The A to Z of Canal Fishing
From aliens to zeds and everything in between, it's the definitive (sort of) guide to canal fishing in the UK
A is for aliens
American signal crayfish. On the one hand, bastards. Egg-munching, plague-spreading bastards. On the other, perch do seem to grow very big on these, sooooooo...
B is for bridges
Always, always, always worth a look.
C is for chunks
As in perch (usually, but other species may qualify) of respectable size and rotund proportions (see also F, H, U).
D is for drop-shotting
Particularly useful around B & L.
E is for exercise
You'll get plenty of this if you're a lure fishermen plying your trade on canals. Fish won't always be where you found them last time. Keep moving and keep covering water, you'll find them eventually.
F is for fatties
Rude but affectionate slang for larger-than-average perch (see also C, H, U).
G is for graffiti
Usually of a pretty poor standard, sadly. See B for where to find this.
H is for hogs
More infrequently used, slightly American slang for above-average perch (see also C, F, U).
I is for idiots
The kind of people who contribute to P and R.
J is for jacks
"Is it a perch? Please be a big perch... nope, it's a pike."
K is for kayakers
Take themselves quite seriously, don't they?
L is for locks
As long as the boaters are out of the way, superb fish-holding structure.
M is for Mepps
Because sometimes old-school is the only school.
N is for non-fishermen
"Caught anything? Are there fish in here then?" You know how this conversation goes.
O is for open
Even during the close season (but not everywhere, so make sure you check).
P is for poo
Mostly dog poo. Not always, though - but let's not dwell on that...
Q is for quiet
Shhhhh. Let stealth be your friend - fish will often be right under your feet and tight up against the near bank.
R is for rubbish
Plastic bags, discarded tackle, bags of dogshit. Really quite a lot of this.
S is for snags
Bicycles, trees and trolleys, festooned with all manner of soft plastics and crank baits. Goodbye ned rig #68.
T is for 'the track'
The deeper middle channel - often overlooked in favour of the near and far margins, and a great place to focus on when the water temps drop.
U is for unit
As in fish of really quite impressive proportions (see also C, F, H).
V is for vermin
Rats mostly, but the occasional person too.
W is for wasps
Slang for small perch. Not a derogatory term.
X is for XL
Some surprisingly big fish inhabit our canals.
Y is for youth
Canals are hard to beat if you're looking for somewhere to introduce your kids to fishing - cheap, accessible, rewarding and fun.
Z is for zeds
As in zander, the prince of darkness and a welcome resident in many UK canals.
