SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL
We have two stretches of the canal, our original stretch by Goldstone – where by means of various agreements with other clubs we can offer HAC members access to adjacent stretches too, plus, from 2014, a new HAC ‘members only’ stretch at Market Drayton.
See maps below to ensure you are fishing the right areas at the right times!
GOLDSTONE
Bridges 53-55 are leased to HAC, and bridges 51 – 53 are jointly leased with Wyche Angling Club.
Under a long standing reciprocal agreement, HAC Members can also fish the the Wyche Angling Club stretch (bridges 48 – 51) and the Wem Angling Club stretches (bridges 55 – 58).
Note. From 1/01/2013 an agreement has been made permitting members of Serck Audco Angling Club to fish a certain number of matches from bridges 53 – 55 only.
With over 120 pegs available and good access, this stretch of the canal has been a popular feature of the club for over 25 years.
Species include double figure Carp, Chub up to 5lb, Bream to 3lb, with the usual stocks of Gudgeon, Perch and Roach.
This water is recognised in the wider Midlands and North West, with several big competitions having been run on it, e.g. the Embassy Pairs, Angling Times Winter League semi finals, Fishmania and the National Championships.
Day tickets can be obtained in advance from the Membership Secretary, and club/match bookings can be made too.
Some pictures of the Goldstone stretch can be seen in the gallery below.
MARKET DRAYTON
After various issues with unauthorised fishing and angling conflict with boat owners, the Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT) has leased the canal between bridges 61 (Tyrley) and 66 (Betton Wood) to HAC at special terms.
From April 2018 a further strecth of the canal was added, i.e. Bridge 66 to 69 at Adderley.
MARKET DRAYTON 61 – 66 – SPECIAL RULES:
This stretch of water is visited by our bailiffs daily and some SPECIAL RULES MUST BE OBSERVED – the club’s reputation, and your membership, depends upon compliance!
Special Rules:
Members only – NO day tickets available. However, match bookings can be considered.
Fishing from towpath bank only.
Fishing will be allowed all the year round, i.e. no closed season, EXCEPT:
NO FISHING is allowed in the small marina stretch (between Bridges 62-63) at any time
NO FISHING is allowed in the big marina stretch (between Bridges 63-64) from 1st April to 30th Sept (inclusive).
When fishing the big marina stretch, casting tackle and throwing bait adjacent to the boat moorings is only allowed as far as the end of the boat landing platforms, and under no circumstances are poles or other fishing equipment to be fed through/over garden hedges/fences, etc.
Members breaking any of these rules will be asked to vacate the water immediately by the Water Bailiff, and be subject to disciplinary action by the Angling Club.
MARKET DRAYTON 66 – 69 – NORMAL CLUB RULES APPLY:
This length of the canal runs from Bridge 66 (Betton Wood) to Bridge 69 (canal turning basin at the top of Adderley locks).
There is very limited (free) roadside parking at Adderley, but arrangements have been made with a local farmer for parking near bridge 67 – see map and description below of how to access this parking.
Please note this parking is only available due to the goodwill of the farmer, and is given in return for payment of a small fee (£1) – which is to be placed in the white honesty box provided.
Access/Parking near bridge 67
Take the A 529 Adderley/Audlem Rd out of Market Drayton. From the ‘gingerbread’ roundabout on the edge of town drive for about 2 miles then turn right into drive/track leading to ‘The Lees’ farmhouse (Mr Brindley). Go down this (with row of conifer trees either side) until you reach a static caravan, then turn right through 2 sets of gates (ensure they are left either open or closed as you find them) and proceed along the old railway track where, after approx 600 yds, there is a gate on the left with a white honesty box attached to the gate post. Park just before it on the right hand offside of the track. Walk through the gate next to the honesty box and ahead you’ll see a tall tree across the field by bridge 67. Walk to the bridge and then take the towpath (left or right) to find a swim.
IMPORTANT – ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD YOU DRIVE ACROSSS THE FIELD UNLESS SPECIAL PERMISSION HAS BEEN SOUGHT FROM MR BRINDLEY – WHICH WILL USUALLY ONLY BE CONSIDERED, VIA THE CLUB, FOR SPECIAL MATCH EVENTS.
Parkling area on right – just before honesty box
Bridge 67 – a towpath ‘crossover’ (roving) bridge – showing the split towpath and farm access routes.