Shropshire & the Marches
The River Severn is Britain's longest river at 220 miles, and this is where it first arrives in England from Wales — through Shrewsbury (looping right around the town centre), the Ironbridge Gorge, and on to Bridgnorth. It carries the biggest water flow of any river in England and Wales, and through Shropshire it's genuinely dual-purpose water: barbel to double figures and chub through the middle reaches, with salmon fishing concentrated mainly around the weirs below Shrewsbury.
The Severn's major tributary here, the River Teme, deserves its reputation as one of the best barbel rivers in the country — its entire length is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England, a rare distinction, reflecting genuinely high water quality and largely undeveloped banks. The Teme is also a proper trout and grayling river in its upper reaches, alongside its own tributaries the Onny, Rea and Clun.
Rivers
River Severn (Shrewsbury & Ironbridge)
Shrewsbury Town Fisheries offers some of the finest river match fishing in the country alongside well-renowned barbel sections — fish to 13lb reported, plus chub to 7lb. At Ironbridge, "Dale End Park" is known for silvers, chub and pike, while the Buildwas stretches (shallower, faster, rockier) are prime barbel water.
Barbel · Match fishingRiver Teme
Rises in Wales, crosses into England near Knighton and joins the Severn south of Worcester. Designated SSSI along its entire length. Nationally renowned barbel river with runs of salmon, plus trout and grayling in its upper reaches around Ludlow.
Barbel · Trout · GraylingRiver Onny, Rea & Clun
Teme tributaries offering further small-stream wild trout fishing in genuinely unspoilt, lightly-fished countryside around Ludlow.
Wild troutRiver Vyrnwy, Cain, Banwy & Mule
Upper Severn catchment streams straddling the Welsh border, offering small-stream wild trout fishing for those willing to explore beyond the main river.
Wild troutGeneral guide only — much of the Severn and Teme is club-controlled, though free Environment Agency stretches exist at spots like Coalport. Always confirm current permits, season dates and rules before fishing, and check river levels before wading the Severn given its high flow.
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