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 whilst 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 reopens 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 whilst 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
also contol 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.
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