Walton-on-Thames — FREE (Walton Bridge area)

River level

The lowdown

• This is the Walton Bridge area between Walton-on-Thames and Shepperton, with the river running through Elmbridge, Surrey.
• TAC has described fishing below Walton Bridge as free fishing. No day-ticket or season-ticket price is published, so there’s no faff over buying a club ticket for this stretch.
• One TAC event covered the water from the Anglers pub upstream to the Desborough Cut. That gives you a decent idea of the wider Walton Bridge reach, rather than one tiny marked swim.
• The match venue wasn’t pegged. Anglers were told to walk off and pick their own fishing position, so expect a bit of exploring rather than a neat row of numbered pegs.
• It’s a navigable Thames stretch, with towpath and riverside public access around Walton Bridge. Keep your eyes open for other river users and choose a swim sensibly.
• Coarse angling events and tuition have been held here, including pike-handling and fishing tuition. Pike are specifically named for the Walton Bridge venue.
• Perch are also on the list, with TAC recording a 3 lb 11 oz perch caught at Walton-on-Thames. A proper chunky stripey, that.
• For a session, the natural approach is to look for comfortable features and fish what the river is doing. Trotting or a feeder could both suit a steady Thames swim, while pike kit is relevant where permitted and appropriate.
• Daytime and overnight event formats have taken place in the wider reach, but general current night-fishing rights aren’t confirmed. Don’t assume you can bivvy up after dark without checking first.
• Parking is available below Walton Bridge off the A244. Use Walton Lane, taking the first right after coming in from the bridge side; TAC also noted parking on the left of Walton Lane. Cowey Sale is an official riverside access point.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: It’s a flexible coarse venue, with trotting and feeder-style approaches worth considering around the river’s features and flow. Pike fishing and tuition have also featured at Walton Bridge.

Access & tickets

This is a free-fishing area run by Thames Anglers' Conservancy, so no current day-ticket or season-ticket price is published. You still need an Environment Agency rod licence before fishing.

Fish the club names

pike, perch

Key rules

• An Environment Agency rod licence is required.
• The stretch is described by Thames Anglers' Conservancy as free fishing.
• No fixed pegs are published; the Walton Bridge event venue was not pegged and anglers were instructed to walk off and choose their fishing position.
• Night fishing is not confirmed as a general current right by TAC.
• Follow sensible riverside access arrangements around the towpath, public access points and navigable river.

Where it is