River Stort
Spellbrook, Essex
The fishery lies a little south of Bishops Stortford, besides a railway line, and beneath a flight path to Stanstead – it isn’t quiet but very picturesque.
Not much is said about the Stort in comparison to the Lee. You can walk from boundary to Boundary in 10 minutes or so. The river has natural meandering banks, good depth, but currently very clear. Clear enough to see a few pike of 6-8lb around the margins.
The far boundary however, consists of a backwater stretch of about 60 yards, just shy of a marina. It’s shadier and the water is more coloured.
This spot is a diversion past a bridge and mooring quay, by a meadow. Although a bit boggy and soft under feet, offered some ‘Crabtree-esque’ fishing under overhanging trees and towards watercress beds. It’s quite a narrow stretch of water at around 25feet and does have boat traffic from time-to-time.
This fishery, along with Mileham Farm in Kent offers fantastic River Carp fishing, with Carp well over 30lb. Shoals of Bream are also present and some fair size pike, although the eel grass makes lure fishing difficult.
Night Fishing is permitted at no extra cost.
Some distance to walk over meadows to water expect roach, Dace, chub and bream on this part of the Stort Navigation banks are natural and reed lined.
Due to it’s proximity to Harlow Town, this fishery can become very busy with cyclists and walkers. This does offer accessibility by train from Harlow Town though, for anglers without a car