LEE ANGLERS' CONSORTIUM

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Stonebridge to Lea Bridge

Location

This section runs from North Tottenham to Hackney. In the mid 1990's, on a Sunday, it was difficult to find a peg because of the popularity of the fishing with large shoals of roach, dace, chub and bream. Many of London's outstanding anglers cut their match angling teeth along this stretch with regular weekly matches. However, with the close proximity of large cormorant colonies at Walthamstow reservoirs the whole length has faded in popularity. However, there are still fish in the area and many are of very good size.

Description

From Stonebridge downstream the river begins to widen but is very slow moving and is canalised. From Stonebridge to Tottenham locks roach, bream, perch, chub and carp can be found. Fish refuges have been installed on the far bank and it is hoped that fish populations will re-establish themselves. The carp and chub will be close to boats. Carp anglers have caught their quarry in excess of 30 lbs over the past few years.

Bream will be in the shallow area near the bend in the summer and the deeper section by Tottenham Lock in the winter. Roach could be found immediately below Stonebridge Lock.

Below Tottenham Lock the river receives extra water from several sources, one is the effluent (Pymmes Brook) from Deephams Sewer Treatment Works. This water is warmer than the river and attracted large shoals of roach and dace in the glory years. Today, nobody can provide the answer why these fish no longer seem to be in the river. Is it cormorant predation or water quality?

Further downstream the West Cut and then the East Cut enter the river and large carp and bream frequent the area.

The area near the Marina at Springfield was noted for holding large shoals of dace which spawned in this area. Good roach and dace were caught along the towpath. The towpath changes bank and runs down to Lea Bridge Road. This section backs onto Walthamstow Marshes and then the Ice Rink and is an important ecological site. Just before the Ice Rink, opposite the houses, the tow path changes back to the west bank. Few anglers get along this stretch now and we have had little feed back from the Environment Agency as to the extent of any fish in the river.

SECTION TIPS

• Take care near the rowing club as these boats are not easy to steer. Give them room to manoeuvre.
• Use fine tackle when targeting roach and skimmers and preferably use a pole for tight presentation.
• Carp in this area are mature fish and should be fished for using the appropriate carp tackle. Be prepared to wait and as always patience is a virtue.

For roach fishing near Stonebridge try breadpunch and hemp seed backed up with pinkie and caster.