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River Lea

Chris Fox

Chris Fox

Senior Member
Drove past a section of the Lea today and realised that even though I live in London I've never fished it. It looked lovely and I wanted to change that!

Any suggestions for a place to start? Is Kings Weir worth a look or is it too busy? I prefer a bit of solitude if at all possible! Will only do it occasionally so day ticket prob best although not adverse to getting a club ticket.

Thanks

Chris
 
Kings weir is available on a day ticket so I've been told but the days of multiple catches of Barbel are long gone with a few big fish only left now. Some re stocking has taken place, how effective it's been I have no idea.
Immediately downstream is Fishers green, pretty much the same situation with the Barbel and some massive Chub too. Silverfish have filled the gap left by the Barbel's demise and apparently the winter fishing is good for these. Access is through one of the clubs in the consortium. http://www.fishersgreencon.co.uk/contacts.htm
I'm a member of Verulam AC who as well as Fishers green control 2 stretches of the upper Lea. These are probably the most prolific and most reliable Barbel fishing in the country, multiple catches are commonplace. If you don't mind a bit of a long walk you'd get your solitude too, more often than not. It's a great club with plenty of water on the Ouse and the Ivel too. Multiple stillwaters as well.
http://www.verulam-angling.co.uk/
Half price memberships from Nov 1st + joining fee so not too painful. Quite easy access from Ealing up the A1 or M1.
Had 5 or 6 good sized Barbel in an afternoon last week from the least popular stretch. I was alone on about a mile of river on Sunday afternoon!
The only other Day ticket section I can think of is alongside Stanborough lake but you won't get any solitude there! Paying the local council to park and buying a day ticket to fish is something I wouldn't do on principal.
I'll put up a couple of pictures later, from my phone, a lot easier than from the PC.
The best fish last week
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hm2552nq03k9juw/2017-10-08 15.17.06.jpg?dl=0
The swim, it's a small river up this far and is as low and clear as I've ever seen it. Rain badly needed.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1pi31rh9s9gl9nh/2017-10-08 16.52.43.jpg?dl=0
 
The weather doesn’t seem to have much effect on the levels there, any rain clears out the river pretty quickly. Doesn’t stop the barbel from feeding, except for when it’s bright and the river is low.
 
The levels the last few years have been exceptionally low. In normal times the level touches the bottom of the concrete bridge over the ford or close to it. Haven't seen that for at least 3 years if not longer.
Presently there's a gap of around a foot.
 
Paul Collins said:
The levels the last few years have been exceptionally low. In normal times the level touches the bottom of the concrete bridge over the ford or close to it. Haven't seen that for at least 3 years if not longer.
Presently there's a gap of around a foot.
Click to expand...

Sounds right, I’ve only fished it the last three years or so
 
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