• You need to be a registered member of Barbel Fishing World to post on these forums. Some of the forums are hidden from non-members. Please refer to the instructions on the ‘Register’ page for details of how to join the new incarnation of BFW...

King Weir- River Lea

N

Neil Watson

Senior Member
Howdy all

Can anyone tell me which environment agency site do I need to look to gauge the river level at King's Weir. Moreover, if the river is high what size leads do you need to use, up to 8 ounce or bigger?

Cheers
 
It’s a bit tricky due to all the splits in the river between river (proper) Lea and Lee Navigation.

Bear in mind KW itself is at a split between Nav & River. Above is the Nav, then the weir and split into river Lea and Nav:
IMG_7635.jpeg


I think the nearest upstream gauge is Rye Bridge at Hoddesdon. Here you can see the gauge up top and KW down the bottom.
IMG_7636.jpeg


That gauge has both level & streamflow (m3/s):
IMG_7638.png

IMG_7637.png


As for fishing it, it can be difficult this time of year as it can be bollocking through. Bear in mind it’s difficult year round lol. Also depends which swim you’re in and where you’re fishing (in the flow, margin etc). If you’re in WB1 or EB1 an want to fish the sill, then yeah you’re gonna need a bit of lead.

I fished it Feb last year and it was in flood. WB1 was closed as it was washed away. You can see it underwater on left of this pic
IMG_7639.png


Make sure you use strong gear!
 
Daniel Jeffery said:
It’s a bit tricky due to all the splits in the river between river (proper) Lea and Lee Navigation.

Bear in mind KW itself is at a split between Nav & River. Above is the Nav, then the weir and split into river Lea and Nav:
View attachment 37685

I think the nearest upstream gauge is Rye Bridge at Hoddesdon. Here you can see the gauge up top and KW down the bottom.
View attachment 37686

That gauge has both level & streamflow (m3/s):
View attachment 37687
View attachment 37688

As for fishing it, it can be difficult this time of year as it can be bollocking through. Bear in mind it’s difficult year round lol. Also depends which swim you’re in and where you’re fishing (in the flow, margin etc). If you’re in WB1 or EB1 an want to fish the sill, then yeah you’re gonna need a bit of lead.

I fished it Feb last year and it was in flood. WB1 was closed as it was washed away. You can see it underwater on left of this pic
View attachment 37689

Make sure you use strong gear!
Click to expand...
Cheers Dan. I have read up on the Weir and its a challenging stretch, but is a place where you stand a chance, although limited, of catching a very special fish.
 
Neil Watson said:
Howdy all

Can anyone tell me which environment agency site do I need to look to gauge the river level at King's Weir. Moreover, if the river is high what size leads do you need to use, up to 8 ounce or bigger?

Cheers
Click to expand...
Why on earth would anyone use 8 ounces barbel fishing?
 
Neil Watson said:
Howdy all

Can anyone tell me which environment agency site do I need to look to gauge the river level at King's Weir. Moreover, if the river is high what size leads do you need to use, up to 8 ounce or bigger?

Chee
Click to expand...

Neil Smart said:
Why on earth would anyone use 8 ounces barbel fishing?
Click to expand...
It depends on the river and where you want you bait to stay positioned not all rivers are the same so sometimes you need 8oz
 
Moreover, I am paying a lot if money in petrol and accommodation to fish Kings Weir. Its better to prepare to fish a river/venue I have never fished before.

I have also used 8 ounce on Wye.
 
Neil Smart said:
No but I have the Severn, which is arguably more of a torrent. Any bait presented in a torrent that requires 8 oz leads would seem to me, anyway where the Barbel are not.
Surely slacks and near bank are better? Lobbing out half pound leads, crazy IMO.
Click to expand...
I have fished the Seven for years and the Trent is more powerful river in full flood. You are discounting a number of things. As previously stated I am going to fish a stretch, warmth friends I have never fished before. The are a limited number of pegs. What for example I cant fish into a slack. Yes I could fish the near bank, but in my experience I have caught a lot of fish when a river is in flood, casting into the stronger flow. I want to keep all my options open.

I really perplexed and bemused by your views.
 
It's really quite legitimate to use 8oz on a flooded Trent, Neil. Your comments come across as more than a little patronising.
Personally, I rarely fish more than 2oz and usually half that, as I fish smaller rivers and if I'm fishing a flooded upper Trent, will fish the slacks, as you say. There have been a couple of times when fishing a weir on the middle Trent where I've beefed up the tackle and cast a 5oz lead into the middle. Believe me, the lead was totally necessary.

However there's no right or wrong. If the method catches fish and presents no danger then go for it.
 
I take your point Neil but all my feelings are that 8 oz in any situation is OTT. Surely finding bottom with a lighter lead and producing a bow in the line is better? Given the sub service is not nearly as fast it kinda makes sense.
For me slinging out that weight would negate any pleasure in fishing, but whatever rocks your boat.
 
Neil Smart said:
Yes I know that, I live by the lower Severn, but come on half pound of lead?
Fish a bow in the line or slacks.
Click to expand...
See you are fishing your way and that’s not always right for where the fish are located
I fishe the tidal Trent and sometimes I need to fish the far bank in the flow so then it’s 8oz with a bow in my line
I think it’s wrong to say to someone they are fishing with to heavier weight until you know where and why
I used to fish the Severn 20 years ago and only used 3/4-1oz weights how times have changed
 
Neil Watson said:
I have fished the Seven for years and the Trent is more powerful river in full flood. You are discounting a number of things. As previously stated I am going to fish a stretch, warmth friends I have never fished before. The are a limited number of pegs. What for example I cant fish into a slack. Yes I could fish the near bank, but in my experience I have caught a lot of fish when a river is in flood, casting into the stronger flow. I want to keep all my options open.

I really perplexed and bemused by your views.
Richard Parsons said:
It's really quite legitimate to use 8oz on a flooded Trent, Neil. Your comments come across as more than a little patronising.
Personally, I rarely fish more than 2oz and usually half that, as I fish smaller rivers and if I'm fishing a flooded upper Trent, will fish the slacks, as you say. There have been a couple of times when fishing a weir on the middle Trent where I've beefed up the tackle and cast a 5oz lead into the middle. Believe me, the lead was totally necessary.

However there's no right or wrong. If the method catches fish and presents no danger then go for it.
Click to expand...
It is a discussion. to accuse me of being patronising is a bit odd, can't we debate without being a bit woke?
Click to expand...
 
Ray Heath said:
See you are fishing your way and that’s not always right for where the fish are located
I fishe the tidal Trent and sometimes I need to fish the far bank in the flow so then it’s 8oz with a bow in my line
I think it’s wrong to say to someone they are fishing with to heavier weight until you know where and why
I used to fish the Severn 20 years ago and only used 3/4-1oz weights how times have changed
Click to expand...
Times have changed but not the habits of fish. Fish always seek slacks in floods unless I have learnt nothing in decades.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top