The Blackpool Brook is a small stream running through the heart of the Forest of Dean. Meandering through ancient woodland, this stretch is ideal for those looking for a couple of hour’s wild brown trout fishing. Your stealthiest approach will be required, along with your shortest rod.

Wading can be tricky over the boulder riverbed and care should be taken when wading and fishing through the short, dark tunnels and under roads. This is a unique fly fishing experience and is not to be missed.

The beat is ideally fished with a 6 to 7ft, 1 to 3wt rod.

The Forest of Dean holds a population of native White-clawed crayfish which are a European Protected Species under the Habitats Directive. It is under threat from the non-native Signal crayfish which transmit crayfish plague that is lethal to the native species when introduced to catchments where White-clawed crayfish are found. Signal crayfish have recently been recorded in Cannop Ponds and are suspected to be present throughout the brook. We have an internationally important native white-clawed crayfish population present in parts of the Blackpool catchment and are therefore very concerned about the potential for cross contamination.

The following measures must be undertaken to protect the existing White-clawed crayfish population:

The Cannop and Blackpool are completely separate catchments, if anglers plan to fish both in the same visit to the forest they should fish Blackpool first followed by Cannop and not the other way round to minimise risk of cross contamination.

As a condition of fishing Forest of Dean streams, visiting anglers must ensure against cross contamination by approved check/dry/disinfection procedures, and importantly waders, nets and tackle should be sprayed with Virkon disinfectant before and after fishing, commonly available from tackle shops. Forest rangers may check to see that anglers have Virkon sprayers ready for use in their vehicles.

No crayfish species (or any other species unless under a Suppliers Permit) are to be introduced to the catchment

Please report any sightings of crayfish to Forestry England at westengland@forestryengland.uk

Rules and Regulations
  • National bye-laws must be observed and it is up to anglers to familiarise themselves with these.
  • Flyfishing only
  • Catch & release for all species
  • No Dogs Allowed
  • As a condition of fishing Forest of Dean streams, visiting anglers must ensure against cross contamination by approved check/dry/disinfection procedures, and importantly waders, nets and tackle should be sprayed with Virkon disinfectant, commonly available from tackle shops. Forest rangers may check to see that anglers have Virkon sprayers ready for use in their vehicles.

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