A day on The London Docks, Marshwall

FIND ME ON FACEBOOK

>>>click link below<<<

Firstly welcome everyone to my blogger site, most will know me via Facebook. However in recent times, decided to get more involved with this platform. Many posts still to update, including some unpublished, be editing and reposting at a later date.

Thanks for your patience, and understanding. Do hope some of you get something out of this blog.

So let's get back on it, starting with a recent session had on The Docklands, Marshwall in London.

Often get messages from readers asking for advice, or tips, always willing to help where can. Sometimes even get to arrange a day out, as did with Gary.

Making Contact: anglingwithshaun@gmail.com 

Be totally honest, not everyone get to meet is, pleasant or fun to be around. Not always happy meeting some people never met before, which only got enhanced back in 2024 when visited Southampton, where although met so many wonderful people, also met some awful undesirable characters. As such no longer advertise live where fishing at any particular time.

Asked ChatGPT to do a funny comical poster. At no point did I include any words. Bloody cheeky, hopefully don't look that miserable. Do have an excuse lost yet another tooth days before, and as such didn't want to smile. Ha Ha Ha 😂 can assure not one beer was sank on the day, apart from coffee kindly delivered by Gary's better half.

So let's get on with it, after a few messages, back and forth, we hooked up for a short session on a familiar venue, having fished loads of times over the years.

Just a small number of old pictures at night

Got many hundreds of pictures taken over the years. You can find many on my Facebook page.

Bit of a later start than would have liked, arriving in the early afternoon. Travelling light, on pushbike.

Literally just a Browning Silverlight Bolo rod...

Classic DAM Closed Face Reel, perfect for the Bolo, light, nice balance.

Nicknamed The Coffee Grinder back in the day 😆 

Landing net, stool, unhooking mat, a few bits and bobs. 

Bait wise just casters, lot's of them that needed using up ASAP.

Started setting up, shortly after Gary turned up, would say we instantly clicked. Always a good thing when fishing, getting on well with someone on the bank...

Had some excellent sessions here in the past. 

However in recent months, not caught anything decent.

Are the rumours on the grapevine true ? Has it been electrofished, resulting in fish being stunned, netted and sold onto other venues ? Can't really say, however does seem that way, certainly a lack of anything decent.

Could it be the 3 P's Pollution, Predation and Poaching.

No doubt the later Poaching, can certainly vouch for, having witnessed many times, fish caught put in plastic bags, taken home for the plate. Do believe far to little to late, damage already done. 

More of an effort including patrols from Environment Agency, Angling Trust, Canal and River Trust would help.

Even signs put up would believe benefit, may help...

Definitely witnessed far more Poaching since the old Millwall Angling Club gave up fishing rights and folded. Big Perch taken, a few by each Angler, regardless how much water, don't take long to empty a venue of stock.

So much so the problem, even got reported to The Angling Trust, due to anti social behaviour upsetting residents and taking fish. Many areas since closed, fishing no longer allowed.

>>>CLICK FOR: Original Facebook Post<<< 

Angling Trust Enforcement team responding to reports in London. 

Regional Enforcement Support Manager for the South-East Dave Wilkins, and Building Bridges Project Officer Janusz Kansik, met with the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Unit, Canal & River Trust, and the Environment Agency at Canary Wharf to discuss angling issues in the area. With reports of fish theft as well as conflict between anglers and local business owners and residents, it is important that we tackle these problems head on. Work will be progressing to provide safe fishing locations. Angling will be available on the Canal and River Trust Waterway Wanderers ticket, and of course an Environment Agency rod licence. 

These partnerships work extremely well and we are glad that our Enforcement work can provide more angling opportunities whilst helping to prevent poaching and fish theft. Our Enforcement work is funded by fishing licence income in partnership with the Environment Agency.

#anglingtrust #protectourwaters #fishinginlondon

Also The Canal River Trust got involved and Angler's now needing to purchase a Waterway Wanderers Permit. 

>>>CLICK LINK TO BUY A WATERWAY WANDERERS PERMIT<<<

Not that the place ever gets patrolled, very much doubt most people turning up even have an Environment Agency Fishing License.

Anyway guess nothing lasts for ever, and can only look back and remember the good times, when fishing here was incredible, some of my most memorable fishing experiences.

A Major factor in the reduction of fish stocks, has been the dominance of Cormorants increased numbers in recent decades.

Hopefully the fish been catching will eventually grow and this once great water returns to it's former glory.

Tactics wise although had some great sessions in the past using a Bolo on the docks, was hard work in the wind. The Browning Silverlight never actually totally 100% been comfortable using. Far to floppy in the wind, and the tip to sensitive, hate to imagine a big fish hooked on one. Must get my old stiffer Browning Black Magic Bolo tip repaired.

Plenty of bites, lot's of small fish caught throughout the day. Unfortunately when the sun came out had to fish in a different spot due to bright sunshine bouncing off the buildings, making it impossible to see the float.

All in all a nice day out, Gary caught plenty of fish, and said it was his best day on a dock or river ever, he was very happy. If anyone comes and joins me on the bank, has a good day fishing, happy, also very happy 😊

Plenty of little fish, Bream, Roach, Perch, Bleak, Rudd Congratulations to Gary his best day out, and his new PB Perch

All in all a great day, only let down by the Greenwich Foot tunnel lift broken again at Island Gardens, still better than both broken. Been a constant problem for years now.

Mind you could be worse forgetting the last time Woolwich Foot tunnel lifts worked.

Moving on great to meet you Gary. Look forward to meeting you again Bud 👍🎣 

Work in progress, further pictures to follow, thanks for your patience.