Last weekend I got my coarse tackle out again to fish the flooded Derwent in Derbyshire.

Thoroughly enjoyed myself and have decided to go after the Barbel again.

My nearest stretch of river is now the Thames at Bourne End. Does anyone know whether there are any Barbel in that area or anywhere nearby?

__________________
A poor day's fishing always beats a good day's work .........

About 12 years ago I used to live in a ground floor appartment on Ray Mead road in Maidenhead, that overlooked the Thames between Boulters Lock and Maidenhead bridge.

I often used to see coarse anglers fishing from the pavement in front of my flat (where you only needed an EA license) and would wander out and chat to them from time to time.

They fished for and caught a whole range of different species, but I often witnessed them catch Barbel in the 2-3 lb range, sometimes larger.

Unfortunately I was not as avidly in to fishing in those days so I can't tell you what rigs they were using, but I seem to remember they mostly used ledger techniques.

Not sure if it is still the case, but it might be worth you asking around anyone who fishes that section.

And whilst not quite so close, St Patricks's stream and the River Loddon at Charvil are both noted for holding quality barbel. Suggest you look at Twyford and District Fishing Club http://www.tdfc.org.uk/fisheries.htm.

Cheers,
--
Bill.

Bill,

Many thanks for the information - exactly what I was looking for. Do you by any chance know who controls the fishing near Marlow Lock?

Derek

__________________
A poor day's fishing always beats a good day's work .........

It might be worth checking the EA site. They have information on Thames weirpool fishing ... I've managed to lose the link but it's easy enough to Google.

The Thames fishing rights are weird things ... there's no collective information out there ... or at least none I could find. I would imagine up at Marlow that it is club controlled (seems to be mostly club-controlled above Reading).

Last time I looked at the Thames (in Windsor) it was on the tow-path and very brown.

__________________
Cheers,
Lawrence

Lawrence is right, the EA is the best bet, according to their "Where to Fish" list for the South East Thames region (which you can download here: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk...st_1358055.pdf) you should contact the Lock Keeper for further information on 01628 482867. Check entry 368 in the list.

But, I seem to remember that there is also a separate licence you can acquire from the EA for fishing many of the locks and weirs. I will look for the detail as I am sure I have it somewhere at home.

Cheers,
--
Bill.

Thanks all.

__________________
A poor day's fishing always beats a good day's work .........

Whilst doing a bit of looking around, I also came up with Cemex Angling, who have stretches on St Patrick's Stream and The Loddon at Twyford and you can get a season ticket for either venue on-line at £36 according to their website http://www.cemexangling.co.uk/new_site/index.php. Both venues hold some big barbel.

BTW, I previously lived in Twyford too, hence the reason for knowing a bit about the barbel fishing there, though my knowledge is well out of date.

Cheers,
--
Bill.

Knew I had the info somewhere, just a case of looking in the right drawer.

It was related to Shiplake Lock on the Thames. I took my lad away for a long weekend last summer on a river cruiser and was trying to find out which locations we could fish from a moored boat and got various bits of advice including this:

River Thames at Shiplake Lock: Lock and Weir Permit (17 Locks/Weirs) available from EA.
Contact: Miss Samantha Godfrey 08708 506506

Never did contact her in the end as we decided to go the opposite direction up the river, so don't know what other Locks/Weirs it covers.

BTW, it also says that Barbel are among the key species at Shiplake Lock.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
--
Bill.