The first annual ‘Tidefest’ match took place at Strand on the Green near Kew bridge on Sunday 28th Septmber. The match, part of a wider event on World Rivers Day, attracted 30 anglers to fish the challenging tidal Thames.
Dawn at Kew on the Tidal Thames
Fishing from a few hours after high tide when the foreshore first came accessible, anglers set up for the 8am start.
Fish were caught from the off with species including Roach and Dace prevalent, methods ranged from trotting small baits to distance feeder tactics in an attempt to find that winning bag of Bream.
Pic courtesy www.clearwaterphotography.co.uk
Pic courtesy www.clearwaterphotography.co.uk
The Angling Trust’s Martin Salter, one of the event organisers, said: ” Despite the bright sunshine and the less than ideal conditions for fishing there were some good bags recorded and it was great to see so many people out on the river celebrating what the Thames Tideway has to offer and to mark World Rivers Day. With the new super sewer now being given the go ahead and our sponsors already confirmed for next year we can really look forward to a brighter and fish filled future for London’s river. TideFest will not only be a bigger and better match in 2015, it will provide an all important health check on the condition of the Thames Tideway. “
David Harvey Chair of the Thames Anglers Conservancy Said: ‘ Fishing the tidal river is a challenge as you have to move down with the tide. It is fantastic to see such an event on our great river and for most people to catch is even better. The Tidal Thames is something of an untapped resource and hope this will now see more people coming down and giving it a try. It future years when the SuperSewer is built, the potential will be endless, I am already looking forward to next years event and fully expect it to be even bigger’
Congratulations went to worthy winner Clive Westwood for his fine feeder caught catch of 34lbs 8ozs of mainly bream which earned him a lovely trophy and a cool £500. Second was James Thornhill from the charity Get Hooked on Fishing (which also received a £200 donation from the participating anglers) with 21.05 followed by Keith Clark with 16.15 for third place. The sponsors Thames Tideway Tunnel have confirmed for next year and the organising committee are already making plans for a bigger event for 2015 on the last Sunday in September. This may include a 60 peg pairs match over two sections.
Worthy winner Clive Westwood with Mayor of Hounslow Corinna Smart
Pic courtesy www.clearwaterphotography.co.uk
World Rivers Day began in Canada 30 years ago but became officially recognised as a global event by the United Nations in 2005 as part of their ‘Water for Life’ decade. It takes place every year on the last Saturday in September and involves thousands people across the planet in projects as diverse as identifying illegal dumping sites in Russia, holding community awareness programmes in West Africa, organising community clean ups in Poland and highlighting the need for better sewage treatment for the River Ganges in India.
TAC