Our guide to the South’s best predator fishing and top day-ticket waters
ALL THESE COULD PRODUCE THE PERCH OF A LIFETIME
PERCH are at their heaviest in the closing weeks of the season, so try one of these venues for a river whacker…
RIVER BRUE, LYDFORD-ON-FOSSE, SOMERSET
The 15 miles of this narrow river from Lydford-on-Fosse bridge downstream to just beyond Westhay holds perch to over 3lb, but is only lightly fished. Recent matches have seen perch fall to lobworms, although roving with lures should produce too. Big pike are also in this river. Contact: Glaston Manor AA, 01458 832946 Price: Full adult £40, OAP £37, day ticket £7
RIVER LEA NAVIGATION, BROXBOURNE, HERTS
This stretch of the Lea has produced several 4lb-plus perch this season, topped by one of 4lb 11oz. Fishing here isn’t the easiest, although once located the fish are certainly catchable. Areas around the Lee Valley Boat Club are noted spots. Legered lobworms, lures and livebaits have all accounted for fish. Contact: Ware AC, 07768 746059 Price: £4 on the bank
RIVER SEVERN, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN, WORCS
Peredators all seem to grow large here, and perch are no exception to the rule. This year has seen several fish over the 4lb mark, and at least one over 5lb. Many local anglers believe this stretch could well produce a record. Many anglers do well on lures, which will also account for big pike and zander. Contact: Mark’s Fishing Tackle, 01299 871735 Postcode: DY13 8UU
RIVER STOUR, THROOP FISHERIES, DORSET
If Throop seems to be mentioned every week in the countdown to the closed season it’s only because it’s so good! The perch in here grow to well over the 3lb mark, with 4lb-plus specimens not unheard of. In fact, the ultimate fish of a lifetime of over 5lb may well be caught from here. If that wasn’t enough, the perch in this chalk stream are arguably the most beautiful of all. Feeder fished red maggots have produced fish in the past, with the specimen hunters out there using big lobworms and livebaits to trick
their quarry. Contact: Ringwood Tackle, 01425 475155 Price: £10 per day in advance
RIVER THAMES, SPELTHORNE, SURREY
The Thames system could well produce a record-nudging perch, although tracking them down can prove tricky. Noted areas include the free stretches at Shepperton,
where stacks of 3lb-plus fish are caught every year, frequently topped by specimens over 4lb. Fishing around the marinas is productive, as are areas downstream at Walton-onThames. Talke to Dave at Davies Angling prior to your visit. Contact: Davies Angling, 01784 461831 Price: Free fishing