Tidal Thames is a rising star
THE match fishing credentials of the fully-tidal Thames were underlined at TideFest.
Despite brilliant, unbroken sunshine and more than 2,000 visitors (walkers, boaters, paddleboarders, kayakers and canoeists) using the river too, winner Martin Davies needed 46lb of bream to 8lb-plus to win the event from downstream of Kew Bridge, with 32lb second at Barnes.
Many of those present were surprised to see a small bass caught by a dip-net on one of the activities, but both small bass and flounders are prolific on the tideway right up to Teddington.
Since Mogden sewage works was cleaned up, many more of these small fish will mature and help improve sport further down in the estuary, and when the Tideway Tunnel becomes an active reality I believe the tidal Thames will be a world-class fishery rather than just brilliant.