River Cherwell

[Goosequill]

Good afternoon.
Thought I would start a thread about the Cherwell. I'm interested to hear how it is lately? I fished it regularly around 2004 onwards and it was a bad session not to have a chub over 4lb, often 5lb, in a session. It seems to have suffered miserably of late thanks to the usual suspects however would be good to hear how it is.
I should add I had a session on it two seasons ago without a sniff and had an eye to eye encounter with an otter swimming through my swim which would have dampened my chances that time.

[Trevor]

The general consensus is that 'it ain't what it used to be'.
I fished the Somerton stretch a few times around 10 years ago and caught a few chub up to 2lbs, and there were some pike present - a good sign, I suppose, as they need a food source.
The last time I fished it was about two years ago where it crosses the Oxford canal near Anyho. I caught nothing from the river, but caught a 2lb perch from the canal (a lucky catch as I was tiddler snatching, and it probably took the hook as it ploughed into the shoal I had attracted with some loose fed maggots).

[AllRounder]

It’s a real shame that this wonderful little river has declined to the extent it has. There are very few if any positive reports now.
I tried the length at the back of the Oxford canal at Kirlington several years ago for just one dace!

[Olly]

It seems the rivers around Oxford have declined - Windrush, Cherwell, Evenlode, Thame and even the Thames itself.

But I must add it is not only around Oxford!

[Luga00]

The above mentioned Cherwell, Evenlode, Oxon Thames etc. were my home waters growing up from the late 60's through to the late 70's. These cherished waters were teeming with fish at that time. I've long since moved away but I'm lead to believe that any 'pull on the line' in those stretches nowadays is most likely from signal crayfish than anything else.
Russ

[DaceAce]

The reports I've seen recent on the Thames around Oxford have been very favourable. The smaller rivers mentioned seem to be much poorer than in the past.

[Goosequill]

Thanks for the posts so far, a little sorrowful to hear about current reports.
The Thames has been ok, seem to be catching more Roach than before and interestingly the number of signal crays is, I'm finding, on the up after virtually dissapearing. I'm not bothered by that as it means the Perch and Chub will get feasting on them again I hope.
The Cherwell has always "looked" odd to me for several years recently with a weird all year tinge to it (run off, sewage??) which doesn't remind me of it when I first fished it late 2003, early 2004. I really hope it can bounce back as it was mind blowing chub fishing for several years.