Roach on the Thames

I am thinking of doing a bit of Roach fishing on the Thames this winter, anywhere from Richmond up to Cookham. Apart from the free stretches up to Staines is there water that access is available on a day ticket?

Many thanks

Stu

I would be tempted to go a little further up the river to around Medley for the roach.

Day tickets, I think, still from Oxford and District AC, but best to check that first online.

stu_the_blank said:

I am thinking of doing a bit of Roach fishing on the Thames this winter, anywhere from Richmond up to Cookham. Apart from the free stretches up to Staines is there water that access is available on a day ticket?

Many thanks

Stu

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Hi stu,

I'm only literally up the rd from you in Northfleet, all of me fishing is predominantly fishing for quality roach and dace which I've now specialised in for a good number of years,

The majority of me fishing is on the Thames from Staines to Putney which is some 28 miles of free fishing, I have obviously fished further upstream upto Buscot but you'll most likely find that most stretches of water will then be club waters,

I don't really know of any particular day ticket section but did fish a few seasons back up around the Reading area on the RDAA ( Reading and district anglers association )

Don't know the exact price now but I could surgest in purchasing a Thames weir pool permit for the sake of probably under £30.00 per season
With this you get the opportunity to fish I think around 18 Thames weir pools and locks from Mosley, Hampton court all the way to I think Buscot in Oxfordshire,

Just a thought

Incidentally if you wanna know more send me a PM :thumbs:

The Thames weir permit is a great idea as not only does it have some good weirpools and cuts it also is a good platform to explore the whole river which in turn leads to finding the small free stretches that the locals keep quiet.

I always found it better in the summer though when the weirs are full of fish as the Thames can be a tricky number in winter

Many thanks gents, I will pusue these.

Mudlarker, you are indeed in my 'Manor'!

On the free stretches I used to concentrate on the Penton Hook and Shepperton areas but this was many years (lifetimes!) ago. Are they still productive?

Stu

theartist said:

The Thames weir permit is a great idea as not only does it have some good weirpools and cuts it also is a good platform to explore the whole river which in turn leads to finding the small free stretches that the locals keep quiet.

I always found it better in the summer though when the weirs are full of fish as the Thames can be a tricky number in winter

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Yep totally agree mate :thumbs:

---------- Post added at 21:49 ---------- Previous post was at 21:36 ----------

stu_the_blank said:

Many thanks gents, I will pusue these.

Mudlarker, you are indeed in my 'Manor'!

On the free stretches I used to concentrate on the Penton Hook and Shepperton areas but this was many years (lifetimes!) ago. Are they still productive?

Stu

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Yes mate Penton is still productive with the usual roach and dace etc and with a few perch, there are carp, large chub and barbel but really need to do yer home work with these, has always been good for pike fishing aswell,

Sadly Sheperton has now been taken off of the weir ticket until further notice

thames mudlarker said:

Sadly Sheperton has now been taken off of the weir ticket until further notice

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Dad and I used to fish off the old walkway across the weir at Sheperton, lowering luncheon meat thirty feet below us into a couple of feet of water for the barbel.

Back in the day some of the Thames weir permit venues were a bit makeshift and sometimes you'd turn up at a weir in the booklet and the keeper didn't have a clue what was going on. I remember at Bray once the map clearly indicated a bit of bank that was clearly the lock keepers well kept garden, rose bushes, privets and geraniums. After much conversation we ended up on possibly the highest walkway on the Thames which shook in the wind. Steering fish in the drop net was quite a challenge and certainly a two man job but looking back now it was quite funny.

Cheers Guys

Some food for thought and a trip (down memory lane!) to plan.

Stu

stu_the_blank said:

Cheers Guys

Some food for thought and a trip (down memory lane!) to plan.

Stu

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Glad to help in any way

Incidentally as I'm only literally several mile up the A2 from you in Northfleet if your ever up for a session after Christmas / new year up on the Thames let us know and I'll always willingly join yer, providing that the river is not in full flood can split fuel costs :thumbs: