River Thames — Goring east bank, Ferry Lane to Gatehampton

The lowdown

• There’s plenty to get your head round: approximately 1.5 miles of east-bank fishing, with more than 80 designated pegs split into four sections. It’s members-only water, so get your club permit sorted before setting up.
• The Meadows covers pegs 38–68 and gives you a choice of float, pole or feeder fishing. Handy if you enjoy switching approaches rather than packing for just one way of fishing.
• Flow matters in the Meadows. The stronger push is generally out in mid-river, so that’s the key detail to bear in mind when choosing where to present your float or feeder.
• Withyemead, pegs 69–77, has a different feel: tree-lined banks with gaps cut for individual swims. At normal levels, the club describes 12–15 feet of water just one rod length out. Proper depth close in.
• The named fish include roach, chub, dace, bream, perch and pike. Barbel and carp are also reported, with occasional tench. There’s a broad mix, rather than a stretch described around just one species.
• Don’t assume every numbered peg is available. Peg 1 is listed as closed, along with pegs 9–27 because of bank erosion. The footpath diversion between pegs 8 and 28 goes via Manor Road.
• Fancy fishing after dark? Night fishing is allowed on otherwise-open pegs within 1–77. Pegs 78–86 are strictly sunrise to sunset, and you need to be away before dark.
• For access, the club points anglers towards parking references at the ends of Ferry Lane and Manor Road. Keep out of private Gatehampton Road for parking; disability access at Gatehampton is currently suspended.

Methods: Float, pole and feeder are all supported approaches in the Meadows, where the stronger flow is generally mid-river. At Withyemead, bear that 12–15-foot depth at normal levels in mind when setting up close in.

Access & tickets

Buy your Goring Fishing Club permit through Clubmate or Gibbo’s Tackle in Didcot before fishing. Public day tickets aren’t available.

Fish the club names

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

Key rules

• Buy a valid club permit before fishing and hold an appropriate Environment Agency rod licence.
• Environment Agency statutory closed seasons apply.
• The club recommends using no more than two rods at once.
• Junior anglers must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
• Do not fish closed pegs: peg 1 and pegs 9–27 are listed as closed.
• Night fishing is limited to otherwise-open pegs within 1–77; pegs 78–86 are sunrise-to-sunset only, with departure before dark.
• Remove all bankside litter and minimise noise and disturbance to residents and riparian owners.
• Do not park in private Gatehampton Road.

River level

Where it is