Mike Deacon takes Sea Angler editor David Mitchell on a mission to find sole and sees first-hand the impact of ever decreasing angling access at the Port of Newhaven
There is no small amount of irony that one of the few remaining fishable marks at the Port of Newhaven in Sussex is nicknamed the Hope. This small section of the port’s channel wall on the River Ouse, named after the Hope Inn which overlooks the harbour entrance, can fish well but isn’t much longer than 100m, leaving little room when the fishing is at its best. With the threat of the owners of the port, the French company Transmanche Ferries, closing the east arm to fishing, locals can only hope that this venue remains accessible.
Anglers and members of the public said au revoir to Newhaven Sandy West Beach in 2008 after the French owners deemed it to be part of the working area of the port and didn’t meet health and safety standards for the admission of the public. Access to it was closed off and with it went one of the best beaches to dig lugworm and white ragworm in the area.
Soon after, the authorities closed off access to the breakwater too due to health and safety concerns and insurance liabilities. Generations of anglers had fished from either side of the breakwater which provided excellent fishing for many species throughout the year with ample space for anglers to fish in comfort even when the mackerel were in and every man and his dog were mackie bashing on summer’s evenings. Alas, eventually it was au revoir to Newhaven Breakwater too. Aside from the Hope, the sole remaining part of the port to be accessible to anglers is the East Arm; however, even then the authorities make it as clear as possible that angling is technically prohibited throughout the port but ‘tolerated’ as long as it doesn’t become a nuisance. It was on the east arm that I was keen to show Sea Angler readers both how the fishing from the port here can still produce great results but also how busy it can be as a result of anglers being denied access to most of the rest of the port.
IN SEARCH OF SOLE
Arriving at the east arm shortly after low water we would be fishing the tide up with two hours before sunset. The arm was still relatively quiet as we set up camp on the eastern side overlooking Seaford Bay. The plan was to target sole using light gear tactics. Armed with fresh, local black lug and harbour rag everything was looking favourable apart from the persistent and unseasonable stiff south westerly wind which threatened to turn the evening into a weed-fest. At least the wind was on our backs. One rod was used to fish a large mackerel bait close into the wall just on the off chance that a bass or conger might interrupt the sole session.
Within five minutes of the first cast the telltale rattle on David’s rod suggested something of t
