Tent, Bivvy, Camping on the Bank: Comfort for Several Days

A multi-day session is a completely different experience from an afternoon on the bank: there's time to get to know the water, your baiting can start to pay off, and you can catch the bites that come at dawn and during the night. For that, though, you need a camp where you can actually rest and that holds up in rain and wind. In this article we go through everything from shelter to cooking to tidying up that makes life on the bank comfortable.

Are you allowed to camp on the bank?

Before you pack anything, check the rules. Whether you can put up a tent, stay overnight or cook in camp varies a lot from water to water:

• Some waters only allow tents on designated pegs, for an extra fee or with an advance booking.
• Elsewhere only a fishing brolly is allowed, not a tent.
• Nature reserves, Natura 2000 sites or private land may have further restrictions.
• During a fire ban, open flames are generally prohibited, which also affects barbecues in camp.

The exact conditions are in the fishery rules, with the managing body or on the booking page – always check them in advance.

Brolly, bivvy or camping tent?

Option	Advantage	Drawback	Best for
Brolly with side panels	light, quick, cheap	little protection in wind and rain	a single night, tight swims
Bivvy (fishing shelter)	fast to pitch, opening front, view of the rods	heavier, more expensive	multi-day carp sessions
Camping tent	roomy, family-friendly	slow to pitch, poor view of the water	when fishing is only part of the trip

The bivvy became popular because it's designed for fishing: the front opens fully, so you can see the rods and bite alarms from your bed, and the groundsheet is removable or reinforced. If you regularly fish overnight, it's worth investing in a good-quality, waterproof one. Check the hydrostatic head rating, and add a winter skin (wrap) if you plan to fish in the colder months too.

How you lay out camp matters as well. Point the bivvy door towards the rods, but leave a few steps between it and the water so you don't trip over a guy line on a sudden take. Keep frequently used items – landing net, unhooking mat, pliers, headlamp – near the entrance, and spare clothes and food at the back of the shelter. If rain is forecast, don't pitch on the lowest point of the bank, because that's where water collects.

Sleep and warmth

If you don't rest properly, you'll fish worse the next day – and tiredness on the bank is also a safety risk.

• Bedchair: the legs adjust individually, so it stays level even on a sloping bank. On soft, muddy banks, wide feet are worth their weight in gold.
• Sleeping bag: pick one with a comfort rating to suit the season, and go warmer in spring and autumn.
• Mat and pillow: an extra layer on the bedchair helps against the cold coming up from the ground.
• Ventilation: on damp mornings condensation forms inside the shelter, so leave the vents slightly open.

Kitchen, water, power

Never use a gas stove inside a closed tent: carbon monoxide is odourless and deadly, and tent fabric can catch fire quickly. Cook in front of the shelter on a stable, wind-sheltered surface, and keep water or a fire blanket to hand. Bring enough drinking water – lake water isn't fit to drink. Keep perishable food in a cool bag and rubbish sealed, because foxes, stray dogs and birds are happy to "clean up" at night. A power bank or a small solar panel can keep your phone, bite alarms and headlamp charged.

Tidiness, quiet and neighbours

A bankside camp means you're a guest in nature and among other anglers.

• Take all your rubbish home, cigarette butts included.
• Don't wash up with detergent in the lake, and don't relieve yourself by the water: use the designated washroom or toilet.
• Keep your voice down in the evening and at night, and leave the music at home.
• Don't shine lights into the next swim, and don't cast over an area someone else has baited.

Weather, pegging down and packing

Wind and storms hit much harder on the bank than in town. Peg the shelter down at every point, tension the storm guys, and don't pitch under old trees with dead branches. Follow the forecast, and if a strong thunderstorm is coming, take the brolly down in good time rather than wrestling with it at night. During lightning, don't stay by the rods – a carbon rod held up high is particularly dangerous.

Packing checklist

1. Tent or bivvy, pegs, storm guys, mallet
2. Bedchair, sleeping bag for the season, pillow
3. Gas stove, gas canister, pots, lighter, fire blanket
4. Drinking water, cool bag, food, bin bags
5. Headlamp, bivvy light, power bank
6. Waterproofs, warm layer, spare shoes, first-aid kit

Summary

A good bankside camp isn't about luxury – it's about fishing for several days well rested, safely and with respect for the environment. Check the rules in advance, choose a shelter that suits the trip, and leave the spot cleaner than you found it. To see whether a water has bookable pegs suitable for camping, check its booking table.