Post by philpot on Aug 26, 2014 23:17:11 GMT
Phil (Esoxuk ) and I took a trip around the Ancolme launching at Brandy Wharf slipway. Heading to the right of the slip, there are several inlets with one large weir, this area is easily reached by kayak.
The weir
and straight ahead is the lock which is just visible in the distance.
Phil in deep thought
to the left of the weir looking back in the direction of the slipway
As you can see from these few photo's, the banks are covered in reeds with very few places for bank anglers. To the left of the slipway is much the same with a number of inlets and a long run of thick cover trees with foliage right down into the water to both banks where Phil and I saw a rather large pike. The fishing on the day was slow with only a couple of jacks early in the session. Heavy weed growth caused problems with deep diving lures so lure selection is important.
The river holds some big pike and overall a healthy head of fish with some large perch. Last year, I think it was last year, a 30lb + pike was taken within 100yds of the slipway so you really don't have to paddle very far at all.
The river has no current in principle as it is locked at both ends although there are times when it is far too dangerous to take any boat out if they are pumping vast amounts of water out to the sea during times of floods but a warning flag will fly if that is the case.
Parking is at Brandy Wharf Leisure Park with overnight camping on site and toilets ( a bit grubby though ). The river slipway is on site so no travelling if you intend to stay over. I pay £10 to launch and recover the boat but I don't know what they charge for a kayak although I believe it is a couple of quid and I will confirm that.
www.brandywharfleisurepark.co.uk/
I think this could make a nice meet venue as there is little fishing at this part of the river which runs for quite a few miles and I will be spending some hours on this stretch to learn more about the river and where all those little hot spots are over the coming months. It is worth saying that during the week there is almost no boat activity although most of the boat movement is at the weekend but not so much, during the week, so far I have had the entire stretch to myself.
Phil
The weir
and straight ahead is the lock which is just visible in the distance.
Phil in deep thought
to the left of the weir looking back in the direction of the slipway
As you can see from these few photo's, the banks are covered in reeds with very few places for bank anglers. To the left of the slipway is much the same with a number of inlets and a long run of thick cover trees with foliage right down into the water to both banks where Phil and I saw a rather large pike. The fishing on the day was slow with only a couple of jacks early in the session. Heavy weed growth caused problems with deep diving lures so lure selection is important.
The river holds some big pike and overall a healthy head of fish with some large perch. Last year, I think it was last year, a 30lb + pike was taken within 100yds of the slipway so you really don't have to paddle very far at all.
The river has no current in principle as it is locked at both ends although there are times when it is far too dangerous to take any boat out if they are pumping vast amounts of water out to the sea during times of floods but a warning flag will fly if that is the case.
Parking is at Brandy Wharf Leisure Park with overnight camping on site and toilets ( a bit grubby though ). The river slipway is on site so no travelling if you intend to stay over. I pay £10 to launch and recover the boat but I don't know what they charge for a kayak although I believe it is a couple of quid and I will confirm that.
www.brandywharfleisurepark.co.uk/
I think this could make a nice meet venue as there is little fishing at this part of the river which runs for quite a few miles and I will be spending some hours on this stretch to learn more about the river and where all those little hot spots are over the coming months. It is worth saying that during the week there is almost no boat activity although most of the boat movement is at the weekend but not so much, during the week, so far I have had the entire stretch to myself.
Phil
