LEE ANGLERS' CONSORTIUM

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Hardmead to Stanstead Lock

Location

This section is between Ware and St.Margarets and has no direct vehicular access. There is very little safe parking in Lower Road but if you can find somewhere to park there is a footpath across the railway line that leads to the tow-path. However, this lane is very popular with visiting birdwatchers and parking is limited. Otherwise, you will need to walk from St Margarets or Ware.

Description

This is a still or very slow moving section of the river that is not fished very much due to difficulties of access. However a visit to      this section can be well worth the effort as it offers some good fishing.

In the summer there are large numbers of carp, bream and chub in this section while in the winter months pike are the dominant species with many into double figures. An excellent method for catching pike, especially on cold days is by roving the section using a plug or spinner. All the fish in this pound do have a tendency to shoal up and are normally to be found at either ends of the section. However there are normally good roach and chub to be found near the Amwell picnic area. We are told by the club holding the far bank fishing that regular bags of roach and perch are taken by their members.

The tree lined stretch up to Hardmead can be productive.                           

There is NO parking in the road leading to the Stanstead Marina as it is privately owned by them. We have a good relationship with them. DON’T SPOIL IT.

Section Tips

In the summer months large shoals of bream tend to reside in the ‘wides’ just above Stanstead Lock. Most popular bait for these is bread, worm or sweetcorn over a bed of ground-bait or try chopped worm and caster about ¾ across. If the bream are

• not feeding try a long tail on your feeder with maggots or pinkie.
• Look for well used swims as these are usually best.
• For roach try breadpunch or hemp and tares.

Floating baits will account for cruising carp especially as this a weedy section.

The Amwell length to Hardmead Lock