LEE ANGLERS' CONSORTIUM

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Rye House and Feildes Weir

 

Location

 

 

Feildes Weir is situated at the confluence of the River Lee Navigation and the River Stort. It is to the north of Hoddesdon and is easily reached via the A10, the A1170 or from Nazeing via Dobbs Weir Road. Rattys Lane is a private road but we have a right of access and there is parking at the end of the lane.

 

Access to the River Stort section is via Feildes Weir and over the weir bridge.

 

NO FISHING FROM THE BRIDGE

THERE IS A SERIOUS LITTER PROBLEM ON THIS FISHERY

 

PLEASE NOTE THE LITTER BINS HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND ALL LITTER MUST BE TAKEN HOME.

 

Description

 

This section of the river has been overrun with American Signal crayfish. The LAC in partnership with BW and the EA have been carrying out surveys by trapping crayfish over the past three years. Please note that only the LAC can gain permission to trap crayfish on the Lee Navigation. It is often very difficult to present a bait on the bottom and ledgering requires baits popped up while float fishing requires baits presented off the bottom.

American signal crayfish

 

 

The main river downstream of Rye Road Bridge is deep and slow moving. At certain times of the year roach can be found. Further down the bream tend to dominate especially in the wide section just above the lock where the main channel is joined by the Stort.

 

Feildes weirpool (west bank open) is a typical Lee weir with deep fast water just below the apron that quickly shallows up and becomes much slower. In the summer there are plenty of Lily beds.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                Feildes Weir re-opens 2005

Feildes Weir was reopened in 2005 after extensive refurbishment. Parking is available at the bottom of Ratty Lane and for disabled anglers there are 2 hardstandings on the 'island'. However the track to these hardstandings has dropped in the dry weather giving access problems. Eight permanent disabled anglers platforms have been installed with interlinking walkways around the weir. Our bank of the weir is heavily tree lined with willows and unfortunately our landlord has not maintained the many fallen branches in the weir that are self rooted.

 

Fishing is very comfortable from these specially constructed platforms though you sometimes need to be early to get one. The pool contains trout and barbel but they are not caught too often for some reason. However roach, perch, bream and carp are there in the summer while in the winter this is can be excellent pike fishery with fish up to 25lbs.

 

The opposite bank of the weir pool (east) is controlled by West Ham AC. and they control the tow path from Rattys Lane downstream.

 

Section Tips

• The most popular method of roach fishing in the main river is with a pole. Hemp and tares is best in summer but in the winter the bread punch is unbeatable.
• For the larger bream try feeder tactics using sweetcorn, flake or casters.
• There are large numbers of crayfish in the Stort section that are easily caught on most baits. If you have a keep net in the water they will often just hang on.
• For larger fish try luncheon meat ledgered up against the weir especially early in the morning or as it gets dark.
• There is a faster stream of water on the far bank. Try fishing the crease with worm and caster on a crumb feeder rig for the larger bream.
• Dead baits are best for the bigger pike but a spinner is always worth a try and you may well catch one of the large brown or rainbow trout that live in the pool

Only disabled anglers’ vehicles are allowed onto the island.