LEE ANGLERS' CONSORTIUM

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Waltham Common to Rammey Marsh Lock

Location

The fishery is located between Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross off Highbridge Street and is easily accessible from most routes including the M25.The northern end can be reached by the LVRPA car park and at the southern end there is parking at the bottom of Lea Road (turn off Highbridge Street at Jewsons).

Description

The section between Waltham Common and Waltham Town Locks is very slow moving or even still at times. In the summer you will have to fish among the weeds. The water is comparatively clear and averages between five and six feet in the centre channel. There is a fair amount of marginal weed growth to the near-side and an increasing amount of lily pads on the far shelf.

It contains a good head of tench of varying sizes but many are 4 lbs plus. There are roach, perch, skimmers and carp throughout. Pike are present but not in any great numbers but have recently been caught up to 30 lbs. There is an excellent car-park with full toilet facilities that are only a very short walk from the river bank. However the car park is locked at night so please check the opening times which vary throughout the season.

Looking downstream to Waltham Town Lock from footbridge

In winter the fish do have a tendency to shoal up and normally the best area at this time is between the footbridge and the Town Lock.

The wide section above Rammey Marsh Lock contains most species with some really good tench under the boats moored on the off-side Summer weed can be a problem.

Section Tips

• For the tench on the Waltham Common section try using sweetcorn on a small waggler or pole close to the lily pads on the far bank but don’t forget the bottom of the nearside shelf with the same rig as it can often be more productive.
• This is also a hemp venue in the summer but in winter the bread-punch is best.
• Don’t forget to vary the depth you fish at as the fish here, especially the roach, often feed well up off the bottom.
• Take care not to obstruct the tow-path with your tackle as this section is very popular with cyclists. Feed your pole along the bank with the use of a roller rather than pushing it behind you.
• There is a large shoal of bream resident in the ‘Dunlops’ area. Look for muddy water which is a sure sign they are feeding.
• This is also a good area for Pike in the winter months with ledgered sprat the most popular.