The Old River Lea.
Fishers Green Consortium - included in our annual membership.
The Old River Lea is the former natural channel of the River Lea below Lea Bridge in the London Borough of Hackney. The Old River forms a large meander from the Middlesex Filter Beds Weir to re-join the main channel of the River Lea Navigation below Old Ford Lock, just west of the 2012 Olympic Stadium. Contains barbel and chub to specimen sizes but they are far from easy to catch. Location is key together with stealth and presentation. Dace, perch and roach are also present in the fast-flowing water. Unfortunately, there's no night fishing. Close season on this venue is in force.
Please note: To fish this venue, you will need your membership card and a valid fishing rod licence for the quantity of rods you will be using. There are one, two and three rod licences available. Please visit our LINKS page, here you will find a link direct to the Government website. Licences are also available from Royal Mail post offices.
VENUE RULES
Further information:
3,900 metres of the east bank from the confluence with the relief channel at Stubbins Hall Lane to part way up Langridge Lake opposite Aquaduct Lock and the opposite west bank from just below this point back down to the Fishers Green Road bridge.
Unlike most of the so-called rivers in our area this runs like a wild river. The river is lined with many bushes and overhanging trees making plenty of fish holding runs, some shallow stony runs and some much deeper. There are plenty of bends making differing eddies and back eddies.
The river is one of four rivers in England where barbel is an indigenous species. For a few years the river held the chub record. Both of these species are now prime targets. In 2012 several chub up to 9lb 3oz have been banked and graced the angling press.
During the closed season, barbel can be seen spawning on most of the weed lined gravel shallow runs with shoals of roach hiding in the streamer weed below, pouncing on any stray eggs that did not lodge in the gravel.
During 2010 the river received a stocking of 200 small barbel, and around 2,000 silver fish. In 2012 another stocking of barbel took place. In 2015 a stocking of 200 18-month-old 9" barbel and 700 9" chub were added.
Barbel to over 16lb
Chub 9lb+
Perch 3lb+
Roach 2lb
Dace, pike and even trout to 3lb
Unfortunately, night fishing is not allowed on the river, regular checks are made during the year. Fishing on the river extends between fixed times that vary throughout the season.
June to August - an hour before sunrise to 11pm
September to October - an hour before sunrise to 10pm
November to March - an hour before sunrise to 8pm
The river is open between the 16th June and 14th March inclusive.
