Bablock Hythe (AOAA), River Thames

River level

The lowdown

• A proper peaceful bit of Thames, with the A&OAA describing it as quiet and picturesque. Nice spot for a steady session rather than a mad scramble.
• Access starts as you enter the field at the access point. Parking is at the end of Bablock Hythe Road, which begins in the village of Eaton.
• The fishable bank is the right-hand bank when heading downstream. That’s also the towpath, so keep things tidy and be mindful around the bank.
• The stretch runs downstream to Paxford Bridge at Pinkhill. No fixed measured length is given, and there’s no official peg count, so it’s very much a walk-and-pick-your-swim job.
• Roach, perch, pike and chub are the main named fish. The venue species information also lists barbel, dace and rudd, giving you a decent spread of coarse options.
• For a mixed bag, trotting or light feeder work should suit the riverbank approach. Look for the usual changes in pace and depth, then settle into a swim that looks like it’s got a bit of life.
• Perch and chub make a cheeky change of plan if the roach aren’t on the munch. Pike are also present, so pack the proper unhooking gear if you’re targeting them.
• There’s no night fishing on Alliance waters unless a special notice says otherwise. Don’t just assume you can stay after dark.
• No swims may be reserved, and you’ll need a suitable unhooking mat or cradle plus a landing net of at least 36 inches. All fish must be returned alive at the end of fishing on the day of capture, except permitted livebaits.

Methods: A flexible mixed-fishing approach fits the stretch: try trotting or feeder tactics for the coarse fish, and switch to pike tackle where appropriate. Pike lure fishing requires a wire trace and suitable pike-unhooking equipment.

Access & tickets

Get an Alliance coarse-fishing permit through its online shop, and carry the official digital permit as proof of membership. The checked shop does not list a public one-day ticket.

Fish the club names

roach, perch, pike, chub, barbel, rudd

Key rules

• A current official Alliance digital permit is required as proof of membership, and fishing is not permitted until the current subscription has been paid.
• All fish must be returned alive at the end of fishing on the day of capture, except permitted livebaits.
• A maximum of three rods is allowed where covered by the appropriate Environment Agency rod licence.
• Do not fish from vehicles or sleep in vehicles waterside.
• No fires, guns, littering or unauthorised drones are allowed on Alliance waters.
• Dogs must be kept on a lead and owners must clear up after them.
• No swims may be reserved.
• Carry a suitable unhooking mat or cradle and a landing net of at least 36 inches.
• Pike fishing requires wire traces when lure fishing and suitable pike-unhooking equipment.

Where it is