River Wey Somerset Bridge
Elstead, Surrey
OS Map Reference: SU 922 439
Postcode: GU8 6LD
Water Type: River
Designation: General River
Facilities:
Contacts:
Head Bailiff: Mr. Tony Jeat
Local Police: 101
Stock:
Mainly Chub to 4lb
Barbel to 12lb+
Grayling, Roach, Dace, Perch, Pike and Trout
A small river where mobility is the key to success, particularly where chub are concerned. There is a mile of river on the Somerset Bridge section. These are seldom busy stretches of the Wey
A mobile style of fishing is suggested for this small river. Chub are the predominant species and average from 2lb to over 4lb Pike up to 20lb, Dace Roach, Perch, Grayling, Trout and the odd Carp and Barbel are present. Carp to 18lb and Roach to 2lb 8oz present. Weed can be a problem in the summer months.
Suitable for most river tactics, although the venue is largely shallow with fast shallow runs into deeper areas.
Fish the deeper areas and glides for consistent sport and check out the over hanging trees and rafts for the Chub.
Fishery Report - 21st November 2012
The Rivers are still being lightly fished, though all sections appear very fishable.
Float fishing is the most productive method with Dace, Roach, Perch and Trout being taken on maggot. Also on two occasions anglers have reported catching small Barbel on maggot, about 6 -8 oz.
Tony Jeatt - Head Bailiff
Somerset Bridge - Fishery Report August 2012
Well, it is almost impossible to give an up to date river report . No sooner do I check the river , it pours with rain ,and my assessment is out of date.
Last week the river was in superb condition not too much weed, good flow and just the right amount of colour. Fish being caught were Bream 5lb, Chub about 4 lb on legered worm.
The river whilst continually rising and falling with all this rain has not been badly coloured and has never been unfishable. Anglers thinking about giving the rivers a visit should not hesitate. Give it a go. Travel light, stay off the maggot unless you like catching Minnows. You don't need fancy bait, the fish have not got a Michelin rating and the fish that are being caught are in cracking condition.
Note:
There is a bonus some of our waters have cattle grazing. It appears that many angler think that they are herds of bulls, and anglers will not venture across fields that contain cattle .You do not get herds of bulls they have no value and if there is one amongst the ladies, he ain't interested in you ! Cattle tend to be inquisitive and may follow you but will soon lose interest if you ignore them. I escorted a young lady angler and her partner across a field of cattle this year, because she would not enter the field on her own. If any angler is frightened of cattle I would be happy to escort them across fields where they are grazing. The only cattle to keep away from are mothers with calves as they can be protective, and definatly no dogs when there are cattle present. Regards Tony Jeatt
River Report - 23rd April 2012
Water levels in mid-April were slightly down but were carrying run off from the roads after the rain. Following the late April and early May deluge, the river is now in flood and several trees have washed down stream and are partially blocking the bridge . One other tree is blocking the river upstream of Somerset bridge, but this will probably disappear with the next heavy rainfall.
Different species of duck and geese are passing along the river system at the moment. Two small Brown Trout were taken on nymph and of course returned in April, unusual as they don't usually show until late May. Following the current flood, I would not expect the river to be fishable for Trout for at least a week. There was a widened bridge across the ditch in the second field thanks to the owners, but following recent recent rain we are back to one plank! - Tony Jeatt: Head Bailiff
Catch Report - 31st December 2011
Water levels are fine at the moment. Slightly up and a good colour for fishing. Elstead over Xmas produced a Chub around the 5 lb mark. (no scales) plus smaller Chub, plus Trout, Grayling and Dace, Also Good size Perch - Tony Jeatt
Catch Report - 20th November 2011
Levels and colour good. Catching mainly on the float with baits such as worm and maggot. Species include, Perch, Chub, Grayling, Dace & Roach. Largest Perch in a bag of five was 2 lbs 12ozs with Chub seen to 3lb 12oz. - Tony Jeatt
Catch Report - 10th November 2011
All sections of the river have been very quiet owing to low water levels, and floating weed rafts, making fishing difficult. Anglers have been waiting for the rain to colour the water and flush the summer silt away. Last weeks rain has improved conditions, the river is nicely coloured and today an angler at Somerset Bridge reported catching a Chub of about 4 lb, a Roach about 1/2 lb, a Perch of 1lb and a Trout of about 2 lb - all on float fished maggot. - Tony Jeatt
Catch Report - 16th June to 31st August 2011
River Wey Elstead all three stretches. are being fished very lightly, trodden down swims but no anglers on the bank. Spoke to an angler who told me that he had caught some decent Perch from Woodside Farm. Perch are coming out in ever increasing numbers, and are growing at a good rate thanks to the Minnow population - Tony Jeatt - Head Bailiff
Catch Report Week Beginning 27th June 2011
Last week produced Grayling, Dace and Chub to maggot, Chub to 3lb 8oz on luncheon meat, numerous small Chub and Perch to legered worm: largest Perch about 2 lb. The river has a good flow and the colour is just right. More news next week - Tony Jeatt - Head Bailiff
Catch Report June 16th to 24th June 2011
Trout, Grayling, Dace and Gudgeon being taken on float fished maggot. Some Perch also being caught on legered worm to about 1/2lb. The river is coloured after this weeks rain and looks good for this weekend - Tony Jeatt - Head Bailiff
Catch Report February 2011
The river is in good winter trim and slightly coloured. This section is also fishing quite well with the usual Dace, Gudgeon, Roach and Chub to around 3lbs being caught on bread, maggot and luncheon meat and cheese paste which accounted for a surprise Brown Trout of about 2lb for Mr John Smith from Church Crookham - see gallery - Tony Jeatt - Head Bailiff
Catch Report to November 2010
The rivers at the moment have recovered some of there Autumn water levels after recent rain. Dace and Roach are showing in small numbers. New anglers are fishing the Elstead stretches and targeting Grayling, as they have never caught this species before, as these stretches are the only waters around here that contain them. A few Chub are showing. Somerset Bridge has produced a 10lb 8oz Carp, with Grayling to 12oz, Perch to 1lb 8oz and Brown and Rainbow Trout - See the gallery. - Tony Jeatt, Head Bailiff
Catch Report Sat 27th November
class="MsoNormal">Water low and clear, three anglers on the bank, all float fishing with maggot and all catching Grayling, Dace and Trout, plus one Bullhead ! See Gallery for the Brown Trout caught by Graham Gamblen. - Tony Jeatt - Head Bailiff
Catch Report to November 2010
17th September 2010
The river is producing a few Trout, Roach, Dace and Grayling. - Tony Jeatt, Head Bailiff
June 2009 to January 2010
Expect to see many different birds when fishing as they move up and down the river section. Chub to 3lb 12oz, Trout to 2lb, small Grayling, Perch, Dace, Roach & of course Minnows. Occasional Bream, Common Carp to 18lb and Barbel of 5lb+ and rumoured to 10lb +.
Farnham Angling Society Record
| Species | lbs:ozs:drms | kilo.grms | Date | Captor |
| No Records Caught From This Venue Yet! | ||||
- Members can fish the river upstream from the weir on the right hand bank for approximately one mile
- Remember that Barbel must not be retained in keepnets (see Bye-law 4.j page 9).
- All dogs are banned from this venue except guide dogs.
- No night fishing, no camping and no fires of any kind.
- Members are entitled to fly-fish on this section from 1st April to 30th September inclusive, but please note that we do not stock this section with trout.
- Clay pigeon shooting takes place a short distance from the other bank on the 3rd Sunday of each month between 10.00am and 12.30pm.
- Members can fly fish from 1st April to the 14th March inclusive
River Wey Elstead - New Stock
The Environment Agency Fisheries team delivered a batch of fish to the River Wey at Elstead on 24th November.
The juvenile fish which consisted of 250 barbel, 250 chub and 250 dace were introduced to the river in an area chosen away from the main flow with lots of marginal cover.
The fish which were transported from the Environment Agency's Calverton Fish Farm in Nottingham swam away strongly and are expected to grow quickly in the rich environment.
The fish introduction was overseen by FAS Chairman Richard Cane, pictured.
Chub & Barbel Stocked in the River Wey
The Environment Agency delivered a stock of Chub and Barbel to the River Wey at Elstead on Tuesday 16th November 2010. A spot was chosen where there is a slack area of flow to stock the fish which swam off strongly. The fish were bred at the Environment Agency's fish farm at Calverton, near Nottingham which produced half a million fish last year. Richard Cane, FAS Chairman, met with Adrian Bicknell, Fisheries Officer at the Environment Agency on site to oversee the stocking of 200 Chub and 50 Barbel stocked into the section of river. This particular section of river provides some good habitat for juvenile fish with fast runs of water and undercut banks and we are hoping these fish will grow quickly.
Follow the B3001 from Farnham through Elstead. Turn left at the road signposted Pepper Harrow and Shackleford. The river passes beneath the road at Somerset Bridge
Park in the lay-by on the left hand side before the bridge or over the bridge on the right hand side. Please do not block the entrance gate to the field or the gate into the farm.
Proceed over the style by the bridge. The river may be fished upstream from the weir on the right hand bank for approximately one mile. Entrance to the second field is over the gate or the gap in the fence.