Canals - GUC?

[Ddgx]

I've used the search feature and haven't quite come across what I'm after.

I've really enjoyed fishing the rivers last season but of course, they are all shut atm. I am thinking about hitting one of the canals as an alternative - I'm not fussed on difficulty to some extent, I have late Saturday afternoon until Mid-afternoon Sunday to fish and on a bank holiday weekend turning up most places where I am (Essex) on a Saturday night and trying to find a swim or lake that isn't shoulder to shoulder is most unlikely. I have been thinking about the Grand Union, most of the stretches I've checked out aren't day ticket, or don't allow night fishing, or are too far to travel. Not looking for anyone to share their prize locations but just a general hint on stretches that would even allow me to fish would be really helpful. I'm more after a quiet night in the countryside away from the madness than I am interested in bagging up!  p.s. I'd consider other canals but most others look too far or are 'navigations' and close season applies.

Thanks all.

[greekskii]

have you checked they are closed because according to the canal and rivers trust, this is the list of canals that still enforce a close season

[Ddgx]

Afternoon Greekskii,

Yes I had a check of that list and also their list of rivers which have the closed season. As far as I can tell the Grand Union is closed on a shortish section of the Leicester Line which is much further North than I would be prepared to travel anyway. Thanks mate!

I've tried Tring Angling & Luton AC and they are either night fishing for members only or no night fishing :-(

[greekskii]

Whereabouts in Essex are you? 

[Ddgx]

I'm between Wickford and Basildon. Ta mate.

[greekskii]

not any canals near you is there! Depending on how far you want to travel A rural part of the GUC will likely see no one question you regarding a ticket or night fishing. Have a look at the status of local marinas, even if they are on the river they are sometimes given stillwater status and are exempt from the close season. Odd and makes no sense but a potential, then you;ll have to get access to fish it of course.

Or just twiddle your thumbs until the 16th, or a quiet club water?

[Ddgx]

Yep, the canals are all miles away! Open season I'd have the Chelmer, The Stort, Blackwater maybe even the "Brain" to fish. Lea navigation isn't too far either. 

My dad owns a Narrowboat actually, a few times the Marina owners or Marina residents don't like people fishing in the Marina's and I've been told off (was only Roach bashing too with a float rod!). Often the big marina's are normally secure and you only get in if you have a boat there. You make a good point about the night fishing and people not noticing - I am a real wimp though when I know I'm breaking fishing rules and the guilt will get the better of me

I suppose....I could fish the evening and from morning the next day if I was that bothered, 'dusk' isn't til what 9pm? First light is 5am-ish. I could still get probably 11 or so hours in during daylight hours.

 

[greekskii]

it's just the boat traffic that will be a problem during daylight hours!

[Ddgx]

Triple backleads!