Sparham Hall

River level

The lowdown

• • The stretch sits upstream of the mill pools at Lyng and is overlooked by Sparham Hall. Rural, peaceful and a bit tucked away — just the ticket if you fancy a proper quiet session.
• • At around 1.5 miles, there’s plenty of water to explore. Access and parking are available at both the upstream and downstream ends, so you can choose your starting point without a huge faff.
• • This is slower, deeper Wensum rather than a chuck-and-run sort of river. Look for the crease, steady glides and any changes in depth where fish can sit comfortably.
• • It’s built for specimen-minded anglers. Historically, bream over 11 lb were present, while chub over 7 lb have been caught in recent years. Roach over 2 lb are also reported.
• • Pike over 20 lb are reported, with occasional large perch in the stretch too. There’s a proper chance of something special, so tackle sensibly and have your unhooking kit ready.
• • Feeder work is a natural fit in the deeper, steadier water, especially when you can settle a bait near the edge of the flow. For chub and roach, trotting a float through the glides is well worth a go.
• • Pike or lure fishing is off-limits before 1 October. Once permitted, the reported pike make this an interesting autumn and winter option — just remember the two-rod allowance applies only to pike angling.
• • There’s a short no-fishing section roughly midway along the stretch. Keep an eye out for the signs and don’t wander into it by accident.
• • The banks can be uneven, with gates, stiles, fences and possible livestock. Vehicles must stay in authorised parking areas, and the fishery is no-bivvy, no-overnight-stays territory.

Methods: The deeper, slower character suits feeder fishing and patient specimen work. Trotting the steadier glides for chub and roach, then switching attention to bream or pike when conditions line up, should cover the main options.

Access & tickets

You need a valid WACA season permit or a guest ticket, plus an Environment Agency rod licence. Guest tickets cost £10 each, must be obtained in advance, and the guest must fish with a WACA member; WACA waiting lists are currently closed.

Fish the club names

bream, chub, roach, pike, perch

Key rules

• A valid WACA season permit or guest ticket is required, along with a valid Environment Agency rod licence.
• Guest tickets must be obtained in advance. Guests must be accompanied by a fishery member; one guest per member per day is allowed.
• Guest tickets are limited to four per member/fishery per season.
• One rod may be used at a time, except two rods are allowed for pike angling.
• Lure or pike fishing is prohibited before 1 October.
• All caught fish must be returned alive as soon as reasonably possible.
• Keepnets are prohibited unless specifically authorised. Unhooking mats are required where fish size or bank conditions demand them.
• No dogs are allowed on WACA fisheries. No fishing is allowed from bridges or adjoining structures.
• A short no-fishing section lies approximately midway along the stretch.

Where it is