The Pommie
Listen to the Song –
The Mystery of the River
The complete lyrics are included in the companion book, Our Jewels in the Water, allowing readers to follow every song while learning about Britain’s remarkable freshwater fish.
Enjoying the music?
The companion book Our Jewels in the Water includes the full lyrics, additional stories, exclusive photographs and beautiful illustrations for every species.
“Some fish are known by science. Others are known by the anglers who have shared the river with them for generations.”
Species Profile
Among match anglers, few fish have sparked as much discussion as the Pommie.
Although not recognised as a separate scientific species, the name has long been used on certain rivers and canals to describe a distinctive silver fish that doesn’t quite seem to fit the descriptions found in most reference books.
Some anglers believe it is closely related to the Silver Bream. Others consider it to be a naturally occurring hybrid, while some have suggested that it could be a stable local form that has gradually developed over many years.
Whatever its true identity, the Pommie has earned a place in angling folklore, becoming one of those fish that continues to fascinate everyone who catches one.
Clive’s Match Angler’s Notes
Throughout my years of match fishing, I encountered Pommies on numerous occasions, particularly in the lower Warwickshire Avon, the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, and the lower reaches of the River Severn.
One thing many experienced anglers noticed was that these fish often seemed to appear after a little rainfall had coloured the water.
Whether the extra colour simply gave them more confidence to feed or brought them into our swims, I cannot say with certainty. But it became a pattern that many of us recognised over the years.
What fascinated me even more were the conversations that followed every time one appeared in the keepnet.
One angler would confidently say,
“That’s a Silver Bream.”
Another would shake his head.
“No, it’s a hybrid.”
Others believed they might represent a local sub-species or stable strain that had developed naturally over many generations in these waters.
After all these years, I still cannot honestly say who was right.
Perhaps that is exactly what makes the Pommie so special.
Even today, it reminds us that our rivers still hold mysteries.
Natural History
Fish commonly known as Pommies are usually bright silver with a noticeably deeper body than a roach and often display features that resemble both bream and roach.
Modern fisheries science generally regards fish with these mixed characteristics as hybrids or natural variations rather than separate species. However, regional names often develop because anglers repeatedly encounter fish that share similar appearances and behaviours.
Regardless of their exact origin, Pommies have become a familiar part of match fishing on several famous waters and continue to provide excellent sport on light tackle.
Interesting Facts
- “Pommie” is a traditional angling nickname rather than an official scientific name.
- Frequently reported from the lower Warwickshire Avon, Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and lower River Severn.
- Often associated by anglers with lightly coloured water following rain.
- Believed by many anglers to be connected with Silver Bream or natural hybrids.
- Continues to be one of coarse angling’s most debated fish.
Behind the Song
When writing The Mystery of the River, I didn’t want to answer the question.
I wanted to celebrate it.
Every angler enjoys a good mystery, and the Pommie has been the subject of friendly debates on riverbanks for decades.
The song captures that sense of curiosity, reminding us that not every question in angling has a simple answer.
Sometimes the mystery is part of the enjoyment.
Conservation
Whether they are hybrids, local forms or simply fish that challenge our understanding, Pommies remind us how rich and complex freshwater ecosystems can be.
Healthy rivers support remarkable diversity, and protecting clean water, natural habitats and thriving fish populations ensures that future generations of anglers will continue to enjoy both the fish and the questions they inspire.
Clive’s Reflection
After spending a lifetime beside Britain’s rivers, I have learnt that fishing is about far more than catching fish.
It is about observation.
It is about curiosity.
It is about accepting that nature does not always fit neatly into the pages of a textbook.
The Pommie has taught me exactly that.
Even after thousands of hours on the bank, there are still fish that make me stop, look twice and ask another question.
Perhaps we should never lose that sense of wonder.
Because the day we think we know everything about our rivers…
…is probably the day we stop truly seeing them.
To me, that is why the Pommie will always remain…
The Mystery of the River
“The greatest mysteries are not solved in laboratories alone. Sometimes they live quietly in the keepnets of generations of anglers.”