunately the furry pest mink and of even more concern the cormorant can also make an appearance.
My best days fishing from this spot was an evening club match, with a merry band of forty year olds. The catch on this memorable day was 28lbs of bream and a few gudgeon. Everyone caught using a lovely array of red worms, don’t worry Paul Turner if you read this, they were not bloodworm.
The odd carp used to show up in matches, my personal best came from this peg weighing in at 13lbs 6ozs (as you can see I am struggling to stay metric).
Good fish holding area
The canal at Goldstone is some 14 metres wide, 5 feet deep in the channel with nice shelves either side. Peg 90 has always had the benefit of far side trees and roots providing a good fish holding area. There are few walkers or cyclists just the passing boaters to pass the time of day.
Hodnet Angling Club not only lease the Goldstone/Soudley/Market Drayton marina , bridges 61-66, but together with Wyche and Wem Angling Clubs includes bridges 48 -58.
More information on Hodnet Angling Clubs waters can be found on our website: www.hodnetanglingclub.co.uk
Alternatively contact membership secretary Mr Roger Higginson (01630 658055). Day tickets can be obtained for all waters except the Market Drayton Marina which can only be fished by full club members having purchased a memerbship card in advance.