For a number of years I have been exploring the fishing potential in the area shown on the chart as Middle Deep.  Until last winter this has involved launching at the Marina to access the river via the locks.  This limits access to two hours either side of high water and so when the club slipway came available last winter the increased time on the water combined with the financial implications (It costs £22 every time you use the Marina) seemed too good to miss.   Unfortunately due to problems with weather, lack of daylight, home commitments and accessibility to the club we only managed to launch half a dozen times during the cod season.  But it was well worth the effort.

Fishing was concentrated on Middle Deep.  Best results were invariably within an hour of high water.  Best fish were an 8 pound thornback (6 miles from the sea - in December !), a 5 pound cod and two 2 pound whiting.  We did catch codling big enough for the pan on every trip.

 

These trips were enough to develop the necessary expertise to launch and recover without difficulty (Usually between 2 and 3 hours of high water) and we can't wait for the coming season.  I hope to resume fishing from the club in November and hope to be there on most Sundays.  In the meantime any club member interested in fishing might consider the bass fishing potential in the summer which has yet to be investigated.  To wet your appetite fish up to 7 pounds have been reported off Oglet foreshore and Hale lighthouse. There is a channel running to both places from the club slipway details of which are available.

Howard Youdan