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 accessed 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 between 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 is 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.

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 area below this is not pegged because of the overhead cables which are quite low and carry 30,000 volts. DO NOT fish under them. However there are a number of safe gaps and the fishing can throw up tench, roach and some really large shoals of big bream up to 81/2 lbs. The section known as ‘Dunlops Bend’ is very popular and there is plenty of parking at the bottom of Lea Road.

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.

However beware of the cables that are behind the road and do not obstruct the road as it is in constant use by residents and others.

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