On the River Nene, don't just fish the main channel for perch; cast a small 5cm firetail shad or a single big lobworm right to the very edge of the lily pads. Large perch sit deep inside the stalks, and they won't always move out into open water to feed—you have to bring the bait within inches of the weed line to pull them out of their ambush spots.
Northamptonshire is a county of massive, iconic reservoirs and a river that punches well above its weight. The River Nene is the county’s backbone, a slow-flowing, deep river that is famous for its incredible shoals of roach and specimen-sized bream. Unlike the fast-flowing Trent, the Nene has a more "Fen-like" character in places, requiring a patient, traditional approach with the float or feeder. It is a river that rewards those who put in the time to find the deeper holes and the lily-fringed bends.
The county is also home to some of the most famous large-scale stillwaters in the UK. Stanwick Lakes and Grendon Lakes are massive draws, offering high-end specimen carp fishing alongside specialized silvers-only waters. For those who like a mix of history and scenery, the Grand Union Canal (including the famous Braunston and Blisworth stretches) offers miles of consistent sport. Northamptonshire is a county for the "thinking angler," where the variety of water—from the intimate Nene backwaters to the vast expanses of the gravel pits—requires a wide range of tactics and solid watercraft.