River Medway – Canon Bridge day-ticket section, Town Lock to first stile downstream of Cannon Bridge

River level

The lowdown

• This is a handy day-ticket section in an otherwise mostly members-only Canon Bridge fishery. The water fishes well from the start of the coarse-fishing season, so it’s a bob-on early-season option.
• The river is wider here than through Tonbridge upstream, with a normal flow that’s fairly slow. Think steady water rather than a raging chuck — ideal for trotting, float fishing and a tidy feeder approach.
• Average depth is roughly six feet, giving you plenty of water to work. Gravel areas are the places to try for roach, chub and dace, while the muddier patches commonly turn up bream and roach.
• Hemp and caster are effective baits for the silverfish. Sweetcorn is the top bait for quality fish, so it’s well worth having a few cheeky grains in the tub.
• There are some proper bonus fish about. Large perch are present, chub over 4lb turn up, occasional pike patrol the stretch and a few double-figure carp are in residence.
• The Botany Stream, also known as Muck Stream, is a narrow, shallow backwater. Expect small roach there, with the chance of a larger perch, chub or bream.
• The bank between Canon Bridge and Town Lock is high, so take care near the edge and when moving between swims. It’s not one for charging about with a full barrow.
• The section runs from Town Lock to the first stile downstream of Canon Bridge. Fishing between the swimming pool and Town Lock is prohibited, so don’t drift into that bit by mistake.
• Swanmead Sports Ground car park is free but limited to four hours Monday to Friday. There’s also a designated anglers’ car park in Postern Lane, reached via the Tudeley Lane entrance — but spaces are limited.

Methods: Trotting and float fishing should suit the slow, six-foot water, with feeder work worth a go over the muddier areas. Fish hemp or caster for numbers, then switch to sweetcorn when you fancy a better stamp or a bonus carp.

Access & tickets

Day tickets are obtainable on the bank from society bailiffs. The standard river and lake day ticket costs £10 for one or two rods.

Fish the club names

carp, bream, roach, pike, perch, chub

Key rules

• The standard day ticket allows a maximum of two rods.
• Day tickets are valid only on designated day-ticket waters.
• Day-ticket fishing is subject to the club's carp rules.
• The bank between Canon Bridge and Town Lock is high and should be fished with care.
• Fishing between the swimming pool and Town Lock is prohibited.
• Anglers must not park in the passing places in Postern Lane.

Where it is