I fished the River Chelmer in Essex around 4 years ago with Taniwha (not sure if he still posts here). He took me on my first and only pike outing and we didn't have much luck but I have always heard there is a good variety of coarse fish in there.

I have since moved to Mississippi and have spent the last few years fishing for largemouth bass & grass carp in farm ponds, trout on the little red river in Arkansas and Tarpon and anything else that will take a fly on the US Gulf Coast.

This Sunday I am heading back to the Sunny Southend for Christmas with the family and am thinking of packing my 3 or 5 weight and a box of nymphs, midges and small streamers. I am very inexperienced at fishing for coarse species on rivers and was wondering a) If I am wasting my time on the Chelmer at this time of year & b) if there is fishing to be had, what tactics would be best & whether any locals would want to join me?

I used to fish it, many years ago & the only fly area(s) that were worth trying were the upper reaches, might have been at Gt.& Little Waltham (?) Probably your best bet is to contact the Chelmsford Angling Assn. Or a tackle shop such as Godfrey's.

Hey James
I tried the Chelmer 4 times all told, never touched a pike, only ever saw one.
I gave up and moved somewhere where there are some fish, but good luck anyway!

Before I scuttled back up to my native Scotland last year I used to fish it a bit with the fly around Chelmsford. From the Chelmer mostly small roach and perch used to catch them on a small nymph. I once caught 5-6lb Bream while trying to unsuccesfully tempt some carp on damsel nymph.

My main quarry was pike and I used to chase them in the stretches upstream of the University, mixture of half decent jacks and some micropike!

However around Chelmsford don't overlook the Can, it's neighbouring river. I used to fish for the Chub in Admirals Park there is some beasts lurking around. In the colder months a weighted nymph is your best bet around there. One November I actually caught a brownie couldn't believe it though obviously somewhat out of season...

Tight lines

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"Quis postulo est illic pro piscis piscis decurro ut EGO can rudo quod Mugio!"

Thanks all,

Sorry about the late response, we have been travelling visiting my wife's family and finally landed at Heathrow last night.

I packed my 5 weight and some nymphs & am thinking about giving the can in Admirals park a bash for the chub. I've prepared myself to blank so if I do catch anything it will be a bonus.

We are here until the 30th so plenty of time for this bloody wind to die down!

Mark, if I do catch anything, I'll dedicate it to you as some condolence for your failed outings!

I'll let you know how I get on.

Best of luck I hope you get a couple!

Look out for the pools below the bridges in the park a few deep holes where they can hold.

Also never ceased to amaze me some of the narrowest bits they lurked in to.

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"Quis postulo est illic pro piscis piscis decurro ut EGO can rudo quod Mugio!"

I went to Admirals Park for a few hours yesterday and blanked, I did manage to hook a large number of trees though!

Unfortunately I did not see any chub at all although at one point I did put a dry on and had a few small fish rise, no idea what they were but I did not connect with them.

Squirrels, what nymphs did you have luck with? I am thinking of heading back next week.

the park can be hard this time of year that with the rains that puts them off and the dogs that are in and out of it spooks them , summer better for them areas .
tho it can hurt in trying , black flys , ptn with a red bead .should do the trick with the chub and perch.

James


You wont be too far away from Chigboro Fisheries if you fancied chucking your #5 for some stocked trout in pleasant surroundings



feel free to drop me a line if you are stuck for a lift as I may be heading that way twixt Christmas and New Year (depending on where you are! )


Benjamin

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Hi,

I used to use a size 10 or 12 gold head hares ear with a bright fluoro tag in the winter.

Admittally I agree it can be hard work in the winter especially if the water's coloured.

You didn't really see the fish as much so I used to just try drift the fly under trees where they seemed to lurk. Can be tricky as it's overgrown and pretty small.

Had a few very good sessions in the summer using a big dry fly basically a curved grub hook and a half muddler head!

The small fish were likely dace you get big shoals of them, used to be good fun with a tiny dry fly.

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"Quis postulo est illic pro piscis piscis decurro ut EGO can rudo quod Mugio!"