River Nene, Thorpe Waterville Upper

The lowdown

• This is the Thorpe Waterville Upper stretch, sitting above the bridge as Thorpe Road heads out of Thorpe Waterville towards Aldwincle.
• The water is described as deep and sluggish, so it sounds more like a steady feeder or legering job than a lively trotting stretch.
• There’s some far-bank tree cover too, giving the swim a bit of shape and somewhere for fish to feel settled.
• The character is quiet and rural. No faff with tricky access either — Nene Anglers calls it an easy-access stretch.
• It’s a single-bank fishery, and you must fish only from the banks shown on the club’s venue maps.
• The club expects the main River Nene coarse-fish species here, including roach, bream, perch, pike, chub, tench and carp.
• Static fishing is the obvious shout. A feeder or leger approach should suit the deep, steady water, with sensible bait placement around the crease and cover.
• Parking beside the gateway is limited, so don’t block it. The gate needs to stay clear for farming access, and vehicles using the grass bank must leave room for tractors.
• Extra parking is around 100 yards left through the gate on the grass bank. The gate is padlocked, with the code available through the Nene Anglers Clubmate app.
• There’s no night fishing, and the closed season runs from 15 March through 15 June inclusive. Fish between 03:00 and 23:00 from June to September, or 04:00 to 21:00 from October to March.

Methods: The deep, sluggish flow and quiet swims lend themselves to static feeder or leger fishing. Keep things tidy around the far-bank tree cover, and make sure your landing net and unhooking mat are ready.

Access & tickets

Nene Anglers does not issue ordinary day tickets. Members receive three guest tickets per season at £10 per day session, with the gate code available through the Nene Anglers Clubmate app.

Fish the club names

roach, bream, perch, pike, chub, tench, carp

Key rules

• Fish only from the banks shown on the club’s venue maps.
• Fishing from boats, inflatables, stand-up paddleboards and other watercraft is prohibited.
• A maximum of two rods may be used.
• An Environment Agency rod licence is required.
• All fish must be returned alive and unharmed. The club operates a zero-fish-removal policy.
• Fishing is closed from 15 March through 15 June inclusive.
• Fishing is permitted from 03:00 to 23:00 from June through September, and from 04:00 to 21:00 from October through March.
• Camping, fires and barbecues are prohibited. Suitable landing nets and unhooking mats are mandatory.

River level

Where it is