This month Tom Humphreys takes his seatbox and whip on a trip to the vast expanse of West London in search of angling opportunities
WHEN you think of London, you may be forgiven for not picturing gentile streams, fish-filled ponds and tranquil canals. However, among the seemingly endless traffic, speed cameras and electric buses, there’s a myriad of water to explore.
The big-carp fishing world has long known of the capital’s potential to throw up some piscatorial gems, and adventurous anglers such as Alfie Russell and Jacob Worth have really cemented it as an urban fishing paradise. But what’s on offer for the coarse anglers among us?
That’s the very question I’ve aimed to address in this month’s article, and I’ve got just over 24 hours into which to cram as much angling action as possible – which is a very a daunting task indeed!
Starting out at the wonderfully engaging Surbiton Angling Centre, the owner Luke (who took over the shop in 2021) informs me of several places to start my journey and as always, this ‘intel’ will undoubtedly prove crucial in putting fish on the bank.
Over the past few years in particular, the capital has suffered a vast decrease in the number of tackle shops; a quick check on Google shows at least four that have closed their doors during recent times.
It’s great then to see Luke’s shop bursting with stock covering all the major disciplines and you can really tell that he is just as passionate as he is friendly.
River Wandle
The River Wandle weaves gracefully through the boroughs of London, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape as it does so. Born in the rolling hills of the North Downs, this pretty river embarks on a journey that spans approximately nine miles before merging with the mighty River Thames. It’s honestly hard to place into words the context of this river, surrounded as it is by c
