10/09/2026 - Back on the river at last

Sad news recently about the death of Trent fishing legend and local character Archie Braddock. Was lucky enough to fish with Archie, mastering trotting with the long rod and paternostering for perch under his tutelage, although his propensity for speed made the drive to the river from his house in Long Eaton a real white knuckle experience! With a bit more water in the local rivers I was keen to get out this week with the float rod. However, demands of work kept pushing my plans back and it was Friday afternoon before I managed to find the time to head the short distance down the motorway to the River Soar near Kegworth. Go the chesties on and then headed up to the top of the section. The hot weather and low river levels over the summer seemed to have suited the dreaded floating pennywort as there were thick beds of it all the way up to the Deep Lock. Crossed over the lock gates onto the island and walked up to my usual spot downstream of the weir, negotiating several new fallen…