RIVER CHESS/RICKMANSWORTH/HERTFORDSHIRE/SOUTHEAST

The Chess is well regarded by fishermen for its brown trout populations, as featured in the BBC2 programme The Accidental Angler. Three Rivers District Council allows free fishing with a valid EA rod licence along the playing fields and public footpath above Scotsbridge: up to half a mile of fishing.

The Rickmansworth stretch of the Chess still seems to hold more chub up to 2lbs than trout or grayling, but both salmonid species are growing in number.

Sadly,  The river’s famous strain of breeding rainbow trout appears to have died out. For this small, open chalkstream, a rod of 7 to 8ft is ideal, rated for a 1 to 4 weight line. The whole length of the fishery is popular for dog-walking, but the fish recover quickly from being spooked.

Mayfly hatches on the Chess always seem to have been variable, with olives offering more consistent sport, and traditional fly patterns including Blue Duns and Red Spinners.