Nick Baggaley, River Trent

My favourite stretches to fish are the River Trent near to where I fished as a lad and where I now live. The river has changed a lot since I fished as a kid...

My favourite peg: Nick Baggerley My favourite peg: Nick Baggaley

Name: Nick Baggaley

Current vlub: N/A

Age when I started fishing: 6 or 7

First canal (river): River Trent, Caythorpe

Favourite species: Pike

Favourite bait: A tricky question as I use all methods for catching pike. If I was to choose a deadbait I would say smelt. This bait always seems to produce. I like that it is pale in colour so stands out a little in murky water.

If I was to choose a lure I would say a Manns, One minus. This shallow diving lure is very versatile especially in shallow or snaggy water. It’s not just for pike fishing either, hub seem to love it too.

Greatest angling achievement: Although I have caught bigger elsewhere I would have to say catching my first 20lb plus pike from the River Trent. Fish of this size are very special anyway but a Trent twenty is a true specimen.

Remaining biggest single ambition in angling: To keep catching!  Joking aside, just to keep learning, to gain a better understanding of fish, particularly pike.

All time hero: Fred Buller MBE. The man was such a knowledge on pike and pike angling. Author of many books on the subject that are now legendary tomes in the world of pike angling.

The river has changed a lot since I fished as a kid where the usual catch would be gudgeon, roach and perch. Nowadays, the river is popular for specimen fishing

Nick Baggaley

My favourite stretches to fish are the River Trent near to where I fished as a lad and where I now live. The river has changed a lot since I fished as a kid where the usual catch would be gudgeon, roach and perch. Nowadays, the river is popular for specimen fishing, with large barbel, chub and carp caught each year.

The river below Holme Pierrepont (just downstream of Nottingham) through to Hazelford lock near Newark has some amazing features and the beautiful scenery of the Trent valley. There are numerous weirs, locks and bridges, all of which can hold good fish. The wildlife there is amazing. Kingfishers are common, I have seen otters on a couple of occasions, had the privilege of landing a salmon for a fellow angler and observed birds such as hobby and little egret.

I am lucky enough to own a small boat, which I take out locally in the search of pike.

I also own a coracle I made some time ago which is still going strong. I can often be seen floating about in the river casting a fly for pike.

Nick Baggaley and his coracle

Please be safe if venturing afloat. You should be equipped with oars as well as a reliable engine (not needed for a coracle!)  A good anchor is also needed in case of a breakdown.

Let people know where you are going and what time you are likely home. Carry a charged mobile phone and always wear a suitable life jacket.

If you intend to use a boat on Canal & River Trust rivers or canals you will need a licence for your craft. A short term boat licence may be suitable for occasional fishing trips.

Remember, if you are fishing non-tidal waters you will need to abide by the relevant angling clubs’ rules for the stretch you will be fishing. This will mean you will need to be a club member or purchase a day ticket.

In the locations mentioned above the main controlling clubs are:

Notts Anglers Association

Ashfield Anglers 

Nottingham Federation of Anglers