2026/27 Memberships now available!

Annual Closure of Brink Kiln Pits - 16th March - 16th June 2026

Memberships can be purchased from the following locations:

Stafford Angling Centre Ltd
Unit 1A Gainsborough Works, St. Patricks Street, Stafford,

ST16 2PN.

Open and league competions will be held throughout 2026:

Call Alan for more details 01785 213599

River Sow:

Two sections at Brancote Sewage Works and Milford offering two contrasting but complementary small‑river fishing, each with its own character, species balance, and tactical considerations.

Together they form one of the most interesting parts of this compact Staffordshire river, known for its chub, roach, perch, bream, and pike populations.

Brancote is widely regarded as one of the best sections of the Sow, especially for chub, bream, and pike. 
The Brancote stretch combines several features that make it a productive section of the River Sow. Slightly deeper glides and bends create reliable holding areas where shoals of bream and better‑sized roach settle, while overhanging trees, marginal vegetation, and undercut banks provide classic cover that chub use with confidence.

These same concentrations of silver fish attract predators, and pike are regularly caught here.

A range of methods work well in this area: trotting maggots is effective for roach and chub, bread flake or crust fished tight to cover tempts the chub that patrol the margins, worms or small deadbaits pick out perch and pike, and a light feeder approach with groundbait produces bream and skimmers in the deeper bends.

The Milford stretch sits downstream and is a narrow, intimate section of the River Sow, often only a few metres wide, ideal for close‑quarters fishing.

In summer, thick weed growth creates small pockets and channels where fish naturally hold, and trotting a bait through these gaps can be especially effective. During winter the water becomes much clearer, and although fish can be easily spooked, careful presentation can reveal surprisingly good chub and perch.

The river’s bends and undercut banks further concentrate fish, offering classic holding areas for these species. Effective tactics here include trotting a single maggot through the clearer runs for roach and small chub, fishing small worms around snags for perch, and using bread punch or flake in the slower pockets to tempt both roach and chub.

A stealthy approach is essential, with light lines, small hooks, and minimal disturbance making a noticeable difference to results.

River Trent:

A short stretch downstream from Meadowlane Bridge at Little Haywood.

This part of the river is known for its mixture of pace and depth, giving anglers a variety of swims to approach and making it a productive and rewarding stretch for both specimen hunters and traditional river anglers. This part of the Trent is most notable for its large scholes of Chub and Perch alongside the usual silverfish and occasional Barbel, a favorite for many river anglers.

Although short, this stretch features many of the Trents signature features:

• High, vegetated banks with overhangling trees,
• Long glides ideal for trotting,
• Faster, oxygenated runs are prime territory for barbel. 
• Deep slack waters, an ideal holding area for silverfish and predators,
• Natural cover that encourages chub and barbel to hold close in.

A number of baits and tactics are effective here depending on the target species:

• Trotting maggots through the long glides for roach, dace, and chub,
• Meat, pellets, or boilies for barbel in the steadier, deeper runs,
• Feeder fishing with maggots, groundbait or pellets for a mixed bag of silvers,
• Spinners or deadbaits for pike in slower, deeper water.