Bollin and Birkin Flyfishers club history

Bollin and Birkin Fly Fishers now control a large fishery comprising of approximately 20.8 kilometers in total. The main stream is the meandering Birkin Brook, a tributary of the River Bollin. The association was established on 23rd February 1870 as the Bollin Angling Association by four local gentlemen whose first official meeting recorded in the Minutes their future purpose: “The Preservation of Trout in the River Bollin”.

The Association has a dedicated band of enthusiasts who work on the improvement of the fishery, and the clubs existing mantra is “Birkin Fly Fishers, working with nature”. This level of dedication has seen the condition of the banks; water access and abundance of fly life improve incrementally year on year. Despite a predominantly sandy bed, intermittent gravel and weed beds have allowed flies such as Yellow Sally, Yellow May Dun, Blue Wing Olive and Mayfly to increase and this position has been further improved with the general husbandry and introduction of a fly board system. Other natural fishy foodstuffs include free swimming caddis, shrimp and nymphs such as Heptagenid, are all in abundance. This has “bucked the trend” in terms of Fly Life proliferation elsewhere. What we try to do is ensure that nothing intervenes to spoil the environment.

The fishing on the Birkin is supplemented by substantial fishing on Mobberley Brook in addition to that on The River Bollin which stretches for approx. 9.6 kilometers, upon which the EA have tracked radio tagged Salmon and Sea Trout.

A highly successful method for the wilier resident browns is ‘upstream nymphing’ and those who practice this method are frequently rewarded. A deftly placed dry fly also brings results, and for those with the confidence to try it, often when no fish are actually rising and the fly cast in a speculative fashion.

The club has recently acquired a stretch of water on the Peover Eye near to Peover Hall on the estate and we also have access to the lake. Test fishing on the Eye in 2022 was very positive with juvenile Brown Trout and Grayling caught and two larger brown trout near the 2lb mark. We have also done some kick sampling and water quality testing and the results also proved positive.

Bollin and Birkin Flyfishers fees are £40.00 for the 2025 Season, [there is no joining fee] and this permits fishing on all Association waters.