Free Fishing in Wheathamstead

The last couple of days have been a joy. While many of the clients I’m lucky enough to teach to fish will be very happy to spend £9+ on a fishery permit where there are plenty of nice sized fish and a calm environment, plenty will on occasion just want to  head out for an hour and so I thought I’d explore the local, free fishing. 

First up has been the Upper Lea in Wheathampstead, so the last two days I’ve picked up the most basic kit there is (a 4meter £15 whip, a small landing net, a box of maggots/ worms and a disgorger) and headed out for a twenty minute (literally) session.  

The Wheathampsted Parish Council website (https://wheathampstead-pc.gov.uk/the-river-lea/) mentions three stretches of water. They are quite different. I explored Melissa Field in shorts (useful to work out how likely children are to get stung by nettles). There is reasonable depth to the river and the river and bank feel a little wild (something I thoroughly approve of). I imagine with a little stealth you might encounter a decent sized fish. Even crashing through the undergrowth like a blindfolded hippo I still found plenty of small chub and minnows to take my bait but casting and striking were a little tight. I would probably use rod and reel next time and were trousers.

Mill Quay is apparently a barbel hotspot and while I didn’t see any, I caught a few minnows. 

Plenty of small fish in pretty scenery…. and it’s all free on the River Lea in Wheathampstead

The Meads is often shallow but is packed with silver fish. I will return with a fly rod at some point, but on a day like today it would have been dangerous. And that is the downside of the Meads.  It can be very busy with walkers, paddlers, dog walkers, horse riders and the public generally. That said, the fish don’t seem too bothered. Sadly, I only had fifteen minutes but in spite of the disruption I was catching a fish every two casts. I look forward to returning soon.

There’s real variety across these three stretches but each has crystal clear water,  they’re full of fish and are pretty.