Fishing the Thames for beginners

The only thing holding me back from venturing out to try my luck for the first time at the Thames (I'm thinking of Hampton Court) is the very low water levels right now.

Is there any particular stretch around the Hampton Court/Walton area you would recommend for a complete river novice?

Also, any advice would be highly appreciated, I am pretty much clueless!

For instance, one thing that is bothering me is the tackle...can I use something like a carp style 2lb TC rod? would this kind of rod handle a 3lb lead needed to hold bottom on the strong waters in that area? (so I've heard)

Whatever you guys can suggest would be helpful!

There's an area called "cigarette island" just near the station by the bridge. I believe its quite popular although only walked it myself. I believe there are some barbel in this stretch. I think most of it is free fishing along the tow paths where access is possible but, cig island maybe your best bit. Banks looked fisherable.
Regarding tackle, it depends what you want to fish for and how. Barbel require a carp type rod but, I think 3lb might be on the heavy side. I heavily weighted swim feeder might be enough and you do not have to cast right out into the middle where the flow is probably heaviest.
If you are a complete beginner it may just pay to go along and try a bit of close in float fishing or ledgering for a spell for a few roach and dace and then have a good look and ask any other anglers fishing the stretch what they are doing and advice. Or just do that anyway.
In the related thread a tackle shop would be able to advise you as well, I do not the nearest open one but, hopefully yiou will track one down.

Found this little bit of info:-

Free fishing downstream of Hampton Court Bridge down through Cigarette Island Park and upstream of the River Mole to the railway bridge

There is a real chance of a double figure barbel & upper 20lb carp along this prolific fast flowing stretch

Pay & display parking is available at Hampton court railway station

The question is how "fast flowing" I suppose. Maybe worth checking it out and see if any other anglers can help.

The only time the Thames there resembles fast flowing aside from the weirpools is in flood conditions.

You'd probably need just a no1 shot to hold bottom at the moment.

Hi MoeJe - try on the TAC forum Free forum : THAMES ANGLERS' CONSERVANCY - a very friendly bunch and really helpful!

Thanks a lot guys. There's some good info here for me to go on.

and I'm checking out TAC right now too...looks promising!

thanks again!

Just a thought, thinking on a bit. The other side from Cigarette Island at Hampton Court across the road if you walk down the tow path there's a big lock.. You probably cannot fish around the lock itself but, there are often slack water areas around these locks which might be worth a thought when the rivers pushing through and they can often hold fish in these areas, flooding or not.. But, you better check it out first as I am not sure what the water is like as its a while since I walked down this bit but. I remember making a mental note of it myself at the time...Whether it holds barbel I do not know but, if there are carp in the area it might hold them. Certainly roach etc, a good possibility.
Across from this lock are a set of weirs which are good holding areas although you cannot access the weir area itself but, I believe you can hire a punt and fish near them. However, that may be something to think about when you got a bit more experience.
Just a thought , you might want to check it all out, as ever local knowledge would be best sought after.

First off Joe, I'm not sure who told you that you'd need 3lb of lead to hold bottom but whoever it was is talking nonsense!

The Thames and that part of the Mole have always held a good head of fish of different species, and to be honest, I certainly wouldn't recommend any newcomer to fishing to kick off after the Thames Barbel as they are few and far between, and you really need to utilise very specialist tactics to get anywhere near one.

You'd be far better advised to take a float rod or a quiver tip rod and fish for the Roach, Dace and Perch that aredefinitely there together with the resident Bleak.

Fishing a few yards out (on the crease) with a float using maggot or bread will bring results, as will a feefer or straight lead fished a few rod's lengths out as well.

For the float fishing feed little and often, say half a dozen maggots every other trot down, or some wetted bread crumb initally and then "feed to the bites"; inasmuch as if you are getting regular bites then feed more often, and if not then cut back on the feed and see how it goes.

Personally, I'd be tempted to fish the Mole rather than the Thames if it is still permissable then just below the railway bridge used to be a great spot.

As tor tactics then you can probably do no better than to read through Mark Wintle's excellent articles here on FM, just search for "Wintle's World" and do ask any questions that reading through them might raise for you . . . . . .


Here is a good one to get you started: http://www.fishingmagic.com/articles/beginners/14965-mark_wintle_legering.html

Thanks for all the advice guys! I really appreciate you guys taking out the time to do so!

Peter Jacobs said:

I certainly wouldn't recommend any newcomer to fishing to kick off after the Thames Barbel as they are few and far between, and you really need to utilise very specialist tactics to get anywhere near one.

Click to expand...

Hi Peter, I've a little experience fishing small lakes for bream, tench and the odd carp or two. So although I do have lots to learn, I'm not a total newbie (I hope not!)
But I am a total newb when it comes to rivers!

Also, I think I would like to just fish for anything right now, so anything which happens upon my bait would be more than welcome at this stage! So I'm thinking of adopting the Block-end feeder method, with hemp and maggots mainly. Is this a sensible method on this water?

I have been reading a lot about the Mole and I would love to fish it, but apparently it's very low right now in this hot weather...
I've just always wanted to really give rivers a bash as they are more natural and more 'real' if you know what I mean.

With regards to the whole lead thing, I read on the reeldayticket.com site that on the Thames in the Hampton Court area, the river thunders through, and that you will struggle to hold bottom with anything less than a 3oz lead (not 3lb, my bad!) and suggested to only really target the margins as the current is slower.

I don't know how true this is to be honest. But 3oz sounds a little more realistic! You would need a trebuchet to sling out a lead of 3lb. Lol!

To be honest, when I'm not fishing, I'm more of a metric person. But fishing speil is all in imperial units...

Anyone know what the bottom is like around the Hampton Court area?

Are there lots of weeds? gravel? mud? etc.

Also, would it be wise to use a marker float setup to try and find the clear spots and/or drop offs or bars to fish close to?

Otherwise, how would you 'read' the bottom and find the better spots?

I'm just wondering because I've never seen anyone use a marker float other than on lakes...